ABOUT us
what we do
Our mission is to shift cultural values to create a more equitable, sustainable and democratic society.
We help social and environmental organisations change systems at the core by strengthening the intrinsic values that underpin our care for one another and our planet.
Our approach is based on decades of research from the fields of social psychology and cognitive linguistics and borrows heavily from the work of Common Cause Foundation in the UK.
In Australia, we are recognised as leaders in values-based messaging. Our work includes conducting research, developing practical resources and running training programs across a range of sectors. We also provide strategic consulting services to help organisations embed values across all aspects of their work.
OUR PEOPLE
eleanor glenn, director
She/Her
Eleanor’s background is in environmental policy and advocacy, with more recent work in campaign analysis and advice.
Her fascination with what makes people tick led to a PhD in climate change communications and engagement. She has since supported the Australia reMADE collaboration and many organisations across health, human rights, the arts and more to put values and frames into practice.
Eleanor revels in big picture thinking and making big dreams come true. She recently returned from world sailing adventures with her husband Fil and son Aiden.
mark chenery, director
He/Him
Mark’s background includes advertising and journalism and heading up the campaign and communications team of ActionAid Australia.
Since establishing Common Cause Australia in 2014, he has worked with dozens of organisations on values-based messaging. His research has changed the way many of Australia’s leading mission driven organisations as well as government departments and agencies engage with the public on social justice, health and environmental issues.
gemma pitcher, associate
She/Her
Gemma began her career as a travel writer in Africa before moving to the nonprofit sector, holding senior communications roles at organisations including ActionAid and Red Cross.
She entered the campaigning sphere as communications manager for a NSW state MP, alongside her freelance career as an in-demand copywriter.
Gemma is now a communications and messaging consultant, helping organisations tell new and fresh campaign stories in strategic ways.
kate may, associate
She/Her
Kate has a background in communications, with an interest in health leading her to pursue a career in health promotion.
She is a registered health promotion practitioner with experience across a broad range of issues including gambling harm, community health, and women’s health.
Kate now works as a health promotion and communications consultant with a focus on framing to positively influence public health projects and policy.
Lou Juliet, executive assistant
She/Her
Lou is an experienced human resources and office management professional who now keeps the wheels of Common Cause running as our Executive Assistant.
Lou is a natural organiser who loves meeting new people and and has a genuine passion for the work Common Cause does.
She lives in Canberra with her family where you’ll find her hiking up mountains (some would call it running), op shopping like a pro, or escaping for a weekend to the coast to soak up the beach.
organisations we support
We work with social and environmental organisations big and small. Here’s just a small sample of the amazing organisations we’ve been lucky enough to partner with over the years.
"Every now and then an idea comes along which just makes perfect sense. Common Cause is one of those. It provides an evidence base and a framework for the ‘feelings’ that so many of us have had for so long. It is extremely useful and important for anyone who believes in a fairer, more compassionate world."
- TIM HOLLO, GREEN INSTITUTE