Grassroots Leaders

We have hundreds of volunteers across the country - this is just a few of our volunteer leaders! Wanna join them? Sign up here!

Bella has short blonde hair and is standing outside in front of some trees. She is wearing a denim jacket and a black turtleneck shirt. She is smiling at the camera.

Bella (she/her)

Local group co-ordinator/ facilitator

Cairns, Gimuy Country

I work alongside amazing coordinators/ facilitators to build our movement in Cairns and empower local regional youth to step up and be heard!

Yehansa is sitting on the floor looking to the side and smiling. The sunlight is hitting the back of her head making everything golden. She has dark hair tied back and is wearing a yellow shirt.

Yehansa (she/her)

Organiser/Facilitator

NSW on Dharug Country

I organise and facilitate the AYCC Bennelong local group in NSW. I also help with writing and facilitating workshops as a member of the School Team. Additionally, I helped ideate and lead the 'Arts Night' project, which aims to launch in 2023.

Yuna is standing outside in front of trees and smiling. She has dark hair pulled back from her face, and is wearing a navy shirt that reads: climate justice now.

Yuna (she/they)

Local group co-organiser/facilitator

Cairns, Gimuy Country

I jump around co-organising/facilitating events with the Gimuy local group, working on things like catchup picnics, welcome stalls and workshops, to build the AYCC presence in Cairns and empower our community.

Jemima is sitting on a stool smiling. She has shoulder length dark hair, and is wearing a grey tshirt and black pants.

Jemima (she/her)

WA State Coordinator

Walyalup, Whadjuk Noongar Boodja

I work to coordinate and build the capacity of the incredible WA team! Together, we are growing the movement of determined, energised, and impactful young people fighting for climate justice in WA.

Jazmin is smiling with two friends! She has long light brown hair and is wearing a green tshirt.

Jazmin (she/her)

Organiser / facilitator

Mount Gambier, Boandik country

I am organising and facilitating the Mount Gambier local group in action with AYCC, running workshops, catchups events and introducing AYCC with the community. I also work with the Adelaide organiser and facilitator(Lilllain Baker) as a South Australian national AYCC movement.

Film photo of Emma sitting at a dining table. They have blonde hair and glasses, and are wearing a black tshirt.

Emma (she/they)

WA organiser

Wooditchup Bilya/Margaret River, Wadandi Noongar Boodja

I’m doing community organising with young people in Margaret River to fight for climate justice here through powerful campaigns, actions, meetings and workshops and more!

Hannah (she/her)

ACT Organiser/ Facilitator

Canberra, Ngunnawal and Ngambri Country

I help to coordinate an incredible bunch of young people in Canberra to fight for climate justice through community events, petition deliveries and engaging with MPs.

AYCC Staff

Alex is speaking into a microphone at some kind of AYCC action. She has dark blonde hair tied back and is wearing dangly earrings and a bright blue AYCC shirt.

Alex (she/her)

National Director

Brisbane / Meanjin, Jagera & Turrbal country

As National Director, Alex has a birds-eye view of what’s happening across AYCC and provides support to the wider staff team. Her work includes long-term movement strategy, risk management, fundraising and political engagement.

Grace is smiling and laughing while looking at the camera. She has shoulder length dark hair and is wearing a yellow and black sleevless shirt.

Grace (she/they)

Climate & Racial Justice Director

Western Sydney / Warrang on Dharug & Gadigal Country

Grace’s work focuses on building the power of young people in culturally, linguistically, and religiously diverse climate-affected communities across the continent. Her work includes supporting the People of Colour Climate Network, campaign storytelling, climate impacts rapid response and youth-alliance building.

Jordan (they/them)

Schools Program Organiser and WA Mentor

Perth/Boorloo, Whadjuk Noongar boodja

I support the Schools Team and Schools Program - we run workshops in schools and help students start their own AYCC groups. I also help the WA crew build an ambitious and impactful movement of young people fighting for climate justice in Western Australia.

Krysta is in a car with a white and brown dog with floppy ears. She is sitting on the left, with the dog's head turned towards her on the right. Krysta has curly shoulder length red hair and is smiling.

Krysta (she/her)

Organiser and Grassroots Mentor

Sydney, Gadigal Country

I’m supporting local groups and leaders in Queensland and Regional NSW to take action for climate justice. My role includes organising these grassroots groups and mentor leadership in their communities.

Kumi is hiking, and is standing in front of a mountain with misty clouds at the top. She has long dark hair and is looking down.

Kumi (she/her)

Operations Officer

Brisbane / Meanjin, Jagera & Turrbal country

As Operations Officer, Kumi ensures AYCC has the systems and processes in place to deliver high quality impact. Her work includes supporting and overseeing the operations of the organisation across various areas including: financial management, human resources, office management and governance & compliance.

Maddie is smiling at the camera. She has short brown hair and is wearing a black sleeveless shirt and purple lanyard.

Maddie (she/her)

Organising & Training Director

Based in Adelaide/Tarntanya on Kaurna Country

I coordinate AYCC’s organising & training work, which is focused on building a skilled, diverse and powerful movement of young people to take action! My role is focused on supporting our volunteer networks.

Maddie can be reached via [email protected]

Natasha is taking a selfie in the mirror. She has long dark hair and is wearing a cropped light blue tshirt.

Natasha (she/her)

Grassroots mentor & organiser

Gadigal land / Sydney

I support leaders and local groups based in Sydney and Victoria to lead AYCC’s campaigns through mentorship and trainings.

Sylvia is sitting at a table at a resturant and smiling. She has shoulder length black hair, with light ends. She is wearing a blue and red flannel shirt.

Sylvia (she/her)

Business Strategy & Operations Director

Melbourne / Naarm, Wurundjeri Country

Sylvia’s work focuses on ensuring that AYCC is a financially sustainable and effective organisation by managing spending, growing different fundraising streams, overseeing people and culture policies & processes, managing organisational risk, and meeting compliance requirements.

Violet is standing in front of some shrubs on a bushwalk. She has shoulder length dark blonde hair and is wearing a red jacket.

violet (she/her)

digi and comms manager

Naarm/Melbourne, Woiwurrung Country

I support our communications and social media, and work to bring in new volunteers through digital platforms! I'm building a new team of comms vols! come join me!!

Ev

Database and Digital Fundraising Officer

Brisbane / Meanjin, Jagera & Turrbal country

I help organise our database and work with our internal communication systems. I also work on our digital fundraising program.

Regular Giving Team

Finlay is smiling at the camera. She has long wavy brown hair and is wearing a brown cardigan.

Finlay (she/they)

Monthly Donor Program Caller

Naarm/Melbourne, Wurundjeri Country

I reach out to our supporters and members of the community to raise funds that support our campaigns for climate justice.

An illustration of a group of young people holding a banner reading: the youth will always win.

Mitha (she/her)

Monthly Donor Program Caller

Canberra, Ngunnawal and Ngambri Country

I have powerful meaningful conversations with the community about the current dynamics of the climate movement and our role at AYCC in striving for climate justice. I also empower individuals to take impactful action and support our campaigns.

Tom is standing in front of some plants. He has short brown hair and is wearing a black hoodie and smiling.

Tom (he/him)

Monthly Donor Program Caller

Naarm/Melbourne, Wurundjeri Country

I have conversations with our supporters about the work that AYCC is engaging in to raise vital funds to support our current and future campaigns for climate justice!

AYCC Board

Amy is speaking at a rally with her fist in the air. She is wearing a maroon tshirt that says DON'T FRACK Aboriginal Land Rights. She has dark hair tied back, and feather earrings.

Amy (she/her)

Board director

Amy is a Gooreng Gooreng woman and First Nations Justice Director at GetUp. She grew up in the AYCC, volunteering with AYCC NSW, joining the Walk for Solar, leading campaigns to get the big banks out of Adani’s coal mine and much more. She joined the board in December 2022.

Claudia has shoulder length blonde hair and is smiling.

Claudia (she/her)

Board director

Naarm/Melbourne

Claudia works for Australia Post as the Manager of Enterprise Policy & Programs, in the People & Culture team. Formerly an employment lawyer, she has extensive experience working and volunteering in the community legal sector. Claudia is passionate about empowering young people to build sustainable solutions to the climate crisis, and supporting inclusive workplaces where everyone feels productive and valuable.

Headshot of Jack wearing a blue shirt. He has short light brown hair.

Jack (he/him)

Board secretary

Based in Sydney on Gadigal country

Jack McLean is a lawyer at Phi Finney McDonald where he specialises in climate change and class action litigation. Before becoming a lawyer, Jack worked on climate and environment campaigns.

Kelly is standing in front of colourful street art. They have a buzzcut and are wearing teal dangly earrings, a bandana around their neck and a grey tshirt.

Kelly (they/them)

Board Co-chair

Naarm/Melbourne

Kelly has been a climate activist since they were in high school, and joined 350.org in November 2019 with a fire in their belly to take on the fossil fuel lobby. Previously they were in various roles at the AYCC including campaigns, communications, schools program coordination.

headshot of Liz. She has light brown hair past her shoulders and is smiling at the camera.

Liz (she/her)

Board director

Ngunnawal/Ngambri Country in Canberra

Liz joined the AYCC Board in 2023. Liz’s career in climate advocacy started with AYCC Wollongong, and has since led her to fundraising, research, and policy advocacy roles in the environmental NGO sector. She currently works as a researcher on climate and corruption issues at think tank the Australia Institute.

Black and white photo of Narelle. Her hair is up in a bun and she is wearing glasses, a button up shirt and long necklace.

Narelle (she/her)

Board director

Based on Wadawurrung Country in Anglesea

Narelle Joined the AYCC Board in 2023. Narelle works for the Transport Accident Commission as the Senior Manager of Change and Engagement. She has expertise in Change Management, Project Management and Organisational Leadership.

An illustration of a group of young people holding a banner reading: the youth will always win.

Zahra (she/her)

Board director

Based in Whadjuk Noongar Boodja in Perth

Zahra is a journalist, (not so practicing) lawyer, policy advisor and consultant, where she works with grassroots, national and international organisations to enhance intersectional perspectives across the sustainable development goals. Zahra is passionate about enhancing climate justice movements to better include marginalised folks!