KATE HAMER
Principal Adviser Regulatory Strategy & Intelligence
EPA South Australia

Kate Hamer currently oversees the SA EPAs Regulatory Strategy and Intelligence function, within the Operations directorate of the EPA, building on her extensive knowledge and experience gained through regulating the waste and resource recovery sector for over a decade.  

Kate has a deep interest in working collaboratively with stakeholders to understand behavioural drivers and perspectives to design and negotiate acceptable solutions, an approach that reflects her academic qualifications in psychology and environmental science.

Kate has managed projects as diverse as developing the EPAs compost guideline, overhauling the EPAs technical landfill guideline, designing an end of waste framework, to working with the executive leadership team to design and implement governance structures to support strategic decision making at the EPA, together with designing and implementing the EPAs intelligence function.  Her career has always been grounded in regulatory practice, both voluntary and legislated.  Her success is built on a leadership style that is authentic, integral and generous in taking the time to understand the viewpoint of others whilst mentoring and coaching staff to achieve their best to support our next generation of leaders.  

Her career is balanced with being a mother of two teenage boys who certainly keep her both busy and entertained. 

SOPHIE THOMSON
Owner, Sophie's Patch

Sophie Thomson’s infectious enthusiasm continues to inspire countless people of all ages to put their green thumbs to good use – for the sake of the environment, their families’ enjoyment, and their own wellbeing. The South Australian based media personality has long been beaming into Australian homes through TV and radio, connecting with people nationally at public events and through her own books and social media platforms.

Her belief that gardening is important for health, wellbeing and a harmonious community has seen her working extensively for the last 3 years with the residents of Kangaroo Island following their devastating bushfires.   Her current interest is now assisting and facilitating work in flood ravaged communities.

Sophie recently received the 2022 SA Environment Award Pelzer prize.

MICHAELA HEINSON
Associate Director, Economic Growth and Sustainability
Green Industries SA

Michaela Heinson is the Associate Director, Economic Growth and Sustainability with Green Industries SA.  She has two decades of experience leading environmental, sustainability and biosecurity programs, working within and across multiple government agencies. Michaela has extensive knowledge of environmental policy across many sectors and implementation of policy, programs and emergency response at senior levels of government.  

She is leading the River Murray Flood Waste Clean Up Program, the largest Disaster Waste Program in the history of South Australia.

Michaela is also passionate about STEM education and is a member of the University of South Australia’s STEM Program Advisory Board.