Meet Our Team

Founder and Director

Steve Michelson is Founder and Director of Michelson Alexander. He is a highly respected corporate advisor and political and national campaigning strategist.

Steve has a diverse background in the private sector, politics and the law and was a key architect in the fight for marriage equality in Australia.

After growing up in north-east Victoria, Steve studied at the Australian National University in Canberra before moving to Melbourne. Steve has worked for the Victorian Department of Health as a Senior Industrial Relations Consultant and Maurice Blackburn Lawyers as a Senior Lawyer giving him an intimate understanding of employer, employee, private and public-sector issues.

Prior to founding Michelson Alexander, Steve spent six years as a trusted advisor to the Hon. Bill Shorten MP, then Leader of the Opposition. As Director of Caucus and Stakeholder Relations, he provided advice regarding highly complex policy, political and communications issues, often in sensitive media environments, and built Australia wide networks with business, unions, the media, and community sector.

Steve thrives in complex stakeholder and issues rich environments and is committed to achieving practical outcomes for clients. Most recently he established the historic National Compact on Permanent Migration and is advising Australians for Mental Health along with a number of government agencies and ASX companies.

Steve holds a Bachelor of Arts and Bachelor of Laws from the Australian National University where he was awarded a full CAS Hawker Scholarship and a Master of Laws at Melbourne Law School where he was awarded the Frank Pinkerton Scholarship. He is currently on the committee of Wallara Disability Australia and is a member and avid supporter of the Geelong Football Club.

Special Adviser

Simone brings more than 25 years’ experience in public affairs and communications to her advisory role at Michelson Alexander.

She has led the communications functions for many large complex organisations, often during times of significant cultural or structural change. Her career has included key roles at: Telstra, Burson-Marsteller, Turnbull Porter Novelli, National Express Group Pty Ltd, the Department of Infrastructure, the Department of Human Services, and the Department of Sustainability and Environment (DSE).

As Communications Director at DSE, Simone led some of Victoria’s most successful social change campaigns including Black Balloons, empowering the community to save energy and reduce greenhouse gas emissions, and the Our Water Our Future behaviour change program during the worst years of Victoria’s drought. This included the Target 155 campaign, which asked Melburnians to use 155 litres of water per person per day.

Simone has designed and implemented crisis communications plans for highly complex organisations in highly regulated environments. In the private sector, Simone was the Director of Communications for three of Victoria’s transport businesses post-privatisation. In this role Simone managed multiple crises including train fatalities, train derailments, tram and bus accidents and a runaway train that captured international headlines and bought most of Melbourne’s transport to a stand-still.

Simone has also managed the communications for oil spills and was the Director of Communications for seven bushfire seasons including the devastating Black Saturday fires of 2009. As Director of Communications for the Department of Human Services she led the communications response and recovery to the Victorian floods of 2011.

Special Adviser

Michael Long has a deserved reputation as one of the most influential and enduring Aboriginal figures.

An Anmatyerre, Maranunggu and Tiwi man, Long played 190 games for Essendon in the AFL from 1989 to 2001, including premierships in 1993 and 2000. He won the Norm Smith Medal for best on ground in the first of those victories. In 1995, he changed the game forever after he was racially vilified on the field in that year’s Anzac Day match. The stand he took led to the AFL’s racial vilification policy, which sporting codes in Australia and beyond went on to adopt.

He has also made a lasting impact since retiring from the game. In 2004, he walked to Canberra to meet Prime Minister John Howard and raise several issues concerning Indigenous communities. Since that journey, he has founded the Michael Long Learning and Leadership Centre in Darwin to provide Indigenous youth with education opportunities through sport, and The Long Walk Trust, a charity that promotes Indigenous cultural awareness through The Long Walk and other programs. Long’s dedication to advancing Indigenous causes was recognised in 2018 when he was named the Northern Territorian of the Year, and when Essendon built a statue of him at their Tullamarine headquarters.

Michael is available to provide strategic counsel on First Nations issues and inclusion, advocacy, government relations, policy design and development for a range of corporate, government and not-for-profit clients.

Special Adviser

Fiona has 20 years of senior leadership experience in the private, government and not-for-profit sectors, and has predominantly worked in major policy areas including public health, disability, and violence against women.

She has led change and achieved social impact by working effectively with different stakeholders who hold opposing views. Fiona has co-chaired Statewide Steering Committees in family violence and sexual assault with Victoria Police, working with a range of organisations including government departments, courts, police, and women’s and men’s services. She also worked with state and federal governments, and tobacco control entities, to introduce the legislative reforms that led to smoke-free areas and plain packaging.

Most recently, she led Amaze, the peak body for autistic people, in developing the highly successful TV campaign ‘Change Your Reactions’, a process that involved consultation with more than 200 autistic people and their families.

She holds a Graduate Certificate in Social Impact from Swinburne University.

Special Adviser

Abul is an economics, accounting and public policy graduate from ANU. He was a leader in reforming Australia’s budget processes in the 1980s and a consultant to the Malaysian Treasury Department on budget reform.

From 1991 to 1995, he was the Immigration Department’s Chief Financial Officer before managing Australia’s migration program from 1995 to 2007.

Between 1996 and 2006, he was Chair of the Commonwealth/State Working Party on State-Specific and Regional Migration that gave state/territory governments a greater role in migrant selection.

He commissioned research on the demographic, economic and budgetary impact of immigration that was extensively used in policy development, including the 2002 and 2007 Intergenerational Reports.

This research led to major policy changes to expand Australia’s international education industry, skilled temporary migration and working holiday makers as a pathway to an expanded permanent migration program. This ultimately slowed population ageing in Australia and made it a demographic outlier amongst developed nations (ie younger, more diverse and growing faster) over the past 20 years.

Abul was awarded the Public Service Medal and the Centenary Medal for services to the development and implementation of Australian immigration policy.

From 2007 to 2015, Abul was Deputy Secretary in the Department of Communications responsible for broadcasting policy, internet regulation, radio-frequency spectrum policy, the digital economy, cyber-safety and regional telecommunications including mobile blackspots.

He has recently completed a Phd at Melbourne University on Australia’s immigration policies.

Abul is a frequent media commentator on population, immigration and its impact on Australia’s economic directions. He recently featured in the SBS Documentary Who Gets to Stay in Australia.

He specialises in work on all aspects of immigration policy, including international students, temporary migration, tourists and working holiday makers, and its implications for Australia’s population and economic directions at the national and sub-national level.

Senior Associate

Elyse has a proven track-record providing policy and communications advice in spaces where there’s a lot of red tape.

She has also worked as a press secretary for a Federal Cabinet Minister and joins us after her most recent role at multinational energy company bp Australia, where she helped to drive the Australia wide implementation of the company’s net-zero ambitions by developing and leading government relations and communications campaigns for low-carbon projects.

Elyse has a particular commitment to achieving social impact and is experienced at working with stakeholders from different spheres to achieve that end. She has a Bachelor of Arts (Government and International Relations, and English) from the University of Sydney, and is a passionate member of several community organisations based in Melbourne’s inner north.

To contact Elyse please call 0433586152 and email elyse@michelsonalexander.com.au.

Senior Associate & Head of Operations

James leads strategic communications campaigns for organisations that build public and stakeholder support around key social, economic and political issues.

His experience is steeped in crisis and issues management across Australia, the United Kingdom, and North America, having worked on high-profile projects during royal commissions, terrorist attacks, natural disasters, court cases, policy developments, and local community campaigns.

Along with on-call response, he has co-facilitated media training and crisis simulations for organisations ranging from universities and tourism attractions to critical infrastructure and hospitals.

In 2019, James led an Australian communication firm’s expansion to the European and North American markets and the establishment of the firm’s London office. Outside of his client work, James manages Michelson Alexander’s operations, helping support our team’s sustainable growth and long-term mission of results-driven social impact.

Outside of the corporate world, James co-founded an online sports magazine in 2016 that publishes long-form analytical journalism, podcasts, and feature documentaries on the emotive stories behind professional and amateur sport.

Senior Associate & Head of Government Relations

Trystyn Bowe is a Senior Associate at Michelson Alexander with extensive experience in public policy and campaigning.

She has worked across Federal and State politics, focussing on justice, mental health, and alcohol and other drug policy. Trystyn was instrumental in the establishment of the Medically Supervised Injecting Room in North Richmond, and the Royal Commission into Victoria’s Mental Health System.

Working on high-risk projects has given Trystyn a deep understanding of strategic communications and the importance of bringing the community with you when making social change. She is solution-focused and thrives in fast-paced, dynamic environments.

Trystyn has a Bachelor of Social Science (Politics and Public Policy) from Swinburne University and is in her final year of an Advanced Diploma in Professional Screenwriting at RMIT.

Her passion for writing and the creative arts allows her to bring a unique perspective to her clients, and ensure every possible avenue is pursued to realise her clients’ goals.

Senior Associate

Andrew Stewart is a Senior Associate at Michelson Alexander with deep expertise in public campaigns, media, and advocacy.

Andrew is a graduate of Monash University where he studied Aerospace Engineering (Hons), Australian Politics and Japanese Translation. Prior to joining Michelson Alexander, he worked as a Technology Specialist for Telstra providing data analysis and automation services for the Global Operations Centre in Clayton.

Owing to his background in Aerospace Engineering and a general love of numbers, he is the firm’s principal data analyst, ensuring Michelson Alexander stays at the cutting edge of the data-driven strategies that are critical to campaigns and effective stakeholder relations.

Andrew has a passion for bringing about positive policy changes and supporting our social impact and corporate clients to strengthen their communications capacity.

Andrew has worked with Michelson Alexander since March 2019 and has developed into an integral member of the team.

Associate

Al has a wealth of experience in strategic communications and has worked with a range of blue chip clients in higher education, energy, resources, sport and entertainment across private and public sectors. These experiences have assured his deep understanding of the sensitivities of political and public stakeholder engagement.

Prior to joining Michelson Alexander, Al was a Policy Researcher at Australian Parliament, and held roles in reputation management and communications consulting. At university Al was a volunteer consultant working with NFPs and social enterprises in regional Queensland. Al was responsible for drafting grant applications and tender proposals for organisations across the state. In this role he also worked closely with employment support and skills training providers to critically evaluate and improve services for communities affected by drought and job loss.

In his downtime Al leads the renowned Melbourne choir The Tiger Tones, which he tours with internationally and regionally each year. As Operations Manager Al oversees sponsorships, charitable donations, media and tour management.

Associate

Sabrine Navarro is an Associate at Michelson Alexander with diverse experience from the financial services and construction industries. She is a creative, skilled writer and communicator.

Sabrine holds a Bachelor of Arts (Communications) from William Jewell College, Missouri, USA and is currently studying her Master’s in Applied Marketing at Monash University.

Prior to joining the firm, Sabrine was a Communications Advisor, where she managed internal and external communications. She attained notable success in which she quadrupled the company’s digital reach and engagement during her tenure.  This was achieved through her ability to break down complex industry jargon and issues into simple terms that everyone can understand.

Sabrine is a people person and brings energy to the team. Outside of work Sabrine is an accomplished sportswoman. She’s competed internationally for tennis and currently plays women’s football at VFLW level for Port Melbourne Football Club.

Associate

Jeremy Phillips-Yelland is an Associate with Michelson Alexander. He has a diverse background across small and large businesses, education and politics and is passionate about using his experience to help achieve positive social impact.

He has worked extensively across both State and Federal politics and is an experienced campaigner and an artful communicator. Having worked across the breadth of political issues, from grassroots to globally significant, Jeremy has a deep understanding of the power that effective narrative holds to unite movements, shift opinion, and create change.

Jeremy is a skilled writer and an accomplished and dynamic presenter, which has allowed him to take his career across Australia as well as to the United Kingdom, the United States and South Africa.

Away from the job, Jeremy is a keen sportsman and qualified hockey coach, an actor, singer and very mediocre dancer, and in a former life was a front man for Brisbane based band, Who is John?

Head of Content

Jack Banister is Michelson Alexander’s Head of Content and has an extensive background in journalism and content creation. He is also a skilled photographer and a regular podcast host.

He worked for more than two years as a copywriter and content editor at The Township, a digital and social agency, while completing a Master of Journalism at the University of Melbourne.

During the final year of his degree, Jack was a part of the Guardian Australia team that won a Walkley award, and a Quill award from the Melbourne Press Club, for Deaths Inside, an interactive database tracking every Indigenous death in custody since 2008.

In 2019, Jack was the recipient of the Schiavon Cadetship, and in that position, he worked for a year on The Citizen, a publication of Melbourne University’s Centre for Advancing Journalism.

He has twice received a Michael Gordon Fellowship from the Melbourne Press Club, and has covered a host of issues, including Indigenous suicide, climate change, politics and sport.

His writing has been published by The Age, Guardian Australia, Wisden, AFL Record, The Walkley Magazine and The Footy Almanac.  

He holds a Bachelor’s degree in English and Politics from the University of Exeter, and also has extensive experience playing and coaching field hockey in high-performance environments. 

Senior Graphic Designer

Jack Angliss has been working within the creative industry for over a decade, delivering high-end mixed multimedia solutions for a diverse range of clients. Specialising in Graphic Design,  Jack prides himself on his creative communication abilities, being able to take the vision out of client’s heads and turn them into reality. As well as being a talented designer, Jack is highly adept at photography, videography and is a fully licensed RPA pilot. Jack has a relaxed manner, but a diligent work ethic that puts clients at ease while he delivers high-quality work.

Communications Specialist

Matilda Finn joins our team from a diverse background in law, global affairs, and journalism. She has worked in communications in London, producing high-quality communications materials for the legal and education charity, Young Citizens.

Matilda has a Bachelor of Law/Global Studies from the Australian Catholic University and is currently completing a Master of International Journalism at the University of Melbourne. She has written on a range of topics from female youth activism, to spikes in self-harm in female prisoners. Matilda’s legal expertise enables her to understand complex socio-political issues and channel that knowledge into achieving communications objectives. Her journalism background means she has the ability to produce high-quality written content for Michelson Alexander and its clients. Matilda also has a creative background in producing and choreographing productions, meaning that she is always thinking of new and innovative ways to engage people.

Content & Podcast Producer

Gordon is an experienced content and audio producer who has worked at all stages of the content cycle for Sportsmate Technologies.

His professional focus is to plan, produce and proliferate content that informs, entertains, and educates, using the best available medium.

He regularly writes, edits, and presents content, and he has produced a suite of multimedia products including Michelson Alexander Explains…, Sportsmate Podcast Network, Humans of Real Estate, Invis-ability, What Are The Odds?! and The People’s Game.

Web Developer

Nick brings 24 years of international experience in the advertising industry to his design and content creation work for Michelson Alexander. He started his graphics career in 1995 where he was the first employee of one of the most revolutionary design companies in South Africa’s history – Orange Juice Design. Moving to Sydney in 2005 he joined Ogilvy Interactive Sydney as Creative Director for three years, creating campaigns for large companies and multinationals including Nestle, Coca-Cola, IBM, Nokia, Lenovo, Purina, America Express, Audi, Volkswagen, and Qantas.

Practice Manager

Hayden is the Practice Manager of Michelson Alexander. His commercial and legal background helps achieve maximum productivity across task allocation, time management, costs and processes.

He studied Law and Japanese at the Australian National University in Canberra and has spent most of his career in the private sector.

Before starting at Michelson Alexander, Hayden worked as Global Training Manager at a luxury consumer product brand where he oversaw the sales and training programs for the company across Asia-Pacific, Europe and the United States.

He helps the firm deliver outstanding client service through seamless billing and invoicing and by ensuring all projects and tasks are completed on time and budget. He manages the business, inducts and supervises staff and oversees the firm’s people and culture.

Hayden is passionate about ensuring that the firm’s core mission, values, beliefs and behaviours best reflect the company culture and serve client best interests.

Executive Assistant

Natalie Wade joins the Michelson Alexander team as Steve Michelson’s Executive Assistant, as well as the firm’s Team Assistant.

Natalie has over 15 years’ experience working in the media, entertainment, and advertising industries.

Prior to joining Michelson Alexander, Natalie worked at a communications and advertising agency for 5 years and, prior to that, worked in high profile media companies such as Fairfax Media, The Age, Southern Cross Broadcasting and Village Roadshow.

Health & Wellbeing Officer

Max has over 7 years of experience promoting health and wellbeing wherever he goes, and is a welcomed addition to the Michelson Alexander team.

An experienced pat-seeker, Max will always greet you with a smile, a wag and a kiss, quickly becoming one of our favourite team members.

When not at the office improving the spirits of the team, Max loves long walks on the beach and snuggles on the couch.