Jul 2022 – Apr 2023 · 9 mos · Sydney, New South Wales, Australia · Hybrid

• Westlink M7

Mar 2021 – Dec 2021 · 9 mos · Sydney, New South Wales, Australia

• Western Sydney Airport

Jan 2019 – Oct 2020 · 1 yr 9 mos · - Mona Vale Road East Upgrade

• I developed and delivered the community and stakeholder engagement program for this complex and politically sensitive project on the Northern Beaches of Sydney over the period Jan 2019 – October 2020.
• "I just wanted to thank you for all your help during this time. I am sure you are looking forward to a break! Please take care and I look forward to catching up for the Grand opening!! " (key resident)
• "It has been amazing having you looking after our community. We will miss you incredibly. We wish you both good luck in your future endeavours." (key resident)
• "Thank you for all your help over the 18 months." ( key resident)

Jan 2018 – Jun 2019 · 1 yr 5 mos · Batemans Bay, New South Wales, Australia

• I kicked off and lead the start of the stakeholder engagement for this detailed design and construction project and then was instrumental in the design and facilitation of the Foreshore Advisory Committee, which had the role to shape the concept and detailed design of the foreshore area around the new Batemans Bay Bridge. The Committee included community representatives, Council and other key local representatives working with an Urban Design Team. The Committee met monthly over a 6 month period.
• "Thank you Mirella. You are doing a great job with the John Holland project so your work speaks for itself. " (Strategic Planning, Eurobodalla Council)

Jan 2017 – Jan 2017 · 0 mo

• I spent 4 months travelling around the state delivering a training program to service users that was focused on developing the capacity of the sector in understanding cultural and linguistic diversity and increasing the positive inclusion of people with cognitive disability.

Jan 2015 – Jan 2017 · 2 yrs

• Lead growth and organisational redesign and culture to be responsive to the growth in aged care, disability and children’s services sectors.

Dec 2009 – Aug 2015 · 5 yrs 8 mos

• In 2009 I was invited to become a Board Member of Ethnic Community Services Co-operative and took on the position first as Vice Chai and then Chairperson for 5 years. I worked closely with management and staff in identifying opportunities for growth, facilitating the yearly strategic planning for the organisation, rebranding/repositioning of the organization in response to changes in the sector and representing the organisation.
• “Thank you so much for yesterday. It was great to see how you engaged everyone and encouraged their participation as invaluable contribution to the work of the Coop so effectively. The focus on social justice, inclusion and public participation was very helpful in terms of ensuring staff members' understanding of the overall goals of ECSC. I'm sure everyone enjoyed the day. Appreciate your energy, enthusiasm and hard work to motivate all of us to keep our focus on achieving our ultimate goal in providing equitable & accessible services to individuals."(SC, Programs Manager).

Jan 2015 – Aug 2015 · 7 mos

• Facilitated sessions as part of the Family & Community Services, Going Home Staying Home Reform across NSW with Managers and Service Providers to gain their endorsement and ownership of the reform and deliver a training course that would contribute to changes in their practices to support the reform’s intentions.

Jan 2012 – Jan 2013 · 1 yr · Gerringong, New South Wales, Australia

• Stakeholder Director | Princes Highway Upgrade, Gerringong | RMS
• I was instrumental in setting up the stakeholder engagement approach and influenced the level of community and stakeholder input into the design phase. The client clearly indicated that they wanted Fulton Hogan to push the boundaries of usual involvement in the detailed design phase of this project of stakeholders. The initial challenge was working with the team of senior designers to identify where stakeholder input was possible. In the end the team agreed on a number of areas where there were opportunities for stakeholder input and influence. My ability to develop relationships within the team, develop the vision for engagement and communicating this clearly both to the client, the team and the wider community were fundamental to the project planning’s success, from many perspectives include technical, reputation, cost and building community goodwill.

Oct 2008 – Jan 2021 · 12 yrs 3 mos

• My practice is focused largely on assisting organisations identify and build open, honest, productive and sustainable relationships with their employees and/or with their consumers/clients/community and other key stakeholders of their organisation/project.
• I prefer to take an arm in arm consulting approach with clients. I have a real, deliberative, honest and fair style of communicating and engaging. If you are prepared to put time and effort into hearing the views, ideas and solutions of all key people impacted by a project or change in the environment, then I would like to work with you. I am committed to understanding different voices and ideas to provide better solutions. I have had extensive experience engaging with a diverse groups of people on a range of matters for government, the private sector and the not for profit sector.
• I am a specialist in stakeholder engagement and will analyse/assess your current or intended relationships from an opportunity and risk perspective and will seek to develop with you fair and transparent individual or community engagement/participation strategies to achieve sustainable and reputable outcomes.
• I have a wealth of experience and a large tool box of knowledge and skills: in facilitating, mediating, training, visioning, strategy development, issues management, working with resistors, building resilience etc, to draw on and implement whilst still providing a tailored approach to support you.
• I have been involved in a wide range of short and long term projects aside from those mentioned below on LinkedIn. Please contact me directly for my capability statement.

Feb 2008 – Present · 18 yrs 2 mos

Sep 2004 – Jul 2008 · 3 yrs 10 mos

• I lead and advised on stakeholder engagement and social planning strategies for a range of projects including the design for water, sewer, road and asset infrastructure, land development planning and the review/redesign of social services and infrastructure.

Sep 2000 – Jan 2004 · 3 yrs 4 mos

• I developed a model/strategy for wastewater communications/community relations across Sydney Water's wastewater maintenance and capital projects, known as SEWERFIX. I lead the change management program to support the roll out of this new way of working and achieved ownership by all levels of employees within the organisation through a range of communication and engagement tools and training sessions.