Chantelle, Diana, and Harry at the Trades Hall Building
As Chantelle prepares to begin 12 months of parental leave, Diana Olmos will step into the role of Acting Lead Organiser, and we’re delighted to welcome Harry Twohig as a part-time Community Organiser.
In her latest reflection for our weekly newsletter, Chantelle shares why she has such confidence in Diana’s leadership, welcomes Harry to the staff team, and reflects on the public conditions that allow families to care for one another while continuing to contribute to public life:
This week’s Across the Alliance comes at a time of change and growth — for the Alliance, and for me personally.
As many of you know, I’ll soon be heading off on 12 months parental leave, with my last day on 24 July. While I return to the haze and joy of life with a newborn, the Alliance will be stepping into an exciting action season.
I’m delighted that Diana Olmos will serve as Acting Lead Organiser during this time. Diana has been an outstanding organiser since joining our staff five years ago, and before that was already a remarkable leader in the international student campaign. She brings a sharp understanding of power and politics, a deep commitment to developing leaders, and a determination to ensure every voice is heard.
Over the years, there have been many moments when Diana has taught me something about organising, so it was an easy decision for the NSW Community Alliance Board to ask her to step into this role. With the support of NSWCA Executive Officer Kristyn Crossfield and our exceptional staff team, Diana will lead Alliance strategy and the Sydney Alliance organising team over the coming year.
We’re also pleased to welcome Harry Twohig to the team as a part-time Community Organiser. Many of you already know Harry through his leadership in the Alliance, as a National Tertiary Education Union member, and most recently as Co-Chair of the Discernment Convention. He brings valuable organising experience from Citizens UK and will be supporting our Social Isolation Listening Campaign and solar sharing pilot. We’re fortunate to have someone with Harry’s experience and commitment joining us at such an important moment.
This is not my first parental leave. In fact, this week my eldest child becomes a teenager. Looking back to that first experience 13 years ago, I’m reminded of something we teach at Foundations: our private lives have a public dimension. Public decisions, shaped through the work of civil society, help create the conditions for families to care for one another while continuing to contribute to public life.
As I head off, I do so with real excitement — and, if I’m honest, a little FOMO. The Alliance is entering a powerful next phase - an action season grounded in relationships, leadership, and grassroots ownership. I can’t wait to see what unfolds over the next year, and I look forward to returning to be part of the harvest.
