Our Team

Erica Martin,
CEO

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,
Head of Campaigns

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. She has also worked in the NSW parliament as a policy advisor and for World Animal Protection. Nicola is a champion for stronger laws and policies to protect animals in Australia and internationally. Career highlights have been taking the Japanese whaling company to court and winning, and a court case to end the shooting of sharks in the Great Barrier Reef.

Evan Quartermain,
Head of Programs

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 Lawrence,
Head of Finance and Governance

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.

Hannah Clayton,
Head of Communications

Hannah has eight years’ experience in public relations, marketing and branding, and has specialised in the animal welfare and environment space in the last few years. She joined HSI in 2023 and leads our communications activities, helping to amplify our brand and motivate the public to act for an animal-friendly future. Hannah loves nothing more than generating headlines that help animals, people and our planet.

Sabrina Nizeti,
Social Media & Digital Marketing Coordinator

Sabrina joined the HSI team early 2022 from previously having a career working in NSW state politics. She worked on campaigns, marketing, and events. After wishing to work for HSI since high school and being a long-time animal lover, Sabrina landed her role! Sabrina now combines her love for advocacy and even bigger love for animals every day at the HSI office and shares her home with many rescued animals.

Georgie Dolphin,
Animal Welfare Campaigner

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.

Lawrence Chlebeck, Marine Biologist & Campaigner

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.

Dr Megan Kessler,
Nature Campaigner

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.

Meg Lamb,
Animal Protection Campaigner, Law & Policy

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!

Dr Louise Boronyak,
Wildlife Campaigner – currently on maternity leave!

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 Bartels,
Project Officer

Caroline Pattison,
Office Administrator

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 Whitfield,
Administration and Database Manager

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 De Florio,
Fundraising Coordinator

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.

Our Fur Team

Here at HSI Australia, we have a pet friendly office. See below to read about our friendly Fur Team.

Milo,
Tail of Campaigns

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.

Remy,
Ban Greyhound Racing Ambassador

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 and is very polite. Remy puts a smile on all of our faces when he delights us with his gentle personality each week.

Geordie,
Financial Paw-ficer

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,
Nap Biologist & More Treats Campaigner

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,
Fundraising Pawrdinator

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,
Suppawrter Relations Pawfficer

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.

Dr Pete,
Security Pawfficer

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 Lou through her PHD. He does a great job paw-trolling the office and never misses a meeting. Pete always has a close and watchful eye on his mum and loves rolling in duck poop in his spare time.

In Loving Memory of
Bobby, Tail of Programs

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.