Meet the team

Executive Director | Kirsty Howey PhD, LLM

Kirsty is the Executive Director of the Environment Centre NT and has led the organisation since October 2020. She is an advocate, researcher and strategist with over 20 years’ experience.  She was a native title, land rights and environmental lawyer for over a decade. Her PhD thesis at the University of Sydney investigated the intersection between Indigenous institutions, the environment, the state and development in northern Australia, and she has published widely in this area. Kirsty also has a Bachelor of Arts/Laws (Hons) from the Australian National University, and a Master of Laws from the University of British Columbia. She is an adjunct research fellow at Charles Darwin University. Kirsty is inspired by communities across the Northern Territory fighting to protect some of the most precious natural and cultural landscapes in the world.

Policy and Research Lead | Naish Gawen 

Naish Gawen is an environmental campaigner with an interest in stopping fossil fuel expansion and seeing a fair and just transition. He holds a Masters of Climate Change from ANU.

Philanthropy Manager | Ione McLean

Ione has engaged, supported and been inspired by philanthropists for over a decade at the Australian Environmental Grantmakers Network (AEGN), a member-based organisation for environmental funders that strives to grow effective philanthropy to protect nature and secure a safe climate. Previously she worked in program and business development in the climate and energy efficiency sector with non-government organisations, state government and small business, and as a fundraiser for several environmental organisations, Environment Victoria and the Nature Conservation Council of NSW. Ione has a Master of Environmental Science from Monash University and a Bachelor of Commerce from the University of Melbourne.

Senior Campaigner - Climate | Bree Ahrens

Bree works on ECNT's campaigns to stop dangerous gas expansion in the NT and achieve a just climate. She has previously worked as a campaigner, researcher, editor and translator in Melbourne, Indonesia and Timor-Leste. 

Climate Campaigner | Suki Dorras-Walker

Suki Dorras-Walker is a passionate environment and human rights campaigner. She has lived in the Red Centre, Arnhem Land and Darwin and is committed to preserving the spectacular natural environment in the Territory. Having grown up in Vanuatu, she is keenly aware of the threats climate change and Australia's fossil fuel expansion poses to Pacific nations. She has been a teacher for ten years and is now completing a Juris Doctor at the Macquarie University. Her leadership in community campaigning in Darwin has been critical to building an active and engaged climate and justice movement in the Northern Territory.

Climate Campaigner | Sarah Wilson 

Seeing climate justice is the driving force behind the work that Sarah does at the Environment Centre NT as a climate campaigner. She has a background in politics, project management and advocacy work, and she wants to see an end to the expansion of the harmful fossil fuel industry within this critical decade.

Nature Campaigner | Amy Russell

A former Australian Geographic reporter and communications specialist, Amy was drawn to environmental campaigning after witnessing the power and energy of the Save Binybara/Lee Point campaign. As a mother of two young children, Amy believes we owe it to future generations to fight for nature.

Nature and Water Campaigner - Correa Driscoll 

Correa has always been passionate about action on climate change, biodiversity conservation and environmental justice. She has worked in fundraising, community-led landcare organisations, local and federal government, and volunteered on several climate and environmental campaigns. Correa brings her expertise in policy and community engagement to the ECNT, where she is building on and supporting critical campaigns to protect the Territory's water and natural environments.

Rural Areas Community Campaigner | Pauline Cass

CoolMob Coordinator | Bridget Edmunds

Bridget is the Sustainable Living Coordinator for COOLmob, leading projects that promote household energy efficiency, sustainable living, and renter-friendly energy solutions. She also delivers sustainability lessons in primary schools and helps workplaces implement sustainability strategies, action plans, and greenhouse gas emissions inventories.

Events and Engagement Coordinator | Lou De Mattia

Lou De Mattia has a Masters in Environmental Management and has used this in local Government, industry and community organisations to develop and deliver meaningful environmental education, communications and engagement. Lou is passionate about the circular economy and enabling community members to engage in values-based change. 

Community Campaigner - Katarina Pascuttini

Katarina is a remote community campaigner based in Borroloola where she works closely with Traditional Owners in the Beetaloo Basin to stop fracking and protect Country and water. Drawing on her experiences in campaigning, fundraising and organising within community, Katarina is determined to elevate the voices and concerns of Traditional Owners to the forefront of the campaign.

Finance and Administration | Carolina Franca

Digital Communications Manager | Emma Hoy 

Senior Media Specialist | Jem Wilson 

Jem is a storyteller and former journalist who helps to profile ECNT's work in the media. 

Northern Australian Conservation Alliance Coordinator | Amanda Lilleyman PhD

Amanda has a background in conservation science and has worked in universities, NGOs, and Indigenous ranger groups. She holds a Bachelor of Science (Hons), and a PhD on the conservation and ecology of threatened migratory shorebirds in the tropical north.  Amanda is also an active volunteer with community organisations and a frontline defender of nature.