International Development
UniQuest International Development Team
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General Manager
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Mel’s career has covered teaching, curriculum development, technical assistance and project management in Australia and internationally. Mel’s technical, management and leadership skills and experiences are complemented by a long and successful track record of leading business growth activities, initiatives and teams. Mel’s experiences have taken him to Botswana, Cambodia, Chile, China, Colombia, Fiji, Ghana, Hong Kong, Indonesia, Laos, Papua New Guinea, Peru, Philippines, Singapore, South Africa, Taiwan, USA and Vietnam. Mel maintains an academic interest in gender studies and also in the role non-formal and informal education can play in reducing poverty. Mel is also a White Ribbon Ambassador, taking a stand for the elimination of violence against women. |
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Deputy General Manager
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Ben has long-term experience in international agricultural research and rural development assistance, focussing on sustainable livelihoods and economic opportunities. Within the agriculture and rural development sector, Ben has worked across diverse disciplines such as forage-based livestock production, market access, SPS and quarantine, institutional development, rural finance and project design, primarily in the Asia-Pacific region. This work has included extended inputs in Indonesia, Vietnam and Vanuatu. Ben is primarily responsible for development of the Sustainable Economies portfolio of activities, working with NZAIDi, AusAIDi and the Asian Development Bank, as well as with commercial enterprises and developing country governments. Prior to joining UniQuest, Ben worked as a research academic in The University of Queensland’s Department of Agriculture and also as a horticultural agronomist on the Darling Downs. |
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Manager, Human Development
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Niki worked for 10 years in the NGO sector, with ActionAid UK; Australian Red Cross NSW; and most recently Austcare, an NGO working with refugees, displaced people and communities affected by landmines. In all of these roles, Niki worked closely with Country Office counterparts and local partner organisations to design, implement, manage, monitor and evaluate development programs. Niki’s work has taken her to Cambodia, Timor-Leste and Kenya. Prior to joining UniQuest, Niki was contracted to the NSW Department of Aboriginal Affairs to work on Aboriginal land rights, and to organise a state-wide community consultation to develop an improved model of Government engagement with Aboriginal communities in NSW. |
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Deputy Manager, SPS & Biosecurity
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Before joining UniQuest, Suzanne gained extensive international experience in the biosecurity sector working for a number of government departments and universities in Australia, New Zealand, Samoa, Tokelau and Japan. Suzanne is responsible for the management and development of UniQuest's activities in the SPS and biosecurity sector. |
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Development Coordinator
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Stephanie has experience working and volunteering in international development in countries including India, Mongolia and Papua New Guinea. Prior to joining UniQuest, she spent three years in Mongolia as Strategy Development Consultant at World Vision Mongolia and as an Australian Youth Ambassador for Development. Her interests include gender and development, child protection and demographics. Stephanie completed her Bachelor of Arts (French and Peace and Conflict Studies) at UQ and also holds a Master of Arts (International Development) from Flinders University in South Australia. |
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Development Coordinator
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With a specific focus on education, over the last five years, Cate has been building her overseas experience by volunteering through the Australian Youth Ambassadors for Development Program and Australian Volunteers International, giving her the opportunity to live and work in Bangladesh, Cambodia and Solomon Islands. Her first placement was with the United Nations World Food Programme in Bangladesh, where she worked across a variety of programs including the emergency response to Cyclone Sidr. Prior to returning to Australia, Cate worked for a Solomon Island's NGO focusing on a range of interlinking areas including HIV/AIDS awareness and prevention, protection and disaster risk reduction. Cate holds a Bachelor of Education and a Graduate Diploma in International Development and Environmental Analysis and is currently finalising her Masters in the same area. |
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Development Coordinator
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Jennifer has a special interest in developing economies and the role microfinance plays in addressing gender disparity. Most recently, Jennifer undertook study with the Grameen Bank in Bangladesh, where she had the opportunity to immerse herself in community-based banking and interview microentrepreneurs in several villages. Before joining UniQuest, Jennifer spent three years living, working and travelling in Asia. She has a love for development and travel, and spent time in Samoa as an Australian Youth Ambassador for Development. Jennifer holds a Bachelor of Commerce with Honours and a Master of Social Science (International Development). |
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Development Coordinator
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Amy has worked in the commercial and NGO sector for the last seven years in both Australia and the UK. Amy's previous experience has been primarily in managing projects that focussed on community involvement and access to services which promoted health and wellbeing. Amy has spent time travelling in Asia and Central America, including a volunteer placement in Sri Lanka with an organisation which focussed on community development. |
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Development Coordinator
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Rebecca has spent the last eight years working, studying and volunteering in Japan, India, Taiwan and the UK. Now back in Australia, Rebecca is heavily involved in providing educational and community support to refugee families. Her prior position was Client Services Manager for the Immigration Department at the Australian Consulate in Taipei. Rebecca works for UniQuest whilst also completing her Masters of Development Practice, specialising in Development Planning and Community Development. |
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Development Coordinator
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Renay has completed a Certificate III in Business and has previously studied at The University of Queensland in the areas of Political Science and History, which fuelled her interest in different cultures of the world. Renay has travelled to the United States and extensively through Asia, with her highlights including Singapore, Malaysia, Indonesia and South Korea. Renay’s role at UniQuest involves project management for the International Development team. Most recently Renay has been working on Period Offers, the Leadership Development Workshops and across all the Short Course Awards in 2011. Renay will be providing logistical, pastoral care, financial management and reporting support to UniQuest’s short course delivery with a specific focus on the International Diplomacy Short Course Award. |
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Office Administrator
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Kushla started with UniQuest in 2011, initially as the Office Administrator and Receptionist for the corporate office, and was very excited to join the International Development team in 2012. Kushla pursued her interest in human behaviour and development studying towards a Bachelor of Social Sciences at The University of Waikato in New Zealand, before relocating to Australia in 2004. Along with her passion for conservation ad humanitarian work, Kushla brings to this role her experience in client service and administrative assistance in a number of industries, to support the International Development team. Kushla is looking forward to providing pastoral care and logisitical support for the delivery of UniQuest's Short Course Awards as part of this role.
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