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Our Staff

The passionate staff at Nature Foundation engage people in conservation through a wide range of programs and activities.

Headed by Chief Executive Officer Alex Nankivell, our staff have a wide range of strategic and operational expertise and fill roles as diverse as Nature Reserve management, environmental offsets, Aboriginal and community engagement, ecology, planning and strategy, human resources, finance, fundraising, partnerships, communication and marketing.

Alex Nankivell
Chief Executive Officer
Alex has been with Nature Foundation since 2008 and adeptly handles both the strategic and operational sides of Nature Foundation business operations, from writing management plans to expertly overseeing their on-the-ground implementation. Alex has a Bachelor of Applied Science in Environmental Management and a Masters of Project Management.
Mark Ashley
Deputy CEO
Mark is an experienced executive with a diverse background leading various environmental management organisations, including the Northern Territory Conservation Commission, Bushfires NT, and the Water Resources Division of the NT Department of Environment and Natural Resources. Mark coordinates new strategic programs and partnerships that achieve conservation, community development, and commercial outcomes.
Georgie Fiedler
Corporate Services Program Manager
Georgie is CPA qualified and brings a wealth of experience in the not-for-profit accounting field as well as the commercial and government sectors. Georgie loves the outdoors, especially bushwalking and camping in South Australia’s national parks.
Samantha Doudle
Senior Conservation Land Manager—Hiltaba and Witchelina
Samantha oversees management and operations across Hiltaba and Witchelina Nature Reserves as Senior Conservation Land Manager. With a Bachelor of Applied Science (Natural Resources) with Honours (Plants), she combines considerable knowledge with practical experience acquired through PIRSA, SARDI and Indigenous Desert Alliance roles. Samantha uses good science to inform practical and effective conservation land management. Outside of work, Samantha enjoys camping and exploring, learning about history, and spending time with her family.
Shane Doudle
Reserve Conservation Land Officer—Hiltaba Nature Reserve
Shane makes up the other half of the husband and wife team who live on and manage Hiltaba Nature Reserve. He has many practical skills and hands-on experience from across our vast country, including Boiler Maker, Environment & Rehabilitation Technician and Indigenous Ranger Coordinator. Shane enjoys living and working in the Gawler Ranges, and in addition to camping, exploring, history and family, he also enjoys constructing “things”.
Samuel Hughes
Conservation Land Manager—Witchelina Nature Reserve
Sam is a Kamilaroi Man from New South Wales. He has travelled, lived and worked across remote regions of Australia in various capacities, from young tour guide to qualified Refrigeration & Air Conditioning Technician to Indigenous Ranger Coordinator. The broad range of skills and experience Sam has gained over the years makes him ideally suited to Conservation Land Manager on our 4,210km2 Witchelina Nature Reserve. Sam enjoys being out bush and has extensive experience travelling through Australia’s remote deserts.
Lucy Clive
Science and Knowledge Project Officer
Lucy joined Nature Foundation after working for two years as an Ecologist for a local consulting company in Adelaide gaining valuable fauna and vegetation survey experience and report writing skills. Lucy recently completed her PhD on the Nationally Endangered Pygmy Bluetongue Lizard with Flinders University. Lucy has a Masters in Animal Behaviour and a Bachelors in Zoology. Before coming to South Australia, she spent a year studying meerkats in South Africa.
 
Patrick Mentzel
Philanthropy Coordinator
Patrick leads grant opportunity liaison with corporate and philanthropic organisations. Patrick has a background in marketing, sales, event management, communications and fundraising in the not-for-profit sector. He has an affinity with the environment, having travelled extensively through Australia’s outback and to remote places in the world.
Erica Stacey
Marketing and Communications Manager
Erica has a wealth of practical experience in strategic marketing and communications, with a focus and specialty in digital marketing. She loves discovering and sharing stories.
When she's not tapping away on her laptop or mobile, Erica can be found hiking in her local national park.
Katie Perry
Youth Programs Coordinator
Katie leads Kids on Country, bringing together young Aboriginal people, Elders and researchers, providing culturally appropriate conservation activities. Katie has a Cert IV in Training & Education, Diploma in Narrative Approaches and Cert IV in Community Services Work and 20 years’ experience working with several language groups across SA.
Warren Milera
Youth Programs and Conservation Officer
Warren is a Narungga/Adnyamathanha man based in Hawker in the Flinders Ranges. He has worked with Nature Foundation’s Kids on Country program since 2017 as Senior Cultural Camp Leader. His new role aims to support Katie in building participation opportunities for Aboriginal young people.
 
Warren holds a Bachelor of Applied Science Degree in Indigenous Community and Management. (ICMDP). He is also a highly accomplished musician well known for his mesmerising performances of original country and rock music and has been performing for over 20 years, presenting at shows all over Australia from small rural pubs to big city stages.
 
Conor Hilton
Nature-based Solutions Program Coordinator
Conor originally trained as a Certified Practising Accountant (CPA) before his passion for the environment led him to pivot towards green accounting, becoming an Accounting for Nature Certified Expert and undertaking a Diploma of Sustainable Living. Conor brings his skills and experience with accounting, ESG reporting, natural capital, carbon and biodiversity to his role as Nature-based Solutions Program Coordinator, where he supports land scoping and procurement, project implementation and management, and reporting. Conor recently relocated to South Australia from Queensland and enjoys exploring his new surroundings, especially the wealth of wineries and cellar doors!
Carolyn Pickering
Volunteer and Visitor Engagement Coordinator
Carolyn brings vast energy and experience to her role, having been a Physical Education and Outdoor Education Teacher and holding Volunteer Coordination positions with the Adelaide Festival, Adelaide Fringe, Currumbin Wildlife Sanctuary, Zoos SA and Operation Flinders. She loves working with people and the outdoors and has been growing and planting local species to create habitat for wildlife at home.
Jane Cooper
Office and Executive Coordinator
Jane has previously worked in roles as diverse as human resources, executive assistant, media relations, with our Chair Jan Ferguson OAM at Ninti One as Executive Assistant and as division manager for Department of Transport, Energy and Infrastructure. Jane brings deep expertise in the EA role and systems, and humility and gentle humour that helps our organisation continue to improve and grow. She is also, and quite rightly so, a passionate Crows supporter.
Raijieli (Chelli) Bovoro
Aboriginal Trainee in Conservation Officer
Raijieli has a range of experience from customer service and administration to farming. She is passionate about supporting and mentoring young people, helping them grow and develop through on-country activities, as she did when she attended the Kids on Country camps. As part of her traineeship, Raijieli is studying a Certificate III in Conservation and Ecosystems Management. Outside of work and study, Raijieli is involved in music ministry at her local church and plays rugby union for the Port Adelaide Pirates.

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