Dinah Arndt

I have always been driven by a simple belief: that deeply understanding each other, and the world around us, means healthier, stronger and safer communities. That curiosity first led me to journalism; a license to talk to strangers and unearth perspectives and stories that deserve more attention.

After more than a decade of working on frontline news, a frustrating pattern became clear: I was often documenting stories after the damage was done, and unable to address the underlying systems that shaped them. I wanted to work on the bigger picture.

That prompted a career shift into strategic communications. We often think of saving lives through an emergency service lens. For example, picturing the paramedic arriving at an accident. Less often do we consider the urban planner who redesigned the street, or the communicator who ran a public information campaign to ensure everyone arrived home safely.

Moving into the health sector, and then climate, has allowed me to focus on the many ways that communications can shape the way we understand major challenges, as well as the solutions that will materially improve people's lives.

As Head of Strategic Communications at the Climate Council, I lead national efforts to shift the dial on Australian climate outcomes. Earlier, I set up the Climate Media Centre that trains hundreds of spokespeople to share their stories, including of worsening floods, fires and heatwaves.

As extreme heat and fires intensify across Australia, public risk communication remains a systemic challenge. With a Churchill Fellowship, I aim to study international best practices in pre-disaster communications so people better understand risks before the sirens sound.

My goal is to translate this knowledge into practical tools that empower everyday Australians to protect their own families and communities as climate risks accelerate.