About

Creating Communities leads social sustainability strategy and implementation services.

Our impact at a glance...

LIVES IMPACTED

1.2m+

We’re a world-class team of creators, strategists, researchers and designers who walk together with communities to build the power of ‘together’.

ATTRACTED TO PROJECTS

$100m+

We relentlessly identify possibilities and opportunities for communities and have played a role in attracting over $100 million investments into community projects, facilities and infrastructure.

FIFO Lives Impacted

60k

Through our design, research and community engagement work in the FIFO space, we’ve positively supported and contributed to the lives of the lion’s share of FIFO workers and their families across Western Australia.

Communities Engaged

60

Our work with metropolitan, rural and remote communities in the land development and resource sectors has helped communities achieve aspirations, attract investment partners and flourish together.

Years IN BUSINESS

30+

Since our inception in 1992 as community engagement consultants in the land development space, we’ve grown to a multi-disciplinary organisation that delivers social outcomes for a diversity of clients and contexts.

Awards

50+

We have a three-decade legacy of awards for our work in community development and engagement from bodies as diverse as Planning Institute of Australia and UDIA, to the Prime Minister’s Award for Economic Development.

Our Values

What
unites us.

Our values remind us of our foundations, they unite our efforts and inspire the best in us, individually and collectively.

01

Excel at the nexus

We bring people and organisations together to build common pathways forward. It’s at the intersection of those interests that we uncover opportunities and possibilities that can change places and communities for the better. We bring our best thinking to the nexus of possibility.

02

Give generously

We believe generosity between people is the cornerstone of human flourishing. We seek to create spaces characterised by generosity of spirit, giving space for others to contribute, support and thrive.

03

Generate trust

We aspire to generate trust, create spaces for the safe exchange of ideas, provide trustworthy advice, and deliver on promises. We are prepared to be honest and speak out for the truth even when it’s uncomfortable and believe this creates pathways to growth, both individually and corporately.

04

Create lasting, positive change

We are driven to empower people to become change agents in their own communities and organisations. In all we do we seek to build capacity and ensure respect for diversity and equity.

05

Stay sharp

We focus on what’s important. We keep the main game, the main game. We lead ourselves and others. We improve. We stay sharp.

06

Nurture relationships

We seek to nurture positive relationships and work in a shared direction for the common, social good.

07

The heart of it

We believe most people deep down want good things for themselves and others. We strive to uncover this heart in our work in order to help build the skills, attributes and attitudes of people to live rich and full lives connected together in community.

TEAM + LEADERSHIP

We’re 
change-makers.

We are a collective of creative and strategic thinkers, researchers, and community development professionals who, each in our own way, have come together to be a force for good in the world. ​We are committed to building social fabric and pursuing equitable outcomes for all.

Allan Tranter

Founding Director

Donna Shepherd AM

Managing Director

Andrew Watt

Director – Engagement, Planning, Education & Ageing

Kylie Elsegood-Smith

Director, Community Development

Jessica Barker

Director, ESG & Sustainability

Melanie Billig

Director - Creative

Dr Jasmin Di Paola

Impact & Research Lead

Shelley Harrison

Senior Engagement Consultant

Paul Garbett

Consulting Specialist

Sophia Jacka

Graduate Consultant

Joanne Patroni

Senior Research Consultant

Ross Robins

Senior Consultant

Sam Williams

Senior Consultant Planning

Sally Ferreira

Consultant - Community Development

Laura Meachim

Multimedia Content Developer

Lia Ursich

Engagement Consultant

Breana Liddington

Consultant - ESG & Sustainability

Lynden Prince

Training and Development

Dr Lin Malone

Research Consultant

Cody Ming Zhe Chai

Data Scientist

Kevin Lizars

Graphic and Digital Designer

Karina Smeets

Graphic Designer

Simon Elliott

Design + Strategy Specialist

Alyce Austin

Corporate Services Manager

Sharon St Quintin

Office & HR Manager

Cheyanne Glew

Project Administrator

Rozalia Sumadi

Office Administrator

Project Partners

Our partners in community.

Our Services

Capture the opportunity to move forward together.