Meet our team

 

Team

Merle Cashman

Merle Cashman

Elder in Residence  

Aunty Merle is an Aboriginal Nguigi women from Quandamooka Nation and Kunju from the Thipan people.

Renee Tuifagalele

Renee Tuifagalele

Research Officer

Renee is a Research Officer with the Evidence and Impact team. She brings experience in research and evaluation in primary and secondary education in Aotearoa New Zealand.

Auzi Amazia

Auzi Amazia

Communications and Digital Media Coordinator

Auzi brings experience in media, marketing, and communications across social enterprises, healthcare providers, and not-for-profit organisations towards her work at the Front Project.

Liliana Inguanti

Liliana Inguanti

General Operations Manager

As General Manager of Operations at The Front Project, Liliana supports operational efforts to help the organisation achieve its goals.

Rachel Wallbridge

Rachel Wallbridge

Policy and Government Relations Manager

As Policy and Government Relations Manager, Rachel is managing and executing the Front’s Project’s engagement with all levels of government and will work with The Front Project team to develop high impact, evidenced based policy.

 
Dr Dan Leach-McGill

Dr Dan Leach-McGill

Manager, Evaluation and Impact

Dr Dan has worked in early childhood and community services for more than twenty years.

Martel Menz

Martel Menz

Strategic Policy Advisor

Martel has over twenty years experience in the early childhood sector, as a teacher, union leader and senior Ministerial Adviser.

Grace Cochrane

Grace Cochrane

Policy and Government Relations Officer

Grace has joined TFP as a Policy Officer, where she is responsible for researching and analysing key issues related to early childhood education and care.

Fiona McCandless

Fiona McCandless

Project Manager

As Project Manager, Fiona primarily oversees the delivery of the EDGE Project, along with managing other projects through the Impact Foundry.

Rachael Wilken

Rachael Wilken

Senior Manager, the Apiary Fellowship

Rachael has more than 10 years’ experience in the child and youth sector, working with leadership teams, implementing project and quality processes, managing collaborative initiatives with stakeholders and colleagues.

Lisa Walker

Lisa Walker

First Nations Fellow

Lisa joins The Front Project on a pathway opportunity from her four year Apiary journey where she has guided the fellowship utilising a First Nations lens.

Sophie Bament

Sophie Bament

Apiary Coordinator

Sophie comes to The Front Project with experience in project delivery having worked at Parkinson’s UK for a number of years delivering an information and support programme for people newly diagnosed with Parkinson’s and their families.

Raffi Jones

Raffi Jones

Project Manager

Raffi believes that all children and young people should have equitable access to high quality learning experiences, starting with early childhood education, for the best chance to achieve positive outcomes in all facets of their lives.