About The Jane Goodall Institute Australia

The Jane Goodall Institute Australia (JGIA) was founded in 2007 and is an Australian non-profit and registered environmental organisation.
Our Philosophy is centered on the interconnectedness of Animals, People and the Environment (APE) and our Purpose is to
“inspire actions that connect people with animals and our shared environment”.

Our Purpose

The Jane Goodall Institute Australia (JGIA) was founded in 2007 and is an Australian non-profit and registered environmental organisation.

Our Philosophy is centered on the inter-connectedness of Animals, People and the Environment (APE) and our Purpose is to “inspire actions that connect people with animals and our shared environment.

Our History

Dr Jane Goodall DBE, world-renowned primatologist, ethologist, humanitarian, conservationist and UN Messenger of Peace, founded the Jane Goodall Institute in 1977. We now have offices in 35 countries around the world.

Our Impact

We work to promote the conservation of chimpanzees and other great apes (as our closest living relatives in the animal kingdom) and, through our Roots & Shoots (R&S) program, aim to empower the next generation to be socially and environmentally conscious citizens of our shared planet.

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Jane-Next-to-car | Jane Goodall Institute Australia
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Our Programs

At JGIA we have two main program areas  that we support and fund.

Roots and Shoots Logo

Our Roots & Shoots Program empowers young Australians and equips them with the tools, motivation and support they need to address the problems that matter most to them. We create an ever expanding network of Australians, connected with their global counterparts, who are inspired to be change-making global citizens. Our Roots & Shoots members can apply for a mini grant to fund their projects.

Our Africa Programs conserve and protect chimpanzees, natural habitat and surrounding communities in Africa. Our community centered conservation programs include a range of activities from basic needs such as education, health and water sanitation to park rangers who protect animals from poachers. We also support chimpanzee sanctuaries which provide a lifelong home for orphaned animals.

Our Team

Everything we do is in support of our philosophy of connecting Animals, People and the Environment.

James Forbes
CEO

Prior to joining JGIA as CEO, James held senior marketing and fundraising roles with the Australian Indigenous Education Foundation, Nature Conservation Trust of NSW and WWF-Australia. Along with operating his own consulting business, Forbes Philanthropy & Marketing, James is a Senior Associate with Global Philanthropic and a Marketing Advisor with Food Frontier. He is the co-author of a peer reviewed paper, 'Monitoring and evaluating the social and psychological dimensions that contribute to privately protected area program effectiveness'. In 2019 James was appointed to the Board of the Murray Darling Wetlands Working Group - an on-ground organisation protecting and enhancing wetlands throughout Australia's largest inland river system.

Marileze Buys
General Manager, Operations & Programs

Marileze Buys joined the JGIA team in July 2021. She has a post-graduate degree in Psychology and over 14 years of experience in the not-for-profit industry. She has held senior roles in operations, fundraising, program as well as financial management. In Marileze's previous role as the Deputy Director of the Pebbles Project Trust she worked across sectors in education, health care, nutrition and community development. Her love of conservation stems from her childhood in Africa, plus her time working in East Africa where she had the opportunity to track gorillas and chimpanzees in the wild.

Ralph Scott

Ralph Scott
Finance Manager

Ralph joined JGIA in August 2019 and has more than fifteen years experience in senior financial management roles in the not-for-profit sector and previous experience as an auditor and financial analyst. Most recently he led the development and growth of disability and aged care programs with the Sydney Region Aboriginal Corporation. Ralph is a Chartered Accountant and has previously served as Treasurer on the board of the NSW Environmental Defenders Office.

Gemma Freeman
Marketing and Communications Manager

With a life-long passion for protecting and connecting to nature, Gemma brings almost two decades experience in Journalism, Marketing and Campaigning to JGIA. She's worked with some of the biggest for-purpose organisations - including Greenpeace, ActionAid, WWF, Canon, Microsoft, Nike, Patagonia, London 2012 and the Australian Marine Conservation Society. A digital pioneer, she's passionate about marrying storytelling and strategy for positive change. When not at JGIA, you'll find her writing, freediving, surfing, snowboarding, hiking, climbing, making films or playing music.

Ben Howes

Roots & Shoots Volunteer and Program Manager

An environmental educator, avid bushwalker and keen gardener, Ben has been part of the JGIA family since 2017. His passion to equip young leaders to drive local conservation efforts has extended from Victorian coastal ecosystems to geographical field research across South East Asia, with rich experience in the education and community development sectors. Ben has worked in education research at the University of Melbourne, partnering with Indigenous educators across Learning on Country and STEM education initiatives, and most recently was JGIA's first full time State Coordinator 2020 to 2021, before moving to the Program Manager role.

Abbie Mitchell
Roots & Shoots Resources Manager

As an environmental educator Abbie has lead programs for NSW NPWS and EcoXplore. Founding Kids Connecting Nature in 2015 she delivers curriculum-aligned environmental school programs, as well as workshops for government and community groups. Her forthcoming academic book A Hollow is a Home (CSIRO) explains complex conservation issues and scientific concepts via introducing young readers to hollow-using animals. Her passion as an educator is deeply influenced by her bushland upbringing and she strives to empower people to understand, celebrate and foster biodiversity.

Natasha Coutts

Natasha Coutts
Africa Programs & Conservation Campaigns Manager

Originally joining JGIA as a volunteer in 2012, Natasha has been leading our Africa Programs since 2017. She brings to the role a strong background in science and education, and a wealth of experience in conservation focused field research. In addition to her role with JGIA, Natasha is a final year PhD candidate with the University of Western Australia, where she studies the socioecology, health, and conservation of wild eastern chimpanzees across Rwanda. In February 2020 she returned to Australia after two years in the field collecting data on their feeding and social behaviour, their habitat, and collecting faecal samples for gut microbiome and genetic analyses.

Alexandra Lay
Embrace the Wild Pilot Project Officer

Joining JGIA as a volunteer area coordinator in 2020, Alexandra has a background in environmental science and volunteering with local and international not-for-profit organisations. Her passion for the field stems from experiences conducting wildlife research and chimpanzee sanctuary assistance in Africa and marine research in Indonesia, where she developed a strong connection to local environmental work and community development. Alexandra is currently completing a Bachelor’s degree in Wildlife and Conservation Biology at Deakin University.

Victoria Batchelor

Chimp Guardian Coordinator

Victoria Batchelor joined the JGIA team in December 2018 to help oversee the Chimpanzee Guardian program. A journalist with more than 20 years’ experience, specialising in global economics and central banks, Victoria holds a Bachelor’s Degree (Honours) in Mathematics and Economics from the University of Otago and a Diploma in Journalism. Her lifelong passion for conservation took her to Uganda in 2010 to volunteer at a chimpanzee sanctuary. When she’s not volunteering, Victoria works as an editor for an international media company.

Robyn Hittmann

Robyn Hittmann
Administration Coordinator

Robyn commenced at JGIA in August 2019 to assist with administration. Previously completing Animal Care Biology (Zookeepers Elective), and being passionate about animal welfare, Robyn worked at that time with a wildlife rescue service. Robyn has worked in administrative positions including NSW Agriculture Animal Ethics Committee (AEC) and as Category C member (Welfare) for two AECs. Until recently Robyn was Executive Assistant to Professor, Radiation Oncology, UNSW, Liverpool Hospital. Her passion and respect for all animal life, has taken her to Thailand, Cambodia and Laos to work in sanctuaries with many species of animals. Currently Robyn works part-time with a veterinary consultancy company for animal vaccine production and is part way through Captive Vertebrate Management by distance learning, Charles Sturt University.

Our Board

Simon Duffy AM
Chair

Simon Duffy has 20 years’ experience working in the wildlife conservation industry. He has worked across multiple disciplines including wildlife care, education, science and conservation. Simon was the Director of Wildlife Conservation and Science at Taronga Conservation Society Australia for ten years before being appointed to Director Taronga Zoo in 2019. Simon is an active member of several conservation based committees and Boards and was appointed as a Member (AM) of the Order of Australia in recognition of his work in wildlife conservation, both in Australia and for primate species in Africa in January 2019.

Michelle Shepherd
Deputy Chair

Michelle Shepherd is a PR & Communications professional with more than 25 years of strategic media, business development and management experience across multiple industry sectors. Michelle has supported communications for JGIA since 2012. Following the work of Dr Jane since a small girl, Michelle has first became involved in primate conservation following a visit to Borneo in the 1990s and has since trekked gorillas in Uganda and chimpanzees in Tanzania to understand the challenges both they and the communities around them face. Michelle currently works for the Victorian Government, is a graduate of Deakin University, has a Foundation of Governance from The Australian Institute of Company Directors and is an alumna of Leadership Victoria’s Williamson program.

Hugh Wareham
Director

Hugh Wareham is an environmental and conservation professional with more than 25 years-experience in the not for profit and government sectors in Australia and the UK. Previous roles have included the CEO of ECO-Buy Limited and Interim CEO of Beyond Zero Emissions. Currently Head of Australian Government Relations for Greening Australia Hugh delivers policy and large-scale programs across the landscape of Australia in partnership with government. Hugh is a graduate of Liverpool University (BSc Marine Biology) and University of Plymouth (MSc Applied Fish Biology), has a Diploma in Governance from the Institute of Community Directors and is an alumni of Leadership Victoria’s Folio program.

Anna Chung

Anna Chung
Treasurer/Director

Anna Chung is a finance executive with over 20 years experience in senior financial management roles across a number of industries including medical research, healthcare, superannuation, funds management and banking. Anna has held a number of different roles across her career and specialises in strong financial management and planning, stakeholder management and finance transformation. Anna is currently the Chief Financial Officer of a medium sized insurance company. Anna is a graduate of the Australian Institute of Company Directors, as well as a senior member of both the Institute of Chartered Accountants (CAANZ) and the Financial Services Institute of Australasia (FINSIA).

Amelia Swan
Director

Amelia Swan is a Project Manager in the Office of Open Space and Parklands, working to increase Sydney's urban canopy cover to 40% by 2030. Amelia started her career in wildlife conservation genetics, and has toured Australia as a science presenter for Questacon—the National Science and Technology Centre. She has also worked in communications at the Centre for International Forestry Research in Indonesia and an orangutan rehabilitation centre in Malaysia. Amelia holds a Masters Degree in Public Policy, Graduate Diploma in Science Communication and Bachelor in Animal and Veterinary Bioscience.

Zara Bending
Director

Zara Bending is a legal researcher and academic specialising in environmental, medical, and criminal law. Her doctorate examines the illegal wildlife trade under international law, focusing on the illicit trafficking of rhinoceros horn. A Senior Fellow of Advance HE, her dedication to higher education has seen her awarded faculty and Vice Chancellor’s teaching awards. In 2018, Zara was a semi-finalist in the NSW/ACT Young Achiever Awards (Women Creating Change).

Matthew Boyd
Director

Matthew is the Co-Founder and CEO of Vollie, an online marketplace that is unlocking a new style of skills-based remote volunteering.Prior to Vollie, Matt has 10 years experience in a Marketing, Operations and Business development capacity, and has been responsible for running projects that have contributed close to $2 million for NFP organisations.  Matt currently sits on the board at RMIT University, is on the Advisory Committee for Global Citizen, and is Chairman and Australian Director for US-based NGO Duo Duo Project. Matt is a mentor to young social entrepreneurs, and a frequent event planner and public speaker in the social impact space.


Baringa Kukoyi
Official Observer, The Observership Program

Baringa is a Director at Turrbal Association Inc, an Indigenous organisation focused on the preservation of Turrbal culture and the development of self-sustaining communities. Baringa previously worked in a variety of commercial finance roles at Uber, Virgin Australia, and Queensland Treasury across Europe and Australia. Baringa is a Qualified Chartered Accountant and holds a Bachelor of Economics and a Bachelor of Commerce from the University of Queensland, and a Master of Business Administration (MBA) from the University of Cambridge, specialising in Social Innovation and Culture & Arts Management.

Roots & Shoots State Coordinators

Bill Waterer OAM

Roots & Shoots Western Australia State Coordinator

Bill has been involved with Roots & Shoots since 2006. Prior to this he was with The Orangutan Project for 11 years. As JGIA's Western Australian Coordinator, Bill's team of volunteers have built a number of groups, including up to thirty plus Scouts, totalling to over 10000 people involved in the State. Bill also held the role of National Coordinator for close to three years. He is married with two children and five grandchildren. In 2019 Bill was also awarded the Order of Australia medal for his incredible services to endangered animals.

Vineeta Gupta

Roots & Shoots Tasmania State Coordinator

Vineeta (Vini) is currently studying at the University of Tasmania, majoring in Microbiology. A keen snorkeller and environmental activist, she began her journey with JGIA by being a part of the 2019/2020 National Youth Leadership Council. Vini believes that the environment is an integral part of our social well-being and that it is important as a community that we do whatever we can to conserve it. For her Dr Jane Goodall is an inspiration, displaying strong and passionate leadership while facing environmental and humanitarian challenges head-on. Vini hopes to inspire people in the same way as Dr Jane.

K-Lynn Smith

Roots & Shoots New South Wales State Coordinator

Dr K-lynn Smith is a researcher who is interested in the welfare of animals and people. She has worked on animal behaviour and communication as well as on human neuroscience. She received her Bachelor of Science from the University of Maryland, College Park. As an undergraduate, she studied how neotropical bats use ultrasonic signals for individual recognition. Her thesis research for her Master of Science degree from George Mason University examined the function of ‘yodelling’ in a North American diving bird. She received her Doctor of Philosophy from Macquarie University where her thesis on multimodal signalling in fowl earned the Vice Chancellor’s Commendation. In conjunction with her collaborator, Chris Evans, she received the 2010 Australian Museum Eureka Prize for Scientific Research that Contributes to Animal Protection.

Debbie Tanzer

Roots & Shoots Darling Downs and South West Queensland Co - State Coordinator

Debbie has always had a love of animals and nature. She was privileged to hear Dr Jane speak in Brisbane in July 2017, which had a very profound effect on her. After watching the National Geographic movie Becoming Jane, in 2018 Debbie became a volunteer with JGIA. She began a Roots & Shoots volunteer group in Toowoomba in 2019, and has since met some of the most amazing, inspiring people. In May 2019 Debbie even got to meet Dr Jane herself in Melbourne on her Australian tour! She’s learnt so much from being a JGIA volunteer, that Debbie has recently started studying a Bachelor of Wildlife Science in 2020.

Peta Wilson

Roots & Shoots Queensland State Coordinator

Peta Wilson is a full time primary teacher with a huge passion to promote and, through JGIA, collaboratively participate in making the world a better place for Animals, People and the Environment (A.P.E). With over 20 years’ experience working with animals and children, Peta is a dedicated educator whom continues to mentor and empower people, through a growth mindset, to have courage and take action for the benefit of A.P.E.

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The Jane Goodall Institute Australia (JGIA) was founded in 2007 and is an Australian non-profit and registered environmental charity with deductible gift receipt status.

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