About us
Our Purpose
The Community Independents Project is a not-for-profit organisation dedicated to building community and supporting community-minded Independent candidates get elected to Federal Parliament.
Our Values
CIP's core values of collaboration, integrity, inclusiveness, truth, transparency, empathy, trust, equality, respect and generosity are focused beyond the electoral cycle for the greater good of society, the environment and the economy.
Our Team
The Community Independents Project provides a unique opportunity to build a national network focused on community-minded politics. This network of like-minded people will share skills and knowledge, and work together to change Australia for the better by electing more Community Independents.
We invite you to join us in our commitment to help Australian politics reach its potential and create a fairer, greener, prosperous Australia.
The Community Independents Project is steered by a highly skilled and experienced team, passionate about the power of community to drive change and create a better Australia.
Alana Johnson AM
Co-founder, Director and Convenor
Alana has a background in social science and psychotherapy, leadership and governance training. A social activist and change expert, she is Chair of the Victorian Women’s Trust and co-founder and past President of Voices for Indi. Connect on LinkedIn
Tina Jackson
Co-founder and Executive Director
Tina has a background in management, membership and volunteer organisations, and community activism and engagement. She was a key member of the successful 2019 Warringah Campaign and Zali Steggall's Co-Campaign Manager for the 2022 Election. Connect on LinkedIn
Kirsty Gold
Director
Kirsty is an investor, project accelerator and philanthropist focused on climate solutions in Australia. She is Co-founder of Warringah Independent, the campaign organisation for the election of Zali Steggall OAM MP in 2019 and 2022, and was her 2022 Co-Campaign Manager. Connect on LinkedIn.
Liz Migliorini
Manager
Liz has an engineering and professional services background and has more recently worked in the charity sector. She was a leading member of Zali Steggall’s Election Campaign team in 2019 and 2022. Contact Liz
Brent Hodgson
Project manager
Brent's background is in data-driven marketing campaign strategy. He was an integral part of Dr Monique Ryan's successful 2022 Kooyong campaign, leading in data and volunteer-driven direct voter contact strategy; and was subsequently Campaign Director in 2022 in the Victorian seat of Hawthorn. Contact on LinkedIn
Dr Cathy McGowan AO
Co-founder
In 2013, Cathy broke the Liberal/National Coalition’s hold on the seat of Indi, successfully becoming the first independent member for the north-east Victorian electorate. Author of Cathy Goes to Canberra, and Convenor of the “Getting Elected” Convention. Connect on LinkedIn
Jill Briggs
Co-founder
Jill Briggs is the Executive Director of Affectus a company committed to making a difference through developing leaders. She is most happy when working with groups of people who wish to chart a future course. She is a skilled, experienced and high-energy, workshop facilitator. Connect on LinkedIn
Anyo Geddes
Associate
Anyo has a background in change management, communications and engagement in private, government and non-profit sectors in Australasia, UK and Europe. She is Founder of Mackellar Rising and Co-founder of Voices of Mackellar and was Director of Dr Sophie Scamps’s 2022 Independent Campaign in Mackellar. Connect on LinkedIn
The Community Independents Project Team is supported by a wonderful group of volunteers without whom we could not do our work. We are deeply grateful for this support.
