AELA's Core Team
Dr Michelle Maloney
Co-Founder and National Convenor
Dr Michelle Maloney (BA/LLB(Hons, PhD) manages the strategic direction and governance of the Australian Earth Laws Alliance (AELA), including the extensive partnerships and networks AELA has with the legal, academic, indigenous and environmental advocacy communities. Michelle designs and manages AELA programs and events, and coordinates the work of staff, volunteers and collaborative networks. Michelle holds a Bachelor of Arts (political science and history) and Bachelor of Laws (Hons) from the Australian National University, and an PhD in environmental regulation, from the Griffith Law Futures Centre.
Michelle is also the Co-Founder and Director of the New Economy Network Australia (NENA); Co-Founder and Director of Future Dreaming Australia; Senior Adjunct Fellow, Law Futures Centre, Griffith University and a member of the Advisory Council, Global Alliance for the Rights of Nature.
Michelle lives in Brisbane, Australia with her family and Ziggy the Wonderdog.
To read more about Michelle's work, including her affiliations, publications, podcasts and interviews, please visit her personal website here (michellemaloney.au)
James Lee
Greenprints and AELA Operations
James Lee holds a Master of Environmental Management (MEM) from the University of New South Wales (UNSW) and has a background in art, music (BMus) and film studies (GradDip Film & TV). James has expertise in interdisciplinary approaches to addressing ecological challenges and his work explores the role that cultural practices can play in informing and supporting Earth-centred governance. James provides technical and geospatial mapping support to the Greenprints program, and also oversees AELA's operational systems.
Sarah Bashforth
Administration Manager
Sarah has more than a decade of experience providing high level administrative support to organisations, including legal and other businesses. Sarah manages AELA's administrative and events schedule, and supports AELA's National Convenor, staff and volunteers. She is passionate about protecting the environment and believes strongly in earth-centred governance. Sarah, originally from Brisbane, now calls Bundaberg home and is a keen volunteer with her local Landcare group. She is very proud to be a part of the AELA team.
AELA ASSOCIATES
Kelly Fulker
AELA Associate - Voicing the needs of our waterways
Kelly Fulker is an environmental scientist with over 25 years’ experience in waterway management on Noongar Boodja in the south-west of Western Australia. She is a passionate advocate for the rights of rivers and the voice of Noongar people as the traditional custodians of our waterways.
Kelly is passionate about weaving ancient knowledge and practices into contemporary river-care approaches and governance models. She is a certified NeurOptimal Neurofeedback practitioner, Intuition teacher, and Circle Keeper in restorative justice and peacemaking circles, with a focus on establishing non-hierarchical, self-organising business and community structures that support the needs of our waterways.
Kelly is an experienced facilitator, author, and environmental practitioner who has honed her skills working across the government, non-government and private sector. She works with Traditional Custodians, state and local government, researchers and the community to protect and restore our waterways, helping to ensure their survival for future generations to enjoy.
Wamika Sachdev
Legal Associate, Gender and Earth Laws
Wamika Sachdev has a B.A, L.L.B from Gurugobind Singh Indraprastha University and an Advanced Masters in Public International Law from Leiden University’s Grotius Center, specialising in peace, justice and development. She is passionate about gender equality and environmental protection, and her work with AELA is examining the role of women in the rights of nature and climate change movements in Australia and internationally. Wamika is also the co-founder and host of the Legalladies podcast on Spotify.
