Seasoned WASH and Climate Resilience Specialist with over 15 years of experience leading institutional strengthening, policy reform, and investment coordination initiatives across the Pacific and Southeast Asia. Holds a Master of Science in Environmental Science from UNESCO-IHE (Delft) with a focus on water and wastewater governance. Proven ability to develop national WASH sector strategies, governance frameworks, and costed investment plans that align with government priorities and donor programmes, including UN, World Bank, and bilateral partners. Skilled in facilitating participatory planning processes, building institutional capacity, and coordinating multi-stakeholder partnerships to enhance service delivery and climate-resilient infrastructure. Committed to advancing equitable, sustainable, and accountable WASH systems that contribute to national development and SDG 6 outcomes.
Co-founder of Takutea O Kiva Ltd (TOK Consulting), a Cook Islands based consultancy company that works exclusively on projects occurring in the pacific, with a team wholly comprised of indigenous pacific based professionals.
Positions held include CEO of the Cook Islands Chamber of Commerce, Business Operations Manager for Avaroa Cable Limited Cook Islands, Business Improvement Manager for Southern Cross Health Society NZ, and Project Manager for Vodafone NZ.
Passionate about climate change, disaster risk management, business mentoring, and the holistic involvement of indigenous communities in Country planning activities. Advocate at heart for openly sharing knowledge and forming new connections.
Safeguard Manager (Consultant) - South Tarawa Water Supply Project (GCF, ADB, WB)
National Climate Change Coordinator - Office of te Beretitenti/ President - Kiribati
Assistant Project Manager - Third National Communication (TNC)
Volunteer - Environment and Conservation Division
Gillian has extensive experience in understanding climate change impacts and undertaking vulnerability assessments; adaptation planning; and developing climate change policy in the Pacific including in Solomon Islands, Fiji, and Papua New Guinea as well as in Indonesia the Philippines and Australia. Gillian's experience is often largely focused on ecosystem adaptation, and food security As well as working with National Governments to develop and implement Climate Change Policy, Gillian has also worked closely with NGOs and community groups to focus on community- based climate change adaptation. Gillian uses community capacity building skills to strengthen the competencies and abilities of people and communities so they can overcome the challenges they face (vulnerabilities) like those associated with climate change. Gillian also has understanding about costal defences for climate change adaptation and disaster risk management.