Sustain is a health promotion charity and accredited social enterprise where policy experts, citizen farmers, community connectors and researchers stand side-by-side, working together to transform food systems.

From our urban farm in Northern Melbourne (Naarm), we work at the systems level to shape government policy, generate impactful research and gather food system champions together. At the grassroots, we nurture human and ecological wellbeing across our community farm collective, support local food projects to form and invite all Australians to step-into a better food system through our range of events.

This is the team that makes the mission happen.

Staff

Nick Rose

Co-founder & Executive Director

Nick is a visionary leader dedicated to transforming food systems. As a food systems educator, a Churchill Fellow, editor of two food movement anthologies and established researcher, Nick brings a wealth of knowledge to Sustain. Recognised as one of Australia’s leading champions of sustainable food systems, Nick’s expertise has been a driving force behind Sustain’s impactful initiatives, positioning it at the forefront of food system innovation and sustainability.

Sibilla Foxton

General Manager

A ‘country girl’ originally from Central Queensland (Baradha Country), Sibilla’s project management and community engagement career has seen her work and study around the globe. Following an undergraduate degree in Creative Industries and a Master of International Relations, Sibilla has pulled together global FMCG launch events all over Europe, undertaken small business consulting in Ireland, run marketing workshops and training for an NGO in the Philippines, set up a successful hospitality business in NSW, and most recently worked alongside Australian First Nations communities in native food programs. 

Daniel Eb

Strategic Communications Manager

A Nuffield Scholar and Social Impact Hub Fellow, Daniel champions farmers as key in the transition to a just and regenerative food system. He applies his expertise as a farming impact project founder, for-purpose marketer and writer to Sustain’s communications.

Molly Fairweather

Project Manager

Molly is is a public health dietitian and researcher with expertise in food security, food system sustainability and the commercial determinants of health. She holds a Bachelor of Health Science, Master of Dietetic Practice and Master of Environment.

Hugh Simpson

Advocacy Officer

Hugh is passionate about advocacy, community development and policymaking to affect change across the food system. He holds Master of International Development Practice and Bachelor of Health Science.

Lou Ridsale

Digital Communications & Events Coodinator

Lou is a communications and adminsitration all-rounder, having workeded extensively in NFP’s, social enterprises, small business, and other NGO’s. Lou is also the founder/director at Food is Free Inc.

Jemma Stefanou

Urban Farm Network Co-ordinator

Jemma is a settler-migrant, queer and disabled person living and working on Wurundjeri Woi-wurrung Country. They work as an urban farmer and community connector with a focus on identity, healing and learning through food growing and sharing, respectfully, on stolen land. They hold a Bachelor of Agriculture.

Jesse Redlich

Corporate Volunteering Coordinator

Jesse is a queer farmer and parent living and working on Wurundjeri-Woiwurrung Country. Jesse brings many years’ experience in urban horticulture and youth work to the work of building community through growing food. Jesse has a Masters of Art Therapy.

Allara briggs Pattison

Urban Farmer

Allara is an established Yorta Yorta musician and emerging song-woman whose passion for cultural reclamation and revival has led her to the First Nations Food space through participation in the First Nations Food Justice Internship program. Allara is now working on the team as an urban farmer, and will be the facilitator of the upcoming First Nations Food Justice Internships.

Dr Rachael Walshe

Project Officer

Rachael is a human geographer and food systems researcher specialising in primary and early years school-based food gardening. Growing up on Anaiwan country in a largely self-sufficient household, she has been immersed in sustainability practices from day one. Her research is widely recognised for guiding educators and communities in embedding food system knowledge across all areas of the curriculum. 

Board

Kelly Donati

Chair

Kelly believes in the power of food to create nourishing, convivial and equitable communities. 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’s contributions to Sustain’s research and policy work help us build the evidence base for meaningful change in food system policy and practice.

Ruth Kharis

Secretary

Ruth is a food policy expert and Accredited Practising Dietitian working with a passion for working with First Nations and Culturally and Linguistically Diverse communities in public health nutrition and health promotion. With a Master of Environmental Planning, she also brings over three decades’ experience in health and environment policy in federal and state government.

Linda Glucina

Treasurer

Linda is Head of Solution Consulting at MYOB. Linda drives innovative solutions and is a seasoned finance, IT and governance expert with an MBA, FCPA, GAICD, and Chartered Secretary designations. She boasts a strong record on non-profit boards and is passionate about Sustain’s vision for systemic change.

Katherine Utry

Director

Katherine is an experienced public health professional who has worked across government and industry in health and community settings. She has built a strong reputation for influencing systems change through thought leadership and capacity building. Working with Sustain enables her to combine this experience with her passion for food justice and gardening.

Tom Gyorffy

Director

Tom has been a barrister at the Victorian Bar for nearly 30 years and became a Crown Prosecutor in 1989. He has prosecuted major criminal trials, handled numerous appeals and took Silk in 2011. His interests include regenerative agriculture, human rights, winemaking and community arts.

Harminder Singh

Honorary Director

Harminder is an Assistant Professor in Strategy and International Business at Warwick Business School specialising in negotiation and employee relations. He also works as a management consultant in the arts, not-for-profit and trade union sectors and has a strong track record in anti-racism advocacy in national and international government institutions.