Erica joined HSI in 2017 after working for the International Fund for Animal Welfare (IFAW) as the Vice President of Global Communications based in the USA. She has worked with teams in the field delivering hands-on protection for animals as well as in international fora such as CITES and the IWC. Erica also has a wealth of experience in government relations having previously worked for the Australian Federal Government as Director of Communications for the then Department of Communications, Information Technology and the Arts in Canberra.
Nicola Beynon is proud to lead the talented campaign team at HSI Australia. She has 25+ years of experience campaigning for animal protection since gaining degrees from Oxford University and University College London. After emigrating to Australia with an MSc in Conservation, Nicola first started working for HSI Australia in 1998. Nicola is a champion for stronger laws and policies to protect animals in Australia and internationally.
Evan has been with HSI since 2010. A member of the IUCN World Commission on Protected Areas, Evan is responsible for HSI’s terrestrial habitat protection and restoration programs including Threatened Ecological Community nominations and private land conservation through the Wildlife Land Trust. He leads our wildlife rescue and rehabilitation support programs and disaster preparedness and response efforts, and advises on wildlife-conflict campaigns for species such as flying-foxes and dingoes.
Gill joined HSI in early 2020 and is responsible for financial management and governance. Gill has worked in the for-purpose sector as an executive finance and governance professional for over 30 years and brings with her significant experience in the housing, disability, youth and family law sectors. She is a Chartered Accountant and a Graduate of the Australian Institute of Directors. Gill loves being outdoors in nature and is delighted to have the opportunity to use her skills to further the mission at HSI.
Having worked extensively in the not-for-profit sector, Lisa was thrilled to join the HSI team in 2024. As an animal lover and advocate, bringing her professional and personal passions together fuels her enthusiasm and commitment to contribute to the mission of building a humane world for all animals, a cause deeply close to her heart. Central to this is ensuring the connection of supporters’ aspirations and wishes, recognising their generosity and foresight as pivotal in realising the vision of a world where animals are treated with kindness and respect.
Matthew joined HSI as Head of Communications in 2024 after many years working for international NGOs. His background is in television production and journalism but an opportunity to work as a photojournalist in Uganda, Kenya, and Cambodia in 2006 led him to the humanitarian sector. His work has since taken him around the world documenting numerous humanitarian contexts. As a photographer, journalist and cinematographer, Matthew has always loved using images and words to convey stories that matter. As a surfer and daily ocean swimmer, he has a particular love of the ocean and everything in it.
Chloë joined the HSI team in 2024 after previously working at two other Australian NGO’s as a Communications Coordinator. She has a BA from the Australian Film Television and Radio School (AFTRS) which led her to various creative pursuits including producing and directing documentaries and writing in the magazine industry. Chloë is passionate about environmentalism, sustainability and social change and believes in the power of storytelling to bring people together and make a tangible difference.
Megan has over 20 years of experience working to protect the Australian environment, primarily with environmental NGOs. Megan joined HSI in 2022 after more than a decade as the Scientific Director at the Environmental Defenders Office, before which she was completing her PhD on tourism impacts on humpback whales off Sydney and in the Kingdom of Tonga. She has published on threatened species and ecological communities, and has worked in both marine and terrestrial conservation. Megan is passionate about ensuring that we have strong environmental laws that work to protect nature.
As a marine ecologist specialising in conservation, research and outreach, Lawrence has spent years working to engender sustainable relationships between wildlife, the ocean and the public. He has worked as a field biologist, environmental consultant, naturalist and project coordinator. Lawrence’s work at HSI is currently focused on shark welfare and protection, specifically in regards to culling and control programs, overexploitation, and international protection.
Lauren is a dedicated marine biologist and ocean conservationist, specialising in shark culling policy and science communication. With a bachelor of science in marine biology, a master of laws in law of the sea and about to commence her PhD in shark policy, Lauren combines scientific expertise with policy and legal frameworks to campaign for our ocean wildlife both nationally and internationally
Georgie has been part of the team since 2012. She grew up on a farm in the UK and gained an honours degree in Animal Science at Leeds University. Georgie leads HSI’s campaigns on farm animal welfare, the dog meat trade, animals in entertainment, and the fur trade. Georgie has co-authored two research papers and has been published in an international journal as well as writing a children’s book to raise awareness of dolphins in captivity.
Meg previously worked in the Environmental Defenders Office’s biodiversity team and joined HSI in 2023. Meg currently leads HSI’s Wildlife Coexistence campaign, and also provides legal advice and support to HSI’s other campaigns. Meg loves every kind of animal and is passionate about using the law to protect them!
Louise joined the HSI team in 2022 as wildlife campaigner. She has a doctorate in human-wildlife coexistence with expertise in identifying holistic and compassionate pathways to coexist with wildlife and support local communities. She has over 15 years experience in sustainability research covering topics such as biodiversity conservation, wildlife management, climate change adaptation and natural resources.
Louisa joined the HSI team in 2024. She studied a Bachelor of Animal and Veterinary Bioscience at university and has since worked in a variety of science communication and field-based environmental roles. She is passionate about advocating for less charismatic and in her opinion under-appreciated wildlife such as invertebrates, with some of her previous research being focused on native bee and snail species. Louisa is excited to take on the role of Program Officer for the Wildlife Land Trust to widen and strengthen the network of wildlife sanctuaries involved.
Rheanon joined the HSI team in 2024 after working across a diverse range of Australian based NGO’s, NFP’s and Disaster response programs. She has lived within some of the most disaster prevalent regions of NSW including Dharug and Darkinjung country, and is passionate about grassroots advocacy and improving disaster response preparedness and education. She acknowledges there is a lot of room for growth in animal disaster response sector and is beyond eager to work amongst Australia’s greatest wildlife carers, campaigners, communities and passionate professionals.
Caroline joined the HSI team in 2017 after previously having a career in Dental Nursing and Practice Management. As a huge animal lover Caroline jumped at the opportunity to work with HSI. It seemed the perfect fit with her prior skills and being able to implement them in the non-profit sector. Caroline ensures the smooth running of the office. As our Supporter relations Administrator Caroline manages our daily donation processing and supporter enquiries which includes our Gift in Wills program.
Michelle has been with HSI since 2009, over the many years working at HSI Michelle remains adamant that the most enjoyable parts of her role are working with such an amazing, passionate group of colleagues and also our dedicated supporters. As our Database Manager Michelle is responsible for managing the database of record for the organisation, including delivering the data needs across the channels of the fundraising department.
Julieri joined HSI in 2021 to oversee and grow the Animal Defender regular giving program. She is a qualified marketer and has over ten years of experience in the not-for-profit sector in the areas of fundraising, marketing communications, service delivery, supporter relations, community engagement and capacity building. She is passionate about protecting animals and the environment and inspiring others to give animals a voice and help make a positive impact in their lives.
Here at HSI Australia, we have a pet friendly office. See below to read about our friendly Fur Team.
Remy joined the HSI fur team in late 2023. He loves doing zoomies around the office and is the perfect height to get lots of pets while everyone is at their desk. He loves to snooze during meetings, is very polite and loves blueberries. Remy puts a smile on all of our faces when he delights us with his gentle personality each week.
Milo loves joining in on HSI staff meetings (even though he falls asleep sometimes), he tries his best not to miss a thing! His best skill is keeping a loving and watchful eye on his Mum, Nicola! He likes to ensure she is always on top of her busy work day. Milo is an independent worker but also works very well with others.
Lulu is a labrador-able member of the HSI fur team. She is very well mannered and gets a long with others, so when she joined in 2024, she settled in right away. Lulu is tasked with making us smile and wagging her tail. A job which she obviously excels at! Lulu is also very good at napping and sitting for treats.
Geordie joined the HSI fur team in 2022! She works on the finance team, despite the fact that we are not to sure how great she is with numbers. Geordie likes to check in on her colleagues and offer a cuddle. She loves playing with her stuffed animals and sharing sometimes with her fur colleagues too. Geordie ensures a smile on everyone’s face when she comes into the office.
Evie was adopted by her Dad, Lawrence and she now spends her office days soaking up the sun from our meeting room windows. When she isn’t snoozing or asking (demanding) her pawrent for more treats, she likes to inspect the office and ensure all is well. Evie has a special place on our fur team as she is currently the only cat who enjoys office-time.
Chasqui is 4 years young and was adopted by his Mum from a local shelter. It was love at first sight between him and Julieri. Chasqui does a great job of ensuring he gets his morning dose of cuddles and pets from his human colleagues. Chasqui is always last to leave the office and when he isn’t snoozing on the job he is sporting his very fashionable jackets or rain coats.
Archie was adopted in 2022 by his Mum, Caroline! Archie is excellent at his role of being the HSI office greeter to the team in the morning. He sure knows how to ensure everyone has a great start to the day. He loves his long walks on the beach, his wonderful toy collection and of course going on his kibble break.
Pete is 9 years young and is a corgi mix. He joined the HSI team in 2022 and has made a big impression on his colleagues. His Dr title comes from helping his mum Louise through her PHD. He does a great job paw-trolling the office and never misses a meeting. Dr Pete always has a close and watchful eye on his mum and loves rolling in duck poop in his spare time.
Bobby was adopted by his pawrent Evan when he was 4. He was an extremely important member of the HSI Fur Team for about a decade. He knew his way around the office and knew who gave the best pets. Bobby had also become a professional at knowing who will and who won’t share yummy snacks with him. He liked to check in on all of his colleagues throughout the day and make certain everyone was working away (or to see who has left lunch unattended). Bobby was loved and adored by the entire HSI team and we miss Bobby a great deal.