Meet Our People

Our Team

• Em James

  CEO

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  Em James

  CEO

  Em leads Neighbourhood Centres Queensland and is dedicated to growing the impact, resourcing, and recognition of our sector. Having worked in and alongside NCCs for over 15 years, Em is passionate about the vital role of NCCs in place-based, community-led change. Em takes a collaborative, strengths-based and systems-level approach to working with NCCs and strategic partners.

  Em is currently the Vice Chair of the Australian Neighbourhood Houses and Centres Association (ANHCA). They have worked as coordinator of Community Plus+ across 3 sites in inner city Brisbane/Meanjin, and have kickstarted new projects, centres and services as part of previous roles with New Farm Neighbourhood Centre, The Exchange in Kelvin Grove, and Wynnum Community Hub. Em’s long-term community development work in Annerley has led to the success of ongoing local projects such as the Annerley History Group, Junction Fest and the Community Connection and Belonging Project. Em has also enjoyed researching and convening at universities and peak bodies to explore place-based approaches across Queensland.

  Em holds an undergraduate degree in Social Science (International Development), a Masters of Community Development and is in the final stages of a Masters of Business Administration (Social Impact). They are a Deans Scholar and in 2020 was awarded the Anton Mischewski Design for Social Innovation prize.

  Em’s knowledge, skills and expertise covers; organisational development; facilitation; community development and codesign; partnership brokering; strategy; applied research; integrated service design and delivery; project management; systems improvement; writing and editing.
• Chris Mundy

  Sector Development Lead – Policy, Research & Networks

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  Chris Mundy

  Sector Development Lead – Policy, Research & Networks

  Chris has worked with NCQ in a variety of areas and now leads the sector in forwarding Neighbourhood Centre data and research, social policy influence and developing sector networks.

  Chris has over 20 years of experience in community work in a wide variety of contexts including both individual support and community programs. He spent 10 years working with teenagers, community groups and stakeholders in a high school context, using Community Development methods to address issues of mental health, self-harm, social justice and youth crime. His experience in Neighbourhood Centres entailed further Community Development experience as well as Volunteer Management, Consortium Work and Financial Resilience. Chris has also supported individuals and groups affected by Past Forced Adoption practices as well as conducted research and advocacy in this area.

  Chris has studied a Bachelor of Ministries from the Australian College of Theology, Graduate Diploma of Psychology at QUT and a Master of International and Community Development (PhD Pathway) at Deakin University. His multidisciplinary background brings a variety of research, practice and systems perspectives to his work which is ideal to demonstrate the diverse nature and value of Neighbourhood Centres across the state.

  His multidisciplinary background brings a variety of research, practice and systems perspectives to his work which is ideal to demonstrate the diverse nature and value of Neighbourhood Centres across the state.
• Melanie Maher

  Sector Development Lead – Communications & Digital Engagement

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  Melanie Maher

  Sector Development Lead – Communications & Digital Engagement

  Melanie leads the design and delivery of communications and digital engagement projects to develop the impact of the peak body and our members. Projects include the strategic rebranding of NCQ, the design of a new website and members online learning platform, and the creation and implementation of the communications strategy.

  Melanie has spent the last 12 years working as a communications designer, particularly focused on helping not-for-profit (NFP) and for-purpose organisations to amplify their social and environmental impact.
  She has a range of skills and experience, developed from a diverse portfolio of projects that include her work in political campaigning (including leading state-wide communications in Federal Election Campaigns in Tasmania), designing fundraising campaigns (including those for poverty in Hong Kong and environmental protection in Tasmania), and collaborated with researchers to adapt communications to more effectively influence policy change.

  Melanie is also a design lecturer, with 8 years experience in lecturing, course writing, workshop creation and learning facilitation of Bachelor of Design students. She teaches a range of courses such as Design Thinking and Business by Design. She has also worked with for-purpose organisations to design and implement online learning systems and experiences.

  Melanie holds a Bachelor of Visual Communications Design and a Masters in Digital Design majoring in Education. Her research work has focused primarily on increasing sustainability literacy (skills, values and behaviours) with communication and design methods.
• Taylor Bast

  Sector Support - Communications & Digital Engagement

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  Taylor Bast

  Sector Support - Communications & Digital Engagement

  Taylor began working with NCQ as part of her Social Work student placement in January 2022. Since then, she has been supporting the organisation’s Communications to build relationships and connect with Neighbourhood and Community Centres through the Stories of Impact and Local Community Hero Projects alongside social media and NCQ’s monthly Sector and Members Newsletters.

  Currently Taylor is in her 4th year of a Bachelor of Social Work with Deakin University where she is working towards writing her honours thesis on the role of Neighbourhood Houses in supporting the social and emotional wellbeing needs of their culturally diverse community members.

  Taylor spent over 2 years volunteering at the Emmanuel City Mission, a not-for-profit homeless day centre in South Brisbane.

  Following her studies, Taylor hopes to continue promoting the value of place-based organisations in responding to the needs of their local communities.