The Management Committee

Paul McDonald

President

Paul is a recently retired Chief Executive Officer of a mid-sized, community-owned not-for-profit (with 42 employees) delivering natural resource management services across the Murray-Darling and Bulloo Basins in Queensland. Since 2012, he has held executive roles in the not-for-profit sector, overseeing the delivery of more than $30 million in natural resource management projects and on-ground works.

Paul currently chairs the Queensland Government’s Offsets Project Management Committee. He holds a Master of Information Systems and is a registered Cadastral Surveyor in Queensland. He is also an Adjunct Associate Professor at the University of Queensland, recognised for his contribution to environmental and natural resource work across Southern and Southeast Queensland and the Wide Bay Burnett region.

With over 36 years in senior management and executive roles across the public and private sectors, Paul now operates a small consultancy focused on policy, collaboration, and facilitation.

Sue Etheridge

Treasurer

Sue has a lifelong connection to the Sunshine Coast, having called the region home since 1982 after childhood family holidays sparked her love for the area. She lives in the Hinterland on rural acreage with her extended family, surrounded by birds and animals.

Sue began her career at the Commonwealth Bank in 1977, progressing to a Loans Officer before moving into small business ownership. She brings extensive experience across banking, finance, accounting, and business management, and holds an Advanced Diploma of Accounting. Alongside her professional career, she has raised her children, who are now adults.

She has contributed widely to her community through local, state, and national committees, including leadership roles as President and Treasurer. Sue is strongly committed to environmental protection, with a focus on preserving local ecosystems and biodiversity, promoting renewable energy, and supporting a circular economy that reduces waste, encourages reuse and recycling, and ensures resources are used more sustainably. She has served as Treasurer of SCEC since 2012, supporting the organisation’s financial strength and long-term sustainability.

Sue acknowledges she lives and works on Gubbi Gubbi/Kabi Kabi Country and pays her respects to Traditional Custodians, honouring their enduring connection to land, waters, and culture. She recognises the deep history, knowledge, and continuing care that Traditional Custodians have for Country, and respects their ongoing contributions to community and the protection of natural environments.

In her spare time, Sue enjoys reading, gardening, bushwalking, and travel. A personal highlight was walking the Kokoda Track in 2008 in honour of her late father, who served there during World War II.

Tess Allan

Secretary

Tess is a strong advocate for Country—our home—and believes every part of it, from the land and waters to the plants, animals and people, should be respected and have a voice. She cares deeply about culture and connection, and is always learning through listening and spending time with communities, both locally and around the world.

She’s currently in the final stretch of a Sustainable Business degree, diving into areas like environmental politics, human behaviour, and sustainability, with a focus on protecting biodiversity in Queensland. Alongside her studies, Tess gets involved in hands-on work—volunteering in conservation, planting, clean-ups and community events—because she believes action matters.

Tess recognises the privilege she holds and the impact our choices have on a global scale. She’s passionate about building a future where businesses act responsibly—where people, planet and purpose are all part of the equation.

For her, it’s about sharing knowledge, listening to the community, and making sure the steps we take today support generations to come.

Katherine (Kadi) Warner

General Member

Kadi moved to the Sunshine Coast in 2017 and now lives in Mooloolah Valley, close to her daughter and grandchildren. A strong believer in “think global, act local,” she joined the Management Committee of Mooloolah River Landcare in 2019 and is excited to now be part of the Sunshine Coast Environment Council's Management Committee.

With over 40 years of experience in community-based natural resource management and conservation, Kadi’s journey began as a young Peace Corps Volunteer in Sierra Leone. Living in a community facing land degradation and poor agricultural yields during the "hunger season" sparked her lifelong interest in the causes of environmental degradation and the social and economic drivers for sustainable resource management. In recent years, her work has focused on climate risk, adaptation, and mitigation.

Kadi has held senior roles in the UN, government ministries, international conservation organisations (IUCN), and development non-profits. She’s also served on advisory committees for conservation initiatives and the Board of an international institution. Throughout her career, she has lived and worked in Africa, Southeast Asia, Europe, the U.S., and the Pacific (New Zealand). Today, she continues her international consultancy work and holds a part-time appointment as an Associate Professor at the University of the Sunshine Coast.

Mick Smith

General Member

Mick has over 30 years of experience in environmental management and research. He is passionate about the connection between healthy environments and healthy communities and believes in using partnerships, planning, and policy to drive positive environmental outcomes.

Mick and his wife, Jenny, have called the Sunshine Coast home for the past 20 years, where they live with their three children. Outside of work, Mick enjoys swimming, camping, and spending time with family and friends.

Sam Masters

General Member

Sam Masters is an experienced professional with a diverse background in environmental conservation, animal care, project management, and digital communications. She is passionate about community advancement, sustainability, and driving meaningful outcomes. Sam has a strong track record in stakeholder engagement, project execution, and public outreach.

Her career spans various roles, including Veterinary Nurse, Marine Mammal and Bird Specialist at Sea Life Sunshine Coast, Marketing and Communication Officer at both Brisbane City Council and Sunshine Coast Council, and Communications Project Manager at Queensland Health.

Currently pursuing a Diploma in Conservation and Ecosystem Management, Sam works in a nursery and volunteers with TurtleCare, BushCare, Friends of the Forest, and as a tour guide at Mary Cairncross Scenic Reserve.

In her spare time, Sam enjoys running with her dogs and scuba diving along the reefs of our beautiful coastline.

Our Staff

Lisa Malcolm

Chief Executive Officer

Lisa brings 30 years of expertise in conservation advocacy, cross-sectoral engagement, policy, planning and implementation, and organisational and grassroots campaign leadership.

Coming to SCEC from a role as National Programs Manager with national conservation sector peak body, the Australian Committee for IUCN (International Union for Conservation of Nature). There she collaborated with Federal and State Government members and non-government members and partners across Australia to deliver impactful campaigns, inform policy and implementation, secure funding, and inspire environmental stewardship. Previously, for 13 years Lisa was Griffith University EcoCentre’s Environment and Community Coordinator: designing, delivering and managing sustainability programs, supporting community groups, connecting researchers, educators, industry, government, and community to advance sustainability knowledge, understanding and action. 

Lisa holds a Bachelor of Applied Science in Natural Resource Management and a Master’s degree in teaching Sciences. She sits on 3 IUCN expert Commissions, World Commission on Protected Areas, Commission on Education and Communication, and the Commission on Ecosystem Management. 

A long-time Sunshine Coast local, she is passionate about sustainability, nature conservation and helping SCEC and the Sunshine Coast community to protect and retain the beautiful, precious natural values of the Sunshine Coast region.

Lisa acknowledges she lives and works on Kabi Kabi Country and Jinibara Country, and respects Traditional Custodians and Country.

Narelle McCarthy 

Advocacy and Engagement Manager

Passionate about nature from a young age, Narelle holds a Diploma in Conservation and Land Management and has been actively involved in natural resource management, conservation and related fields for the past 20 plus years. Narelle undertakes and is involved in a wide range of activites, campaigns and initiatives focussed on improved environmental outcomes and the practice of sustainability and is continually inspired by the many outstanding environmental stewards and champions who make such a difference to the Sunshine Coast and the planet. 

Working with SCEC enables Narelle to fulfil her personal and professional desire to be effective in the protection of the natural values of the region (and beyond) while building on SCEC’s impressive 45 year conservation legacy.

Narelle is an Environment Sector board representative and Deputy-Chair of the SEQ Catchments Members Association and is an Australian Conservation Foundation (ACF) Councilor for Queensland.

Renay Wells

Digital Engagement Officer