Our Team
THE CAMPERDOWN FARM TEAM
Our Camperdown farm is run by a passionate team of people who are dedicated to inspire and educate while protecting, enhancing and regenerating the natural environment.
JACQUI BESGROVE (she/HER)
CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER (CEO) // Jacqui has spent the past 20 years working on international development, permaculture, sustainability, community development and social enterprise projects including work supporting former refugees with Green Connect. She is an experienced permaculture practitioner and educator who is passionate about designing and implementing local urban food solutions, building community resilience and promoting simple living and has a Masters of Environmental Management.
Max taylor (He/him)
EDUCATION & COMMUNITY MANAGER // Max studied Education and has been employed in various education roles for over a decade. Max has always had a keen interested in permaculture and regenerative living, and participated in the Farm Incubator program in 2023 to learn the skills of a regenerative market gardener. During this time, Max also worked as a Sustainability Educator and Facilitator at Pocket City Farms, and took over the role of Education and Community Manager in 2024. Max has worked in community organisations his whole life, and is passionate about grassroots action to build community to address pressing social and ecological issues.
CHRIS SARA (THEY/them)
FARM & COMMUNITY MANAGER // After studying Biology, Chris first volunteered with Pocket City Farms and quickly took on the role of Sustainability Educator. During 2022 they were part of PCF's first Farm Incubator program and at the end of 2022 took over the role of Farm and Community Manager. Chris is passionate about working alongside communities, schools and businesses to set up and maintain urban farms, food forests, and food gardens to increase urban greening, biodiversity and food security in our cities.
Helena Oldenbourg (she/HER)
EDUCATION & COMMUNICATIONS COORDINATOR// Helena has worked in regenerative agriculture and local food systems on the both the hands on and policy level. In 2018 she moved to West Africa to work on community gardening, sustainable agroforestry, and gender equity projects in rural areas of The Gambia. In 2022 Helena began work on federal nutrition policy for the US Department of Agriculture, focusing primarily on the Women, Infants , Children, and Senior Farmer’s Market Nutrition Programs. Helena believes the strongest food system is a local one and is dedicated to making them sustainable and resilient.
HEATHER MCCABE (SHE/her)
ADMINISTRATION MANAGER // Heather’s background is in natural food production systems, permaculture and organic market gardening, teaching, building and tending roof top gardens, and therapeutic horticulture programs along with environmental activism and natural therapies. She is passionate about creating connections and resilience in communities and growing food in the urban environment. Heather is the former General Manager of PCF.
BOARD OF DIRECTORS
ROB HAGGETT
VICE CHAIR // With 18+ years of experience, Rob has worked extensively across the business, government and the not-for-profit sectors in Australia as well as internationally in the UK, Indonesia, Nepal and Cambodia. Through his work and MBA from Sydney University Business School he has developed strong expertise in business strategy, operations, social impact and project management. Rob is passionate about social impact and environmental sustainability and loves to garden and grow vegetables. Rob is the former CEO of PCF.
Rousseau anai
CHAIR // Rousseau has more than 20 years experience in the financial sector, working as a senior manager in securities firms in Tokyo, Hong Kong and New York. His interest in sustainable business and investing led to work at WWF, and subsequently board advisory roles for startup businesses in vertical farming and agroforestry in Australia, Hong Kong and India. Rousseau is a keen permaculture gardener and is a regular farm volunteer at Pocket City Farms.
DIRECTOR// Laura is an educator with several years’ experience in classroom teaching and school leadership in both the public and private education sectors. A keen environmentalist, she has recently completed a Master of Environmental Management through the University of New South Wales. Laura came across PCF when completing her Permaculture Design Certificate as part of her studies. She is passionate about creating educational communities seeking restorative solutions. In her spare time, you a find Laura at the beach or exploring her local bushland with her dog.
TAMMY YAU (She/her)
TREASURER // Tammy is an ESG professional and Chartered Accountant with extensive experience in professional services. She has worked with companies of all sizes and industries, and currently advises Australian organisations and funds on responsible investing and sustainability strategy. Tammy is passionate about building resilient local food systems, and came across Pocket City Farms while undertaking her Master of Sustainability at Sydney University. As an inner-west local, when she is not tackling budgets and accounts, Tammy can often be found getting her hands dirty on the farm.