Celebrating the legacy of Dr Kate Andrews

NRM Regions Australia’s inaugural CEO Dr Kate Andrews completed her tenure in June, ending six years of leadership that transformed the organisation from an informal working group of NRM chairs to an influential national peak body for the natural resource management sector.  

Kate was instrumental in forming NRM Regions Australia, having served as the part-time Executive Officer for the National NRM Chairs’ working group for several years prior. In that role Kate worked with inaugural chair of NRM Regions Australia Emma Jackson and regional NRM chairs and CEOs to design the membership-based peak body and its constitution.

The legal entity of NRM Regions Australia was established in mid-2020. Kate became the inaugural CEO and worked with the board and members to determine the organisation’s strategic direction, values and priorities, and to establish governance and operational policies and systems. 

By securing external funds for several knowledge brokering projects the organisation was able to build capability and to support sector-wide capacity and knowledge sharing. This included employing knowledge brokers, establishing communities of practice, delivering workshops, and developing online knowledge hubs. 

This growing expertise, profile and credibility for the organisation enabled NRM Regions Australia to build advocacy for the sector and its role as an essential service – strengthening its impact through substantial input to Federal policies and programs, and NRM sector-wide funding proposals. This recognition is a credit to the considered, intentional and strategic way Kate worked with both member organisations and partners. 

Through Kate’s strategic leadership, securing of external investment in projects, and the creation of a skilled team, NRM Regions Australia built national capacity and influence across the diverse areas of NRM. These included integrated land management, NRM planning, carbon farming, bushfire resilience and extreme events, biosecurity, sustainable agriculture partnerships, environmental markets, climate adaptation, and nature-based solutions. Identifying and harnessing national opportunities for the sector was a constant driver and led to significant new projects and NRM investment, as reflected in the significant investment by the Minderoo Foundation in the multi-jurisdictional NRM-led Nature-based Solutions for Climate Resilience project.

Building partnerships was a significant focus for Kate, knitting together the diverse cross-sector collaborations and allies that also brought the true integrative value of NRM to the national level. This focus on partnerships was frequently on display at NRM Regions Australia events – with a wide range of partners and collaborators presenting and participating at the annual CEO and Chair forums and the three National NRM Knowledge Conferences Kate led and designed.

Kate is widely seen as both an inspirational thought leader and a pragmatic, solutions focused contributor, leading to demand for her time on external boards and committees.  Kate’s contributions both during, and prior to her role as CEO of NRM Regions Australia, include chairing and reforming Territory NRM, and positions with the inaugural Future Drought Fund Advisory Committee, Australian Landcare Council, CSIRO Sustainable Agriculture Flagship Advisory Committee, Agrifutures Australia Board, and Chairing the Lake Eyre Basin Community Advisory Committee. 

Kate’s deep and nuanced understanding of Australia’s natural and political landscape, her enthusiasm, and her wide and diverse relationships, also made her a sought-after speaker. As CEO she represented the organisation at many diverse events and conferences including the National Climate Adaptation, Australasian Emissions Reduction (AER), National Farmers Federation and Australian Land Conservation Alliance (ALCA) conferences, and the WOMADelaide Planet Talks. 

Kate’s vision, tenacity and impact were also on show as she showcased the regional NRM model on the global stage – securing, designing and facilitating two panel sessions featuring leaders from both regional NRM organisations and colleagues from across the world at the Global Nature Positive Summit in Sydney. 

NRM Regions Australia’s independent Chair Emma Jackson has reflected on Kate’s legacy. 

“Kate’s leadership has been a gift for not only the sector but the country. Australia faces significant environmental challenges that affect people, communities, health, infrastructure, productivity and the economy. Kate has always believed in the power of regional NRM, bringing passion, grit and a pragmatic approach for our members, advocating and educating subtly and sometimes not so subtly. 

“Kate remained loyal to every member – bringing consistency, heart and honesty to each conversation and interaction.”

SA Arid Lands Landscape Board General Manager Jodie Gregg-Smith also paid tribute to Kate’s commitment and personal contribution to elevating NRM in Australia.

“She has driven the voices from grassroots communities and land managers all the way to the policy makers and funders at the state and federal levels.

“The spirit, heart and generosity Kate has brought to the sector and those who have had the benefit to work alongside or as a result of her efforts, will hold us in good stead for generations.” Jodie said.  

Kate offered a final thank you to the sector and partners as NRM Regions Australia’s new CEO, Marnie Lassen, stepped into the role in May.