Sarah (she/her) is passionate about taking climate action to ensure our children live in a safer, more habitable world. Driven by a deep sense of wonder and gratitude for nature, and a moral responsibility as a parent, Sarah has joined AP4CA’s HR, Policies and Culture Board Committee to use her professional expertise to have a meaningful impact on climate change and to encourage others to take action. With over 15 years of experience in the people and culture (HR) leadership space, Sarah runs Talentary, a coaching and consulting business that works with tech and purpose-driven companies, start-ups, scale-ups and growth-minded individuals on all things people leadership, emotional intelligence, mindfulness and mental wellbeing. She lives and works on Gadigal land. Connect with Sarah on LinkedIn. 

David is a long-time Australian Parents for Climate Action supporter and leads our outstanding all-volunteer Policy and Submissions Team. In his day job, David works at the intersection of climate risk, adaptation, resilience and business, to help major enterprises develop strategies that improve business performance, risk management, emissions reduction and climate adaptation. A management consultant and program manager with over 25 years experience, David assists and leads his clients through their projects from conception to implementation. David has delivered projects across Australasia, Asia and Europe.

David is the author of: Navigating the Adaptive Economy - Managing Business Risk & Opportunity in a Changing Climate.

Connect with David on LinkedIn. 

Leanne is a co-founder of Australian Parents for Climate Action and current volunteer Social Media Coordinator and International Outreach person. She is a key coordinator within Parents for Future Global and is a member of the 2022-2023 cohort of  Climate Parent Fellows. She is also a member of the Knitting Nannas - a collective using knitting and artivism to campaign for the preservation of Australia's land, air and water. Leanne has deep knowledge of using creative campaigning and legal processes to stop gas projects in her region in rural South West Qld and works on fossil fuel campaigning globally. She is passionate about intergenerational climate justice and leaving a better world for those who come after us. 

“As I watched my teenager turn into a young adult while I tried to stop gas expansion upstream, I started to feel anxious about climate impacts on potential grandkids, so if anything the worries are worse.  Like you, I never ever in my wildest dreams thought I'd be doing any of this.” Connect with Leanne on LinkedIn. 

Vanessa is an experienced People, Performance & Culture leader enabling people and cultures within organisations to deliver to their purpose. She has over 25 years’ experience supporting For Purpose, Retail, FMCG and Professional Services sectors.

Vanessa is passionate about climate change and contributing to securing a safe future for our children and safeguarding our precious planet. She is part of Australian Parents for Climate Action's HR, Policies and Culture Board Committee to partner and support AP4CA in enabling parents across Australia to advocate for climate action within their communities. Vanessa is the mother of two young adults and lives on the
lands of the Darramuragal people (Northshore Sydney). Connect with Vanessa on LinkedIn. 

It has been a great pleasure to join Australian Parents for Climate Action as the Treasurer. I am excited to share my experiences and extend my practical skills to the truly great mission of AP4CA to create a groundswell of parent-led and parent-driven advocacy for a safe climate future for our children.

I am a Sydney-based father of three and my wife and I share the concerns of many parents around the country that as custodians of the planet we need to do more to ensure future generations can live healthy and safe lives. Individually, it is a challenge to make a difference, but collectively concerned parents represent a unique constituency that is bound by a very strong and common bond of their children. The mission to engage, empower and organise parents at such an important time is an exciting one.

I have had a 25-year career in international transportation holding various roles in Management, Finance and Information Technology. During my professional life I have been fortunate to live and work overseas in North America, Europe and Asia.

Returning to Australia to the traditional land of the Cammeraygal people, my wife and I are constantly reminded of how fortunate we are to live in such a wonderful country, and with that comes the determination to ensure that we leave a healthier and more sustainable planet for future generations.

When not running around after our three active children I maintain a great love of trail running and the perfect day for me is one that takes me off the beaten track and into the bush in search of adventure. You can connect with me on LinkedIn.

Dr Rebecca Huntley is a writer and researcher and heads her own research and strategy consultancy on climate communications. She is the author of numerous books including “How To Talk About Climate Change in a Way That Makes a Difference”. She has been a radio broadcaster for Radio National. Rebecca works for governments, NGOs and businesses who are serious about acting on climate. Rebecca is the mother of three young girls, and became passionate about climate change watching the first Australian School Strikes for Climate in 2018. Connect with Rebecca on LinkedIn

Passionate about “high impact philanthropy” Samantha (Sam) runs a small philanthropy and fundraising advisory business. Sam has worked in academia, policy development, fundraising and funding for 20+ years. She has experience across all the sectors related to social change, with unique insights into the challenges faced by non-profits and funders. Sam has analysed hundreds of nonprofit strategies over the years, giving her an instinctual understanding of what makes an effective policy change campaign. Sam says “In my view, Australian Parents for Climate Action have an excellent strategy, talented staff, amazing volunteers and relentless passion and energy. The incredible outcomes they have achieved in such a short time are proof to me that they are a high impact organisation.” 

Sam also joined the Australian Parents for Climate Action Advisory Board because her other important job is being a mum to two amazing girls. Sam says “As a parent, I am deeply troubled by Australia’s lack of climate leadership. I want my girls to grow up knowing that I did all that I can. Volunteering my time to help grow Australian Parents for Climate Action is an obvious way to show them that I love them and that I care deeply about their future."

Connect with Sam on LinkedIn

Genevieve Smart is Founder and Creative Director of Australian fashion brand Ginger&Smart, known for creating contemporary sustainable fashion. She is on the Advisory Council for Sydney Women’s Fund and the Advisory Council for Atelier Foundation of the Art Gallery New South Wales.

Genevieve has always been committed to sustainability and causing as little damage as possible to people and our planet. Genevieve recognises that with manufacturing contributing 10% of all greenhouse gas emissions, she is responsible for reducing her company's emissions and supporting renewable energy. Motivated by her and her children's growing climate concerns, Genevieve advocates for the great employment and economic opportunities available to Australia through embracing renewable energy and other climate solutions.

Connect with Genevieve on LinkedIn

Daisy is a teacher and the Director of Wellbeing at an independent girls’ school in Sydney, where she has taught for 8 years. Before this Daisy taught across school systems including at a behavioural school working with students from diverse backgrounds. Before going into teaching Daisy worked in interactive advertising as a producer and in strategy roles tapping into demographic changes and running nationwide qualitative surveys. She is an accredited Lifeline Crisis Support counsellor and regularly volunteers on the crisis support line. She is the mother of two children, holds a Combined Bachelors degree in Arts/Commerce, a Graduate Diploma of Secondary Teaching, and a Masters of Arts in Theological Studies. She is on the NSW board of the Australian Republican Movement. Daisy’s first book ‘50 Risks To Take With Your Kids’ was released in Feb 2021, providing a guide on developing independence and resilience in young children. Daisy advocates for action on climate change because she sees how students are concerned about our climate future, and the impact climate stress has on their well-being. Connect with Daisy on LinkedIn