Heidi Lee Douglas, CEO 

Heidi works from the lands of the Bidjigal and Gadigal Clans of the Eora nation 

Heidi resides with her family on the land of the Gadigal and Bidjigal clans of the Eora Nation, at the edge of Kamay (Botany Bay) on reclaimed swamp land that was once the trading route for clans north and south of Goolay'yari (the Cooks River).

Heidi has more than twenty years of experience working in the intersection between politics, narrative, and social change. She specialises in empowering the voices of others to move the dial and using story medicine to help fix social issues. Heidi has a deep passion for community organising and advocacy and strives to enable others to fulfill their dreams.

Heidi knows that to create outstanding results a leader must nurture a strong and positive team. Her management style is informed by radical candour, creating “a yes and” environment, empowering others to lead while also providing clear directives.

Living in one of the most diverse areas of Sydney, Heidi is constantly reminded of the challenges and opportunities of finding common ground to build bridges and create a better tomorrow. She is deeply values aligned with Solar Citizens focus on helping to fix climate issues by unifying the community to embrace and demand the cost of living benefits that clean energy can provide. Heidi is also a local government councillor for Bayside (NSW).

Rafael Branton, Operations Manager 

Rafael works from the lands of the Wurundjeri Woi-Wurrung people

Rafael lives and works from the lands of the Wurundjeri Woi-Wurrung people in Naarm (Melbourne). With a background in physics and science communication, Rafael has experience in an international solar project, commercial research into technology for monitoring the ecological effects of climate change and most recently co-ordinating a GP-led respiratory clinic helping in the public health response to COVID-19. Now working as Solar Citizen’s Operations Manager, Rafael has keen attention to detail, a warm and friendly disposition and is adept at systematising solutions to operational issues.

With the rapidly growing uptake of solar and Electric Vehicles in Australia, Rafael is wary of the increasing challenge of having policy and infrastructure that can keep up with that evolving landscape. Rafael is confident in Solar Citizen’s ability to navigate and champion the need for equitable policy that can keep up with demand and accelerate our transition to renewable energy whilst ensuring that we don’t leave behind our most vulnerable community members.

Having lived in rental properties their whole life and been lucky enough to have solar in one of those, Rafael understands the huge financial benefits of solar and the difficulty of accessing it as a renter. Rafael hopes to be a part of delivering an Australia powered by clean energy from which everyone can benefit.

Joel Pringle, National Consumer Advocate Campaigner

Joel works from the lands of the Awabakal people

Joel lives and works in Mulubimba (Newcastle) on Awabakal lands. His expertise draws on community development, social policy, advocacy, and political campaigning, and he is adept at applying these skills to grassroots campaigning and mobilisation.

Joel's professional experience includes consumer policy, housing affordability, cost-of-living campaigns, and shifting social norms to address discrimination. He brings this rich background to his new role advocating for clean energy for all consumers, on behalf of Solar Citizens.

Joel sees ensuring fair access to the cost-of-living benefits of renewable technologies as the major driver of climate equity in Australia, and essential to consolidating the successes of climate campaigns. He knows that climate justice and social justice are integrally connected and that renewable technologies should be available to everyone in our communities. He understands that it’s up to Australian communities to get involved in making make this happen, and that organisations such as Solar Citizens and its partners can empower everyday Australians to do this.

Charlie Rodrick, NSW Clean Energy Campaigner

Charlie works from the lands of the Bidjigal and Gadigal Clans of the Eora nation 

Charlie lives and works from the lands of the Bidjigal and Gadigal Clans of the Eora nation (Sydney). Charlie has an academic background in environmental science and sustainable development and is passionate about advocating for a just transition to clean energy. Charlie is skilled in digital marketing, fundraising and campaign management, having worked with a number of Australian charities throughout her career. 

Having grown up in the UK’s most multi-cultural city, Charlie has extensive experience working with diverse communities. Before settling in Australia, she has pursued a range of international work and study opportunities, from assisting Syrian refugees arriving in the UK, to teaching English in China, to supporting Malawian villages impacted by climate change. 

Charlie understands the value of an empowered community in driving positive change, and she is excited to be working as part of the Solar Citizens movement to accelerate Australia’s progress toward achieving net zero.

Jane Garcia, Communications Director

Jane works from the lands of the Gadigal and Wangan clans of the Eora nation.

Jane lives and works on the lands of the Gadigal and Wangan clans of the Eora nation. She is an experienced communicator with more than two decades of experience in journalism, media, strategy and political advocacy.

Jane has worked with a wide variety of organisations including environment and climate non-profits, unions, peak advocacy organisations, philanthropic foundations and universities.

The years ahead are critical for the transition to clean energy and transport and ensuring everyone can share in the benefits. Jane believes in the power of storytelling to empower people and communities and create change. And media mischief as a force for progress.

Tom Dixon, Campaigns Director (QLD)

Tom works from the lands of the Gubbi Gubbi People.

Tom lives and works on Gubbi Gubbi country (Sunshine Coast) in South East Queensland, with his family. With more than 15 years working at the intersection of social justice, climate change, and the environment, Tom uses his experience in community organising, strategic, evidence-based communication and advocacy, and campaigns leadership, to help Solar Citizens in its push toward 100% renewable energy and clean transport.

With a PhD and background as a research scientist with CSIRO, Tom has since worked within the scientific, environmental, and international non-profit sectors for many years to advocate for change. He is excited to now be applying his skills, energy, and knowledge to the critical renewable energy debate at this fundamental crossroads in Australian history.

Affordable renewable energy and transport is one of the best answers to both the cost of living pressures and environmental perils the world is facing. With the dedicated team of members, volunteers and staff of Solar Citizens, and communities across Australia, Tom is passionate about building local voice and advocacy positions for policy reform to create a sunnier future for us all. 

Annie Loo, Events Organiser

Annie works from the lands of the Gadigal people of the Eora nation

Living & working from the lands of the Gadigal people of the Eora nation, Annie joins the Solar Citizens team as Events Organiser. She is also currently studying a Masters of Environmental Science at the University of Sydney. Prior to this she worked as a strategic marketer across the tech & arts industry. She has now joined the climate movement, driven by her passion to help for a rapid and just transition to clean energy. 

Janet, Sunshine Coast Team Coordinator

Janet has been volunteering with Solar Citizens from our inception in 2013 and has been an instrumental part of our Queensland efforts. She is passionate about getting to a future powered by 100% renewable energy and has a background in university administration. 

Janet ensures all the Sunshine Coast team meetings involve delicious food & drinks to accompany their strategic discussions. 

Genevieve Kelly, Chair

Genevieve Kelly (formerly Rankin) has a wealth of experience in environmental activism and community organising. In 2004 Genevieve received an AM in the Order of Australia, for service to the community, in particular the areas of conservation and the environment, reconciliation, local government, social justice, and education. Most recently she was project lead for Sydney Alliance Western Sydney University Organising unit. She previously worked as a senior university lecturer at Western Sydney University and as NSW Secretary of the National Tertiary Education Union (NTEU).

For many years she was a core community campaigner in the campaign against the building of a new Nuclear Reactor at Lucas Heights. Genevieve was an elected member and Mayor of Sutherland Shire Council up until 2004. She was the first Mayor in Australia to give a formal apology for the Aboriginal genocide at the commemoration of Cook’s landing at Kurnell. Genevieve is a mother and grandmother and is passionately committed to Solar Citizen’s vision of 100% renewable energy for Australia.

Mark Capps

Mark Capps started out as an mechanical engineer, but soon moved onto business. His career has taken him through management consultancy with McKinsey, search giant Google and his own start up. Through this time he has never lost his engineering passion and is excited by the potential solar has to transform our energy generation onto a more sustainable footing. 

Ric Brazzale

Ric Brazzale is Chairman of the Green Energy Group and has more than 30 years’ experience in the energy sector. Prior to establishing the Green Energy Group in 2007, Ric headed the Business Council for Sustainable Energy (BCSE), now the Clean Energy Council, a leading advocate for renewable energy and energy efficiency markets in Australia. Before this, Ric worked in a number of business development and finance roles with Fletcher Challenge Energy, John Holland and Woodside Petroleum. Ric is also President of the REC Agents Association, President of the Voluntary Carbon Markets Association and a Director of the Energy Savings Industry Association. Ric is also Chair of the National Steering Committee of the Australian Centre for Advanced Photovoltaics.