Advocacy and Business Services team
Robin Mellon - Executive Director Advocacy and Business Services
After originally training in property valuation, Robin worked throughout Europe specialising in heritage property and the environment. Always a passionate gardener, he then worked with a London-based landscape designer before moving to Sydney to concentrate on sustainable development. Following several years running a landscape management and horticulture business in Sydney, he joined the GBCA in 2007 and spent three years heading development and operation of the Green Star rating tools.
Robin currently steers the GBCA's policy and strategic agenda at local, state and federal government levels, talking with each and every agency to achieve those goals, as well as providing strategic guidance to the GBCA’s Business Services teams including Marketing, Communications, Operations and Human Resources. He teaches Green Star courses around Australia, represents the GBCA on sustainability committees and regularly presents at national and international conferences to encourage the industry towards better practice. Robin also leads the international work undertaken with other green building councils (GBCs) worldwide, mentors a number of emerging GBCs, sits on both the WorldGBC Policy Task Group and the WorldGBC's Asia-Pacific Network.
Advocacy
Katy Dean - Advocacy Manager (Federal)
With experience working on policy development for the Australian Government, most notably with the Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry, Katy joined the GBCA in August 2010. Katy is responsible for communicating the GBCA's green building policy priorities to the Federal Government and developing policy to drive the adoption of green building practices in areas such as education and healthcare. Katy holds a Bachelor of Recreation Management from Lincoln University, New Zealand.
Daniel Hartin - Advocacy Manager (State)
Daniel joined the GBCA in 2012 as a Case Manager in the Green Star team before taking on the role of Advocacy Manager. Prior to joining the GBCA, Daniel was a Building Sustainability Consultant at Efficient Living. He is currently undertaking a Masters of Sustainable Development at the University of New South Wales.
Emma Kelly - Advocacy Coordinator (Local)
Emma joined the GBCA in 2012, and is responsible for assisting and supporting the adoption of sustainable buildings and community development policies by local governments around Australia. Prior to joining the GBCA, Emma spent time working in the Northern Territory and the United Kingdom, before taking a key policy and change management position with Queensland’s Office of Climate Change. In her five years at the Office of Climate Chance, Emma developed and implemented eco-efficiency and environmental behaviour change projects for various industry sectors, including childcare and aged care. Emma holds a Bachelor of Communication (Journalism) from Griffith University, Queensland.
Marketing and Communications
Margaret Khursigara - Marketing Director
Margaret brings over 20 years marketing and management experience having worked with various banking, telecommunications, entertainment and retail clients in Australia and India. Previously, as Joint Country Manager for Pinpoint India, Margaret was based in Mumbai and established this Indian division over a 3 year period overseeing marketing, IT, operations and finance functions. Other prior roles include General Manager at Preferred Seating, Marketing Director at Pinpoint Pty Ltd, Business Development Manager at Cellarmaster Wines and Management Assistant at Harvey Norman Holdings. Margaret holds a Bachelor of Commerce, Marketing and Management from the University of Western Sydney.
Vanessa Lasses (nee Roberts) - Assistant Marketing Manager
With a background in business marketing and fine arts, Vanessa joined the GBCA in 2011 to help implement the GBCA’s marketing plans. Vanessa’s experience in marketing and advertising gained over the last decade has been through property clients; Sekisui House, Payce Communities and Willoughby City Council, along with well-known consumer brands such as Unicef, Dell, Jim Beam, Navman and numerous pharmaceutical clients.
Amy Coleman - Marketing Coordinator
Amy joined the GBCA in 2012 and is responsible for managing social media, email campaigns, website updates, marketing requests, and supporting marketing team projects. Prior to Amy's commencement with the GBCA, she worked in the areas of community relations and strategic partnerships at Sydney Water. Amy holds a Bachelor of Communication and Media Studies (Marketing) from the University of Wollongong.
Justin McFarlane - Graphic Designer
Justin joined the GBCA in April 2007 and has worked in a variety of roles with the organisation. Currently, he is responsible for graphic design and desktop publishing. Justin designs the GBCA's newsletters, advertising material, website graphics and manages design-related projects. Justin has an Honours degree in Industrial Design from the University of Technology, Sydney.
Karen Jamal - Communications Consultant
Karen has managed the GBCA's communications since 2008. With more than fifteen years' experience in marketing and communications, Karen a proven track record with both small and large organisations, both federal and state governments, and across a broad cross-section of industries. Karen has a Bachelor of Arts and a Masters of Letters.
Lauren Bonser - Communications Project Manager
Lauren joined the GBCA in 2011 as the Events Project Manager. Lauren is now responsible for delivering GBCA communications. Lauren completed a Bachelor of Communications in 2008, majoring in social research and public policy. She completed a NSW Parliamentary internship in 2008 and has worked for state and federal government bodies.
Operations and Human Resources
Emily Lawton - Human Resources Director
Emily has been in HR management roles for more than 13 years, and until joining GBCA had worked exclusively in the legal industry, including for Mallesons, Linklaters and the Australian Government Solicitor. Emily has an honours degree in history from the Australian National University. Emily's role as Human Resources Director is to help establish and implement HR strategies (in consultation with the GBCA Executive) which optimise employee performance and development opportunities and which assist GBCA to meet its strategic objectives.
Catherine Andon - Executive Assistant / Office Manager
Catherine Andon joined the GBCA in 2010 and supports Romilly Madew and Robin Mellon. Catherine has a strong administrative background with more than 10 years' experience providing executive support. Catherine is also responsible for managing office procedures ensuring effective and efficient coordination of GBCA offices and its employees. Prior to joining the GBCA, Catherine worked in a number of law firms in areas such as medical negligence, dust diseases, public liability and workers' compensation.
Yvette Menezes - Office Assistant
Yvette joined the GBCA in July 2007 as the Receptionist and is now the GBCA's Office Assistant. Yvette has more than 15 years experience working in a support role.
