Our Board
Moragh Mackay
Managing Director
Moragh is a researcher/practitioner of systemic inquiry and strategic design. Her PhD was in facilitating co-design of collaborative governance and she has over 30 years of experience in the fields of ecological restoration, regenerative agriculture, climate change resilience in rural landscapes, renewable energy, emissions reduction and, strategic planning and co-design to create value for SMEs, community-based organisations and rural communities. Her roles have included Founding Director of the Energy Innovation Co-operative in 2009 and Chair 2015-19, New Energy Projects Manager and Lead of the Gippsland Smart Specialisation Team with the Latrobe Valley Authority, Senior Policy Advisor at Federation of Victorian Traditional Owner Corporations, Consultant at Riverbend Ecological Services and Projects Manager and Executive Officer at Bass Coast Landcare Network.
Esther Abram
Director
Esther has a strong 25 year background in the environmental movement, with a passion for building the capacity of organisations with an underlying environmental purpose. She spent a decade working with the philanthropic sector, including seven years at Australian Environmental Grantmakers Network supporting trusts, foundations and donors to achieve their environmental philanthropy goals. Prior to this she worked with Changemakers Australia, aiming to break down barriers to the use of philanthropy to fund systems change and advocacy work. She also spent many years working for environmental organisations, advocating for the environment and setting up innovative projects to engage the community around environmental issues. This included roles as CEO at the Moreland Energy Foundation and the Director at Environment Victoria.
Catherine Allan
Director
Professor Catherine Allan has brought a systems sensibility to Natural Resource Management (NRM) in south-eastern Australia for nearly four decades, from rural community groups to state government agencies and the university sector. A Professor of Environment, Sociology and Planning at Charles Sturt University, she is currently the Program lead for social/economic aspects of the Soil CRC and other research projects in Australia and Pakistan. Her extensive experience includes her role as Presiding Officer of the CSU Human Research Ethics Committee and numerous excellence awards for her teaching and research.
Manisha Blencowe
Director
Manisha is Practice Group Leader at Slater and Gordon Lawyers with more than 15 years’ experience in commercial and class action litigation. Specialising in Interference with Property Rights – Planning and Environment disputes, her experience covers a range of areas from copyright breaches to providing governance advice to Indigenous organisations. Manisha is also a Director at OurSchool, a non-profit organisation raising opportunities and aspirations for state secondary school graduates.
Kamilla Eklo
Director
Kamilla Eklo is a finance and banking professional with more than 20 years’ experience across strategy, pricing, credit risk, economics and international policy. She currently works in Strategy and Pricing at National Australia Bank in Melbourne, bringing a global perspective shaped by her Norwegian background, a master’s degree in development and resource economics and early internship experience at the United Nations. Alongside her corporate work, Kamilla has contributed to local community initiatives, including co-founding a Norwegian language school and securing grants to support its growth. As a Board Member of Mycelia, Kamilla brings financial and economic expertise, an international outlook and a commitment to creating practical, lasting value for communities and the environment.
Our Team
Tara Bayly
Researcher – Cross Cultural Governance
Tara is passionate about respectfully bringing together ways of knowing through research processes. Specialising in areas of social policy, community development, and disability, Tara’s role on the team is to research and develop practices for equally valuing diverse knowledges in environmental governance and management. Tara believes it’s necessary to shake up conventional research approaches to holistically care for our environment.
Bon MacLean
IT and Data Analysis Support
Bon supports the Mycelia team with his IT and data analysis skills. A lifelong environmentalist, he cares deeply about supporting renewable energy in regional communities. Bon is passionate about collaboration, engaging in new environments and innovations. He is currently pursuing a Bachelor of Aerospace Engineering.
Tony Gardner
Energy and Electrification Coordinator
Tony is driven by a long standing commitment to energy efficiency, environmental stewardship, sustainable food production, community resilience, justice and equity. Based in Kardella, he lives with his family in a 10 star rated home built from mud, straw and onsite timber, surrounded by productive trees, vegetable gardens, chooks and guinea pigs. With more than 30 years’ experience across water, agriculture and community development, Tony has worked in Government, not for profit organisations, TAFE and industry and has also operated a small business for six years. He brings a blend of practical, on ground experience with diverse communities and strong skills in monitoring, evaluation, reporting and program administration. Working with Mycelia enables Tony to combine these interests while contributing to a team focused on empowering local communities through equitable and practical energy transition.
Victoria Johnson
Mycelia Energy Collective Coordinator
Victoria is a social researcher and policy practitioner with extensive experience at the intersection of social and environmental justice, spanning residential energy policy, climate change adaptation, community development and ecological conservation. Her PhD examined the role of transport in social exclusion and she brings a research-driven, community-led approach to program design, delivery and evaluation across the not-for-profit and community services sector. Her roles have included Project Manager for the Climate Safe Homes energy efficiency pilot and Research & Policy Manager at the Brotherhood of St Laurence, Senior Community Worker with Communities That Care at Mornington Peninsula Shire and research, writing and training work with Bawinanga Aboriginal Corporation in Maningrida, NT. She is also Co-Founder of Gippsland Forest Guardians and of Menura Conservancy and the Forest Keepers, community-led conservation initiatives protecting threatened species in the Strzelecki Ranges of South Gippsland.
Louise Shearman
Project Officer
Lou joined Mycelia Renewables as a Project Officer in early 2026 and has since contributed to a range of initiatives, including the Energy Exchange series and the Energy Upgrades for Rentals pilot program. Her work across these projects has strengthened her understanding of environmental issues, policy settings and the social factors that shape the energy transition. Lou brings a background in the electrical trade and is currently completing a Diploma of Sustainability through the University of Tasmania to deepen her technical and environmental knowledge. Outside of work, Lou is a painter, bird watcher and occasional rock climber. These interests keep her connected to her community and reflect the same curiosity and care she brings to her project work.
Dionne Smith
Communications and Engagement Manager
Dee leads communications for Mycelia, shaping project messaging, managing information flow between project partners, trades/contractors and households as well as translating technical upgrade requirements into straightforward steps. With a background in community based program delivery, stakeholder engagement and small business operations, Dee focuses on practical communication that keeps projects moving and clients fully informed. She’s driven by a long standing commitment to environmental sustainability and helping communities navigate the shift to healthier, more efficient homes.
