Welcome to our new Directors
A big thank you and farewell to three of our amazing Board members – Helen Christensen, Kate Henderson and Donna Marshall. We thank you for the hard work, knowledge and guidance you have provided in helping to grow IAP2 Australasia.
And a very warm welcome to our new Directors – Lance Brooks, Nathan Connors and Penny Townley. We look forward to working closely with you as we continue to grow and shape IAP2 Australasia.
Lance Brooks
I passionately believe that community and connection are the essence of the human experience. When we feel we belong to a community, our understanding of well-being, health and safety is greatly enriched. I am a self-starter, a strategic and creative thinker and an inclusive and enthusiastic team member. I communicate clearly and persuasively and am able to build genuine and strong interpersonal relationships, which I believe are profoundly embedded in the power of listening. These attributes have enabled me to successfully fulfill the various leadership roles I’ve undertaken throughout my career in community engagement.
Whether it’s a Friday arvo BBQ, a Town Hall meeting, a workshop, mediation session, developing a Strategic Community Engagement plan, in all areas, I have found a career I love and believe in.
Nathan Connors 
Experienced strategic project manager and stakeholder engagement practitioner with a background in digital learning, emerging technologies and communications. Currently working with Bang the Table as Global Head of Client Services, focused on developing skills and capacity of stakeholder engagement practitioners. Experience expanding business into new territories and capturing new market opportunities. Many years working across local and state government as well as universities. Master of International Relations from Melbourne University, undergraduate in Journalism from Queensland University of Technology, Bachelor of Business, Queensland University. Father and husband, news junkie, international relations quirk and rugby union supporter.
Penny Townley
A communications and engagement practitioner of 35 years, I would be honoured to progress the work of IAP2 across Australasia. My commitment to advancing the profession is demonstrated through my voluntary role (2008 – 2012) to establish the Infrastructure Sustainability Council of Australia (ISCA) and national rating tool. As a contributing author of the ISCA community health, safety and well-being criteria (V.01) and peer reviewer of the stakeholder engagement criteria (V.01, V.02) I ensured community was an integral part of the national evaluation framework. I am part of the Next Generation Engagement Program and would value advancing the needs and ideas of IAP2 members, the broader profession and the communities for whom we advocate and engage.