Michael van Koesveld

Principal

Michael is strategic leader with over 15 years’ experience working in partnership with human services, health, justice, emergency management and community-led organisations to achieve better community outcomes.

He has a track record of supporting government and non-government organisations to navigate change and achieve ambitious objectives in challenging contexts in Australia, Africa, the Middle East, South-East Asia and Europe. He is also a trusted facilitator, leading consultation and mediation processes with complex stakeholders, including people with lived experience, policymakers, services providers and community leaders.

Influential work

Worked with and learned from Aboriginal community-controlled organisations to develop high impact strategies, operational plans and service solutions
Led a strategic review of government human services agency, including agency-wide consultation, resulting in targeted strategic, operational and technical recommendations
Managed a ministerial review of public infant, child and adolescent mental health services, leading to major system reform and investment
Worked with the Western Australian (WA) Government and Aboriginal community leaders to establish the Aboriginal Advisory Council of WA
Led operational transformation processes with human service and health organisations, and directed change management initiatives to increase productivity and impact.

Outside of Nous

Before joining Nous, Michael enjoyed a career in the international humanitarian and development sectors, working with communities in Australia, Chad, Ethiopia, Iraq, Lebanon, Myanmar, Palestine, Somalia and Yemen. His career has included leadership roles with the British Red Cross, Save the Children and CARE International. He is currently the Chairperson of the Centre for Asylum Seekers Refugees and Detainees in WA.

Michael has also been privileged to work as a social worker and counsellor in Australia; working with individuals, families and communities affected by forced migration, mental illness, marginalisation and poverty. He holds a Master of Science (security studies, first place) from the University College of London; a Master of Science (humanitarian management, first place) from the University of Liverpool, and a Bachelor of Social Work from the University of WA.

In his spare time...

Michael loves travelling with his wife, eating with friends, James Acaster’s comedy and reading with his cats. He enjoys horse-riding and making unfulfilled plans to be more active.