Our team

Steve brings a wealth of skills and experience to ICLEI Oceania. He has a Master Business Administration degree and worked in local government for 20 years until he joined ICLEI in 2008. He was based in Jakarta for 7 years, coordinating climate change and disaster risk reduction programs with cities in Indonesia and other parts of Asia. During this time Steve established the ICLEI Indonesia Office and managed projects funded by the Rockefeller Foundation, German Government and European Union. In 2015 Steve returned to Australia to take up the position of Regional Director. In this role, he has worked extensively in Solomon Islands, Fiji, Kiribati and other Pacific SIDS supporting sustainable urban development, climate change and disaster resilience building.

Luigi is an Accredited Economic Development Practitioner (AcED), bringing over twenty years of project management expertise from local government, consulting, food and agribusiness to ICLEI Oceania, where he will be growing circular, resilient and people centred development initiatives. With a Masters in Markets and Institutions in the Global System ASERI, Universita` Cattolica S.C. Milano and B.A. (Honours) from the University of Melbourne, Luigi has both academic and industry research understanding in business clusters, innovation precincts and the role of NGOs and the public sector in shaping job creation and investment initiatives and sustainable urban development.

Sharin is a climate and sustainability professional with nearly two decades of local government experience across disciplines of biodiversity, climate, and sustainable energy. Sharin’s background includes emissions reporting, climate change and mitigation policy development, and delivering energy transitions and resilience projects across Africa and Oceania. Sharin has a Master of Science in Sustainable Development. She is currently pursuing joint post graduate studies in Carbon Management and Sustainable Energy, with a Masters in Environment and Climate Emergency. Her extensive experience in influencing environmental and regional planning processes, and mobilising climate finance and partnerships make her a valuable addition to the ICLEI Oceania team.

Stephanie joined ICLEI in 2011 and is currently ICLEI Africa’s Financial Manager, overseeing a large team and all of the company’s accounting processes and financial project reporting. She ensures the books are in order for the Annual Financial Statement, that the financial deadlines for all projects are respected, and that the relevant policies and protocols are adhered to. Stephanie is supporting the Interim Regional Director to consolidate systems and help manage Finance, HR and Governance in the ICLEI Oceania office.

Michelle has more than 20 years of experience in the field of environmental communications, most of these within local government, and covering a broad range of sustainability issues. Her MSc in Environmental Biology, various leadership and communications qualifications, and extensive writing experience, allow her to strategically guide a large team of communications professionals and proficiently translate complex issues and concepts into accessible, action-oriented information. Michelle has managed and guided communications for ICLEI Africa and the Cities Biodiversity Center since 2017, and has now stepped into the interim role of Communications Director for ICLEI Oceania.

Thea joined ICLEI in 2016 after completing her Master’s at Nelson Mandela University’s Sustainability Research Unit. Her interests are underscored by combining her aptitude for communication with her passion for driving sustainability. Her expertise includes integrated digital communications, website conceptualisation and management and fostering creativity in her team. Thea is excited to take on the interim role of Communications Manager for ICLEI Oceania and learning about the culture and history of the region.

Marina is an international affairs specialist who joined ICLEI Africa in 2021. Prior to this, she worked in the International Relations Unit in the Office of the Executive Mayor at the City of Cape Town, South Africa, a position she held for 5 years. She has also worked as a Senior Policy Officer (Political Affairs) at the Embassy of the Kingdom of the Netherlands. Marina is working with the ICLEI Oceania team to support them with membership administration and services.

Erin has an MPhil in Environment, Society and Sustainability from the University of Cape Town. Prior to joining ICLEI, Erin worked as a consultant for a company focused on developing climate change adaptation and mitigation project funding proposals. She also has experience in research, data analysis and education. With a multidisciplinary background, Erin is interested in analysing complex qualitative data and learning about creative solutions that benefit society and nature. She joins ICLEI in the biodiversity and nature-based solutions stream where she hopes to further her understanding of and contribute towards the prioritisation of nature and climate-resilient development pathways in urban spaces.