about

Image: Shannyn Higgins

I'm an editor and storyteller based on Wurundjeri land in Melbourne, Australia. I specialise in making complicated ideas simple and helping people find their voice.

During nearly a decade living in the United States, I edited New York Times and Wall Street Journal bestselling books, advocated for social justice through several fellowships and led award-winning teams of journalists and designers. This included being the Ideas Editor of Quartz, where I ran the op-ed section; helping found Bed-Stuy Strong, a COVID-era mutual aid network in Brooklyn; and becoming a literary agent with Aevitas, where I advocated for writers in the technology, design, culture and disability sectors.

When I returned to Melbourne, I became the publisher of ABC Books, an imprint of HarperCollins Australia. I wanted to spend the next stage of my career telling Australian stories, and this opportunity allowed me to source break-through narratives and commission books on critically important topics. During my first year, three of my non-fiction books were longlisted for the Walkley Book Award, and one was shortlisted for Biography of the Year.

Most recently I was managing editor of Domain in The Saturday Age, as well as the launch editor for Prestige Victoria, which went on to be shortlisted for Mumbrella’s 2025 Launch of the Year. I focussed on commissioning human-interest stories that explored Australia’s obsession with property and long-form features that addressed topics like housing inequality and intergenerational wealth. 

Aside from editing and writing, I'm a public speaker, workshop facilitator and panel moderator. I’ve spoken about digital equality at the UN, facilitated cross-council sessions on future-proofing technology for the World Economic Forum and helped write the opening talk at TED 2024. Offstage, I was also a member of the WEF’s Future of Quantum Computing Council, a consulting producer at the Intelligence Squared debate series and a fellow at the N Square Innovation Network, focusing on raising awareness of nuclear weapon non-proliferation.

I love having a chat – if you do too, drop me a line here.