David has been working on placed-based initiatives to improve individual and community wellbeing since 1999. For much of this time he worked for Housing NSW on collaborative initiatives at the housing estate, suburb, LGA, and regional levels. He has also worked as a Senior Social Sustainability Consultant in a large firm, and held a Visiting Fellowship at the City Futures Research Centre at UNSW. In 2015 to 2016 he was the founding Director of The Hive Mt Druitt, a Collective Impact initiative working to improve outcomes for children across the 2770 postcode in Western Sydney, auspiced by United Way Australia. He currently offers consulting services under the name Holos Consulting, and via his role as a Senior Associate with Collaboration for Impact.
David has a Bachelor of Social Work, a Master of Policy and Applied Social Research, a Certificate in Dialogue, Deliberation and Public Engagement, and a Graduate Certificate in Social Impact. He is currently undertaking a PhD on the prioritization of health, wellbeing, and equity in metropolitan planning and urban renewal in Sydney.
What sparked your interest in health equity?
Having personally observed the life impacts of differences in people’s housing (size, quality, affordability, proximity to social and economic infrastructure), I formed the view that there is an important role for urban planning and urban renewal in supporting health and wellbeing for all.