Sam brings to the Janali & Co. team a range of experiences and skills, including health promotion, public health policy development and implementation, governance, and research and evaluation, as well as a deep understanding of for-purpose organisations and the local and state government contexts. She will be engaged in social planning activities for Janali & Co. and our clients, bringing a deep and varied background in community engagement with a focus on positive health outcomes.

Alongside her professional roles, Sam has been an elected member (Councillor for Moresby Ward, City of South Perth) and has significant volunteer experience, including as a board member for the Health Consumers Council.

Sam’s formal qualifications are in sports science and health promotion, and she is passionate about people, community wellbeing, and public health policy. Her purpose is to help people live healthier, happier, and more connected lives.

Some highlights from Sam’s experience include successfully securing funding to implement a long-term program aimed at improving eating, exercise, and mental health outcomes for residents, advocating for enhanced sport and recreation facilities in her local government area, and contributing to the development of the Byford Health Hub, a state government initiative.

To Sam, the key to community engagement is working with people to build capacity and resources to solve problems locally. Essential to success is listening, providing options, and then supporting community members to solve challenges and harness opportunities – this empowerment approach yields longer, more sustainable outcomes. Crucial to the process is ensuring that introduced initiatives are directed at solving the right problems for the community. Empowering the community, facilitated by active listening and meaningful engagement, is at the heart of Sam’s approach.

When she is not helping individuals and groups to live healthier, happier lives, Sam can be found on park and trail runs, often accompanied by her dog Rex, or volunteering within her local community on initiatives that aim for positive health outcomes.