Our People

Dave is an experienced campaigner and community organiser who has spent 20+ years organising for social change in Queensland. He was the founding lead organiser of the Queensland Community Alliance, and before that has worked as a union, human rights and pro-democracy campaigner and a political advisor. Dave's family have worked for generations to protect Queensland's natural wonders as environmental activists. He is committed to building people power to change Queensland and lives in Brisbane with his partner and two kids. 

Email: [email protected]

Larissa is an environment and science communication specialist with extensive experience in the implementation of communication strategies both with Qld state ENGO's and Australia's National Science agency, the CSIRO. As a Bachelor of Science graduate, Larissa was positioned in Vancouver at the David Susuki Foundation, and upon return to Australia led the Queensland Wild Rivers campaign for The Wilderness Society. The campaign focused on the protection of high conservation value rivers of the Gulf of Carpentaria, Cape York and the Western River catchments. The last ten years have seen Larissa manage communication strategy in the biodiversity science portfolio of CSIRO, and most recently communication manager at The Atlas of Living Australia. Larissa lives in Brisbane with her husband and two kids.

Email: [email protected]

Claire’s role at the Queensland Conservation Council is Climate and Energy Campaigner. She has a long history working both front-line, and strategically in NGOs in Australia and internationally. Claire specialises in campaigns and communication, and her varied experience has allowed her to develop a unique set of skills to bring to this role. She believes each individual has an essential role to play in protecting our environment and is excited to be part of this important campaign.

Email: [email protected]

Liz's role at Queensland Conservation Council is QCC Manager.  Liz has been with QCC since 2016. She has a background in administration, peace and conflict resolution, emergency services, event management, community organising and campaigns.  She has worked on administrative audits, governance projects, organisational systems development, change management, capacity development and the implementation of organisational systems, strategic planning and organisational change.  She was involved in anti-nuclear and peace campaigns in South Australia.  In Tasmania she worked in the area of sustainable building and the development of local produce markets.  Liz has a Masters in International Studies (Peace and Conflict Resolution) and a Bachelor of Arts - majoring in International Relations + Law.  Liz is particularly interested in social change through participatory processes.  She believes in the strength of diversity and working together to achieve strong, positive and effective outcomes.

Email: [email protected]

Andrew is Queensland Conservation Council's National Parks Program Manager. Andrew has been active in conservation and land management for over twenty years where he has been involved in advocacy, bushland restoration, research, consulting and policy development. He also has a degree in social science and in 2016 Andrew completed a research Masters in applied science studying the ecology of the Bunya Pine. Most recently, Andrew has worked for the Australian Conservation Foundation as their Cape York and Northern Australia campaigner.

Email: [email protected]

Elise’s role at Queensland Conservation Council is the Finance Officer. Elise has completed a Graduate Diploma of Chartered Accounting and a Bachelor of Business from the University of Technology, Sydney with a major in Accounting. She has over 10 years experience working in various roles within the accounting sector, including corporate financial accounting, small business advisory and tax compliance. Elise made the move to the not-for-profit sector in 2018 when she took on the role of Finance Officer for GetUp. Elise has a passion for animals and loves the opportunity to use her skills and experience to help an organisation fighting for issues that she cares about.

Email: [email protected]

Hayley's role within the Queensland Conservation Council is Supporter Engagement Officer, responsible for engaging and organising volunteers to increase capacity for our campaigns. Hayley has been working and volunteering in community organising roles within climate and environment campaigns for the last 7 years as well as having a background in ecology and Landcare. Previously she worked with Lock the Gate as a Brisbane Community Organiser and 350.org as QLD university divestment coordinator.

Email: [email protected]

Lisa Spengler is Queensland Conservation Council’s Climate Mobiliser, helping people take action on climate through our Climate Action Now campaign. Lisa has a background in social health and wellbeing and nature conservation and is passionate about social justice issues, our natural environment and engaging people in a way that is meaningful, impactful and empowering. Lisa has travelled and worked in nature conservation all over this beautiful land – working on national conservation policies and programs; in eco-tourism on the West Coast; and leading teams of conservation volunteers in south-east and regional Queensland. She has also worked frontline in Indigenous health and advocacy, disability and domestic and family violence.

Email: [email protected]

Bec’s role with Queensland Conservation Council is Fundraising and Communications Coordinator. Bec has over six years fundraising experience in the not-for-profit sector, most recently for the Heart Foundation. She is currently undertaking a Diploma in Professional Fundraising,  has a Certificate in Professional Marketing and a BSc in Geography. Bec has a personal passion for the environment (and coincidentally was born on Earth Day!). She enjoys making the world a better place through fundraising and helping supporters make a difference to a cause they care about in a meaningful way for them.

Email: [email protected]