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
Jane-with-Kids | Roots and Shoots Australia
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Dr.-Jane-Goodall-Speaking-at-event

Our Programs

At JGIA we have two main programs 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.

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The Jane Goodall Institute Australia constantly strives to improve the world around us for both humans and animals.

Our Team

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

James Forbes
Interim CEO

James Forbes has more than 10 years experience working in senior management roles at WWF and the Nature Conservation Trust – both well established and successful wildlife and environmental not for profit organisations. He was most recently the Advancement Director at the Australian Indigenous Education Foundation. James has qualifications in marketing, communications and leadership. In 2016, James was a finalist in the CEO Magazine’s Executive of the Year award for the not for profit category.

Srima McQuillan
COO

Srima McQuillan joined JGIA last year as COO. Prior to this, Srima started her career as a Civil and Environmental Engineer, working as a project engineer on water, wastewater and refuse facacility projects. She then acquired her MBA and transitioned into the housing industry, managing over 20 housing projects ranging from mid-rise towers to social housing developments. After migrating to Australia she spent 7 years at Lendlease in roles including strategy, innovation, transformation and people and culture.

Natasha Coutts

Natasha Coutts
Africa Programs, Phone Recycling & Palm Oil Campaign Coordinator

Natasha Coutts joined JGIA in 2012. Before moving into her current role as Africa Programs & Campaigns Coordinator, she was the Roots & Shoots National Coordinator. She's currently based in Rwanda, where she's researching the socioecology, health, and genetics of chimpanzees in Nyungwe National Park for her PhD with The University of Western Australia.

Abbie Mitchell
Roots & Shoots General 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.

Kara Bishop
Communications & Fundraising Manager (Interim)

Kara has worked in the not-for-profit industry for over 12 years. Her background was originally in the field of graphic design but over the past 6 years has worked in Marketing & Communications strategy. She enjoys creating engaging customer journeys and maintaining an impactful voice across all forms of media including social, web, print, direct marketing, e-communications, video and PR.

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.

Victoria Batchelor
Chimp Guardian Coordinator (Volunteer)

Our Board

Nancy Moloney (Maternity Leave)

Nancy Moloney has 15 years of management experience with a focus on strategic sustainability consulting including corporate responsibility reporting and organisational strategy. Prior to joining JGIA in 2015, Nancy worked at two “Big Four” professional services firms. She has served as a Non-Executive Director on several boards and is a graduate of the AICD Company Directors Course. Nancy also trained as a Climate Reality Leader under Al Gore. Her academic experience includes an MBA (Dean's Scholar), MSc (Ecology) and BSc (Forestry).

Simon Duffy
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
Media Manager/Director

Michelle Shepherd is a PR & Communications professional with more than 25 years of media, business development and management experience across multiple sectors. Michelle is a graduate of Deakin University, has a Foundation of Governance from The Australian Institute of Company Directors and is an Alumni of Leadership Victoria's Williamson programme.

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).

Financial Info

View our annual report for 2019 [31.2 MB].

View our annual report for 2018.

View our annual report for 2017.

View our annual report for 2016.

You Can Make a Difference

Help us inspire actions that connect people with animals and our shared environment.

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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