Unique in our combined specialist knowledge of the urban agriculture, food security and local government sector, we bring a diverse mix of perspectives to every project, underpinned a practice-based commitment to food justice for everyone.
Dr Nick Rose
Co-Founder and Executive Director
Nick is a leading thinker and practitioner in food system governance and urban agriculture in Australia with over 17 years’ experience in sustainable food systems research, consultancy, network facilitation and place-based urban food justice farms. As co-founder and Executive Director, he provides strategic oversight for Sustain’s consultancy work. Nick facilitates Sustain’s Local Government Food Systems Networking Forum, an online community of practice for member council staff working on food systems initiatives. He holds a PhD in food sovereignty (RMIT), Master of International and Community Development (Deakin) and Bachelor of Laws (University of Melbourne).
Dr Kelly Donati
Co-Founder and Vice-Chairperson
Kelly is as enthusiastic about digging into food systems data, as she is about her compost heap. As Sustain’s co-founder and board director, she supports Sustain’s research and policy work. Her unique interdisciplinary research and teaching expertise is focused on community food systems, urban agriculture, regenerative farming and gastronomy as a tool for social justice.
Having developed Australia’s only Bachelor of Food Studies at William Angliss Institute, Kelly has significantly advanced food systems education. A recipient of a prestigious Rachel Carson fellowship in Munich, she is now a RMIT Vice-Chancellor’s Research Fellow. Kelly holds a PhD focusing on small-scale regenerative farmers in Victoria (University of Melbourne) and a Master of Gastronomy (Adelaide) and a Master of Arts (Monash).
Mia Cox
Senior Projects Officer
Mia is the Senior Projects Officer at Sustain and has 12 years’ experience working in community development in both not-for-profit and local government settings. Mia brings skills in community and stakeholder engagement, sector development, strategic planning and policy development. She has a Bachelor of Development Studies and Indonesian Language & Studies (UNSW).
Dr Rachael Walshe
Project Officer
Rachael a Senior Research Officer at Sustain with ten years’ experience in food systems work. Rachael is a human geographer who understands the power of place in responding to complex global challenges. They are a multi-award-winning researcher who has particular expertise in school and community gardens, spatial analysis, qualitative and quantitative research and feasibility modelling. Rachael holds a PhD in Society and Culture from James Cook University, a certificate in Transforming Food Retail Environments from Monash University, a Bachelor of Arts in Human Geography (James Cook University) and a Bachelor of Environmental Management, Sustainability Major (University of the Sunshine Coast).
Let’s talk.
Location
Call
Social Media
Facebook: @sustainaustralia
Instagram: @sustainaustralia