growing the team, our philosophy and how we work

Reflections on 2022 from our Managing Director

​2022 was Mountain Ash Insights’ first full year of operation and wow what a year! Mountain Ash Insights began as my avenue to work on interesting projects while completing my PhD studies, running a homestead and being immersed in family life; but our success in attracting work from across Tasmania and Australia, meant we quickly needed to recruit more team members, a move that saw Mountain Ash Insights take on an identity and style of its own. ​

An hour's drive south of Hobart, on Lyluequonny Country, the Dover community is an interesting mix of food producers, life style new comers, creatives, families, holiday home owners and retirees. In 2022, Dover locals Erika and Erin joined Mountain Ash Insights. They both moved with their families to Dover wanting to find a different environment in which to raise their children. Erika studied science at the University of Tasmania but has experience in land management and land restoration roles in both NSW and WA. Erin had most recently been working in Canberra. She has a background in psychology, education and management, as well as having family connections in Dover. ​

Mountain Ash Insights has provided Erika and Erin with an opportunity to continue using their professional skills while growing their families and working on their own land restoration projects. As they are established in the local community and committed to its long-term viability, both women have brought passion and perspectives that have helped grow the ethos and philosophy of Mountain Ash Insights.  ​

"What inspires me about working with Mountain Ash Insights is the deep, resonating connection that is recognised and further instilled between people and the land within the various projects we have undertaken. Equally, as a mother of a daughter with Aboriginal ancestry, the respect and approach to allyship that MAI takes is something that I hold very dear and love being a part of.” - Erin McJames ​

“I am most inspired to work on projects that will have meaningful and positive impact on the natural environment, especially those that bring regenerative agricultural, biodiversity, and conservation outcomes to Australia’s rural landscapes. How land managers can work with nature and wildlife and still use the land in a productive way, but in a way that  ensures the landscape is healthy and resilient for future generations. I am also interested to see how Cultural knowledge can help us to begin the landscape healing process.” - Erika Bransky ​

In 2022, Mountain Ash Insights developed its way of working as a team, utilizing creative ways to work flexibly and balancing the needs of the business with family and community life. Initially this was a personal necessity for me and I equally wanted to support other women in my position, but it quickly became clear that this brought substantial benefits for the business. By embracing a very flexible work model, not only has our talent pool been significantly broadened but the efficiency and multitasking skills which are so effectively sharpened by motherhood have proved to be a considerable asset for the business and as this group of women are also eager to work smaller blocks throughout the week, we have been able to bring high powered professionals to relatively small budget projects. ​

In an industry where billable hours and project scope are closely linked, the application of these time-saving skills has brought significant benefits for our clients. Far from the deficit discourses around women being a liability for a business because of their child raising responsibilities, Mountain Ash Insights has given that outdated view the boot by delivering all our projects ahead of schedule, to a high standard and with significant value add. Our clients have really responded to this approach, and we've had some fantastic feedback about our work. ​

In 2023 we have a number of projects in the pipeline which will help us to continue to learn and grow our knowledge, build our networks and contribute to our local community. I am excited to continue to develop our unique insights and ways of working, while we strive for a future of healthy landscapes, communities and food systems. I am immensely proud of the work we have done in the first year and the foundations we have laid for future success, and if you have just taken the time to read this article then thanks to you for being a part of it! ​

- Ro Alden Hull (Mountain Ash Insights Managing Director)