About me
I'm now leading a new flagship initiative - UNDP's Future-Ready Urban Governance training programme, working closely with 10 cities across Asia-Pacific. I am also a recognised expert on secondary cities strategy and urban governance, and am working on a book and projects on supporting secondary city development across Asia-Pacific. As a mentor I bring honest insights into the urban field in Asia-Pacific - how to build a career here, and insights into urban regional trends. I bridge the personal and the professional in my sessions – what is your personality like? What kind of person are you? How are you tapping into that and being a better urban professional? How are you showing me impact and output in your communications?
The below are sample questions I have helped others with on their journey:
- What does it take to make or break an urban career in the Asia-Pacific?
- Is the UN still a viable career path for an aspiring urban professional?
- How does one transfer from local government professional to the UN system and connect to other international opportunities?
- How do you deal with the frustrations of projects ending as an urban contractor or consultant?
- How does one balance being a 'generalist' and finding a niche?
- What's it like to work on reinvigorating UNDP's urban programming?
Anyway - more about me I guess? I am Australian and based in Southeast Asia with UNDP's Bangkok Regional Hub, where I am UNDP's focal point for urban governance - doing the groundwork of connecting, leading, and making sure that UNDP's urban portfolios in Asia-Pacific are grounded in cutting-edge urban thinking and practice and strong partnerships. Previously, I worked with UN-Habitat and UN ESCAP in Bangkok, but the life of a UN consultant is often not as glamorous or rewarding as one assumes.
Southeast Asia has become my home, and where my expertise has grown. I have a rare "street to strategy" perspective. Before Bangkok, I spent almost 10 years with City of Melbourne in Australia in direct community facing, planning, policy, strategy, and Councillor support roles. I loved this work. This gave me an excellent foundation in how to work across a complex community, organisation, and political system - including as an Assistant to now Lord Mayor of Melbourne, Nick Reece.
My journey is not linear. I have moved between local government, regional roles, and the United Nations. This diversity is a strength. This is also not by choice - contract and funding issues, and organisational re-shuffles have built my resilience - so if you need help trying to navigate change and an international career, contact me!
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Mentor's timezone: Asia/Bangkok (GMT+07:00)