Meet our Team
Emily Cotteril, (BSc, BA, CEnvP, MEIANZ, AWA, BAM Accredited Assessor)
Director and Principal
Emily is a Certified Environmental Practitioner (CEnvP) and Biodiversity Assessment Method (BAM) Accredited Assessor (BAAS 20011) with extensive experience in environmental project management, including undertaking site impact assessments, provision of environmental management services, and preparation of comprehensive environmental approval documents and management plans for both the public and private sectors across southern Australia.
Her experience includes working with a variety of threatened flora and fauna species and survey techniques; establishing baseline data and setting up ongoing monitoring programs for Endangered Ecological Communities; undertaking pre-development environmental impact assessments and preparation of comprehensive environmental management plans for both public and private industry; undertaking extensive community, agency and stakeholder consultation processes; and providing environmental compliance guidance on multi-million-dollar infrastructure projects.
Emily also has a strong track record in applying for funding to drive environmental improvement projects, including for habitat enhancement, landscape connectivity and functionality, and threatened species management initiatives.
Her experience with the various Commonwealth, State and Local Government agencies, and the relevant Acts of legislation they enforce, is extensive having worked closely with and for these agencies since 2009.
Brianna Turner (BSc, BAM Accredited Assessor)
Senior Ecologist
Brianna is an environmental consultant and ecologist experienced in conducting environmental and ecological monitoring and impact assessments throughout the Riverina, ACT, Central West and South-western Slopes areas. She is an experienced terrestrial ecologist, with skills in floristic survey (including targeted searches), vegetation assessments (including vegetation integrity plots with reference to the BAM) and plant community type (PCT) mapping throughout western NSW and the ACT. She has also conducted various fauna assessments and has strong skills in bird identification.
Brianna has worked on a wide variety of projects across NSW, from State Significant Developments (SSDs), to local impact assessments. She is experienced in ecological and environmental field surveys and has conducted extensive ecological assessments throughout the western regions of NSW, including PCT identification and targeted threatened flora and fauna surveys.
She is competent in a wide array of environmental monitoring techniques, including soil sampling, dust monitoring and water monitoring, and has completed a variety monitoring, constraints and impact assessments for both Part 4 and Part 5 developments under the EP&A across the state of NSW.
Janet Sanderson (Dip. Exec. Sec.; Dip. SIS)
Senior GIS Analyst
Jan is a qualified GIS Specialist with expertise in spatial systems and data management with over 15 years of experience in cartography, Geographic Information Systems and broad executive administration positions.
Her professional expertise includes photogrammetry, hydrology and analysis of stream orders, GIS data management and environmental spatial data collating to support Environmental Impact Assessment and Environmental Protection Initiatives across a variety of developments and major infrastructure projects throughout NSW. Jan has worked with a range of private and government clients to conduct broadscale spatial services, including at a full Local Government Area (LGA) and Water Utility scale, collating and updating critical infrastructure and biodiversity data for a range of cities and towns across the state.
During her career Jan has worked internationally, having implemented, created and developed GIS data management and mapping systems within a Regional Fire Protection Agency for the Lowveld and Escarpment region of South Africa mostly for forestry, agriculture, councils, National Parks and conservancies. After immigrating to Australian, Jan began her role as a GIS Specialist with TEF and has been the GIS lead in spatial data collation, manipulation, analysis and cartography for a range of State and Local Government agencies and private enterprises to support Environmental Impact Assessments and Environmental Protection projects.
Jan is passionate about creating detailed and accurate datasets that tell the story of the projects she is analysing. She has a strong interest in cartography and good quality maps that can illustrate how the environment can be impacted or conserved. Jan is invested in developing ways impacts can be reduced with the assistance of the broader TEF team.
Amanda Muir (BSc)
Senior Projects and Operations Manager
Amanda is an accomplished professional with more than 15 years of experience in local government, where she has built a strong record in policy development, management, and the delivery of complex regulatory and strategic functions. Her background spans environmental assessment and regulation, public health, building regulation, strategic land‑use planning, corporate planning and reporting, governance, major project delivery, and community consultation.
Since re‑entering the workforce with TEF, Amanda has leveraged her expertise in environmental assessment, regulatory compliance, and project management across a diverse range of biodiversity and infrastructure projects. Her role routinely involves planning and scheduling project activities, coordinating multidisciplinary inputs, and ensuring work programs remain aligned with project objectives and client expectations.
Amanda works closely with clients and TEF colleagues to support the delivery of development and high‑quality environmental outcomes. She contributes significantly to stakeholder relations, cultivating clear, respectful and well‑coordinated interactions.
Conor Gleeson (BA (Geography & Business) MSc (GIS & Remote Sensing) RPA Accredited Drone Operator)
GIS Analyst
Conor is a GIS Analyst with three years of experience in field data collection, analysis, and mapping. Holding a Master’s degree in GIS & Remote Sensing, he drives impactful data collection and mapping for TEF, supporting its GIS and Ecology teams in producing a range of environmental reports.
Throughout his career to date, Conor has developed field data collection methodologies for major government departments and independent environmental firms in Ireland. He has optimised GIS processes using both open-source and proprietary software to enhance workflow efficiency within the GIS team at TEF.
With a keen interest in drone and UAV flying also, Conor has worked alongside the ecology team to support Plant Community Type mapping, driving data insights and accuracy. Passionate about environmental outcomes, he aims to advance his GIS and remote sensing expertise to deliver positive ecological impact.
Sommer Dean (BSc (Animal Behaviour), MSc (Conservation Biology))
Ecologist & Environmental Consultant
Sommer holds a diverse and dynamic background, bridging her experiences in marine conservation with her more recent focus on terrestrial and freshwater ecology. With two years of hands-on experience as an ecologist in environmental monitoring, ecological impact assessments, waste management, surveying, and dam and waterway assessments across NSW, she has firmly established herself as a dedicated and hard-working early career scientist in environmental conservation.
Sommer’s unwavering passion lies in contributing to initiatives that bolster all environments and promote sustainability. Looking ahead, she is committed to honing her skills in the environmental sector, with a particular focus on biodiversity surveys, flora and fauna identification, and sustainable practices.
Ben O’Regan (Grad Cert Cultural Heritage and Museum Studies, Cert IV Spatial Science (GIS))
GIS Analyst
Ben O is an experienced general administrator with a broad background including finance, GIS, asset management, museum management, and project delivery and management. While working for 20 years in Local Government he developed systems and processes to capture and analyse spatial data and use it to develop management plans and forecasts. Working in the private sector he has developed and implemented large projects working with many stakeholders.
With an awareness of how to use spatial data to positively impact environmental outcomes, Ben’s interests in renewable landscape management adds to his existing experience with managing the built environment.
Tessa Walmsley (BSc (Biological Science), PGDipSci (Ecology))
Ecologist & Environmental Consultant
Tessa is a fauna specialist with nearly ten years of experience working with a range of Australian fauna, including Koala, Wedge-tailed Eagle and several other bird species within the captive wildlife profession. With a Bachelor of Science (Biological Science) and a Postgraduate Diploma of Science (Ecology), her career focus is now in the field of environmental monitoring and impact assessments, with experience in fauna surveys and habitat identification.
Tessa has also completed a Postgraduate Diploma in Arts (Geospatial Information Systems) and is currently employing her GIS expertise to support and enhance her work assessing ecological impacts and the development of best practise management strategies. With a passion for wildlife, she is committed to growing her skills in flora and fauna identification, and habitat assessment, and help in the preservation of our natural environment for the benefit of our communities and wildlife.
Jed Pearson (Cert III Conservation & Land Management, BAM Accredited)
Ecologist & Environmental Consultant – BAM AA
Jed is an ecologist and environmental consultant with five years of experience in ecological assessments, biodiversity monitoring and restoration planning across riparian, woodland and grassland ecosystems in south-eastern Australia. Alongside his professional work, he is completing a Bachelor of Environmental Science to expand his technical knowledge and analytical skills. His professional expertise includes threatened species and vegetation surveys, floristic assessments, plant community type (PCT) mapping, riparian condition surveys, and ecological reporting. Jed also has extensive experience coordinating on-ground works including revegetation, erosion management and invasive species control, and is skilled in supporting landholders, community groups and agency staff through training and ecological workshops. Passionate about applied ecology, Jed is committed to delivering evidence-based assessments and planning that strengthen biodiversity outcomes and support sustainable land management.
Ebony Turnbull (BSc (Earth Sciences), (GradCert (Data Science))
Junior Environmental Consultant
Ebony is a Junior Environmental Consultant who holds a Bachelor of Science, having majored in Earth Sciences, bringing a keen interest in sustainable development and environmental management to the team. In her role, she supports the delivery of diverse environmental and ecological projects by contributing to fieldwork, comprehensive desktop assessments, and project coordination.
To complement her scientific background, Ebony is currently pursuing a Graduate Certificate in Data Science. She is actively employing these advanced analytical tools to process online databases and large-scale spatial data, using her data science studies to enhance her GIS mapping, field data collation, and daily project workflows.
With a strong drive to learn and develop within the industry, Ebony is committed to expanding her professional expertise in GIS applications, ecology, and drafting rigorous environmental reports in line with statutory requirements. She looks forward to utilising this unique combination of earth science and data analytics to deliver high-quality, sustainable outcomes for our clients.