Natalie volunteers in the patient support and advocacy space for a rare and chronic autoimmune disease and had a significant learning experience working in a NSW MP’s office during COVID-19 in 2020-21, responding to community concerns and requests for assistance and drafting e-newsletters regarding public health announcements and communications. The combination of these experiences inspired her to continue her learning through postgraduate study: a Master of Public Health/Master of Health Leadership and Management at UNSW. As part of her Masters she is undertaking an internship with CHETRE, contributing to a tool and evaluation framework for partnerships with a health equity lens.

Natalie is a political/social science student by background and holds a Bachelor of Arts (International Relations) with First Class Honours. Her interest and studies in international politics, history, and languages led her to work in Brussels with a leading political information and communications company focused on EU public affairs. Other professional experience in Sydney and London includes research for executive recruitment projects across a diverse range of sectors. Her interests outside of work and study include playing tennis, dance fitness/Zumba, reading, travelling, and walking and hiking.

What sparked your interest in health equity?

My volunteer work in patient support and advocacy has led to more involvement and interest in health and health policy. My Masters study in public health then sparked my interest in social determinants of health and health equity. My volunteer work, for example, includes advocating for equitable access to treatments and care for a rare disease patient community. This has inspired me to learn more about using research and data to identify priorities for action and to explore and understand health equity more broadly in terms of population health and different communities.