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

Alison has shoulder length black hair with bleached side fringe and is smiling at the camera.

Alison (they/them)

Operations and Finance Manager

Ngunnawal and Ngambri Country

Alison’s role is managing finances; governance and compliance; and human resources. They also oversee risk management; office management; as well as assisting with whole-organisational priorities as needed.

Illustration of AYCC activists

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.

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.

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)

National Director

Western Sydney / Warrang on Dharug & Gadigal Country

As National Director, Grace 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. Her work includes supporting the People of Colour Climate Network.

Isy is standing in front of a wind turbine. She has long hair and is wearing overalls and a hat.

Isadora (she/her)

Organising and Training Director

Sydney | Gadigal/Wangal

I support our organising team and AYCC community to obtain the skills, confidence and connections needed to build power and stop climate-wrecking fossil fuel expansion.

James (he/him)

Fundraising Director

Naarm/Melbourne, Wurundjeri Country

James coordinates and supports the growth of AYCC’s fundraising program to build a powerful youth climate movement.

Jordan (they/them)

Organiser and WA & NT Mentor

Perth/Boorloo, Whadjuk Noongar boodja

I support the WA crew to build an ambitious and impactful movement of young people fighting for climate justice in Western Australia.

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

Natasha (she/her)

National Campaigner

Gadigal land / Sydney

I support the shaping and rollout of our campaign nationally + support our sydney team on the ground

Rat is laying down on the sand at a beach, wearing a cap and glasses and a white t-shirt reading trans rights.

Rat (they/he/she)

Schools Program Manager

Wollongong, Dharawal Country

I support the Schools Team and Schools Program ~ we run workshops in schools and help students start their own AYCC groups in schools!

Sama has curly long hair and is standing on the beach in front of a sunset

Sama (she/her)

Organiser and QLD Mentor

Magandjin/Brisbane, Jagera and Turrbal Country

I support folks across QLD to have the skills and confidence to campaign for climate justice through mentorship and facilitation.!

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!

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)

Campaigns and Communications Director

Naarm/Melbourne, Woiwurrung Country

I work on campaign strategy to keep fossil fuels in the ground, and tell stories about our movement to build power!

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 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.

Nyah is standing in front of green plants and wearing a black shirt. She has long black hair.

Nyah (she/her)

Board director

Based in Sydney on Gadigal Country

Nyah Fouad serves as a Philanthropy Manager at Australia for UNHCR, where she engages with donors to understand their philanthropic objectives and establish valuable partnerships to bolster support for the UN Refugee Agency's global programs. She has extensive experience in fundraising and has volunteered for various organisations working to protect human rights. She is passionate about mentoring and empowering the youth to amplify their influence and drive impact to inspire climate action.

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!