Our team

Meet the team of passionate people driving beyond zero emissions

Team

Heidi Lee

CEO

Heidi Lee is an architect and expert in sustainable buildings and urban design with 20 years of experience in creating sustainable cities. After a decade of leadership and advisory roles with Beyond Zero Emissions, Heidi became CEO in 2020. Heidi led Beyond Zero Emissions’ much-lauded, post-covid Million Jobs Plan that showed how renewables and low-emissions projects can deliver 1.8 million new jobs in just five years.

Jane Sewell

Head of Research

Jane brings over a decade of communication, project management and stakeholder engagement experience working across government, academia, not-for-profit and higher education sectors. Jane started her career as a biomedical research scientist, gaining a PhD in oncology before transitioning to science communication and broader management roles in areas including international health, cancer research and hearing.

Beth Mitchell

Head of Engagement

Beth is a seasoned strategic planner with experience across diverse policy settings including community development, rural industries, sustainable procurement, corporate sustainability, and climate change mitigation and adaptation. Previously, Beth was Director of Asset Strategies in an infrastructure branch of the ACT Government where she coordinated emission reduction strategies and key partnerships to transition ACT’s public schools to a zero-emission future.

Melissa Heyhoe

Head of Operations

Melissa is a Senior Business Leader and Chief Financial Officer with over 25 years' experience. She is a Qualified Chartered Accountant and has worked in a number of sectors including Financial Services and Not-For-Profit. Melissa is a Graduate of The Australian Institute of Company Directors and holds a Graduate Diploma in Applied Finance. She has worked across all facets of Finance, run Operational functions and has led teams of up to 300 people. Melissa is passionate about bringing her experience and commercial acumen to support a sustainable future.

Dugald McNaughtan

Head of Communications

Dugald is a driven communications and fundraising professional, and veteran of successful campaigns to change policy and behaviour in the pursuit of climate solutions and social justice. After two decades of working for NGOs such as Amnesty International, the Wildlife Trusts and Greenpeace in the UK, he brings to BZE a passion for promoting real-world solutions and consensus-building, and a desire to inspire others to strive for a more sustainable and just world.

Sam Mella

Senior Project Manager

Sam is an experienced senior project manager who leads our engagement in the Hunter Valley in New South Wales. A pioneer of renewable energy exports in Australia, Sam previously led an acclaimed pre feasibility study on High Voltage Direct Current as a pathway for renewable energy export and diversification in Western Australia’s Pilbara region. Sam is also the founding director of Pilbara Solar Pty Ltd.

Dr Heidi Edmonds

Senior Project Manager

Heidi leads our engagement in her hometown of Gladstone in Central Queensland, specifically on the Renewable Energy Industrial Precinct project. A chemical and environmental engineer and ecologist by trade, Heidi holds a PhD in environmental science. Heidi also led key research areas for our Million Jobs Plan. Heidi is co-founder Australian Parents for Climate Action.

Nikki Potter

Senior Project Manager

Nikki has extensive experience both internationally and in Australia, spanning commercial, not-for-profit and government. Previously, Nikki was Executive General Manager Industry Services at the Clean Energy Council where she led the policy, advocacy, compliance and regulation, communications and media, membership and events teams. Nikki served on the Board of the Australian Energy Foundation.

Dr Anna Boin

Senior Project Manager

With 20 years of project and consulting experience, Anna is skilled in identifying, developing and delivering organisation-led outcomes. Her PhD in engineering provided a strong foundation in research methods for understanding stakeholder perspectives and data accuracy. A passion for sustainability, Anna lives in rural Australia in a small, straw bale, solar-passive house.

Rowan Moorey

Senior Researcher

Rowan is an experienced senior researcher with a background in community development and sustainable practice. His experience includes energy efficiency project funding design, implementation, data presentation and engagement. Rowan previously worked at Sustainability Victoria and La Trobe University and holds a Master in Sustainability Studies from RMIT.

Kelvin Wicks

Researcher

Kelvin specialises in large-scale home retrofits. He brings an interdisciplinary approach to designing practical built environment and climate solutions. Inspired by our Stationary Energy Plan and ambitious climate solutions, Kelvin first joined Beyond Zero Emissions as a volunteer. He holds qualifications in engineering and building energy efficiency from the University of Melbourne.

Madeline Townsend

People and Culture Manager

Madeline is a leader in volunteer engagement. She has worked in volunteer management and policy roles since 1989 across Australia and New Zealand, focusing on the environment sector. Madeline is a regular volunteer for environmental, social and arts causes and is a Fellow of the Institute of Community Directors Australia.

Adam Waryszak

Digital Media Officer

Adam is an experienced digital media and visual communication officer. He brings a diverse knowledge of current trends and technology to the role. Adam has a range of experience delivering successful ethical and inclusive communications for not-for-profit and private organisations. He holds a Masters in Communication from RMIT.

Tejesh Kashyap

Project Officer

Tejesh specialises in business development, stakeholder engagement, academic research, and data analysis. He has worked in both the public and private sectors and first joined us as a volunteer. Tejesh holds a Masters in International Relations from the Australian National University and a dual degree in International Relations and Management from Webster University.

Michelle Lee

Communications Coordinator

Michelle is a veteran communications professional with a passion for climate action. She brings to this role almost a decade of experience spanning strategic communications, stakeholder engagement, PR and marketing in both the public sector and non-profit space.

Simone Halley

Executive Assistant

Simone brings significant experience in customer service, business administration, event coordination, executive support, and service coordination in diverse and dynamic operating environments including travel, retail, financial services and the not-for-profit sector. Most recently working at the Trust for Nature, Simone enjoys the value that purpose brings to an organisation and seeing first-hand the impact that it has on our people, our environment and our communities.

Carissa Dyall

Fundraising Specialist

Carissa brings expertise in fundraising and donor management via her most recent role as Philanthropy Manager for the Australian Youth Orchestra, as well as past experience in donor management and communications roles in the not-for-profit sector. Carissa holds a Master of Arts & Cultural Management from the University of Melbourne.

Nick Fleming

Graduate Project Officer

Nick's passion is environmental policy. He is currently studying a Masters of Public Policy at Melbourne University, has strong research and analytical skills and is an effective communicator.

Join the team

If you're interested in working for us, get in touch or keep an eye out for roles as they're posted.

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