Dr Brooke Rankmore

CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER

With a passion for rural and remote Australia, Brooke has lived and worked in the Northern Territory for over 24 years, including several years living in remote communities. Brooke has a Doctor of Philosophy in ecology and extensive experience in the conservation and natural resources management sectors across Northern Australia.

With a diversity of experience across a wide range of sectors including territory and local government, private enterprise and not-for-profit. Brooke has held positions with Regional Development Australia (Northern Territory), Greening Australia and City of Darwin as the Manager of Regulatory Services, where she oversaw Council’s regulation of animal management through by-laws and responsible pet ownership education.

Brooke is Vice President of the Australian Institute of Animal Management and a member of the Northern Territory Government’s Animal Welfare Advisory Committee. Brooke commenced with AMRRIC in February 2018, and is proud to lead the organisation, working with the board, staff, partners and communities to improve service delivery and education for remote communities and their companion animals.

Lauren Shaw

HEAD OF OPERATIONS

Lauren joined AMRRIC in January 2019, bringing with her a strong background in accounting, business systems and operational management. She has worked for twenty years in financial and operational management roles with engagement across many different industries within the private, commercial and not-for-profit sectors. Her key experiences cover tax and financial accounting, systems setup, development of reporting systems for project and cost centres, and operational management of HR, WH&S, projects, and financial reporting.

Lauren moved to Darwin in 2009 from Adelaide, chasing a warmer climate, new experiences and opportunities to learn and meet new people in a new city. Having recently worked in the environment not-for-profit sector working across community, volunteer and pathway education programs, Lauren is very excited to be working with AMRRIC to utilise her knowledge and work with a team of respected and passionate people.

Dr Bonny Cumming

HEAD OF INNOVATION & STRATEGY

Bonny joined the AMRRIC team in October 2013 having been a strong supporter since volunteering on an AMRRIC dog health program in Kintore in 2008.

Bonny has a keen interest in One Health principles, combining community development, animal health and welfare and conservation to improve animal, human and ecosystem health. She is a veterinarian, has a Masters in Veterinary Conservation Medicine, and has worked in private veterinary practice, animal shelters, zoos and wildlife hospitals.

Bonny thoroughly enjoys getting out into the field and has been fortunate to use her degree to travel widely, working in remote locations with a variety of species amid various cultures. Bonny feels extremely privileged to work for AMRRIC, utilsing her veterinary training for ‘big picture’ issues with vast reach.

Rebecca Ing

OFFICE MANAGER

Rebecca joined our team in November 2021. She has a Bachelor’s degree in Commercial Photography: Scientific from R.M.I.T and a Diploma of Fine Art from Swinburne University and has been living in rural Darwin for 10 years.  While her formal education has nourished her creativity and analytical thinking, her working career brings us over 20 years of experience in customer service in both the hospitality and tourism industries.  Building lasting and meaningful connections within the different communities that she served was always the most rewarding aspect of her work.  With the advent of Covid-19 and the changes it has brought to our world and her industries, it was time to put her skills to work elsewhere.  She is fascinated by the power of human connection and the difference that feeling like you are part of something meaningful can make and is thrilled to be part of the AMRRIC family.

Dr Kirsty Officer

REGIONAL SENIOR PROGRAM MANAGER

Kirsty joined the AMRRIC team in February 2024, after been regularly involved with AMMRIC since first volunteering in 2013. Based in Perth, Kirsty oversees the delivery of AMRRIC’s veterinary programs in Western and South Australia.

Alongside her career as a veterinary clinician, Kirsty has developed strong professional interests in animal welfare, public health, and conservation medicine, and is particularly interested in the spillover of disease between humans and animals.

She has spent much of the last 15 years working in Southeast Asia where she was involved in the development and oversight of locally relevant veterinary programs with non-profit organisations.

Community dogs and the people who care for them, particularly those without easy access to veterinary services, have been part of Kirsty’s life for many years, and she is proud to work for an organization that shares her passion. 

Heidi Jasprizza

ORGANISATIONAL DEVELOPMENT MANAGER

Heidi joined the AMRRIC team in January 2024 bringing her experience in providing operational leadership and cost-effective business management to fast-paced, complex and scaling organisations.

With a strategic mindset and a passion for fostering a positive workplace culture, Heidi leverages her skills in operations, finance, and organisational development to enhance efficiency, drive impactful outcomes for mission-driven organisations through collaboration and empowering individuals.

Moving to the Northern Territory with her husband (and cat Scissors) in 2019, she is passionate about contributing meaningfully to diverse and dynamic work environments and is thrilled to be part of the AMRRIC team on Larrakia Land.

Dr Jenny Turton

MANAGER – CAPACITY & DEVELOPMENT

Jenny joined the AMRRIC team in February 2024. She is a veterinarian, with Masters Degrees in both Tropical Veterinary Medicine and Social Science (International Development), as well as a Certificate IV in Training and Assessment.

Jenny has worked across a range of animal health roles in private practice, shelter medicine, government veterinary work, applied research, the pharmaceutical sector, transboundary animal disease control, small ruminant value chains, developing extension material for African farmers, and most recently as a trainer in the TAFE sector. As well as Australia, she has spent significant periods working in southern Africa, southeast and southern Asia.

Jenny is passionate about developing relationships, using participatory and culturally appropriate approaches, training and mentoring, and strengthening the Human-Animal Bond.

She is thrilled to be part of the AMRRIC team and to use her unique skills and experience towards education and capacity building of indigenous community members to achieve the One Health objective and AMRRIC mission of Healthy Animals, People and Country. She is also excited to have relocated to the beautiful Top End.

Kaela Good

COMMUNICATIONS & PHILANTHROPY

Kaela is a strategic communications and philanthropy specialist with over ten years of experience in the not-for-profit sector.

Rarely seen without her own dog close by, she is passionate about the health and wellbeing of people and their companion animals. Joining us in 2023, she is proud to be part of a team that helps make veterinary care more accessible.

At AMRRIC, Kaela keeps our dedicated partners, supporters and communities informed and engaged.

She loves nothing more than bringing people together to make meaningful progress possible – so if you’re interested in supporting our programs or collaborating with us, Kaela is always here to help.

Megan McCann

PROJECT VETERINARY NURSE / EDUCATOR

Megan joined the AMRRIC team in November 2023, bringing 8 years of veterinary nursing experience to the team. She has worked within a variety of veterinary clinics across Adelaide and rural NSW including mixed animal, emergency and a large dairy farm. Being a veterinary nurse is something she is proud of, and the opportunities given each day to improve the lives of animals and their owners. Beyond her nursing qualification she has also extended her studies within animal biosciences.  

Recently Megan has moved up to Darwin and is excited for the new opportunities presented within the northern territory for its tropical climate that hosts a variety of animals, people and diseases. Becoming a part of the AMRRIC team has given her amazing opportunities enabling her to use her skills, knowledge and passion towards improving the lives of underserved community members and their animals through the One Health approach.  

When Megan is not busy with AMRRIC, she is busy at home with her furry companions or exploring the beautiful northern territory.   

Victoria Fernandez

GRAPHIC DESIGN & COMMUNICATIONS OFFICER

Victoria joined the AMRRIC team in August 2021; with a passion to use her skills in design and communications for change. She has Bachelors Degrees in Visual Communications and Creative Intelligence & Innovation from the University of Technology Sydney.

Originally from Spain, Victoria has lived in 4 countries and is now based in Sydney. Her love for travel is deeply rooted in appreciation for culture and connection, having spent time learning from communities in India and Egypt. Victoria is eager to continue fostering meaningful relationships and expanding her worldview through work in the not-for-profit space. Having worked as a freelance graphic designer and social media manager, Victoria is excited to immerse herself in AMRRIC’s cause and continue creating ways to share our vision with others.

Dr Jessica Hoopes

ONE HEALTH RESEARCH COORDINATOR

Jessica joined the AMRRIC team in March 2022. Originally from Canada, Jessica has a Doctor of Veterinary Medicine from the University of Saskatchewan. She has had a passion for animals from a young age and started volunteering with stray and feral cat management programs when she was a teenager. Over the course of her career, she has gained exposure to the many facets of veterinary medicine and animal management, with almost 20 years of work and volunteer experience in the field.

Jessica has a love for travel and a passion for meaningful cultural experiences, which brought her to the South Pacific. For the past 6 years, Jessica has been involved in the veterinary medicine, animal welfare and animal management fields in Fiji and Papua New Guinea focusing on the development of community-focused humane dog population management programs. Understanding that human and animal health outcomes are often linked, Jessica has come to understand the importance of addressing animal management issues from a wholistic One Health – One Welfare perspective to improve the welfare of humans and animals in communities.  She enjoys working with communities focusing on grass-roots collaborations to help to develop effective animal management programs. She is excited to be a part of AMRRIC as an organization whose mission and vision mirrors her personal and professional values.

Tida Nou

SCIENCE COMMUNICATIONS OFFICER

Tida joined AMRRIC in March 2022. She is a conservation scientist with an interest in improving the integration of research into planning, policy and practice; working in partnership with Indigenous communities in ways that combine Indigenous knowledge systems and western science, and the effective communication of science tailored to different stakeholder needs.

She has worked on a broad range of environmental programs and projects across multiple sectors. She is currently based in Brisbane, and her most recent work focused on cat impacts and management, arid zone wildlife and biodiversity offsetting. Tida has Cambodian heritage and travels there whenever she can. Tida is excited to be working with AMRRIC towards improved and enduring outcomes for both nature and people.