OUR TEAM

Dr Judy Friedlander

Founder and Director

Judy’s expertise and impact in environmental advocacy stems from her varied and professional background in high-level journalism, academia, campaigning and sustainability research. Before founding the PlantingSeeds organisation, Judy had an impressive media and journalism career. She worked as a newspaper editor and feature writer for The Australian, The Sun-Herald and The Sydney Morning Herald, and was a current affairs producer at Channel Nine. Judy’s passion for environmental issues has always been at the forefront of her work and studies with much of her media work devoted to sustainability interests and investigations. Her PhD at the Institute for Sustainable Futures at the University of Technology Sydney developed expertise in proven strategies for engaging corporates and the public in impactful environmental initiatives. Judy believes that biodiversity issues have long been seen as subsidiary but are finally receiving the vital attention they need – with species loss at an all-time high and practical actions now absolutely imperative. She is also a passionate believer in the ability of urban areas to regenerate and increase biodiversity. Judy is also an Adjunct Fellow at the Institute for Sustainable Futures at the University of Technology Sydney.

Anthony Kahn

Director

Anthony has worked in the finance industry for over 30 years, including six years as a CEO of an ASX top 30 company. Over the past 12 years, Anthony has been active in the not-for-profit sector, in particular, with food-based organisations.   Anthony was integral in the establishment of OzHarvest, Australia’s leading food rescue organisation. He served as the chairman of the board for six years, from the organisation’s birth in 2004 until 2010. Anthony is passionate about developing sustainable practices at every stage in the life cycle of food.

Kate Fraser

Manager

Kate has worked with PlantingSeeds for over 3 years and previously in communication and marketing. Her diverse experiences span from big business to start-ups across a range of brands fashion, retail and not-for-profit industries. As Manager, Kate coordinates PlantingSeeds’ ongoing projects, keeps the team on track and manages our external comms and administration. Her long-held passion for sustainability and biodiversity became a work-priority after the birth of her first child.

Nicole Lewis

B&B & Education Manager

Nicole has been an environmental educator for 25 years and is passionate about instilling awe and respect for nature in everyone through education and hands-on experiences. Completing a Bachelor of Education (Secondary Science), a Master of Science in Environmental Studies and Certificate III in Early Childhood has enabled her to follow my passion through a number of avenues including working for State and Local Government, schools and community groups educating and inspiring people across all ages from preschool to adults about all aspects of sustainability. Fundamental to her work is fostering a deep connection to the Earth, which is best achieved through outdoor experiences and education.

Dr Francisco Garcia Bulle Bueno

Meliponist & Entomologist

Francisco has a PhD from the University of Sydney specialising in the Australian stingless bee, Tetragonula carbonaria, or sugarbag bee. Fransisco completed his undergraduate degree at the National Autonomous University of Mexico. His work with PlantingSeeds involves the assessment, development and installation of native stingless bee hives in B&B locations as well as being an educator for the B&B Highway.

Zoe Lyons

Landscape Architect

Zoe is a landscape architect with over 7 years professional experience on a broad range of projects throughout Australia. She focusses on inner city design, integrating complex landscapes that engage and respond to the surrounding environment. Zoe aims to create landscapes that help support and expand urban habitat through thoughtful planting that incorporates native and exotic species.

Ella Swan

B&B Highway Coordinator

Currently studying environmental studies and education at Sydney University, Ella is incredibly passionate about caring for the environment and connecting people to nature through outdoor learning. Her goal is to cultivate meaningful experiences that inspire wonder, creativity and understanding of all our beautiful pollinators and how we can best support them.

George (Clancy) Lester

B&B Highway Educator (VIC)

Clancy, a passionate researcher and nature enthusiast, hails from Yorta Yorta land in country Victoria. Currently pursuing a Master of Bioscience at the University of Melbourne, he researches the plant-pollinator interactions of Northern Territory native bees in collaboration with the Yolŋu First Nation of North-East Arnhem Land. Clancy grew up with a love for nature and the environment inspired by Steve Irwin and David Attenborough. Now 22 years old, Clancy is working with the Wattle Fellowship to motivate urban communities to make their own bee hotels and so contribute to native bee conservation.

Hilary Albert

Database & GIS Specialist

Hilary has a Bachelor of Engineering degree and is an experienced computer analyst and database manager. She is responsible for modifying and maintaining the PlantingSeeds database. She is also developing a Geospatial App for Planting Seeds which will help people to understand and better provide for endangered and threatened pollinators.

Susan Schmid

Grants & B&B Research

Susan is passionate about educating others on how precious nature is. We all can do something to protect animals and our habitat. PlantingSeeds is designed to involve and inspire others to heal the planet. Susan works with our B&B teams to help coordinate logistics.

Alistair Gunn

Graphic & Multimedia Design

Alistair is a gifted graphic and multimedia designer, having worked for many years in pharmaceutical and medical education who is now freelancing. When he’s not bringing messages to life with still and moving images he is learning new software skills; walking in his local bushland reserves; riding motorcycles or devouring Japanese food! He was most excited to learn about the Blue Banded and Teddy Bear Bees!

Greta Shields

B&B Educator (VIC)

Greta has over a decade experience in design, architecture, carpentry and landscaping, and seeks to bring them all together to better understand the world around her. Her passion for the natural world is the unifying element across her varied experience. PlantingSeeds has afforded her the platform to share her passion for environmental systems and all the intricacies of it all. She loves sharing, learning, community involvement and being a part of such in any shade that may present.

Nat Wolffe

B&B Educator (QLD)

Natalie is currently completing her bachelor of Science, majoring in Wildlife biology and Marine biology. She's always loved plants and animals, particularly those close to home and in our backyards.

Hannah Jones

B&B Educator (SA)

Hannah is a nature-loving creative with over twelve years of experience in conservation, horticulture, and landscape design. Obsessed with native plants and the intricate stories they tell, Hannah is especially fascinated by the ecological relationships between native flora and local wildlife. Her work is grounded in a passion for biodiversity and a belief that greater awareness and understanding of our local ecosystems can lead to meaningful change. Based on Kaurna Country on the Fleurieu Peninsula, she draws daily inspiration from habitat gardening, exploring native bushland, and sharing life with her partner and their two adventurous young kids.

Amritha Shenoy

Corporate Partnerships

Amritha is a project management specialist with over a decade of experience  assisting organisations in shaping a positive workplace culture. Amritha holds an MBA and is committed to continuous learning. She is passionate about nature and community service, collaborating with NGOs on environmental, conservation and inclusive education projects. Amritha has partnered with PlantingSeeds to establish collaborations with like-minded corporates who want to foster positive environmental change through support for biodiversity regeneration and sustainability.

Mayumi Kintanar

Data Coordinator

Mayumi has a Bachelor in Business Management and has extensive experience in administration, finance and public service. Her interest in nature and the environment has grown with the current impacts of climate change. Joining the organisation is her way of contributing beyond making personal sustainable choices. She researches local councils' biodiversity strategies and updates data on B&B school projects. She is delighted to be working with the passionate and inclusive team at PlantingSeeds.

Simi Olutayo

B&B Research

Simi is a Bachelor of Environmental Science graduate who is passionate about sustainability and environmental stewardship. She contributes to PlantingSeeds through her research, writing and education.

Macarena Vasquez

Landscape Architect

Macarena is a landscape architect with over 6 years of experience in large-scale open space design. She specializes in sustainable landscapes, green infrastructure, and park design. She is passionate about maintaining nature within cities, believing that thoughtful design can help mitigate climate change and create positive, lasting impacts on urban communities.

Deidre Knight

B&B Educator (SA)

Deidre is a passionate environmental educator who is a convenor of the Australian Association of Environmental Education SA. She is a dedicated supporter of the Bringing Back the Butterflies SA program. She also works with Western Adelaide Coastal Residents Association WACRA on the My Tree Project with primary and secondary schools in the city of Charles Sturt.

Kimberly Perez Neuta

Research & Biodiversity Support

Kimberly Perez Neuta is an Environmental Engineer with a Bachelor of Environmental Engineering and an Advanced Diploma of Project Management. She contributes to the B&B Highway Program supporting biodiversity research, collaborating on school incursions, and conducting biodiversity assessments to promote pollinator health and native habitat restoration. Kimberly is passionate about sustainability, ecological education and waste management.

Audrey Bell

B&B Educator & Researcher

Audrey is an enthusiastic environmentalist and ecologist, with a passion for native wildlife conservation, specifically Australian reptiles and mammals. Currently completing her final year studying a bachelor of Environmental Biology at the University of Technology Sydney, Audrey aims to advocate the importance of pollinators for biodiversity conservation, She also aims to convey the importance of ecological relationships between wildlife and native flora, which ties into her current work on Broad-Headed snakes in NSW, undergoing surveys in hopes of rehabilitating populations and restoring habitat.

Dylan Laver

Project Coordinator

Dylan is currently completing a Masters in Social Work after having completed a Bachelor in Psychology. Outside of studies he has spent time developing his passion and knowledge in agro-ecology, having come from a management role at the University of Sydney Community Garden and volunteered with several regenerative farms across NSW to experience theory in action. Dylan is a strong believer that in caring for country, we are our caring for ourselves, and that progress in this space is limited without the recognition of Indigenous voices and knowledge.

Wendy Grenfell

Resource Development & Community Engagement

Wendy has extensive experience supporting people within the mental health sector. She holds a Bachelor of Psychology and is currently completing a Master of Social Work. Passionate about nature and sustainability, Wendy brings an eco-social work lens to her role at PlantingSeeds. Guided by social work values and the principles of deep ecology, she recognises how caring for people, supporting wellbeing, and respecting the rights of humans, non-human beings, and nature is interconnected and vital to the health of our communities.

Natasha Lai

Writer & Producer

Natasha Lai is completing her dual Bachelor in Law and Media (Communications and Journalism) at UNSW. Passionate about environmental law – Tash contributes to PlantingSeeds in her capacity as a journalist by synthesising legal research, writing articles, and supporting upcoming media projects.

Alice Owen

B&B Highway Educator & Researcher

Alice is a graduate of the University of Sydney, where she completed a Bachelor of Science and Bachelor of Advanced Studies with majors in Biology, Ecology, and Evolutionary Biology. Growing up in Northern California, surrounded by nature, she developed a deep appreciation for the natural world and a strong commitment to its protection. At PlantingSeeds, Alice supports the delivery of education programs in schools across Sydney and writes articles for the organisation’s website, translating complex ecological concepts into accessible and engaging stories. She is passionate about the power of education, community engagement, and hands-on action to inspire meaningful environmental change.

SUPPRIYA KANAGARAJ

Administration Assistant & Grant Writer

Suppriya Kanagaraj is an Administration Assistant with a Bachelor of Engineering degree. She currently contributes to Planting Seeds, supporting biodiversity research by managing images and information, and assisting with administrative tasks. Suppriya is passionate about biodiversity research, environmental education, and promoting awareness through accurate and organised data management.

Arihant is a GIS and Remote Sensing specialist with 4 years of academic and commercial experience in the field. He has a background in Marine & Environmental Science and loves map making and exploring cartography, alongside analytical use of geospatial data and software. Arihant supports PlantingSeeds with geospatial & remote sensing applications and map making.

Sylvette is a passionate and dedicated environmental scientist with a specialised interest in sustainable urban infrastructure and wildlife ecology. Sylvette’s current research in Morton National Park focuses on the distribution and conservation of endangered reptiles, contributing to the scientific understanding and preservation of local biodiversity. Currently completing her final year of a Bachelor of Science majoring in Environmental Science at the University of Technology Sydney, Sylvette is eager to apply her knowledge and skills to support biodiversity conservation and habitat restoration within the urban environment.