Our Board

Nicole Baker
Chair

Nicole is a public policy, strategy and governance professional specialising in climate change, energy, and the environment. Nicole has a passion for long-term thinking and our role as stewards of this planet – as good ancestors. Nicole is deeply committed to supporting the global transition to zero emissions and to creating a sustainable future.
Nicole’s career has included working for governments, international agencies, and NGOs across Australia, New Zealand and the Pacific Islands. When not at CERES, Nicole works with Arup, helping clients chart a course to a zero-emissions, sustainable future.
Although Nicole has lived all over the world, Melbourne’s inner north is her home, and CERES has always been at the centre of her community. Nicole cherishes CERES as a unique organisation, which provides us the opportunity to live more consciously on this planet, and to connect with the earth and each other – a salve for these uncertain times.

Thomas Dobson
Deputy Chair

Thomas has been the CERES Treasurer for the last 12 years and a proud CERES advocate for much longer. He works closely with the stellar CERES Finance team to manage risk, audit and financial matters. He believes there is even more potential here to unlock now that we’ve learnt how to complement our prized environmental and social contributions with stable financial management and incredibly innovative enterprises. When he isn’t enjoying the fresh air at CERES, he works at NAB in marketing. Thomas has postgraduate business and company directorship qualifications. He lives locally and rides his bike everywhere. His favourite season at CERES is autumn.

Malcolm McNab
Treasurer

Malcolm has over 20 years’ investor relations, capital markets, finance and strategy experience in Australia (with IDP Education Keypath Education, Hansen Technologies, JPMorgan, and EY) and Europe (with Citi, Deutsche Bank and Pareto Securities). He also has Board and for-purpose experience focused on the environment, community and education including as a Treasurer on the Board of CERES, Treasurer on the Board of Noah’s Ark, industry mentor for the annual CFA Institute Research Challenge, and advisor to the Save the Children Australia Impact Investment Fund.

Malcolm is a Chartered Financial Analyst® (CFA) Charterholder, Chartered Accountant, Graduate of the Australian Institute of Company Directors and has completed the Melbourne Business School Executive MBA and Certificate in ESG Investing from the CFA Institute. When not working he enjoys trips to the CERES Nursery to explore his new found gardening hobby.

Sophie Arnold
General Member

Sophie has volunteered and worked in the not-for-profit sector for more than 30 years, including in several Board roles.
She began her career as a journalist for The Age and other metropolitan media outlets, then ran her own media and communications practice, providing services such as development of communications strategies, media training and issues management to government, corporate and not for profit agencies.
She has also spent periods of time managing community sector organisations. She managed the Melbourne Athenaeum Incorporated, and the UN Association of Australia Victorian Division. In both community sector organisations, she worked closely She is a former Board member of WIRE-Women’s Information, the Melbourne Athenaeum Incorporated and the Thornbury Women’s Neighbourhood House and currently a Director for the Fitzroy Football Club.
She has lived in Northcote for the past 30 years and is a long-time supporter of CERES.

Caroline Gill
General Member

Caroline is a purpose-driven and values-led leader with extensive experience in strategic development, team leadership, operations, and merchandise buying and planning across the retail sector. Most recently, she served as Chief Operating Officer at Cannings, where she fostered a culture that celebrates regenerative food systems, innovation, and positive change. With a strong commitment to positive stewardship and a passion for promoting conscious consumption, Caroline is thrilled to join the CERES board and contribute to its impactful community.

Most mornings, you can find Caroline in her garden, taking a moment to appreciate the seasonal shifts (and perhaps sharing a quiet word with the worms!)

Andrew Hewett
General Member

Andrew is a long-term Brunswick resident and CERES member who has campaigned for social change since his teenage years. He has worked for peace and nuclear disarmament movements, anti-poverty organisations and trade unions. He worked for Oxfam Australia for nearly twenty-two years, including eleven years as Executive Director. Since leaving Oxfam at the end of 2012, he has completed a doctorate in international relations and has taught at Victoria and La Trobe universities. He has been a board member of the Australian Energy Foundation since 2010 and has recently become a board member of the United Nations Association of Australia (Victoria Division). He has the misfortune of being a dedicated supporter of the Melbourne football club.

Giselle Pinto
General Member

Giselle is a senior executive with a strong background in fundraising, philanthropy, communications, events, project management and strategy development across the for-purpose sector. Giselle is currently the Director of Programs and Content at Philanthropy Australia and is responsible for the development and delivery of a cohesive national program to inform, inspire and enable better philanthropic giving.
Giselle has previously held Company Secretary roles, managing Board and governance processes. She is an optimistic thinker with a unique perspective acquired from diverse personal and professional experiences and networks. This is complemented by a no-nonsense attitude and ability to both think big and get things done. Giselle is currently completing the Williamson Community Leadership Program and is a Director of the Victorian Student Representative Council, the peak body representing school-aged students in Victoria, putting them front and centre of education design.
When Giselle isn’t working, she enjoys knitting, reading, weightlifting, learning Portuguese and tending to her indoor jungle and outdoor veggie garden.

Elle Richards
General Member

Elle, a proud K/Gamilaroi woman raised on Larrakia country and now based in Naarm (Melbourne) on Wurundjeri country, is a cultural animateur, consultant, and One Young World Ambassador with a Master’s degree in Cultural Management. Passionate about climate and sustainability, she advocates for recognising the longstanding history of Indigenous peoples as caretakers of country. Elle is committed to helping clients build meaningful connections with Indigenous leaders and communities across Australia. She specialises in community-driven planning, strategic development, and culturally responsive evaluation, providing expert advice on cultural safety, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander economic growth, co-design, reflexivity, self-determination, and trauma-informed consultation.

Lucy Richards
General Member

Lucy is a life-long social entrepreneur who has dedicated her career to harnessing the potential of business to shape our world for future generations. Lucy was the inaugural CEO of mindfulness app Smiling Mind and nominated as Young Australian of the Year (Victoria) for this work.
She has worked in the New York tech and start-up scenes, run advocacy campaigns alongside the UN General Assembly and helped shape the mental health narrative of Australia as Head of Brand and Strategy at The Resilience Project.
For the past 15 years, she has contributed to social change and regenerative business practices in grassroots and community organising settings, as well as with big corporations around the world. Lucy believes in the power and potential of safely and sustainably fusing community and corporate worlds.