Edwina Robinson, founded the social enterprise, The Climate Factory, in 2019 after Australia sweltered through its hottest and driest year on record. As a Microforest Maker and Landscape Architect, Edwina inspires and empowers communities to create dense, climate-cooling microforests. She says every microforest or climate-wise garden should be underpinned by fantastic soil preparation, rainwater harvesting and dense planting and an understanding of future climate. Since 2020, Edwina and her volunteers have built five microforests across the ACT and NSW, featuring 1,500 native plants each. Her innovative approach, inspired by the Miyawaki technique, integrates community participation and water harvesting to ensure resilience in hotter, drier climates. In Canberra, Edwina is trialling tree species suited to future climate conditions and incorporated nature play elements. The Moruya Microforest, established in 2023, showcases a Dry Rainforest, a threatened ecological community with only 100 hectares remaining. Edwina has collaborated on regenerative landscape projects in Canberra, including the Sullivans Creek Renaturalisation Vision, retrofitted urban wetlands retrofitting in Sullivans Creek catchment and Gungahlin, and Birdscaping #CBR. She is one of four co-founders of the Microforest Collective and a former Executive Officer of sustainability group, SEE-Change. Through her work, Edwina continues to inspire and lead the way in creating sustainable, community-driven green spaces.

Mitch Porteous is an economic developer and urban strategist focused on aligning capital, policy, and community to create greener, more affordable, and more liveable cities. As CEO of Demobia, a specialist consultancy, he works with developers, governments, and investors to structure early-stage urban projects that balance financial viability with community benefit. As Convenor (CEO) of the Microforest Collective, Mitch leads efforts to scale community-driven urban greening initiatives. In 2022, Mitch also co-founded and co-led the Queanbeyan Microforest, raising $38,000 through community crowdfunding and coordinating the planting of 1500 trees and plants. Beyond urban development, Mitch is passionate about advancing Australia’s space sector and serves on the National Committee of the Australian Space Diversity Alliance (ASDA). He is also committed to helping men better serve their communities, currently serving as Vice President (Finance & Risk) at EveryMan Australia and previously volunteering as a mentor with Menslink. Mitch believes that stronger communities build stronger cities. He explored this idea in his TEDx Canberra talk, "Building Cities Together: The Power of Community-Driven Development", highlighting how grassroots action can influence urban planning and investment. Through his work, he is committed to connecting investment, policy, and grassroots action to support better urban development and long-term sustainability. In 2022, Mitch and his wife, Rebecca, co-founded and co-project managed the Queanbeyan Microforest, raising $38,000 and involving the local community in crowdfunding, co-design, and planting approximately 900 trees and plants. Mitch is dedicated to enhancing urban environments by integrating nature and art, making cities more interesting and enjoyable. He believes that people power, when mobilised, can strengthen neighbourhoods, drive skills development among Australians, and reduce the strain on government resources. In addition to his environmental efforts, Mitch is a Business Manager at HorizonOne Recruitment and is passionate about advancing Australia's space capabilities. He is an inaugural member of the National Committee of the Australian Space Diversity Alliance and is exploring how venture capital could be better applied to the sector.

Liz Adcock co-led creation of the Watson Micro-forest in 2021. Passionate about community connection, enhancing biodiversity and education around nature restoration and conservation. She plays an active role in not just the Microforest movement but as a strategic designer working with the Department of Climate Change, Energy, the Environment and Water, working within Environmental Reforms and Environment Information Australia Projects. Leading key projects within the Nature Positive Plan, focusing on Australia’s environment and biodiversity by protecting, restoring and managing our unique environment. Also an experienced digital designer, business designer, digital marketer, user experience, user interface and front end developer, Liz brings her wealth of knowledge in the digital and design domain to assist in many of the micro forest projects. By focusing on user-centered design and identifying design problems, Lizs’ focus is to find intuitive and creative solutions to tackle any obstacle, especially focused on nature based solutions that bring people together.

Purdie co-led creation of the Watson Micro-forest in 2021, transforming an empty space into a vibrant community hub. She has been passionate about nature – and nature play – for as long as she can remember. In her day job, Purdie works at the Australian Sustainable Finance Institute (ASFI), a not-for-profit dedicated to driving finance and investment for climate and sustainability. As an integral part of the ASFI leadership team, Purdie has supported ASFI's rapid growth since she joined in 2022. With a background in energy law, climate change policy, and international climate negotiations, Purdie has deep subject matter expertise, coupled with strong strategic thinking and excellent communications skills. She excels at bringing people together to create and empower positive change.

Jo is a senior finance executive, with extensive experience across government and private sector. A former CFO of a Government Business Enterprise, Jo now specialises in finance transformation and stakeholder engagement. A habitual communicator, Jo loves to bring together system, people and processes, establishing and driving finance focussed outcomes across a variety of industries. Jo is currently a non-executive director for a prominent social housing provider in the ACT and is passionate about enabling communities and social infrastructure. With studies in climate change and ESG, she is a big believer in grass roots climate action and the power of individuals to make a lasting impact.

Jason is an award winning creative thinker, strategist and behavioural impact specialist with 25+ years of experience shaping how organisations, people, and brands connect, influence and create meaningful change through creativity and storytelling. His work spans positioning Defence as the number one employer of choice for Graduates, to crafting Australia's message of unity to Ukraine, reducing occupational violence for First Responders, and working with local, national and international brands like Cricket Australia, Red Energy, McDonalds, Uber and Miller's Genuine Draft. Jason serves on the external advisory board for the Centre for a Better Canberra and is the Chair of the Chief Minister's Brand Strategic Advisory Board, helping shape the nation's capital's identity and position. In addition, he is an international jury member for creativity, impact and social good across a range of categories for global awards out of New York and London. A passionate advocate for the human experience, and the ability to create social good, he champions disruption and innovation through creativity and anti-conventional thinking to create a future that is better for everything and everyone that calls our planet home.

Leisa is a passionate and results-driven fundraising professional with over 13 years of experience in the non-profit sector. She blends creativity with data-driven strategy to build high-impact campaigns that engage communities and drive real change. Her expertise covers fundraising strategy, community fundraising, telemarketing, digital fundraising, including lead acquisition, appeals development, marketing, communications, and graphic design. Having worked across animal welfare, international development, and women's rights, Leisa is deeply committed to causes that make a difference. A self-identified global citizen, she’s driven by a passion for women’s rights, human rights, and animal welfare, always striving to create a better, fairer world.

Irene Zhen is a specialist in scaling organisations, structuring high-impact programs, and turning innovation into real-world outcomes. With a background in law and finance, she transitioned into entrepreneurship after securing seed funding for her first venture in energy innovation. Since then, she has built a career helping startups, researchers, and organisations navigate growth, investment, and commercialisation. As a Senior Program Manager at the Canberra Innovation Network, Irene has worked with hundreds of entrepreneurs, deep-tech ventures, and research teams, designing and leading programs that support scaling, funding, and strategic development. She was also the youngest-ever facilitator of the CSIRO ON Program, Australia’s top accelerator for deep-tech commercialisation. Irene thrives on building structured pathways from early-stage vision to long-term success, ensuring organisations are strategic, scalable, and positioned for lasting impact. At the Microforest Collective, she brings this expertise to help scale the organisation, develop strategic programs, and position MC for long-term growth and sustainability.

Bec is a strategic communications and media specialist with a decade of experience shaping narratives in environment, climate, and politics. With a background in journalism and strategic communications, she specialises in navigating newsrooms, coordinating media launches, and crafting persuasive messaging that influences public discourse and policy. Her career spans the Climate Media Centre, Australian Associated Press, and News Corp, where she has led high-impact media campaigns, secured strategic coverage, and provided expert editorial guidance. She has worked nationally and internationally, both as a journalist and as a media trainer, equipping environmental leaders with the skills to amplify their message. With a keen interest in horticulture and urban greening, Bec co-led the Queanbeyan Microforest project in 2024, helping to raise funding, mobilise volunteers, and drive public awareness of urban climate initiatives. She now serves on the Advisory Council of the Microforest Collective, supporting its mission to expand community-driven urban greening efforts and strengthen public engagement.

Suchita is a program and operations specialist with a sharp instinct for systems, structure and delivery. With experience across energy, consulting, and environmental sectors, she’s known for designing streamlined processes that enable teams to stay focused on what matters. Currently part of EvoEnergy’s Strategic Delivery Team, she is contributing to the electrification of the ACT network - balancing technical coordination with long-term planning. Her previous roles include project coordination at MinterEllison Technology Consulting, operational leadership at Solar 4 Life, and experience across solar and not-for-profit organisations. At the Microforest Collective, Suchita supports the refinement and automation of internal systems - ensuring time, effort and resources are aligned with impact. She plays a strategic role in helping scale mission-led initiatives without losing operational clarity. She holds a Master of Management in Organisational Leadership and International Business from the Australian National University, and a Bachelor of Commerce in Marketing from Symbiosis College of Arts & Commerce.

We are looking for team players to join our Advisory Council. If you have skills in x, y and z reach out to us.