Our Team

Taylor is an Advisor to the Our Future Agenda team of the United Nations Foundation and is the Founder of Future Frontiers, a boutique consultancy working to support leaders in meeting their full potential and increasing their impact.

Taylor is also an experienced speaker and facilitator, represented by Saxton Speakers Bureau, and has worked with organisations including Google, Salesforce and Adidas. Taylor’s work has been recognised through the Smart Company’s 30 under 30, the NSW Young Achiever Awards, YAIIA’s Young Women to Watch in International Affairs, the MBAus Awards Social Impact Awards, the NSW Young Australian of the Year Awards and was selected as one of the 12 Kofi Annan Changemakers for 2023.

Taylor Hawkins

Co-Founder & Managing Director

Over the last decade, Lorena has collaborated with leaders in multilateral, private, and social impact organizations, as well as governments across Latin America, Qatar, and Australia. Her work has focused on delivering social and economic development initiatives. Equipped with a Master of Development Studies from the University of Melbourne, Lorena has not only spearheaded numerous projects addressing social, environmental, cultural, and economic challenges across Latin America, Qatar, and Australia but also demonstrated her global expertise through collaborations with international cooperation agencies, public and private investment funds, and NGOs. 

Beyond her professional achievements, Lorena is a dedicated advocate for transformative change. She serves on the board of the CIRD Foundation and is an active member of Paraguay's National Development Strategic Team (ENEP). Lorena also co-leads the Paraguay Indigenous People's Roundtable in Asuncion

Lorena Rios

Director of Strategic Partnerships

Hayley, a proud Wiradjuri woman, brings her expertise in social and public policy, Aboriginal affairs, child protection and youth justice. As a member of the ACT Ministerial Youth Advisory Council and NATSIHA's National First Nations Youth Roundtable, Hayley strategically advances social justice, social responsibility, and ethical accountability on local and national levels.

With her dignified activism approach, founded on the principles of truth-telling, Hayley is committed to amplifying the voices and safeguarding the interests of marginalised communities and future generations. With a tertiary education background in business operations, youth affairs, community services, and nearing completion of her Social Work degree at Charles Sturt University, Hayley is deeply passionate about human rights, particularly the rights of Indigenous peoples and children, as well as social phenomena, research and policy. Hayley’s impactful contributions to both activism and academia have earned deserving recognition, which includes her induction into the ACT Women’s Honour Roll in 2023, receipt of the distinguished Executive Dean’s Award at Charles Sturt University, and her honoured status as an award recipient at the 2022 Young Canberra Citizen of the Year Awards.

Hayley Whatman

Director of Research & Policy


Chami Rupasinghe is an experienced social entrepreneur, lawyer, speaker, content creator, and performer. Born in Sri Lanka and a proud Australian since migrating at a young age, Chami holds a Bachelor's degree in Criminology and Psychology and a Juris Doctor Postgraduate Law Degree from Monash University. Her rich tapestry of professional experiences spans family and criminal law, project management, marketing, and pivotal roles in youth justice, community legal centres, startups, and non-profits. Admitted as a Lawyer by the Supreme Court of Victoria, her dedication to bridging the knowledge gap in legal and life skills education crystallised with the establishment of Law Wise Youth in 2023, a charity bridging the gap between the classroom and the real world through legal and life skills education.

Chami Rupasinghe

Director of Strategic Communications & Social Advocacy

Jana is a progressive-mind Civil Engineer with a natural talent for chasing the truth on data analysis, expertise in Carbon Capture and Storage (University of Edinburgh), Sustainable Energy (MIT – Massachusetts Institute of Technology), and Energy Manager CEM® (Association of Energy Engineers).

Passionate about the environment, climate activist, regularly volunteering in grassroot organizations campaigns, member of Surfrider Foundation, always seeking to be useful to the community, driven by a purpose beyond making money for an ordinary comfortable life, with the ultimately goal to contribute to bring awareness about the urgency in the development of a future generation friendly society and a way of living that does not deteriorate the powerful, but delicate environment that is our home planet earth.

Jana Silva

Research Associate

  • Government Relations Advisor

    Kate is a dedicated policymaker with experience in both the Victorian and Australian Governments, working on the COVID-19 response, legislative reform, international relations, and enhancing integrity and good governance. Kate is interested in exploring the interplay between the present policy lacuna and public confidence in Australia’s institutions and democratic process - especially how this impacts the potential for our future generations agenda. Kate is most energised when giving back, as she does with several youth organisations and through mentoring young Australians and recent migrants.

  • Research Advisor & Editor, Beyond Tomorrow

    Emmett is an experienced policy researcher, having worked in a number of security, policy and project management roles. He holds a Master’s in International Relations from the University of Melbourne with a specialisation in International Security and non-traditional security threats. He is a firm believer of promoting youth perspective in politics and international affairs and held leadership positions with the Young Australians in International Affairs and the Young Diplomats Society in Melbourne. In his spare time, you’ll find him attempting to learn languages and running in circles with his dog Skipper.

  • Deputy Editor, Beyond Tomorrow

    Maeson believes that the transformative power of storytelling in bridging the gap between complex information and accessible narratives, and the amplification of youth perspectives can drive social change and foster a brighter future.

    With a robust background in youth leadership and advisory roles within government and the public sector, Maeson works as the Youth Advocate for a branch of a major global youth organisation. Believing that young people deserve an equitable role in shaping the narratives around pivotal issues, Maeson dedicates their efforts to ensuring these voices are not only heard but also valued and influential.

  • Government Relations & Research Advisor (Economics)

    Emilio is passionate about the globalised world and navigating international business. His foreign background and training abroad have shown him the positive impacts of responsible economic policy and business in communities. He holds qualifications in Commerce and International Business and is pursuing postgraduate coursework in Accounting, Finance, and Economics at the University of Sydney. As an alumnus of the National Youth Science Forum, Emilio is curious about the commercialisation of STEM fields, particularly Biotechnology. He

    believes change starts at the individual level and has volunteered with organisations like Sonder Youth, NSW RFS, and the Red Cross. In 2018, Emilio received the Commander-in-Chief Medal from Sir Peter Cosgrove for promoting sustainable practices in public schools

    through the ABC’s War on Waste program. Emilio aspires to one day work in global management.

  • Parliamentary Events Coordinator

    As an Adviser at the Department of the Prime Minister and Cabinet, Heshan is passionate about making a positive impact on society through public service. He brings experience in Project Management and Policy Development, honed through his previous roles at the Department of Veterans Affairs, Graduate Data Network and the Victorian Public Sector Commission.

  • Strategic Advisor

    Zoe has worked on technology policy in think tanks, politics, industry, and as a diplomat. Most recently, Zoe was a member of Amazon's global public policy team, representing the company on global cross-industry initiatives such as the Global Internet Forum to Counter Terrorism and the Technology Coalition. During her time in government, Zoe oversaw the design of Australia's Online Safety Act as Adviser to the Minister for Communications and was one of the drafters of Australia's first International Cyber Engagement Strategy at the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade. Zoe is completing an MSc in Social Science of the Internet at the Oxford Internet Institute, where she is also contributing to Professor Vili Lehdonvirta's research project on the political geography of artificial intelligence. Zoe is passionate about responsible technology and serves as a pro bono Strategic Adviser to the Alliance for Universal Digital Rights and a Mentor for emerging tech policy professionals through All Tech Is Human.

  • Research Advisor

    Matthew is a fifth-year university student, studying a Bachelor of Laws (Honours)/Bachelor of Government and International Relations at Griffith University. An earlier research placement with Foundations for Tomorrow encouraged an interest in law/policy reform and future generations policy.

    Matthew has previously been a research assistant with Griffith University’s Policy Innovation Hub, and is currently a research assistant with the Griffith Law School. He is also a member of the Review Team assisting Professor Susan Harris Rimmer (the Independent Reviewer) with the first independent review of the Human Rights Act 2019 (Qld).

    Matthew is particularly interested in multicultural affairs and international relations, and is a member of the 2024 U.S. Consulate General’s Brisbane Youth Advisory Council.

  • Head of Government Relations

    Clare is an experienced public speaker and young professional, passionate about bridging the intergenerational gap, dismantling power imbalances, and building a more equitable future for the generations of tomorrow. She is currently completing a Bachelor of Arts and Concurrent Diploma of French Studies at the University of Melbourne, with a focus on Indigenous affairs, politics and international studies. 

    Clare has also worked across the Asia-Pacific, as a facilitator with the Future Sense Foundation advancing the SDGs in rural Cambodia, and as a recipient of the New Colombo Plan Mobility Program, studying political and socio-cultural development in French Polynesia. These experiences have shaped strong international awareness and understanding of the urgency to put the interests of future generations at the top of global development agendas.

  • Government Relations & Research Advisor

    Amie is currently working in the not-for-profit sector in a policy, advocacy, and strategy role in Perth. Amie has occupied roles in First Nations health policy over the last couple of years, working two-way to strengthen the health care system and its intercepts with other social services to achieve the best outcomes with communities. Amie has also worked on other health system reform projects in the Australian Government, and is passionate about Australia having an inclusive health system that caters for everyone’s different needs and preferences.

    She is passionate about future generations in all policies, as a priority cohort that symbolises the need for action to be taken to improve long-term equity for all. In Amie’s spare time, she will usually be meditating, doing yoga, or working at her local rehabilitative wildlife shelter.

  • Communications Advisor

    Savannah is currently completing an undergraduate Bachelor of Arts/Law (Honours), with a major in International Relations and minor in Peace & Conflict Studies at the University of Queensland. As a new recruit with Foundations for Tomorrow, Savannah hopes to expand the reach of FFT by raising awareness of the importance of intergenerational fairness in both Australia and the world through her role as Social Media & Communications Coordinator. Further to this, Savannah wishes to encourage other young Australians with an interest in international relations, law and advocacy to become involved with charitable organisations and engage with FFT’s content and events. Savannah hopes that by encouraging others to become more involved with FFT, we can accelerate change in Australia and become a nation which others look to for inspiration in equality, fairness and equity. Upon graduation, Savannah hopes to continue volunteer work with FFT whilst practicing as a solicitor.

The Awareness to Action Project Team

  • Angel Chen

  • Adi Rai

  • Shaili Patel

  • Diletta Legowo

  • Hamsa Farah

  • Alina Malyk

  • Chelsea Hayward

  • Alex Bruhn

  • Ebony Fowler

  • Darcy Small

  • Anna Bezuglova

  • Rosalyn Lye

  • Rachell Angeles Hansen

  • Madeleine Parry

  • Indrani Kothiyal

  • Adam Mostogl

  • Oluwabamise Oyewale

  • Shikha Kanojia

  • Joseph Kolapudi

  • Lisa Rapley

  • Gabriela Fernando

  • Lorena Rios

  • Ian Buck

  • Caleb Heard

  • Linda Le

  • Sophia Hamblin Wang

  • Sarah Power

Our Board of Directors

  • Professor Susan Harris Rimmer is the Director of the Griffith University Policy Innovation Hub (appointed July 2020). She was previously the Deputy Head of School (Research) in the Griffith Law School and prior to joining Griffith was the Director of Studies at the ANU Asia-Pacific College of Diplomacy. With Professor Sara Davies, Susan is co-convenor of the Griffith Gender Equality Research Network. Sue also leads the Climate Justice theme of the new Griffith Climate Action Beacon. and is the founder of the EveryGen coalition working for the rights of future generations.

    Susan was the 2021 winner of the Fulbright Scholarship in Australian-United States Alliance Studies (funded by DFAT) and was hosted by Georgetown University in Washington DC in 2022. She was named a Top Innovator by Uplink World Economic Forum for the Climate Justice Challenge in 2022 for creating the www.climatejusticeobservatory.com.au. She won the Bertha Lutz Prize for research on women in diplomacy awarded by the Centre for International Studies & Diplomacy and The Diplomatic Studies Section (DPLST) of the International Studies Association (ISA) in 2021.

  • Gisele has extensive experience providing strategic advice to governments and corporations on a range of business and public policy issues. She currently leads Salesforce’s Public Sector Strategy across the Asia Pacific Region where she assists federal and state governments deliver public services and manage outgoing funds more effectively and efficiently with the help of technology. She leads Salesforce’s global thought leadership research with BCG on the relationship between Trust and Government Service Delivery.

    A lawyer with international experience including in Geneva, London and Eritrea, Gisele practiced as an international trade lawyer advising the public and private sectors on a range of trade issues, and appeared as counsel for various governments before the World Trade Organisation in Geneva. She recently served five years as political adviser to three Australian Federal Cabinet Ministers in Foreign Affairs, Trade, Industry and Innovation, and has a Masters in International Law from the University of Cambridge.

Co-Founders

  • With a background in economics, pro-bono law, and community volunteering, Holly works across sectors to drive social impact, improve policy design, and advance global prosperity. She achieves this by leveraging data-driven economic decision-making to align efficient business operations with important social objectives.

    Holly is currently a non-executive Director at ClimateForce, a charity that advances rainforest restoration a carbon drawdown projects. Previously, she has assisted philosopher Peter Singer at The Life You Can Save in drafting his latest book, defended people on death row in Pakistan, and completed the Corporate Advisory Program at Goldman Sachs.

  • Bianca is a social advocate for the empowerment of youth, women and those from culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds, and the innovation of economic systems to facilitate this. She is passionate about enabling positive change towards the goal of 'equity of opportunities' - in recognition of the diverse reality we live in. She is a chartered engineer that has complimented her technical skill set with management experience as CEO of a NFP, strategy experience via working at a top tier management consulting firm BCG and by completing an MBA.

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