Cobalt59 helps governments, public agencies and mission-driven organisations evaluate complex programs, design monitoring and reporting frameworks, and make better strategic decisions. The firm brings a systems perspective to work in water, environment, climate, arts, community and public policy settings.
The practice combines analytical rigour with practical implementation experience. Cobalt59 works with clients to understand context, clarify purpose, strengthen evaluation and strategy, and support decisions that are useful in the real conditions of complexity.
Systems thinking for complex settings
Cobalt59 works in situations where policy, programs, institutions and stakeholders interact in ways that are dynamic, uncertain and difficult to reduce to simple linear models.
Evaluation, strategy and implementation
The practice combines evaluation, strategic thinking and practical implementation to help clients design frameworks, assess progress and support better decisions.
Deep sector experience
Cobalt59 brings experience across water, environment, climate, public policy, community and arts settings, with a strong focus on public value and practical usefulness.
Cobalt59 brings together senior practitioners with experience across evaluation, strategy, economics, water, climate, public policy, organisational development and the arts. The practice combines deep subject knowledge with practical experience working across government, community and cross-sector settings.
Brian is a seasoned evaluation specialist with more than 20 years of experience in water, environment and climate-related programs. He applies systems thinking, mixed-methods evaluation and decision-focused analysis to support program reform, adaptive management and strategic investment decisions.
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Kara is an experienced evaluation specialist with more than 20 years in research, monitoring and evaluation. She brings strong expertise in systems thinking and mixed-methods practice, helping organisations navigate complexity across science, education, sport and international development.
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Rod is a specialist water and natural resources economist with more than 25 years’ experience across government, utilities, banking and consulting. He focuses on cost–benefit/cost‑effectiveness analysis, value‑for‑money assessment and business cases for water, climate and infrastructure projects, including carbon and renewable energy initiatives.
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Beth is a Principal Environmental Consultant and planner with more than 25 years’ experience in environmental assessment, strategic planning and stakeholder engagement across government and consulting roles. She specialises in water, ecology and change management, and is known for clarifying complex projects involving catchment health, coastal management and environmental investment.
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Julieanne Campbell is a not‑for‑profit leader with more than 25 years’ experience across the arts, community and health sectors. She is Executive Director of Griffin Theatre Company and Co‑founder of Cobalt59, specialising in strategy, business performance, fundraising and stakeholder management for creative and community organisations.
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Sue Donnelly is a renowned arts leader and government adviser with more than 30 years’ experience across the not‑for‑profit, health, education and arts sectors. A former social worker turned executive, she has led major theatre companies including Belvoir and Queensland Theatre and is recognised for revitalising organisations, producing award‑winning work and championing sector change.
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