Tom Borthwick is a Principal Chemical Engineer and passionate sustainability facilitator dedicated to bridging engineering expertise with environmental action. As an Ambassador for People For Nature, Tom brings a unique blend of technical insight and public engagement to support climate and biodiversity education, helping diverse audiences explore systems‑based thinking and collaborative solutions to environmental challenges.
With a professional background in chemical engineering, Tom has led complex technical processes and safety‑critical projects, where analytical rigour, risk assessment and innovative problem‑solving are core to success. He applies these strengths to his facilitation work — guiding workshops such as Climate Fresk that translate climate science into accessible, interactive learning experiences that inspire curiosity and action among participants.
Tom is also active in community‑driven climate initiatives, contributing to People For Nature that bring together citizens, professionals and change‑makers to deepen climate literacy and collective agency. Through his ambassadorial role, he champions inclusive learning environments where people can connect knowledge with purpose‑driven action for a healthier planet.
Sholihah began as a Climate Fresk facilitator in September 2024, became a Biodiversity Collage facilitator in November 2024, and recently took on the role of Circular Economy Collage facilitator in February 2025.
With a background in STEM and experience as a biology teacher, Sholihah recognised the vital role of science communication in addressing environmental challenges. She believes that people often don’t take action not because they don’t care, but because they don’t fully understand the issues at hand.
When it’s tough to inspire action, Sholihah draws strength from the enthusiasm and resilience of her fellow facilitators.
“Their dedication to educating others, despite the challenges we face, continues to motivate her. The drive they bring to the work serves as a powerful reminder of the importance of every effort in creating meaningful change.“
My Journey as a People for Nature Student Ambassador
How it started
My first Climate Fresk was back in June 2024, when I was still in Indonesia. With a background in environmental engineering, I knew some things about climate change, but I didn’t know what to expect in the workshop, so I still very much looked forward to it. Sitting in that room, piecing together the causes and effects of climate change with a bunch of strangers using a deck of cards, and exchanging all the knowledge we collectively had, I found it really exciting. It didn’t feel like a lecture. It felt like everyone in the room was figuring things out together, and somehow that made the whole thing land so much harder and memorable.
Then in November 2024, a few months after I moved to Melbourne for my Master of Environment at the University of Melbourne, I attended my first Biodiversity Collage at FACET, Swinburne University. Same energy and logic, but different topic. This time it was about biodiversity loss, ecosystems, and how deeply interconnected everything is. I left that session thinking about it for days.
Both times, what struck me was the content, but also the format and how everyone interacted. The way the workshops are structured means that no one person is the expert. Everyone brings something to the table, and together you build this shared picture of something huge and complicated. That collective intelligence model is something I hadn’t really experienced before, and it fundamentally changed how I think about environmental education.
Why I wanted to become a facilitator
After those first workshops, I knew I wanted to be on the other side of the table. Not because I had all the answers, but because I wanted to help create that experience for other people. I’ve always believed that one of the most important things in sustainability work is knowing how to communicate complex science to people who are coming from completely different places, whether that’s a student, a corporate professional, or someone who’s never thought much about climate change before. These workshops felt like one of the best tools I’d seen for doing exactly that.
So I got trained as a Climate Fresk facilitator, and then I reached out to People for Nature Australia about becoming a Biodiversity Collage facilitator too. I love the P4N people so much, the team there has been so warm and supportive throughout the whole process. Audrey especially, the one whom I knew from day zero, has been incredibly helpful in guiding my facilitation journey, and that kind of support really does make a difference when I was just starting out.
The journey so far
I started as a participant, then became a volunteer facilitator, and more recently I’ve had the chance to step into corporate facilitation too as a paid opportunity. After I’d delivered more than five workshops, I was invited to help co-facilitate a paid Climate Fresk for a company, one that was tailored specifically to their team and context. That was a really different experience. The audience was different, the stakes felt different, and I had to think much more carefully about how to make the content relevant to their world and their industry.
As of now, I’ve facilitated more than 15 workshops in total across Climate Fresk and Biodiversity Collage, with around 3 of those being corporate sessions. Every single one has taught me something new.
What I’ve gained from doing this
Definitely more than I expected. The obvious things are the facilitation skills and the networks. I’ve met so many interesting people through these workshops, people I would never have crossed paths with otherwise. But the less obvious thing is how much I’ve learned about active listening. When you’re facilitating, your job is to hold space for the group, not to steer it toward your own perspective. That’s harder than it sounds, and it’s something I’m still working on.
What I find most valuable is how the workshops are structured beyond just the cards. The creative sessions, the parts where people get to sit with the emotional weight of what they’ve just learned, and the reflection for action sessions at the end, these are the moments where things really shift for participants. It’s not just about understanding the science as well, since we also have to figure out what to do with that understanding. Being in the room when that happens and facilitating the whole process, watching creativity, emotions, and ideas roam and floating around the room is something that is always really special for me and I always feel very honoured to be a part of that. I also love that every workshop brings together such different people with different lived experiences. Hearing how someone from a completely different background connects to these issues, in ways I hadn’t thought of, is something I look forward to every time.
This work, along with a few other things I’ve been involved in around environmental engagement, contributed to receiving a Highly Commended award at the University of Melbourne Sustainability Awards 2025 in the Student Leadership category!
If you’re thinking about becoming a facilitator
Do it. Seriously. You don’t need to be an expert in climate change or biodiversity to facilitate these workshops. You just need to be curious and willing to listen. The model is built on collective intelligence, which means the group does the work together. Your role is just to guide that process.
The skills you build, knowing how to communicate complex ideas to all kinds of people, how to hold space for difficult conversations, how to connect with people you’d never normally meet, these are genuinely useful for anyone who wants to work in sustainability, conservation, or really any field that involves people caring about the world.
I started out flipping cards in a room in Indonesia with no idea where it would lead. Somehow it brought me here, facilitating workshops in Melbourne, building a network I didn’t expect, and learning things I couldn’t have planned for. If anything, I might say this journey is one of the best things that happened to my student’s journey here in Australia. If you’re on the fence, I’d really encourage you to give it a go!
Aish became a Fresker in 2022. After meeting Laure Legros at a hackathon, she was encouraged to attend a Fresk event in Perth. She went with a friend, and it turned out to be a life-changing experience for both of them.
Aish’s motivation comes from her fascination with science communication, recognising how often we fear what we don’t understand. The Fresk process allowed her to be part of a story that breaks down complex science into something accessible and relatable.
One of Aish’s most inspiring experiences was facilitating a multi-group Fresk with the French-Australian Chamber of Commerce. The event brought together multiple groups, facilitators, and organisations, and the discussions were transformative.
Several participants shared that their understanding of climate science had changed, and they felt inspired to make significant changes in their lives. They appreciated the clarity the Fresk process provided, which made the complex subject matter easier to trust.
When it’s tough to inspire action, Aish reflects on the belief that perfection is the enemy of progress. She believes that even reaching a small portion of the audience is worth it, knowing that every step forward contributes to the larger cause.
Carmelo became a Fresker in April 2023, driven by a desire to engage his students in climate change education.
One of his proudest achievements was facilitating the largest Climate Fresk, held in Australia with more than 120 IGS staff participating in the workshop facilitated by students.
You can read the IGS Climate Freskcase study here.
Today, he also runs Biodiversity Collage workshop; it’s exciting to see him share his knowledge of biodiversity with schools.
When it’s tough to inspire action, Carmelo reflects on the world his students will inherit, striving to ensure he does his part to make it better.
We feel blessed to have Carmelo as part of the team because students are the seeds of the future we want to cultivate.
Bruce became a Fresker in October 2022 after attending a workshop at his office, led by Laure Legros, the Climate Fresk Country Lead at that time.
After a conversation with her, Bruce knew this was a journey he wanted to continue.
Although he was already aware of the climate issues we face, he was deeply moved by the effectiveness of the Fresk delivery and saw how it impacted other participants. It inspired him to contribute in a meaningful way.
One of his proudest moments was when his workshop inspired two of his students, Tim and Erica, to become facilitators themselves. Soon, he’ll be helping them deliver their first workshop, continuing the cycle of empowerment and education.
What keeps Bruce motivated, especially when it’s tough to inspire action, is the thought of future generations who will inherit the world we shape today.
While the challenges ahead are significant, he believes that every small positive impact counts, and we owe it to those yet to be born to do what we can now.
“There are a lot of people – a lot of generations – that have not yet been born. There is little doubt that the world that they face is going to be worse by almost every measure than the one that we live in. But it is not a binary outcome. It will not be a matter of success or failure. Any small impact we can make is positive. And we owe it to those who have no voice because they have not yet been born to do what we can.“
Daniel joins the Citizen COP team to help lead Government Engagement and Impact Reporting.
Based in Brisbane, he brings a strong background in technology, innovation, and stakeholder engagement, with experience spanning AI, product development, and cross-sector collaboration.
Passionate about translating complex ideas into real-world impact, Daniel is focused on strengthening connections between policy, community, and innovation to help maximise the reach and effectiveness of Citizen COP.
Stéphane became a Fresker in March 2024, with his first workshop held at International Grammar School in April.
Motivated by curiosity and a desire to put his professional skills to use, Stéphane transitioned to ClimateTech after a 10-year career in Customer Success, where he honed his ability to convince organizations and people to change.
One of his proudest moments was launching the concept of Fresk at the pub. In search of a venue to host a workshop with friends and contacts, he remembered that public houses are community hubs, where the atmosphere of food and drinks fosters connection and conversation.
What keeps Stéphane inspired is the “light bulb” moment he witnesses in every workshop – that powerful instant when someone fully grasps the scope and consequences of climate change. Being the catalyst for that realization is what keeps him going.
“There is not a single workshop without a light bulb moment for one or several attendees. That special moment when someone “gets” the full picture of climate change and the consequences. Being the trigger of that moment keeps me going!”
Ewa became a Fresker in June 2022 through the WorkForClimate Academy, where the Climate Fresk workshop played a pivotal role in her training. She is also a Biodiversity Collage facilitator. She has co-facilitated many workshops, reaching hundreds of participants.
Her motivation to get involved came after the birth of her son, when she realised the challenges future generations would face due to climate change. Unsure where to begin, she connected with Laure, the Climate Fresk Country Coordinator at the time, who recommended the Academy. This led her to become a Climate Fresk facilitator.
Ewa is passionate about raising awareness in Australia and volunteers at local markets while also contributing to the creation of communication tools for Climate Fresk Australia’s social media. With a background in marketing communications, she enjoys using her skills to further the mission.
“Being part of this community is a reminder that our collective voice is stronger. I also prefer to focus on what I can do rather than being discouraged by the inaction of others.”
Fien Van den Steen is a former international investigative journalist specialising in environmental issues, now working as a Sustainability Manager for tech start-ups. She applies her strengths in communication and sustainability to help amplify positive impact across companies, services, and clients, bridging the gap between global environmental policy and local practice.
Driven by a deep commitment to systemic change, Fien has founded and contributed to several impactful initiatives, including the award-winning UniSC Enactus club and the co-founding of the Upskilling Sustainability Initiative. Her work extends into global and national policy spaces, including contributions to the UN Summit of the Future, alongside leadership and speaking roles with the United Nations Young Professionals. She also serves as an Earth Charter Commissioner for UNAA Queensland.
As part of the People For Nature Youth Voices support team, Fien brings her expertise, energy, and systems-thinking approach to empower young people and strengthen collective action for nature.
Masha Kondrasheva is a sustainability practitioner and casual academic at the University of Newcastle, with a Master’s in Disaster Resilience and Sustainable Development. Her work sits at the intersection of disasters, waste and climate – she’s genuinely drawn to the “messy”, multidisciplinary space where these challenges overlap.
As a People For Nature Ambassador, Climate Fresk and Circular Economy Collage facilitator, Masha’s approach is pretty straightforward: meet people where they are. Whether that’s a community group or a university classroom, she’s interested in activities that are accessible, grounded, and genuinely useful. Masha is committed to creating space for people to engage with complex environmental topics, bringing the same curiosity and practicality to everything she does.
