Young & Emerging Practitioners

IAP2 Australasia is committed to supporting community and stakeholder engagement professionals by providing networking and professional development opportunities with other industry professionals.

What we do

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Our working group meets 6-weekly to discuss issues of relevance to the young and emerging engagement practitioners, plan upcoming events, and develop ways to assist other young engagement professionals feel connected and supported.

Members

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Shelley Addison-Bell

I am a professional services consultant in the communications and engagement team at RPS, located in Sydney. I recently relocated from Auckland, New Zealand, and I am actively involved in furthering the profession, supporting best practice when working to implement project outcomes. I am an emerging professional experienced in stakeholder management, statutory engagement and engaging in political environments. I am passionate about developing capacity in our community, youth empowerment and collaborating on emerging engagement trends. My commitment to engagement can be found in my volunteer roles establishing panels and coaching advocacy groups to enable submissions and developing their project proposals across the Asia-Pacific region.

Shoshanna Berry Porter

I am a communications and engagement consultant at Articulous. I have had the privilege of working on a range of engagement projects, both big and small, across all levels of government, and in the private sector.

One of the most rewarding experiences in my career so far was when I had the opportunity to engage with communities impacted by flooding. Listening to the stories of those affected reminded me how resilient we are as a nation. It was also an incredible learning experience, highlighting just how valuable community insights are.

I am passionate about delivering strategic stakeholder and community engagement programs that provide value for everybody involved. I believe engagement is only meaningful when it is designed with equity, diversity, and inclusion at its core.

Many of the skills I use in my engagement career can be traced back to my time as a music teacher. As an educator, I had the privilege of working with students from all walks of life to build their confidence and improve their skills. I believe this experience gave me the ability to deeply connect with others in the work I do now.

Beyond my professional life, I am a foster mum to cats and kittens in need. Over the last 5 years I have fostered almost 40 cats, giving them a roof over their heads, and much needed snuggles until they find their forever homes. When I’m not with my feline friends, you’ll find me exploring brunch spots around Melbourne.

Hannah Eves

I am a community and engagement professional at Aurecon with a keen interest in communication, creating positive outcomes for the community, current affairs and trends, social media, public interest and putting the customer first.

I am solution-focused, thriving in fast-paced and changing environments and I am experienced delivering place-based communication and have a range of engagement experience in large infrastructure projects. I was born and bred on the Central Coast and enjoy being by the coastline, being active, travelling and all things that we are still working to understand – like space! I also love exploring new communities and what really makes their heartbeat.

Alexandra King

I’m Alexandra and I’m a Engagement and Change Advisory Consultant with Aurecon in Brisbane. As a former mechanical engineer, my experience ranges for resources, motorcycle design and overhead wiring engineering. Drawing upon my unique engineering background, I work closely with clients to engagement the community and key stakeholders.

I am passionate about collaboration and am exploring the use of data driven solutions to enhance my project work. My notable experiences include a short-term student exchange at the Berlin School of Economics and Law, where I studied international business and the German language, and a six-month internship with BMW Motorrad in Berlin.

Outside of work I enjoy spending time being active with family, friends and my dachshund.

Olivia Lawler

I’m Olivia and I am a Community Engagement Officer at Port Macquarie-Hastings Council in Port Macquarie, NSW. I started in this role in July 2020 and am one of the youngest team members in the organisation at 23 years old. I work closely with our community to provide them opportunities to have their say on Council projects and make change within their community. During my time at Council, I have worked on a broad scope of projects with a diverse range of stakeholders. I have also been involved in leading Council’s Community-Council Action Teams and worked closely with flood-impacted communities as a part of our Mobile Flood Recovery Team in early 2021. I am passionate about finding ways to effectively engage with the younger generation and am eager to tap into this section of our community. I want to hear their thoughts and ideas and get them excited about the great opportunities there are to create change locally. In my downtime, I like to spend time with my family and friends and enjoy our beautiful coastal town.

Adian Simmons

I am a Community Engagement Manager with Ventia, working on a high profile road maintenance contract in Western Sydney. With over four years of experience in Community Engagement, I specialize in small-scale road projects and maintenance programs and have worked across project design and delivery, with expertise on both the client and contractor sides and manage a Community Engagement team responsible for informing customers about planned and reactive road work in the Parkland Zone.

As an award-winning practitioner obsessed with customer experience, I have crafted the engagement strategy for the Linden Street Have Your Say project. For this high-profile intersection upgrade, the communications program reached more than 240,000 people and attracted 511 responses to the Have your Say. Despite hostility from some residents, 46 per cent of submissions were in favour of the project. This result was achieved by understanding who moved through the intersections and where they lived. The communications strategy deliberately targeted residents in outlying suburbs to the west of the work area. Yet these customers were likely sitting in the long traffic queues featured in our project collateral!

Several years later, the communications strategy for this project remains a high point in my career. It showcases the unique perspective I bring when thinking about the role infrastructure plays in creating successful places. When I am not at work, you can find me enjoying a book, a coffee and an acai bowl at various cafes around Sydney. In the warmer months of the year, you will likely find me engrossed in cricket. You might also find me praying that the Melbourne Stars don’t blow it again in BBL12

Brydie Siryj

My name is Brydie Siryj and I’m a communications consultant at RPS Group. I’m a highly motivated stakeholder and community engagement professional with over three years’ experience in the major infrastructure and rail sectors. I’ve supported many complex infrastructure projects through planning and delivery including the Metro Tunnel Project, Sunbury Line Upgrade, Level Crossing Removal Project and the Gippsland Line Upgrade. A professional highlight of mine was working on the co-design of Apex Park as part of the Avon River Bridge project. We delivered a successful co-design process and school engagement program with the local community of Stratford, which ultimately won an IAP2 Core Values Award. I’m passionate about community development and gaining the social license to operate within communities for infrastructure projects. I believe engagement is a powerful tool for empowering the communities in which we live and work.

Nivedita Suresh

I’m Nivedita and I am a professional with more than 5 years of experience within disciplines of Marketing, Communications, Public Relations and Event Management. I have recently joined Brisbane City Council as a Communications & Engagement Officer.

I am vibrant and self-motivated communicator possessing the ability to establish positive , sustainable relationships by connecting with all levels of the community. My approach towards my work is very much focused on people and result driven.

I have had the opportunity to work and volunteer with Private and Not-for-Profit organisations in both Australia and overseas and identified my best work comes out when I work for a cause and on projects that align with my personal values.

Hailing from a diverse multiethnic ethnic background, I have fine understanding of people in both cultures and I’m deeply passionate learning more about the people and community I reside in and aim to persuade more people to make great contributions to the community.

Outside of work, I involve myself with lots of traveling, dancing, a game of badminton and being a epicurean, you will find me exploring new cafes and restaurants in Brisbane and beyond!

Estelle Tsaur

I am a curious mind with a passion for communications, innovation and transdisciplinary collaboration. With a background in public relations and creative innovation I have a determination to see the possibilities, perspectives and practices of different sectors, communities, and industries. I am passionate about innovation, creativity and purpose driven work as I enjoy researching, breaking down and looking at complex problems and sectors from a multitude of perspectives.

This has led me to begin a career at Aurecon as a community and stakeholder engagement consultant shortly after graduation. I believe that people and communication are essential to stimulating innovation and creativity in any industry. I want to be able to continue to learn about anything and everything.

Marlee Wendt

Hi there, I’m Marlee and I’m a communications and engagement professional from Brisbane currently working at RPS. Over the past six years I’ve been a trusted partner and storyteller for some of Queensland’s largest projects including the Logan Enhancement Project and Gateway Upgrade North, SEQ City Deal, and even launching the autonomous air-taxi industry in Australia. Recently I joined RPS, where I’m hoping to expand my sector experience into energy, master planning and water. I’m passionate about creating positive community outcomes, developing strong and meaningful relationships, managing complex issues, and playing my part in making the communities we live in, better. When I’m not working, you can catch me outside enjoying everything south-east Queensland has to offer – from hitting a Gold Coast beach, riding motorbikes in the Scenic Rim or bush walking in the Glasshouse Mountains.

How to contact us

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Upcoming events

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Take a look at our upcoming webinars, via the IAP2A Webinar Calendar.

Find a local network event, via the IAP2A Local Network Events Calendar.