Our people

Paul joined Renew in 2020. In the past, he has led teams to produce major museum exhibitions that inspire, entertain and educate; has worked at a policy and at grassroots community outreach level; has managed organisation-wide projects and transformations; and has worked as a consultant.

Alli leads the Partnerships and Membership Engagement team, who work towards engaging our members in nationally strategic projects, connecting our branches across the country and coordinating our funding sources. Alli brings a strategy and management consulting background from government, private and non-profit sectors, and has experience in sustainability while working in First Nations led organisations.

Dean is responsible for policy analysis and advocacy in national and state energy markets, with an emphasis on making the energy system work better for residential consumers while also reducing its environmental impact. He's passionate about ensuring that no-one is left behind as we transition to a clean energy future. Qualified as a social worker, Dean worked in several community development roles followed by a decade in energy policy advocacy for the Victorian Council of Social Service before joining Renew in 2016.

Tom is the editor of Renew magazine. He joined Renew in 2020 and has extensive experience in print and online media, both in Australia and abroad.

Anna has been in communications at Renew since 2010. For many years a member of the production team for Renew and Sanctuary magazines, she has also been responsible for various projects including organisation of more than a dozen Speed Date a Sustainability Expert events around the country. She became Managing Editor of Sanctuary in July 2019 and has a passion for sustainable architecture and clever house design.

Lance is technical editor of Renew: Technology for a Sustainable Future, and Sanctuary: modern green homes, Australia’s leading magazines on renewable energy and sustainable living. He has worked for Renew for nearly 30 years and been involved in publications, IT and the organisation’s original website. He has a strong interest in all things related to sustainable technology.

As advertising manager, Mohit is a part of the communications team. He is responsible for maintaining relationships with advertising customers and developing collaboration for Renew's initiatives, including sponsorships for Sustainable House Day. Mohit has eight years of sales and marketing experience of both traditional and digital advertising.

Ajay is part of our team of energy experts which handles the Consults and the Advice Service. He is passionate about fighting against climate change and providing the best advice possible in becoming more energy efficient and sustainable. He has qualifications in Renewable and Sustainable Energy, and in Electrical Engineering.

Ian joined Renew in 2019 with a background in financial reporting primarily in the music industry but most recently in the not-for-profit sector with Whitelion and St John Ambulance. A qualified Australian Chartered Accountant, he has many years’ experience in managing financial compliance and regulatory reporting. Ian prepares Renew’s financial reports and assists in regulatory compliance. He commutes to work on an electric bicycle and is a strong supporter of all sustainable ideas.

Harry has a background in environmental management and renewable energy. He manages Renew’s projects in East Timor and Indigenous communities in Australia. Prior to Renew, Harry worked with both small and large renewable energy organisations in Australia, the Pacific and sub-Saharan Africa, including establishing a social enterprise that has reached millions of people with solar-powered lighting.

Sophie joined Renew in 2019. After over a year working on the editorial and marketing side, Sophie has now transitioned to managing Renew's events, including Sustainable House Day and Speed Date a Sustainability expert. Sophie moved to Melbourne from New York City in 2018 has a background as a journalist, critic, social media marketer and event producer. She is passionate about environmental and economic justice and creating a sustainable future for everyone.

Rob joined Renew in 2019. He is working on advocacy projects to make Australian homes safer, cheaper to run and more resilient in the face of climate change. Rob has a background in campaigns, policy and advocacy on social justice and environmental issues. Prior to joining Renew Rob worked for a Federal MP. He holds a master’s degree in political studies.

Erin has recently joined the Renew team as Office Manager, bringing over 10 years of customer service experience to the role. Along with the administration team, Erin facilitates all membership processing, member related enquiries and customer service. A keen environmentalist, Erin is also currently undertaking a Masters in Environment part time at Melbourne University.

James joined Renew in 2020. After completing a B.A majoring in Political Science at the University of Queensland he left Australia to travel East Europe – his favourite country being Albania. Upon his return he relocated from Brisbane to Melbourne to take up his position with Renew. James is passionate about ethical politics, social justice and political theory. His prior experiences include an internship with Queensland Parliament and work experience with a non-profit focused on homelessness and housing

As our Organisational Support Officer, Lori keeps things flowing. Lori has qualifications in Professional Writing, International Relations and Sustainable Development. She has experience in State and Local Government and the energy sector. She has a particular interest in sustainable strata management, energy regulation and a circular economy.

Gerlinde joined the Renew Board in 2015 and was elected President in 2019. She is Executive Officer of Australian Community Philanthropy and a Director of Bendigo Bank Highett Community Bank® Branch. Her previous executive experience encompasses nine years as General Manager of a medical research institute; five years as Director of Development at the University of Melbourne; Interim CEO at a multicultural family violence support agency; a range of external relations appointments in universities; and consulting. She is a former Director and Chair of Better Place Australia and a current member of the RANZCOG Women’s Health Foundation board. Gerlinde holds Honours and Masters degrees in the Humanities, is an active member of AICD, and has completed executive programs in Not-for-Profit Leadership at Stanford University (2014) and Governing for Social Impact at UNSW / AGSM (2019).

Grant has served as a director with private companies and not-for-profit organisations for more than 10 years and is a graduate member at the Australian Institute of Company Directors. Following a diverse executive career, now as an owner and principal of his own companies, he brings a practical mix of strategy, governance, technology and operations to his board roles. Renew appealed to Grant as a well-established, expert voice with strong advocacy and programs that address sustainable living in these times of significant climate and environmental change. Grant joined the Renew Board in 2015 and has served on the strategy and finance sub-committees.

Mark has over thirty years' experience advising governments and businesses in many areas of public policy. He has worked as a senior public servant, adviser to State and Commonwealth Ministers, consultant to State and Commonwealth governments, adviser to a range of businesses and leading universities, and policy think tank leader on a many issues – including water policy and climate change, population policy, housing, health funding, higher, vocational and school education, economic policy and public sector management. Mark was the inaugural chief executive of the Mitchell Institute for Health and Education Policy at Victoria University and is currently a non-Executive Director at Caraniche as well as being a Board member at Renew.

Dominique has worked in the sustainability and socio-economic development areas for three decades as a CEO of not-for-profit organisations and senior executive in the corporate sector. She brings expertise in government relations, public policy, corporate affairs, stakeholder and community engagement, strategic and crisis communications, media relations and reputation management. Dominique is currently executive officer of the South East Councils Climate Change Alliance. She holds a Bachelor of Applied Science in Environmental Assessment and Land Use Policy and is a Graduate of the Australian Institute of Company Directors.

Doug’s interest in energy efficiency and intelligent design began as far back as school where he and a friend (subsequent Renew member), designed and built a solar hot water system. This helped spark a lifelong desire to see technology and design integrate to achieve lasting solutions in housing, energy production and use and recycling. My professional life has been in finance - after obtaining a B Comm in the mid 1980’s I advised domestic fund managers and super funds before a move to New York in 1994. There I engaged with a wide range of US funds seeking to invest in Australia and New Zealand. Returning home in 2000 my direction changed to one advising families, family offices and NFP’s on their investments. Over the last 2 decades interest in ESG principles of investment have exploded - they are a driving force helping to change behaviour at both corporate and government levels and those principles are applied in all aspects of my advice. As a member since 2016, I value Renew’s integrity, independence, knowledge based advice and wish to see their influence continue to grow at a national level as we advocate for more sustainable ways of living. My key focus on the board will be on the finances and helping to pursue the Renew Strategy 2025.

Michael O’Connell is a Renew technical specialist with a long history in public education and presentation around sustainable living topics. Michael has over 25 years’ experience in the Telecommunications, IT, Construction and Renewable Energy industries. He is a past president of the Renew and runs a design and energy management consultancy business with a focus on sustainable development. Michael designed and built his own house using passive solar design principles together with solar power and integrated permaculture garden.

Jim is a long term member of Renew and has long standing interest in the role of technology in sustainable futures. Jim is process oriented ane step change opportunities. He has good consulting and facilitation skills which partner twenty years engineering and scientific knowledge gained in practical and experimental projects. Jim works across boundaries, at the interface of the social and technical. Jim has been an energy and greenhouse generalist. Previous work includes resource efficiency with groups spanning industrial facilities to CALD communities.

Rick was elected to the Board at the AGM in November 2020. Having been a member of Renew for over 30 years and a Branch Convenor for 4 years Rick is hoping to ensure that member services at Renew are supported and improved. Rick was a maths/science teacher for 13 years serving on 2 school councils as well carrying out subject and year level coordinator roles. Recently retired, he was a Registered Builder for 30 years running his own building business including sustainable design and components wherever possible. He has been Chairperson of at least 8 different not for profit community groups, clubs, associations or union branches. Rick served on the Board of the Hawthorn Basketball Association for 3 years.

Mick Harris re joined the board in December of 2020. He has an extensive background in the renewable energy and sustainability area. He is currently the managing director of two private companies, EnviroGroup and EnviroShop. He has previously worked in local government managing on a range of environmental programs. Mick has a long history with Renew and has previously been President, Treasurer, CEO and a part time staff member giving technical advice to members. He founded the International Projects Group and the magazine Renew. He is also currently an apprentice electrician. “I like to get my hand dirty”.

"Shaila Divakarla received her Ph.D. in Sustainable Architecture from the University of Melbourne. She is also a registered architect (NSW) and sustainable design consultant with over 15 years of experience in the building industry in Australia. She is currently working in local Government providing expert sustainability advice on planning applications and council projects and is also a sessional academic at University of Sydney. Shaila’s experience has spanned widely across design, research, project coordination/management, expert sustainability advice, education/training. She has been on several judging panels for sustainable building awards for a number of years. Her passion for sustainable built environments in the mainstream is demonstrated by a proven track record in championing sustainable project housing highlighted by her key role as Design Sustainability Specialist in the Ecoliving Display Village, which was the recipient of state and national awards in 2012. Shaila also contributed to the recently released ISO standard 20400 on sustainable procurement as a member of the Australian delegation and actively collaborated with national and international sustainability standards organisations to scale up impacts during her role as Standards and Technical Manager at Good Environmental Choice Australia. Her commitment to a sustainable built environment is unwavering and her focus has always been on implementation at grassroots level and sharing information and knowledge freely. This has seen her engage in several voluntary activities in this area including Renew’s (and previously ATA’s) Speed Date a Sustainability Designer for several years. Shaila joined the Renew Board in December 2020."