Alva Lim

• Delivered two federally funded programs working with families and people with disabilities to live in their home in community as well as build capability and leadership for self-advocacy  
• Created a social enterprise and restaurant celebrating traditional and Indigenous foods, mentoring youth and small business owners in Timor-Leste  
• Designed and delivered projects for governments and non-profit organisations to accelerate business and community partnerships, stimulate innovation and increase resilience to climate change and COVID-19 shocks 
• Developed national guidelines and policies for agro-biodiversity and sustainable agriculture in Timor-Leste, including leading the stakeholder consultation process 
• Managed a United Nations climate change postgraduate course for a consortium of Asia-Pacific universities  
• Co-authored a published policy framework for managing risks to fiscal sustainability and enhancing fiscal transparency for an Australian Government department. 

Prior to joining Nous, Alva worked with the Australian Treasury on climate change, energy, agriculture and APEC and G20 policies. She has worked with international agencies and non-profit organisations as an independent consultant living in Japan and Timor-Leste.  

Alva is a practitioner in food systems transformation, food sensory education and business mentorship. An expert eater, she loves sharing the biodiverse stories of food and its connection to people and place. 

Alva combined her passion for food, entrepreneurship and community development to create Agora Food Studio by the Timor-Leste Food Lab. The studio and lab connects local food champions, elders, storytellers, academics, chefs, baristas and technologists to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals.  

Alva holds a Master of Public Policy from Japan’s National Graduate Institute for Policy Studies, where she received a Monbukagakusho scholarship. 

Alva is a certified Australian olive oil sensory judge, loves sailing and spinning in the air using aerial silks. She also holds a certificate in floristry.