Our People

Dr John Tracey – Chief Executive Officer

Wildlife Queensland is proud to be led by Dr John Tracey, a highly respected conservation scientist and executive with more than 25 years of experience in wildlife research, environmental management, and biosecurity. Before joining Wildlife Queensland in 2025, John served as Deputy Director General of Biosecurity and Food Safety with the NSW Department of Primary Industries, following over a decade in senior leadership roles within the department. His work has shaped national biosecurity policy, advanced research into invasive species management, and driven significant investment in conservation initiatives across Australia.

Originally from Southeast Queensland, John’s passion for the state’s extraordinary biodiversity has been a lifelong thread through his career. He holds a PhD in Environmental Science from the University of York, a Master of Applied Science from the University of Canberra, and a Bachelor of Applied Science (Hons) in Natural Systems and Wildlife from the University of Queensland. A published scientist with more than 100 papers and reports to his name, John combines academic rigour with a collaborative leadership style. His vision for Wildlife Queensland is to strengthen the organisation’s impact through science-led advocacy, practical conservation, and community engagement – ensuring Queensland’s native wildlife continues to thrive for generations to come.

Jodie Blewett – Office Manager

Jodie supports the CEO, board, staff and volunteers at Wildlife Queensland, helping the organisation run smoothly behind the scenes. With a background in office management and HR, she enjoys creating structure and systems that allow others to focus on what matters most — protecting Queensland’s wildlife. Jodie is inspired by Wildlife Queensland’s long history of community-driven conservation and feels proud to contribute to a cause so closely aligned with her values. In her own time, she loves being outdoors — whether tending her garden, exploring local trails, or simply enjoying time in nature.

Matt Cecil – Projects Manager

Matt Cecil is Projects Manager with Wildlife Queensland, leading the planning and on-ground delivery of conservation programs across the organisation’s species network groups. His role spans strategic support in governance, finance and community engagement, helping to strengthen Wildlife Queensland’s capacity to deliver meaningful conservation outcomes. Drawing on extensive field and project management experience, Matt provides practical expertise that supports the effective design, implementation and evaluation of Wildlife Queensland’s conservation initiatives. His work focuses on empowering communities and landholders to contribute to the protection and recovery of Queensland’s threatened wildlife and habitats.

Dr Tamielle Brunt – Projects Coordinator 

Tam has been part of Wildlife Queensland for over 10 years, starting as a volunteer developing the PlatypusWatch environmental DNA (eDNA) project. In that time, she also completed her PhD on platypus populations in Southeast Queensland. She now coordinates annual eDNA monitoring programs in partnership with councils and community groups, as well as a range of community events that raise awareness of platypus conservation and the importance of healthy freshwater ecosystems.

“I’m inspired to fight for the unspoken and the underrepresented. Years ago, I had a moment with a platypus in Victoria and upon returning to Queensland I realised that the same level of awareness and conservation effort wasn’t happening, I felt compelled to change that. Since then, I’ve been driven to raise the profile of the platypus and strengthen conservation efforts across the state, giving this incredible species the attention and protection it deserves”.

Maaike Hofman – Projects Officer

Maaike is a Projects Officer at Wildlife Queensland with a background in conservation research and ecological monitoring, specialising in arboreal mammals and their use of habitat features such as tree hollows and nest boxes. She currently works on the Greater Glider and Yellow-bellied Glider projects and assists with threatened species work across a range of Wildlife Queensland initiatives as needed. As a trained tree climber, Maaike is able to monitor hollows and install nest boxes for some of Queensland’s most elusive arboreal mammals. She is particularly motivated by using practical field-based evidence to better understand how species use their habitat and how this knowledge can be applied to protect iconic wildlife .

Paul Revie – Projects Officer

Paul is a Project Officer with Wildlife Queensland, where he designs and leads several major conservation initiatives, including the Brush-tailed Rock-wallaby Conservation Network. His work takes him from cliff faces to forest canopies, monitoring brush-tailed rock-wallabies, spotted-tailed quolls, and greater gliders — often clambering over rocky escarpments or gazing into treetops. With a background in ecotourism and senior environmental consulting, Paul now fulfils his lifelong dream of working in the not-for-profit conservation sector. He is a strong advocate for science-based, on-ground projects that deliver measurable benefits for vulnerable species and believes deeply in the power of communities and volunteers to drive meaningful conservation outcomes. On weekends, he’s usually exploring Queensland’s unique natural environments – doing much the same as during the week.

Dr Kate Dutton-Regester – Projects Officer

Kate is the Echidna Project Officer at Wildlife Queensland and is on a mission to count echidnas and make echidnas count. She leads EchidnaWatch and the new Echidna Detectives program, working with communities across South East Queensland to help uncover where echidnas live and how they’re responding to environmental change. Kate brings together science, storytelling, and citizen observations to turn everyday signs like diggings and scats into meaningful conservation data. She is passionate about making wildlife research accessible and empowering people to play an active role in conservation. When she’s not working, Kate loves being outdoors, exploring bushland, and sharing her enthusiasm for Australia’s unique wildlife.

Jessica Guidotti – Projects Officer

Jessica Guidotti is an environmental scientist and wildlife researcher in Wildlife Queensland’s Projects Team. Jess is completing a PhD in Conservation and Applied Ecology at the University of Queensland, examining vegetation change and the influence of predator control on the endangered bridled nail-tail wallaby. Jess brings strong field and analytical expertise across wildlife monitoring, vegetation surveys, camera trapping and ecological data management, with proficiency in R, ArcGIS and ecological modelling. She also has international field experience through work with the Australian Defence Force Malaria and Infectious Disease Institute, supporting entomological research and applied field operations.

 Amy Hyslop – Fundraising Lead

Amy brings more than a decade of experience in fundraising, communications, and community engagement to her role as Fundraising Lead at Wildlife Queensland. She is passionate about connecting people with purpose – inspiring individuals, businesses, and communities to take meaningful action for Queensland’s wildlife and wild places. Before joining Wildlife Queensland, Amy led national fundraising campaigns for gynaecological cancer research, helping to grow community fundraising and donor programs across Australia. Motivated by the belief that local action creates lasting change, Amy works to build sustainable funding partnerships that protect Queensland’s unique biodiversity and ensure future generations can experience its natural wonder.

 Wenda Shurety – Communications Officer

Wenda Shurety is a communications officer at Wildlife Queensland who’s passionate about connecting people with nature through stories that inspire action. Her background in cell biology fuels her curiosity about the natural world, which she now channels into stories that bring science and nature together. Also a published children’s author, Wenda finds joy in writing stories and poetry and wandering through nature with her dog, Nellie.

 Anusha Vidovic – Digital Communications Officer

Anusha is passionate about using digital technologies to drive positive and sustainable change for wildlife and the environment. With a bachelor’s degree in economics and a master’s in digital communication, she combines data analysis with creative digital storytelling to communicate meaningful messages and achieve impact through social media and web development. Anusha also teaches Information Technology courses at Queensland University of Technology. She has volunteered in animal welfare and environmental initiatives in Mexico, Portugal, and Papua New Guinea, and currently supports a wildlife rescue centre in Brisbane. Outside of work, she enjoys camping, surfing, and photography.

 Adriana Boron – Bequests Coordinator

Adriana started out as a volunteer with Wildlife Queensland and will soon be celebrating 5 years with the organisation. Adriana previously worked as a Planned Giving Specialist with an animal welfare organisation for close to 10 years, and is now happy to be able to share her experience in the same field at Wildlife Queensland, assisting supporters who wish to leave gifts in their Wills, as well as managing Estate matters. She has personally seen how these gifts can create significant change, particularly to Wildlife Queensland – an organisation that is not government funded. Adriana loves wildlife, especially birds, and enjoys teaching her young children to differentiate between different bird calls. Her dream is to have a big acreage in the bush to be able to care for and regenerate.

 Di Baartz – Donor Relations

With over 17 years of experience in fundraising, Diane is a dedicated worker who has consistently focused on building meaningful and lasting relationships with supporters. She has been an integral part of Wildlife Queensland, leading the regular giving program and nurturing a strong community of committed donors for over 2 years. Throughout her career, Diane has worked across a broad spectrum of fundraising disciplines—including partnerships, sponsorships, bequests, and community engagement—always with a relationship-first approach. Her ability to connect authentically with supporters and understand their motivations has been central to her success in fostering trust and long-term commitment. Outside of work, Diane is passionate about sport, travel, and spending quality time with her family. She finds joy in walking and hiking, and loves tending to her garden, where she reconnects with nature and finds inspiration.