Our team.
Accounting for Nature is led by a highly experienced and motivated management team who are committed to using rigorous, science-based methods to drive positive sustainability outcomes here in Australia, and around the world. With a wealth of strategic and operational expertise, the management team will continue to seek out and drive new projects demonstrating best-practice benchmarks for measuring changes in the health of the environment.
Meet the team.
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Dr Adrian Ward
CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER
has more than 15 years experience (private and public sectors) in managing businesses and providing advice and training centered on environmental markets and natural capital in Australia and internationally. He is a former Australian Government Greenhouse & Energy Auditor who holds a Bachelor of Business, Post Graduate Certificate in Energy Economics and a PhD in Environmental Finance. He is a Member of the Australian Institute of Company Directors.
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Prof Hugh Possingham
CHIEF SCIENTIST
is the former Queensland Chief Scientist and is best known for his work in conservation biology, applied ecology, and basic ecology theory including population ecology. He is also a Professor of Mathematics, Professor of Zoology and an ARC Laureate Fellow in the Department of Mathematics and the School of Biological Sciences at The University of Queensland.
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Dr Rachael Marshall
GENERAL MANAGER
has over 15 years experience across public and private sectors in conservation research and management, environmental economics, governance, regulatory reform, and operational program delivery. She has a PhD in Marine Science and an overarching passion to apply science, economics, and practical thinking to the complex task of restoring and enhancing Australia’s natural capital through collaboration and decentralisation of historic areas of expertise.
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Chrissy Elmer
SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY MANAGER
is an ecologist with over seven years experience in environmental research, local government, and private consulting. She has broad interests in ecology, GIS, and economics and holds a Bachelor of Science in Ecology and Plant Science and a Master of Environmental Management in Environmental and Natural Resource Economics.
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Dr Amanda Hansson
CAPACITY BUILDING & ADVISORY MANAGER
has more than nine years experience in environmental research, natural resource management and the creation and delivery of educational material. She holds a Batchelor of Science (geology and climatology), a Master in Environmental Management, and a PhD in alpine forest ecology. Amanda has project management experience in both the private and public sector and has provided consultancy services on national emission reduction projects.
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Annie Keleher
CERTIFICATION MANAGER
has 20 years of experience across private industry and research, delivering on project management at various scales, workshop facilitation and the design and delivery of technical training material. She holds a Master in Environmental Management and is motivated to create sustainable solutions that enable a balance between the environmental, economic and social demands on land use.
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Mel Brooks
CHIEF COMMUNICATIONS OFFICER
has more than 20 years experience in marketing and communications, across private and public sector. Specialising in brand management, advertising and digital communications she has a special interest in environmental and social communications with experience in carbon market, waste behaviour change and environmental education communications. Melissa holds a Bachelor of Screen Communications with a major in marketing.
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Will Felesina
SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY OFFICER
Will is currently an undergraduate in his final semester at the University of Queensland. He is studying a dual Bachelor of Science and Economics majoring in Geographical Sciences, GIS and Public Policy. Over the last three years, Will has worked as a tutor and has a strong interest in GIS, environmental policy, and sustainability.