Core Strategic Group

The Core Strategic Group provides strategic leadership for CMCN. They are responsible for steering the development, review and implementation of the CMCN Strategic Plan and steering all of CMCN events, activities and resources.


Pierre Bouvais

CHAIR

Pierre is a marine ecologist with over 10 years’ experience working in the academic and private sectors.  Pierre’s past roles have included working on a UNESCO World Heritage-listed site in New Caledonia; Resilient Reefs Initiative led by the Great Barrier Reef Foundation; managing a Marine and Terrestrial Nature Reserve in Mayotte; and working in the Pacific and the Indian Oceans on issues related to marine conservation, integrated coastal zone management and climate change.

Carmen Elrick-Barr

VICE CHAIR

Carmen is a human geographer with over 17 year’s experience in the field of coastal management. Carmen has worked for international development agencies (e.g. AusAID, USAid) and national and municipal governments in the Australia, the Pacific, South-east Asia and Europe on coastal management and climate change adaptation. She is the state chair for Western Australian branch of the Australian Coastal Society; a Future Earth Coasts Fellow; and on the editorial boards of Ocean and Coastal Management and Frontiers in Climate: Climate, Ecology and People.

Hannah Gulliver

MEMBER

Hannah is a passionate coastal advocate for grass-roots community action and environment. With 7-years’ experience in supporting community in natural area restoration, Hannah believes in community connection as a key driver in conservation action. She strives to strengthen this connection, and protect and restore the Perth Metro coastline as a Coastal and Marine Coordinator at Perth NRM. Hannah’s passion led her to start a small business, co-directing environmental education organisation ‘Eco Action,’ connecting community and school students to nature (especially our smaller and essential creepy crawlies) through engaging experts in their field to communicate research, hands-on learning and conservation action opportunities.

Claudia Franca de Abreu

MEMBER

Claudia is the Founding Director of Coastal Connections, a consultancy that specialises in community engagement and coastal rehabilitation and management. Claudia is a Coastal Oceanographer and a Human Geographer with specialist knowledge in Indigenous wellbeing research, and community consultation with participatory and Indigenous methods.

Vanessa McGuiness

MEMBER

Vanessa is a qualified environmental scientist with experience in program management, NRM programs, STEM education, community and event organisation and more recently waste management. Her Bachelor in Environmental Science has led to many career building opportunities in coastal and marine management, sustainable development and science communication.

Kate Sputore

MEMBER

Kate is the Coastal and Marine Program Manager at Perth NRM. Her role focuses on coastal ecosystem restoration, environmental education, community engagement and project/stakeholder management. Kate has a Bachelor of Science (Marine Biology and Zoology) from UWA.

Joanne Ludbrook

MEMBER

Jo has been a passionate coastal volunteer and practitioner for 20 years. She is currently President of the Australian Coastal Society and a committee member of the WA Landcare Network. Jo has been the Coastal Adaptation Coordinator for the Peron Naturaliste Partnership since 2011 and is currently working with the CoastSWaP and Woolkabunning Kiaka Corporation here at Roelands as a Training Provider and Program Manager.

Alana Campbell

MEMBER

Alanah is a Coastcare Support Officer at NACC in Geraldton. She has a Bachelor degree in environmental and marine science. She is especially interested in marine research, community education and capacity building.