What do you do in your role at TACSI?
I’m a Social Innovator! That means I support and engage in the design, management, and implementation of social innovation projects that strive to generate positive results for communities, families, and partners.
I’m involved in multiple phases of the social innovation process, from leading workshops and involving stakeholders to developing creative materials that effectively convey our efforts.
When you're not at work, what do you get up to?
I love experimenting with cooking and creating yummy meals to share with friends and family. I also enjoy being creative through art, whether it’s painting, drawing, or sewing. I love spending time outdoors. One of my favourite activities is going on bike rides with my partner, Billy, and our pup, Lilo, on the back of my bike, enjoying the fresh air together.
What change would you like to see in the world, and why?
Social cohesion. From my own experiences, I find that social isolation is a systemic issue that needs to be recognised, especially in the wake of Covid. As we navigate a world increasingly dominated by technology, we risk forgetting our fundamental nature as social beings who require human connection for our wellbeing, and I feel we have strayed far from that connection.
What were you doing before working at TACSI?
I have four years of experience in the government sector, particularly in project support and data analysis roles. One notable initiative was the Care Service Pathway Program, where I played a key role in identifying and addressing system gaps in service delivery to inform strategic decisions.
Who inspires you, and why?
Frida Kahlo inspires me not only for her incredible artwork but also for her role in elevating women’s issues during the 1930s-50s, a time when women were often sidelined and oppressed.
Looking back at your career, what’s been the highlight?
A career highlight for me has been developing a program to support marginalised individuals with chronic health conditions and mental health challenges. This initiative introduced a tailored social and medical model for in-home support, allowing individuals to live safely and comfortably at home. Previously, these populations lacked adequate support and were often overlooked by health professionals.
In this role, I helped create a program framework by analysing client data to identify common trends, establishing best practices that recognised the broader social determinants affecting overall well-being. I also emphasised collaboration with stakeholders, including SA Housing Trust, to address tenancy and homelessness risks faced by our clients, which directly impacted their health.
Despite being active for only a year, our program received the "Change and Innovation Champion" award in 2023, reflecting our commitment to impactful service delivery.
What are you reading/watching/listening to at the moment?
I'm currently re-reading "The Body Keeps the Score: Brain, Mind, and Body in the Healing of Trauma" by Bessel van der Kolk.
When you were a kid, what did you want to be when you 'grew up'?
Growing up, I enjoyed anything to do with creative arts or design. I wanted to be either a fashion designer or graphic designer. Even though my path has changed, that creativity still plays a big role in how I approach problem-solving and innovation today.
What's a book, film or resource that you would recommend to someone interested in social impact?
“When They See Us”, a Netflix miniseries about the true story of the Central Park Five, a group of minority teenagers wrongfully convicted of a crime they didn't commit. The series highlights systemic racism, injustice within the legal system, and the long-lasting effects of wrongful incarceration, prompting important conversations about race, accountability, and reform in the criminal justice system.
What's something on your bucket list?
I've always been fascinated by how people in different countries adapt to their environments, shaping their lifestyles and social behaviours, so travelling the world to witness these cultural differences first hand has been a dream of mine.