The Change Agency People

James Whelan (director and co-founder)

James is director of the Change Agency, a not-for-profit that provides education and training, facilitation and strategy support for social change groups in Australia, the Pacific and Asia. In this role, he has facilitated campaign strategy, decision-making and evaluation workshops and meetings with hundreds of social movement organisations. He co-founded the Community Organising Fellowship, an intensive, structured six-month training program for campaigners. James has been a public interest organiser for three decades, campaigning on issues including climate change and air pollution, sustainable transport, forest conservation and human rights. He has also enjoyed 15 years as an academic and social scientist, working at several universities and think tanks, publishing widely on popular education and social movements, participatory democracy and environmental politics. Email James or phone 0431 150 928

Jason Macleod (Associate)

Jason is a community organiser, educator, and researcher who has been working with local communities and social and environmental justice movements in Australia and the Asia-Pacific region since 1991. The context of this work varies, from conflict settings, to international and local NGOs, to local government, to community-based organisations, neighbourhoods and villages, although most of his work is with grassroots communities and ordinary people working for social change. He teaches civil resistance at the University of Queensland and is a training associate with the Change Agency, Australia’s leading activist education outfit. Jason is married with kids, wrestles with his Quaker faith, lives in a cohousing settlement, and currently has aspirations to raise chickens. Whenever possible he enjoys a long walk in wilderness country or to ride a perfect pitching wave. He lives on Jaggera land in Brisbane. Email Jason Macleod

Taya Seidler (Associate)

Taya is a passionate educator and facilitator supporting activists, communities and businesses to effect positive evolutionary change in the world.  She is particularly interested in the skills and processes that allow individuals and groups to unify in order to work effectively and sustainably to influence systemic change.  Her company, Process Power, helps groups to learn the art and science of strategic relating and acting, connecting the essential inner and interpersonal work needed to catalyse collective strategic action.  Specialising in leadership and team development, Taya has over 14 years experience designing and facilitating learning programs for diverse groups.  She believes in and practises the science of possibility and in spite of the current reality we face she is optimistic about the future. Contact Taya.