Alum Natalie’s life is led by a love of our natural world

These simple but foundational beliefs lie beneath Natalie’s immense success and influence across sectors including non-profit and policy.

“Often, it is the little things you do that make a positive difference and can have a ripple effect across generations. If you do enough of these ‘little things’, they become so embedded in your life and work that they turn into something quite significant.”

After completing an undergraduate communications degree in 2012, Natalie set her sights on driving global impact. Fueled by a passion for bridging ideas across borders and understanding the systems and power dynamics that shaped the world, she enrolled in a Master of International Relations at the University of Melbourne.

“I really found my voice at university and derived so much intellectual and social nourishment and sense of community from my time there,” she shared.

“I loved the spaces that were filled with sharp minds disagreeing with you. It was at the University that I learned how to think critically, argue respectfully, and often, be humbled gracefully.”

The University also provided Natalie with an environment where she was encouraged to take risks, inspiring her to found the environmental organisation My Green World.

“Through this organisation I launched a digital environmental learning classroom called Kids’ Corner as well as a mobile game app called World of the Wild, which allowed kids to become virtual wildlife conservationists,” said Natalie.

“I sold my car and poured my life savings into that idea back in 2015.”

While the organisation helped inspire a more environmentally conscious younger generation, My Green World also paved the way for Natalie’s sustainability-centred career.

“I will be forever grateful to the University for helping me create a career that I adore. Investing my time, energy and passion into the environment was the best decision of my life.”

Recognising virtue

Natalie’s career as a powerhouse executive, business owner and thought leader has been recognised through a slew of awards received over the past decade.

Her accolades include a medal of the Order of Australia, a spot in Forbes’ 30 under 30 list and many more.

“Receiving these awards is, of course, a tremendous honour, and I’ve also found them extremely useful for winning arguments at family gatherings,” Natalie quipped.

But to the international relations alum, these awards aren’t about personal validation. Instead, they serve a more important role – bolstering the messages she has dedicated her life to spreading.

“Obviously, they’re not the reason I do the work, but what they have done is given me a stronger platform to champion the environmental and social causes I care deeply about,” Natalie said.

“At the end of the day, my goal is pretty simple – to live a life that creates more good than harm. If an award nudges open a few more doors, lends weight to important conversations, or helps me advocate more effectively – for people and for the planet – then I’ll gladly accept it.

“But I think it goes without saying that the work will always matter more than the recognition.”

No matter how her efforts are recognised, Natalie is always driven by her mission to illuminate the world to the critical importance of the environment on our collective existence.

“Nature is the thing that allows you to breathe; it puts food on your plates and a shelter over your head and it clothes you and nourishes you. Everything we have and everything we are stems from nature,” she said.

Ultimately, Natalie’s lifelong dedication to sustainability reflects a simple notion: she cares.