Meet The Team
Jim Gleeson
FOUNDER AND DIRECTOR
Jim is a leading community planning, engagement and land development practitioner with 28 years’ experience delivering community-led projects and programs at the intersection of industry, government, tourism and place with mining and renewables companies, Aboriginal corporations, urban developers and governments.
Jim works 'bottom up' and 'top down' to identify and realise community aspirations, create dialogue between communities and decision makers, and engage the processes required to create sustainable, mutually beneficial outcomes. He is experienced in working in urban, regional and remote regions. He is skilled in translating aspirations into built outcomes and enterprises.
Jim is a Community and Urban Planner and the Founder and Director of Plan C.
Sarah Burgess
COMMUNITY AND URBAN PLANNING LEAD
Sarah is a dynamic urban planner specialising in urban design and planning policy. She is passionate about helping local communities and stakeholders to co-design quality places that will deliver a healthy and sustainable future for all.
Sarah has over 20 years’ experience in public and private practice in Australia and the United Kingdom, working on projects and policies at local and strategic levels.
Sarah understands the importance of delivering user-friendly strategies and policies that are easy to understand and have practical strategies and clear actions for implementation. She has worked extensively with key stakeholders to develop policies, tools and resources for communities, government and industry to connect with people and place.
Hayley Seears
COMMUNITY TRUSTS & REMOTE PLANNING LEAD
Hayley is passionate about engaging with people in order to understand their values and aspirations for a place or project and being able to translate that information into great outcomes for the community.
Hayley is a Planner with eight years’ experience working in urban, regional and remote locations, working with communities and key stakeholders on a range of strategic planning, land use planning, community and economic development and tourism projects. Hayley’s experience at Plan C has involved undertaking community engagement with a variety of stakeholders, drafting strategic plans and associated reports, preparing community development strategies, and writing grant applications for clients.
Ryan McDade
REMOTE DEVELOPMENT LEAD
Ryan is an experienced developer with a strong track record in large-scale urban renewal, greenfield, and mixed-use developments, including affordable housing. He brings extensive expertise in stakeholder and community engagement and is passionate about the positive role development can play in delivering meaningful outcomes for communities.
With over 20 years of experience across the UK and Australia, Ryan has worked in both corporate and not-for-profit sectors. He understands the complexities and opportunities inherent in development and brings a collaborative, solutions-focused approach to working with design and construction teams, government stakeholders, boards, and local communities to deliver successful, on-the-ground results
Marilyn Trad
PROJECT OFFICER, COMMUNITY TRUSTS
Marilyn plays a key role in facilitating local and remote community-focused initiatives. By coordinating partnerships with stakeholders, Marilyn works to deliver successful and meaningful outcomes, in collaboration with communities, and across diverse areas.
Marilyn has over 20 years experience working in the areas of community development and education in Southeast Queensland. She is especially interested in the importance that creativity and The Arts play in sustaining and planning for healthy communities.
Sam Carrick
STRATEGIC PLANNER
Sam is a Strategic and Community Planner with experience in community engagement and strategic planning across sectors and in urban, regional and remote settings.
Sam has worked with Aboriginal Corporations and Indigenous communities in Far North Queensland co-developing self-determined community planning, as well as facilitated engagement for the State Government, and developed strategic planning for arts organisations. Sam is passionate about people-centred solutions and is driven by a commitment to inclusive engagement and planning that delivers lasting, sustainable outcomes. With an accomplished arts background, Sam is a creative thinker who loves to tackle complex challenges holistically, and enjoys working across a diverse range of sectors and contexts.
Patrick Sankey
DEVELOPMENT OFFICER
Patrick is an emerging development professional supporting community-led property and precinct development across remote and regional Australia. He supports Plan C’s work with community-driven initiatives, focusing on translating ideas into practical and achievable project outcomes. Patrick is developing specialist capabilities in feasibility assessment, business case development and regional development, and is motivated by building strong foundations for long-term community-led projects.
Patrick is studying Property Development and Finance at Griffith University and is passionate about creating lasting community value through thoughtful and sustainable development.