Gavin is the CEO and co-founder of Soft Spinifex. He holds a PhD, in the field of economics, from the University of Queensland. He has extensive Australian and international experience in the development and application of new knowledge especially in the field of interactions between agricultural production and community development. He has a particular interest in the application of systems approaches to improve complex situations. He has significant experience a a researcher and in the development and presentation of experiential learning programs. For the last 20 years he has worked in the university sector as Head of Agriculture and Rural Development and Associate Head of the School of Natural Sciences at Western Sydney University and more recently as Associate Head of the School of Animal and Veterinary Sciences at Charles Sturt University.

Julie is co-founder and Company Secretary of Soft Spinifex. Julie has won multiple awards including the Judy Simpson Biostatistics Scholarship awarded to the highest performing student in the Biostatistics Program at the University of Sydney in 2019 and 2020. In 2022 she will also receive the Biostatistics Collaboration of Australia (BCA) Star Graduate Award (with an overall average mark of 96% in the Master of Biostatistics). She has extensive knowledge of current approaches to data analysis and design of data collection processes. In addition, Julie has significant experience in the management of small businesses. Julie has worked in development and presentation of educational programs in at university and TAFE levels and in 2020 converted her teaching material to on-line enabling students to successfully complete their studies during COVID lockdowns.

Arundhita is based in India and works as a research consultant with institutions such as IFPRI, Charities Aid Foundation (India), and the University of East Anglia, UK. Prior to this, she was involved in shaping the research portfolio in the Research and Advocacy Unit of Indian NGO, Professional Assistance for Development Action (PRADAN). She completed her PhD as an ACIAR – John Allwright Fellow from Charles Sturt University, Australia. Her PhD focused on understanding the context of evaluation of complex multi-stakeholder projects from multiple perspectives and building new knowledge on a more integrative evaluation. Before starting her PhD in 2016, Arundhita worked as a Research Analyst in an agricultural research project funded by the Australian Centre for International Agricultural Research (ACIAR) and implemented by PRADAN which was working on enhancing the livelihoods of small-scale farmers on the East India Plateau. Her interest lies in complex systems, sustainable livelihoods and sustainable food systems and gendered developmental outcomes

Jordan is based in Queensland, Australia and brings a breadth of experience in community and international development in a variety of settings and situations, each with their own obstacles and opportunities. Jordan has a strong understanding of all aspects of project and programme management and a deep desire to help bring about meaningful change for people, Jordan has managed teams of 2 to 150, often in highly sensitive situations to support people to achieve their needs with dignity.
Jordan has experience writing successful proposals, reports and operations manuals, facilitating workshops and meetings in health, agriculture, education, emergency management, disaster risk reduction, shelter, small-medium enterprise development, water and sanitation and women in development. This work has covered countries in Africa, Asia, the Middle East and refugees in Australia.
Her experience shows flexibility and adaptability in varied living and work environments and cultures.