Manjin Zhang 

Manjin is based in Burwood, Sydney, and is joining Climate for Change as a Climate Action Fellow. She graduated from the University of Sydney with majors in Politics and International Relations and Digital Cultures. Her experience spans the United Nations, Global Greens, Chief Executive Women and ADRA, with a focus on climate policy, communications, research and community engagement. Manjin is passionate about climate justice and enjoys making sensitive issues more accessible through inclusive conversations. Fluent in English and Mandarin, she values connecting with people from diverse backgrounds and helping communities feel empowered to take action.

Luke Gelder

Luke is a community organiser with more than three years experience volunteering with the Wollongong branches of Tomorrow Movement and the Australian Youth Climate Coalition, as well as a local renewables organisation, Good for the Gong. Additionally, he is founder of the Illawarra Environment Network, an organisation connecting environmental groups in the Illawarra. With a background in environment and planning law, Luke has worked with Marsdens Law Group, and has experience in climate law with the Environmental Defenders Office. He is looking forward to working with Climate for Change and many other community organisers in the climate space.

Eleanor Searle

Eleanor lives on Wangal land, Sydney, but grew up in the Blue Mountains, which inspired her early passion for protecting Australia’s precious ecosystems. Having recently completed an honours thesis on climate change adaptations in agriculture, she now works as a sustainability educator for a small NFP. Eleanor loves connecting young people with the natural world and getting them involved in climate advocacy. When she’s not at work, Eleanor can usually be found rock climbing, hiking or ocean swimming. 

Amelia Kamp

Amelia is based in Sydney and finished her degree in law and media (screen and sound production) last year. Amelia volunteers with the Bob Brown Foundation, Australian Conservation Foundation and Climate Writers. Amelia loves trees, yoga and writing poems.

Eva Gostt

Eva is a recent high school graduate who has spent the past year travelling, working, and volunteering around Europe. Having experienced other cultures and ways of thinking about the world, she is keen to make change and turn a love of all things outdoors into something more concrete. Eva was a member of her school's environmental group, where she helped organise events and improve the community. She then joined a local environmental and youth-focused activist group to continue her involvement. Eva is excited to gain new skills, meet like-minded people, and help make an impact. She loves writing, sketching, hiking, and playing board games with friends and family. 

Bronte Connolly

Bronte is based in Sydney and is an Honours student at the University of Technology Sydney, where she studies how Sydney's corals are shifting their ranges as the ocean warms. She has previously volunteered with Surfers for Climate and Divers for Climate, and worked as a research assistant with the Institute for Marine Research in the Philippines. She loves getting everyday people involved in climate action, particularly ocean science, and volunteers with the Sydney Coral Program and her lab's outreach. Outside of study, you'll find her in the water; surfing, surf guiding for a casual job, or diving.

Lucy Sheppard

Lucy is based in Newcastle, where she studied Development Studies focusing on Environmental Sustainability and loved it. Since graduating, she has worked with a Circular Economy small business, travelled across Europe for a year, and now works as a Disability Support Worker. While she loves her job and working so closely with vulnerable people, she is super passionate about protecting our environment and wants to work in this field. Outside of work, she loves spending time cooking, discovering new places to eat out, nature walks, swimming and sewing.

Pauline Nardo

Pauline is based in Manly, Sydney, and has spent the past eight years working internationally in business development within the drinks industry. Living and working in different countries has given her a love for meeting people, discovering new cultures, and adapting to different environments. Along the way, she has volunteered with several NGOs (WindAid, Surfrider, Climate Fresk), supporting fundraising and communication projects. Over the years, her growing concern for climate change and biodiversity loss has inspired her to look for a more purpose-driven career. Passionate about nature and the ocean, Pauline is excited to bring her business development skills, learn more about the NGO sector, and contribute to projects that make a positive impact on people and the planet.

Isabella Derkenne

Issy is a climate action enthusiast with a background in Earth Science and Environmental Humanities. Based in Maitland, in the Hunter Valley, Issy is passionate about using community action to address climate issues and has hopes to eventually work in the sustainability and climate sector. Although working as a pilates teacher after finishing uni, Issy has maintained her positive engagement with the environment by volunteering with Hunter Landcare. Issy is loves to read, dance, knit and garden. 

Riley Johnson

Riley spent 11 years in financial technology, specifically anti-money laundering software, before deciding full-time behind a desk wasn't where he belonged. These days he's retraining in community services (with a focus on disability support), volunteering in things like bush regeneration, and chasing hands-on conservation work. Most days, he’s out somewhere on a bush walk or up at a lookout, and lately he's also been dusting off his sax and drums, getting back into music.

Patty Tirador

Patty is an Environmental Science graduate currently completing a Diploma of Sustainable Practice. She is passionate about helping people take practical environmental action through education and community engagement. Alongside volunteering with a Community Environment Centre, she recently completed a behaviour change project on battery safety and e-waste education. Outside of volunteering, Patty enjoys spending time in nature, caring for her plants, and cuddling her cat, Dar.

Mehdi Azam

Mehdi is currently based in Sydney and grew up in Khulna, a small coastal city in Bangladesh, where he witnessed firsthand how communities vulnerable to climate change suffer, adapt, and build resilience. These experiences shaped his strong passion for climate change issues and action. He has worked as a researcher and program administrator across non-profit organisations and universities and has also been actively engaged in building community resilience through disaster risk reduction, supporting alternative livelihoods for vulnerable coastal communities, and working with climate-displaced communities in Bangladesh. Outside of work, Mehdi enjoys travelling, reading books, and writing.

April Fiora

April is based in Sydney and to answer what we’re all thinking - tragically she was born in June. April has recently graduated from a Master of Conservation Biology following a Bachelor of Biodiversity and Conservation. She has conservation volunteer experience in Australia and overseas, where she got to work with Sunda pangolins. April has a particular interest in biodiversity, threatened species management and climate action. She joined Climate for Change to learn how to turn her passion into action, and help share this skill with her community. April also enjoys hiking, travelling, crocheting and spending time with loves ones in the sun.

Skye Hallyburton

Skye was born and raised in Naarm/Melbourne and completed a Bachelor and Masters qualifications in Sustainability, specialising in environmental governance. Over the last year she has been volunteering regularly for Friends of the Earth Melbourne's Act on Climate (AoC) collective, becoming increasingly passionate about community-led responses to climate change, particularly in the adaptation and justice space. Since joining AoC she has facilitated a number of place-based mapping sessions in Naarm and Gippsland, as well as regular monthly online calls with community leaders engaged in climate resilience via AoC's Frontline Climate Alliance Victoria network. She also has taken on the role of collective convenor - assisting with the coordination and administration side of the collectives work. Outside of volunteering, she likes to play soccer on her weekends, ride her bike, crochet and garden. 

Veronica Mackie

A native Californian, Veronica has lived in Melbourne the last 10 years and now calls it home. She has been a freelance travel and sustainability writer for clients such as Sustainable Jungle, Day away Travel, Festival City Adelaide, and GoGet. Her interest in sustainability began when working as a cafe manager for social enterprise, Youth Projects, observing the large amount of food waste and coffee grounds that went to landfill. She became self taught in social media management, content creation, and graphic design, going on to then work in marketing and communications with an environmental social enterprise, B-Alternative, bringing waste solutions and reduction in single-use food packaging to festivals and events around the country. She enjoys her peace living in the bush with her husband, Cameron, and two cats, Willow and London. Outside of work, she loves exploring new cafes, reading dystopian novels, cross-stitching, and pilates/yoga. 

Alfie Nguyen

Jayden Ibanez

Jayden is based in Melbourne and currently studying a Bachelor of Sustainability and Environment at RMIT University. He is passionate about climate action, sustainable cities, and finding ways to bring people together to create positive change. Before starting his degree, Jayden spent several years working in hospitality and retail, where he discovered how much he enjoyed connecting with people and building community. He is excited to be part of the Climate Action Fellowship, meet other passionate change makers, and learn from everyone along the way. Outside of climate work, he loves hiking, exploring Melbourne, and working on home design projects.

Charley Aitken

Charley is based in Melbourne. She has just started volunteering at Climate for Change, and has been training to become a facilitator for the Conversations program. She has volunteeringexperience with lots of other climate and environmental groups, including Greenpeace, XR, Rising Tide and Action Aid.

Nidhi Paithankar

Nidhi is a student based in Melbourne, where she is studying a Master of Urban Planning and Environment at RMIT. Her studies have sparked an inclination to understand climate issues more deeply and take action. She's eager to see how people across different sectors approach climate work, drawing connections and ideas along the way. Having travelled to a few countries, Nidhi has developed a curiosity for new places and cultures, and she's keen to keep exploring more of the world.

Rebecca Dunsdon

Rebecca is based in Naarm/Melbourne and has a background in community development and community engagement in nonprofits and local government. She also has a sustainability qualification. She is a volunteer at Greenlink Box Hill, where she works in Bushy Creek Reserve, weeding and planting out species indigenous to the area, as well as occasionally helping out in the native plant nursery. She is currently working through a few Communications subjects at Griffith University. Rebecca enjoys identifying local fungi, birds, and insects and has a fondness for moss. She loves to dance, sing, draw, and make ceramic animal sculptures.

Zareena K

Zareena is a Melbourne-based governance, strategy and inclusion adviser with more than 20 years of experience across corporate, education, community and not-for-profit settings. Her work focuses on gender equality, disability equity, social inclusion, stakeholder engagement and sustainable social impact. She is passionate about making climate action more accessible, inclusive and relevant to diverse communities. Outside of work, she enjoys connecting with people, supporting community initiatives, exploring creative ways to bring people together, and contemplating life’s bigger questions with her feline child, Lord Best Boy, who offers strong opinions and very little practical advice.

Rose Kelly

Rose is Melbourne-based and has been working in the renewable energy space since 2024. With a keen interest in local engagement and a consistent moral dilemma of 'who should bear the responsibility of fixing the climate ', she aims to promote community engagement with politics and force real change. When not working, Rose likes to keep active, go hiking, or see a spot of live jazz.

Jess

Jess is a planning and environment lawyer based in Naarm/Melbourne. She is currently an associate at a commercial law firm in the public law team, primarily practising in the planning litigation and environmental advice spaces. Jess has a Bachelor of Arts with a major in geography, and a Juris Doctor during which she focused on environmental law. She loves going for walks along the Merri Creek, reading, and live music. 

Catherine Bunting

Cat is based in Brisbane and is thrilled to be a part of the Climate for Change 2026 Climate Action Fellowship. She has previously taken part in Sea Shepherd's beach clean ups and organised her own at her local park. She is very passionate about communicating with and educating others on all the ways we can each do our part in tackling climate change, and is looking forward to refining and improving her skills. Cat enjoys being in nature, travelling and spending time with her family, friends and pets.

Margaret Weir

Margie is based in Brisbane and is a second-year university student, studying a Bachelor of Environmental Science, majoring in Ecology and Conservation, and Environmental Chemistry. Outside of study, she enjoys basketball, clarinet and saxophone, going to the beach, and spending time with friends, family, and her golden retriever Gunther.

Savannah Walton

Savannah is based on the southern end of Gold Coast and is currently in her first year of Environmental Science at Griffith University. She volunteers at her local headland, planting endangered species, dune care, and weed management with the Landcare team. She is passionate about conserving our environment for future generations and brainstorming solutions to combat the warming of our atmosphere. Savannah loves bushwalking, gardening, reading, and scrapbooking in her spare time, and is super excited to become a member of Climate for Change.

Lucinda Wotjtaszak

Lucinda is enthusiastic about understanding how climate change and natural disasters impact population health and how we may build climate resilient communities. Lucinda has previously completed a Bachelor of Biomedical Science and a Master in Medical Research. Her passion for public health began with several overseas opportunities that led to a desire to better human health with respect to the natural environment. Lucinda loves to travel, hike, and run. She loves adrenaline-seeking activities and has previously sky dived over Queenstown, New Zealand's snowy mountains. 

Sienna Davis

Sienna is a marine science student, based on the Gold Coast, currently working in healthcare, combining a passion for environmental sustainability with a commitment to helping others. She is dedicated to advancing climate action through science, education, and community engagement. With a strong interest in protecting marine ecosystems and promoting sustainable solutions, Sienna aspires to contribute to a healthier future for both people and the planet.

Ellie Mueller

Ellie is a writer, advocate, and policy communicator passionate about creating a sustainable world for future generations. Deeply committed to community-led change, she helped raised $30,000 for Oaktree’s Live Below the Line campaign and serves as a Global Shaper, an initiative of the World Economic Forum. Ellie brings extensive engagement experience from roles with Raise Our Voice Australia and the Australian Government. Her freelance writing on politics, youth advocacy, and social justice has appeared in publications including Australian Outlook and Cheek Media Co. She holds a BA in International Relations, Middle East Studies and History and is Global Citizenship Award recipient.

Korey Gunnis

Korey is a writer, mentor, and creative professional with a passion for using storytelling to inspire positive social and environmental change. His work focuses on connecting communities, supporting emerging voices, and exploring solutions to complex challenges through writing and film. He applied for the climate change fellowship to strengthen his knowledge, collaborate with diverse leaders, and develop impactful stories that encourage climate action, resilience, and a more sustainable future. Korey lives in the Blue Mountains, enjoys reading, adaptive scuba diving and loves spending time in nature. 

Abhijeet Kashyap

Abhijeet is a doctor trained in India, now based in Canberra and working on shifting into public health and policy. He has worked as a GP in remote India, run community health and blood donation camps, and more recently completed an MBA with a specialisation in Social Impact at Swinburne University of Technology, Melbourne, focused on using systems thinking to tackle big challenges like climate change and health equity. He is interested in the links between climate change and health equity. Outside of work, he enjoys podcasts on public health and policy, networking with people doing meaningful work, and is looking forward to connecting with fellow change makers through this fellowship.

Talei Burese

Talei is a sustainability graduate and enthusiast from Fiji dedicated to supporting sustainable solutions. Raised in Fiji, she has witnessed firsthand the impacts of climate change in the Pacific Islands and the vulnerabilities that exist bringing forward indigenous ecological knowledge and experience to climate conversations. In everyday life, she practices sustainable actions to reduce waste and promote eco-friendly habits. She enjoys reading, spending time outdoors and learning new things.

Niv Manek

Niv joined Climate for Change around four months ago. Previously, she has work experience as a OSHC team member and has volunteered as a SunSmart facilitator for the Cancer Council. She also has experience in the hospitality industry. Niv spends her personal time with her two lovely dogs and her family. She loves to read and enjoys spending time in nature.