Our People

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Our People

Our Patron

Prof Peter Doherty AC FRS FMedSci

Peter Doherty shared the 1996 Nobel Medicine Prize for his discoveries about transplantation and “killer” T cell-mediated immunity, an understanding that is currently translating into new cancer treatments. The first veterinarian to win a Nobel, he was also Australian of the Year in 1997. Peter is still active in research and also maintains a public profile. His twitter feed mixes his outspoken views on the need for urgent climate action with his fantastically dry sense of humour.

Our Board

Dr Jeannet Kessels - Founder & Director

Dr Jeannet Kessels is a creative entrepreneur and deeply committed climate advocate based in Queensland, Australia. Her motto ‘Excellence with Heart’ is reflected across both life and work. She is driven by kindness and surrounds herself with brilliant minds.

Since 1970, when Jeannet was five years old, 70% of the world’s wildlife have been lost. Climate change is hurting the health and welfare of those that remain, and deeply impacting companion pets, livestock, One Health and the global food supply. Jeannet is single-minded in her passion to inspire global action, advocating for our animals while modelling practical steps towards net zero.

Jeannet’s Greater Springfield Veterinary Group (GSVETS) are active participants in VfCA’s practical Climate Care Program, with her Springfield Hospital now the second veterinary practice in Australia to be accredited proudly Carbon Neutral. GSVETS donates 1% of turnover to environmental work on behalf of the animals we love and need, specifically VfCA.

Dr Helen Scott-Orr AM PSM - Director

Dr Helen Scott-Orr is former Australian Inspector-General of Biosecurity, Executive Director Research, Advisory and Education with NSW Agriculture and NSW Chief Veterinary Officer.

She served as Chief Veterinary Officer and Director, Brucellosis and Tuberculosis Eradication, with NSW Agriculture and led veterinary capacity-building projects in Indonesia on zoonotic disease control, especially rabies, anthrax, brucellosis and leptospirosis. She is a Fellow of the Australian Institute of Company Directors and served on the boards of Animal Health Australia and the Cooperative Research Centres for Invasive Animals, Weeds, Beef, Sheep, Cotton and Rice. She has been the NSW Coordinator of the Crawford Fund since 2013. Helen received a Public Service Medal at the 2010 Australia Day Awards for Outstanding Public Service to Agricultural and Veterinary Science, and in 2021 she was appointed a Member of the Order of Australia for "significant service to public administration, to biosecurity, and to veterinary science.

Dr Catherine Harper - Director

Dr Catherine Harper BSc (Biol) BSc(Vet) BVMS HDist AVACVP, PostGradCert (Business Administration) PostGradCert (Agricultural Consulting) is a veterinarian and business owner who operates three veterinary clinics in the Barossa Valley, South Australia. As owner of Barossa Veterinary Service, she is a passionate, forward-thinking leader dedicated to inspiring change through advocacy and practical action within her team, the veterinary profession, and the broader community.

Before beginning her professional career, Catherine represented Australia in softball. She is now a proud mum to Isabelle and Archie, who love being involved in meetings and events, sharing in all the great work that Barossa Vet and their mum accomplish. At home, the family have a few furred and feathered friends, and Catherine is an avid gardener.

For Catherine, her veterinary career is one where passion meets purpose. She was recently honored with the "First Among Equals" award as part of the 40 Under 40 Awards program.

Mr Wayne Wescott - Director

Mr Wayne Wescott is the CEO of Greenfleet, a not-for-profit organisation dedicated to protecting the climate through native forest restoration. Wayne has built expertise in telecommunications, environmental management, and local governance. He established ICLEI ANZ in Australia and his notable achievements include designing and launching ICLEI's Cities for Climate Protection® Program in Australia, Communities for Climate Protection in New Zealand, the Water Campaign™, and the Triple Bottom Line Alliance.

Strategic Advisors

Ben Tyler - Indigenous Advisor

A proud Bininj man, Ben co-authored Walking In Gagudju Country and owns and operates Kakadu Kitchen, a proudly 100% Indigenous company producing wholesale beverages infusing Kakadu native botanicals for Australia's hospitality, tourism, and Indigenous bush food sectors. Ben supports the Board as as our Indigenous Advisor.

Our Team

Steff Goldring - CEO

Over 20 years of experience in operational, logistics and business strategy. Having lived and worked across Europe and Australia, Steff has a background in team management as well as program delivery. As a former lawyer, Steff is both detail-oriented and big picture-oriented. She has led multiple complex logistics projects for clients, making the user experience simple and streamlined while masking the complexity being managed in the background. As a business administrator she has worked across the spectrum from admin support through to Director level C-suite roles such as being a COO. This gives Steff unique insights into both the visionary and practical elements of project management and delivery.

Steff is passionate about solving climate change and has experience in working for climate advocacy organisations such as Environmental Leadership Australia.

Dr Jeremy Watson - Chair, CCP Advisory Committee

Dr. Jeremy Watson BVSc (Hons), MANZCVS (SA Surgery)

Dr. Jeremy Watson graduated from the University of Melbourne in 1986 and established Brimbank Vet Clinic in 1998. Now a five-vet small animal practice in suburban Melbourne, it is proudly the first veterinary clinic in Australia certified as carbon neutral under the Australian Government's Climate Active Register.

Jeremy has completed short courses in circular economics and net-zero strategies for businesses through Cambridge University. He co-authored the paper The path to Net Zero carbon emissions for veterinary practice and, in 2024, received the Veterinary Business Group's Thought Leader Award for his efforts in promoting sustainability within the veterinary industry.

A passionate advocate for climate action, Jeremy joined Vets for Climate Action (VfCA) to empower veterinary teams to take urgent and impactful action on climate change. He has been instrumental in developing the Climate Care Program (CCP) and currently serves as Chair of the CCP Advisory Group.

Dr Caitlin Wood - Program Development Manager (Equine)

Dr. Caitlin Wood, BVSc (Hons), PhD, graduated from the University of Queensland in 2007. She began her career as an equine veterinarian in South-East Queensland and has since gained extensive experience in veterinary epidemiology, research, teaching, and communication. Her work across Africa, including Sierra Leone, Ghana, and Zambia, sparked a passion for public health and emerging infectious diseases, reinforcing her commitment to the One Health approach.

A member of the Australian and New Zealand College of Veterinary Scientists, Caitlin received the Chris Baldock Award in 2019. Her PhD focused on the epidemiology of Coxiella burnetii in northern Australian cattle and its public health implications.

Caitlin recognises the significant responsibility and influence in guiding the veterinary industry and broader communities toward actionable changes that mitigate the impacts of climate change. Her vision focuses on shaping a future that prioritises the health and well-being of animals, people, and global ecosystems.