Looking across decades of systems change work, some key threads run through everything I do. It’s fair to say I'm most energised when working with others to create social change by identifying and implementing novel ideas in ways that are grounded, inclusive, and adaptive.

Some of the themes include:

• Centring community voice – ensuring those most impacted are involved from the outset, not just consulted after decisions are made.

• Tackling the causes of the causes – looking beyond symptoms to shift deeper structural and systemic conditions.

• Building and sustaining trusted relationships – treating relational work not as a means to an end, but as the work itself.

• Shifting power and redistributing influence – supporting local leadership to take the reins, particularly in historically marginalised communities.

• Navigating complexity and ambiguity – working in messy systems, holding tensions, and knowing when to push, pause, or pivot.

• Stewarding mindset and culture shifts – challenging entrenched narratives and creating space for new ways of seeing and being.

• Developing practice-based evidence – learning through doing, and grounding insight in real-world experience.

• Practising systems leadership – seeing the whole, acting with humility, and working across boundaries.

• Building the car as we’re driving it – having a sense of direction, but staying responsive to what emerges.

This is the work I love. It’s not always neat or linear, but it’s where I believe meaningful change happens.