March 4, 2025
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People come, people go – at Water Sensitive Cities Australia as in life generally.
Two valued team members have left: Michael Simon (International Lead and RUCaS Program Manager) and Li Xia Southwick (Finance and Operations Manager).
During Michael’s 2.5 years with WSCA, our International activities, particularly the RUCaS Program, flourished. Through his actions and his words, Michael played a key role in ensuring gender equity, social and disability inclusion are core values for the WSCA team and are embedded in all that we do.
Katharine Cross has taken over from Michael as International Lead and RUCaS Program Manager.
Li Xia left after a combined 10 years with WSCA and its predecessor the CRC for Water Sensitive Cities. Li Xia’s wise council and deep experience was instrumental in helping us navigate water sensitive start ups, wind up, delivering complex programs in very different countries, rapid growth and a global pandemic.
We thank Michael and Li Xia for their extraordinary contributions to our work and wish them well with their next adventures.
Joining the team are Bhavika Agnihotri as our new Finance and Operations Manager and Laura Laje, as our Events and Logistics Coordinator.
Bhavika was previously Chief Operations Officer for the Climateworks Centre, managing its growth from 20 people to more than 100 people. During her 8 years with Climateworks, she oversaw strategic and operational planning, budgeting, governance and risk, people and culture, among other things.
Laura has 25+ years’ experience in events coordination, communications, marketing and customer service within the education, non-profit and private sectors. She has organised many leading large-scale events, managing the logistics, collaborating with diverse stakeholders and delivering experiences that leave lasting impressions.
You can find out more about Bhavika and Laura on our website here:
MEET THE TEAM
