Kathy Jones — Executive Director

Kathy Jones has 20 years’ experience as a senior communications practitioner in both private industry and the public sector, overseeing business development, public affairs, community relations and issues management functions. She founded KJA in 2000 to deliver targeted communications strategies for a broad range of high-level clients. Kathy provides high level strategic advice as well as providing leadership on major projects for organizations around issues management, crisis communications, stakeholder relations and internal communications. She has provided communications coordination for major government projects such as the NSW Nation Building and Jobs Plan Taskforce and North Coast Flood Recovery and has worked internationally. Kathy’s skills are in demand with clients including some of Australia’s most significant and complex infrastructure and development projects, such as Sydney’s Inner West Busway, and Barangaroo. She is a Board member of The Warren Centre for Advanced Engineering, St John’s Ambulance (NSW) and newDemocracy.

Toni Rankin – Communications Director

Toni Rankin’s expertise lies in designing and developing communications and stakeholder management strategies that deliver on strategic goals, demonstrating a thorough knowledge and understanding of clients’ needs. A media professional with more than 20 years experience, she has worked for major television networks across Australia and spent nine years providing media and issues management advice to the NSW State Government. Toni has experience across a range of government portfolios and departments including planning, treasury, health, education, housing and Aboriginal affairs. She has developed communications strategies for a wide range of clients including the Barangaroo Delivery Authority, Landcom, St Vincent’s and Mater Health Sydney, the University of Technology Sydney, University of NSW, Mirvac, Eastmark Holdings, Sydney Harbour Foreshore Authority, Kimbriki Environmental Enterprises and the NSW Departments of Planning, Housing and Community Services.

Faye Rescigno – Communications Director

Faye Rescigno has over 20 years experience in communication management, strategic leadership, project management, and working with communities. She has worked on many of NSW’s major infrastructure projects, including the Sydney Desalination Plant, the Chatswood Transport Interchange, Melbourne to Sydney freight rail upgrade, North East Revitalisation Rail and Wodonga Bypass projects and Sydney’s Lane Cove Tunnel. She is also experienced in stakeholder relations, issues management and assisting bid consortia with their communications and community relations strategies during the tender phase and beyond. Faye’s big-picture approach encompasses corporate reputation and social responsibility concerns.

Natalie Boyd – Communications Director, Stakeholder Engagement

Natalie has recently joined the KJA team, bringing with her a depth of experience working within the state government sector. Natalie is a creative and engaging communication professional who delivers results in challenging environments. She has extensive experience in senior communication roles, and strong interpersonal and relationship management skills. She has proven to be creative and persuasive across all communication mediums. As Communications Manager for Sydney’s Desalination Project, and the Western Sydney Recycled Water project before that, Natalie applied a flexible, creative approach to deliver the right results in challenging environments. Natalie manages relationships and facilitates change by understanding people and issues. She enjoys the challenge of complex and contentious projects and applies her skills and experience to ensure her contribution delivers on client requirements.

Daphne Sider – Communications Director, Strategic Communications

Daphne possesses strong communication, writing and negotiation skills, is experienced in media and crisis management, and is an accomplished manager and leader. She is able to provide high-level advice and briefings, strategic planning, project management and business improvement and has broad knowledge of the workings of government and media. Daphne has worked on many successful Government projects including the Sydney Desalination Plant and the building sustainability tool - BASIX. Daphne has extensive networks in the planning, development, government and media industries, in State agencies, and in Local, State and Federal governments.

David Robinson – Communications Project Manager

David Robinson has more than 20 years experience working on large scale construction projects and major public events. David’s experience includes working on complex projects and managing multiple stakeholder issues for City of Sydney’s multi-million dollar streetscape and town centre improvement projects including the redevelopment of Pitt Street Mall and various cycle-way projects. David has also been responsible for the roll out of a number of RTA public communications projects including integration of the Lane Cove Tunnel into the Sydney road network and World Youth Day traffic changes. His key areas of expertise include public communication, issues management, community liaison and cross agency coordination for major public communication projects. In addition to a depth of practical experience David holds a Master Degree in communication management

Belinda Souchaud – Communications Project Manager

Belinda Souchaud has over 12 years experience working in public relations and communications roles for a broad range of organisations including registered charities, community organisations, government departments and private enterprise. She has driven a number of high profile projects for the NSW Department of Community Services and worked for many years as a public relations consultant for Cronulla Sharks Rugby League Club. She has also worked as the media manager for the RSPCA. Her skills include creating and implementing communications and public relations strategies, media management, press release and report writing. Recent work includes the preparation of strategic communications material to support The Salvation Army’s proposed Dooralong Centre, The Barangaroo Delivery Authority, NSW Nation Building and Jobs Plan Taskforce and Kimbriki Environmental Enterprises.

Sara Neville

Sara applies her highly-developed research, analytical, communication and organisational skills to projects in the planning, housing, development and environment sectors. She is experienced in stakeholder engagement, community consultation and preparing communications materials and consultation reports. Recent projects include the Bowraville Off-River Water Storage Project, the NSW Nation Building and Jobs Plan Taskforce, the mid-term review of South Australia’s Waste Strategy (2005-2010) and the City of Sydney’s Laneway Revitalisation Project.

Meagan Leece

Meagan’s experience in the marketing, media and events sectors allows her to support KJA’s clients across a range of areas. She is experienced in issues management; developing strategic communications materials, including online; managing events; and dealing with stakeholders. Meagan has applied her attention to detail and her organisational skills to a number of high-profile projects requiring a sensitive approach to stakeholders, including assisting with media and issues management for the NSW Nation Building and Jobs Plan Taskforce, and the RTA’s Inner West Busway project.

Moira Sharp

Moira’s experience in communications and community relations spans some 25 years, and this diverse experience has been invaluable in her work at KJA when dealing with communities impacted by complex and controversial projects. Although working in infrastructure, Moira supports KJA’s other project managers on a wide range of community relations activities. Her work on major infrastructure developments such as the Bowraville Off-River Water Storage Project and the Chatswood Transport Interchange has included collateral engagement activities as well as development of communication and consultation plans. Her ability to liaise with stakeholders and speak to a wide range of demographics adds value to the overall community engagement element in any project. Moira has excellent strategic methodologies which are vital when providing simple, but accurate, information to stakeholders and communities that may be impacted by a project.

Nicole Andrews

Nicole brings to KJA experience in project management, media and event management and drafting communications materials as well as her background in government-related projects. Most recently, Nicole has applied her attention to detail and her organisational skills to a number of high-profile projects requiring a sensitive approach to stakeholders, including assisting with media and issues management for the NSW Nation Building and Jobs Plan Taskforce, and delivering communications services to the Barangaroo Delivery Authority.

Tony Van Berkel

Tony Van Berkel has recently joined KJA to lead the Business Systems Team. Tony has worked over 20 years in various Finance and Administrative roles in both Australia and New Zealand. Tony also has extensive work experience gained in both the Public and Private sectors. Prior to joining KJA Tony was a Financial Planning Analyst for the Wellington City Council in New Zealand, being responsible for preparation of financial statements relating to the Long Term Council Community and Annual Plans. Tony has also worked for over 6 years in a number of senior roles within ISS Facility Services in both Sydney and Brisbane. With significant experience in conducting both Financial and Operational Business Audits, Tony has developed the wide range of skills necessary to support the KJA business and their associated clients.