Who we are
Michelle Feenan
Michelle has over 20 years experience in community engagement including facilitation, planning, team development and community development.
Her broad career has seen her involved in the design and delivery of community engagement strategies, community planning, practitionertraining and capability building, facilitation and mediation services, strategic planning, the review of community based services and policy development.
Prior to launching Engagement Plus in 2006, Michelle worked in a number of different roles within State and Local Government including Manager of Community & Cultural Development for Thuringowa City Council. Michelle’s work experiences have included management, senior policy development, significant community development and capacity building in rural, remote and indigenous communities as well as special projects services for emerging social policy in Queensland and New South Wales contexts.
Michelle holds a Bachelor of Arts degree majoring in Behavioural Sciences and has undertaken post-graduate studies in Social Policy, Local Government Administration, Workplace Training and Human Resources. She is a trainer in the internationally accredited International Association for Public Participation (IAP2) Certificate in Public Participation and currently holds the position of Queensland Coordinator of the Australasian Chapter for IAP2.
Michelle is accredited in the Mercer CED Job Evaluation Methodology, Zing Enabled Technologies, the “The Art of Facilitation”, TMS Network’s Team Management Systems and in mediation through Queensland’s Dispute Resolution Centre.
Jess Varley
Jess has experience in engagement practice, research, facilitation services, and policy and program development for projects such as the National Respite for Carers Program Capacity Building Project. Jess has also undertaken extensive research and assisted in the development of the learning materials for the tailored and very successful Advanced Community Engagement Training provided to a number of local governments in south-east Queensland.
In addition to her experience in engagement and consultation services, Jess is a qualified early childhood educator having worked in Australia and Asia. She has also had a number of functional responsibilities in the allied health industry including customer relations, marketing and promotions and the facilitation of health professional speak out sessions.
Jess holds a Bachelor of Education, has completed a Certificate in Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Cultural Awareness and completed the IAP2’s Certificate Effective Public Participation Training Program.
Helen Christensen
Helen Christensen is a new member of the Engagement Plus team. She is an enthusiastic and experienced Social Planner with experience in: Social Planning and Research, Community Development, Community Engagement & Communication, Project Management, Evaluation and Policy. She has worked in a number of South East Queensland Local Governements and has diverse community related project experience.
Helen is focused and committed to achieving positive community outcomes through the development of responsive and innovative strategies and processes.
She holds a Bachelor of Arts, Bachelor of Education and Masters of Development Practice in Social Planning.
Pat Metzlar
Pat Metzlar has recently joined the Engagement Plus team as a Project Officer. Pat has extensive experience and knowledge of the legal sector and in conflict management and resolution. Her experience includes effective planning, project management, detailed research and analysis of data, and report preparation.
Pat is also highly effective in client liaison and communication techniques and has a thorough understanding of legal systems and social trends.
Pat holds a Bachelor Law and a Bachelor of Arts majoring in Political Science and Indonesian.
Recent projects Pat has been involved with include the development and implementation of a comprehensive communtiy engagement process sorrounding the future use of the old Kuranda Primary School site and the Townsville City Council’s Audit of Learning. Both projects involve comprehensive community surveys, a series of deliberative forums and workshops with stakeholders and extensive one-on-one interviews with concerned residents.
Andrew Purcell
Recently joined the Engagement Plus team having professional experience in the youth sector both in Australia and in London, UK. Over the past seven years Andrew has worked with young people in residential and community settings providing counselling and support work. Andrew’s responsibilities have included conflict resolution, mediation, crisis intervention, life skills education, risk assessment and interagency coordination. Through his wealth of experience, Andrew has developed a personal framework with a foundation of respect, transparency, integrity and a belief that every individual/community has the strengths and capacities within it to overcome challenges and forge a positive future based on its needs and dreams.
Andrew has recently supported Engagement Plus in community engagement and community development projects.
Qualifications that Andrew holds include:
- Bachelor of Social Science Human Services
- Diploma of Community Services Coordination
- Blue Card – Working with youth
Brittney Jones
Brittney joined the Engagement Plus team in early 2010, and has been a great asset in formalising operational processes and systems for the business. Brittney’s creative and innovative approach, bright outlook and ability to learn on the job have quickly established her as a very valuable and indispensable team member.
Brittney is experienced in data management processes including data entry and collation, database maintenance, data graphing and development of reports e.g. Evaluation Reports. She is responsible for much of Engagement Plus’ customer relations, administration and project support tasks and functions.
