Candidate info
Particular qualifications:
As the Chief Operations Officer for the North Australian Indigenous Land and Sea Management Alliance (NAILSMA), the only Indigenous People Organisation (IPO) member for IUCN in Oceania, I have a strong understanding of multi-faceted approaches for successful conservation outcomes, including laws and governance, diverse knowledge bases and addressing global drivers of biodiversity loss. My background includes over fourteen years working in the Indigenous land and sea management sector across Australia and with Indigenous initiatives and networks globally. I have a comprehensive understanding of the IUCN, currently serving as a Director on the Australian Committee for IUCN; presented at and involved in the organisation of Stream 7 at the 2014 World Parks Congress; the key lead for NAILSMA’s Indigenous Peoples Organisation work; and I am actively involved in the continuation of the Resource Mobilisation working group negotiations from COP16 with the International Indigenous Forum on Biodiversity. I have high level experience and understanding of board and governance processes and overall financial and administrative oversight of organisational operations, including financial accountability and tracking the effectiveness of financial investments.
Experience in fields of concern to IUCN:
I am currently the key lead for Oceania in developing and implementing the Podong Indigenous Peoples Initiative. This initiative directly addresses the biodiversity and climate challenges outlined in the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework and the Paris Agreement. My involvement in these partnerships demonstrates my commitment to working at all levels, from local to global, to ensure that conservation efforts are both effective and equitable. My experience in the development and successful implementation of the Podong Indigenous Initiative provides direct insight into the challenges and opportunities that arise when implementing large-scale conservation efforts, ensuring coherent and effective policies and programs that respect and deliver regional priorities, advocating for the sound governance of IUCN. My passion for nature conservation is focused on maintaining, enhancing, and restoring the integrity, connectivity, and resilience of globally significant biodiversity.