Ellie Drenth

Designing Fairer Futures

Hi, I’m Ellie Drenth – a climate resilience and gender equity specialist working across local and international contexts.

I help governments, NGOs, and international organisations design smarter, fairer responses to the climate crisis. My work focuses on climate adaptation, gender equity, and community resilience – whether that means developing action plans or facilitating inclusive stakeholder engagement. I bring particular expertise in managing extreme heat, but my approach is always systems-focused, locally grounded, and impact-driven. From big-picture strategy to on-the-ground implementation, I work with clients to turn good intentions into lasting, equitable change.

Experience

Climate Change Mentor (Cambodian Ministry of Women’s Affairs & Engineers Without Borders Australia)(Australian Volunteers International), 2025 – Present

Supporting the Cambodian Ministry of Women’s Affairs and Engineers Without Borders Australia through the Australian Volunteers Program. Providing technical guidance on gender-responsive climate adaptation, including heat-health projects, policy design, and stakeholder engagement. Assisting in project development, climate finance proposals, and capacity-building initiatives to strengthen resilience outcomes for women and marginalised groups across Cambodia.

Heat Services Consultant (C40 Cities), 2025

Supported the development of C40’s Cool Cities Accelerator, translating global best-practice heat adaptation strategies into actionable city frameworks. Designed intervention pathways focused on urban cooling, emergency preparedness, and equitable access to heat relief. Collaborated with city governments, health experts, and community organisations to align local actions with global resilience and climate justice goals.

Climate Change Adaptation Officer (City of Melbourne), 2023 – 2024

Led the development of inclusive climate adaptation and mitigation policies to enhance urban resilience, with a focus on supporting vulnerable communities. Piloted on-the-ground solutions to reduce heat and flood risks, and authored presentations and speeches for senior leaders at global climate forums. Facilitated youth engagement through grant programs and the establishment of a Youth Climate Council, in partnership with C40 and Bloomberg Philanthropies. Synthesised and communicated council-wide climate strategies to align internal and external messaging.

Environmental Consultant (Energetics ERM), 2021 – 2023

Conducted emissions modelling and climate risk assessments for major corporate and government clients, supporting the development of net-zero strategies and sustainable investment decisions. Built detailed carbon inventories aligned with CDP, SBTi, and Climate Active frameworks, ensuring transparency and accountability. Delivered insights on climate risk exposure under IPCC scenarios to inform long-term planning and reporting.

Seasonal Park Ranger (Parks Victoria), 2020 – 2021

Delivered guided tours and educational programs to enhance visitor connection to local ecosystems and promote environmental stewardship. Carried out on-ground conservation work, including wildlife care and vegetation management. Collaborated with over 10 local volunteer groups to support community-led sustainability initiatives and foster inclusive engagement with nature.

Education

Masters of Environmental Management

University of New South Wales

Completed a Master of Environmental Management at UNSW, gaining a strong foundation in climate policy, sustainability leadership, and environmental planning. Developed practical skills through applied coursework, collaborative projects, and research on adaptation, resilience, and systems thinking in both local and international contexts. Graduated with a High Distinction and admission to the 2023 Postgraduate Dean’s List for Academic Excellence.

Bachelor of Environmental Science

Deakin University

Completed a Bachelor of Environmental Science at Deakin University, with a focus on biodiversity conservation, environmental policy, and climate science. Gained hands-on experience through fieldwork, research projects, and industry placements, developing a strong foundation in ecological systems, sustainability, and community engagement. Graduated with a High Distinction.

Skills

Climate & Sustainability Expertise

  • Climate change adaptation & resilience planning
  • Urban heat risk mitigation & nature-based solutions
  • Gender-responsive climate programming
  • Climate policy analysis & development
  • Community-based adaptation & participatory planning

Strategy & Technical Skills

  • Climate finance proposal writing
  • Climate risk assessment & emissions analysis (CDP, SBTi, Climate Active)
  • Strategic foresight & systems thinking
  • Program design, monitoring & evaluation
  • Research synthesis & evidence-based planning

Stakeholder Engagement & Facilitation

  • Cross-sector collaboration & partnerships
  • Workshop design & facilitation (in-person & virtual)
  • Youth engagement & capacity-building
  • Intercultural communication & community consultation
  • Co-design with governments, NGOs, and grassroots groups

Communication & Storytelling

  • Policy writing & plain-language translation
  • Public speaking & conference presentations
  • Climate storytelling & strategic messaging
  • Editorial writing
  • Speechwriting for senior leaders

    Interests

    🌏 Climate Justice & Global Collaboration

    Passionate about ensuring those most affected by the climate crisis, particularly women and marginalised communities, are at the centre of decision-making and solution design.

    ✍️ Creative Communication

    Enjoy writing about climate, culture, and systems change, whether through articles, speeches, or storytelling projects that make policy personal.

    πŸ•Š Nature, Movement & Mindfulness

    Bushwalking, ocean swimming, and urban wandering are where I reset and reconnect with the environments I’m working to protect.