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.

Hartmut brings twenty years of experience working with local governments and communities across Australia, Europe, Africa and Asia on climate change adaptation and resilience. With a strong focus on rural and regional contexts, he has built a career as an applied and transdisciplinary researcher dedicated to making a real difference on the ground. Beyond his work in the field, Hartmut remains at the forefront of climate adaptation research through his roles as ICLEI Professor of Practice at La Trobe University and Honorary Professor at the University of Freiburg. This unique blend of academic rigour and practical experience ensures his projects are both innovative and actionable.

Eleanor joined ICLEI Oceania in 2026 and works across the organisation’s strategic pathways, with a particular focus on nature-based solutions. She previously worked for a world-first urban nature project in Aotearoa New Zealand’s capital city, and brings expertise in stakeholder engagement and strategic development. Eleanor holds a PGDip in Sustainable Management and a BCom in Management with Psychology, and is passionate about driving system-level change in Oceania to deliver positive outcomes for people and place.

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.

Since joining ICLEI in 2022, Erin has transitioned from a Technical Officer to a Communications Officer, bridging the gap between complex research and engaging narratives. With a multidisciplinary background in visual communications, education, psychology, and environmental sustainability, she is able to make effective contributions to digital strategies. Erin’s skills include digital communication, video editing and conceptualisation, learning design, and website management, all driven by a deep commitment to environmental sustainability.

Su joined ICLEI Oceania as an intern and now continues as a Communications and Administrative Officer. In this role, she supports the development of communications materials and contributes to day-to-day administrative operations. She has an academic background in Political Science and International Relations and is currently in the final semester of her Master of International Relations at the University of Melbourne. Su brings together creativity and a strong commitment to sustainability in her work and values contributing to initiatives that create positive outcomes for communities and the environment.