Team Feature: Meet Carla Swift, Our Business Development Manager
Carla Swift
Wheatbelt NRM Business Development Manager
We are excited to introduce Carla Swift, our Business Development Manager who plays a pivotal role in supporting our Communications and Aboriginal NRM portfolios as well as forging new directions within the environmental markets space.
Within her role as Business Development Manager Carla builds partnerships to scope and develop new business opportunities for Wheatbelt NRM and develop innovative projects that build capacity for the region.
Carla joined WNRM in this role during January 2023 but had previously worked for WNRM in 2004-2005 to mentor local Community Landcare Coordinators; and assist with finalisation of the first NRM Regional Strategy and again in 2009-2010 Marketing and Communications Officer.
Having been a Wheatbelt local for 25 years, landscape ecologist and Wheatbelt project developer since 1999, Carla’s passion and purpose aligns with WNRM’s own values and mission.
Passion for sustainable food production using good science and management
Carla is passionate about producing food sustainably whilst improving biodiversity through the application of good science and management practices to achieve this goal. She is particularly focused on making the most of the emerging environmental markets era to achieve these goals.
Currently Carla is working on the innovative new project ‘Wheatbelt land-use paradigms – navigating new industries in the low carbon and natural capital era.
She said the project demonstrates the NRM sector’s responsiveness to scope the global economic and/or policy landscape and rapidly adapt to meet our region’s needs.
Importance of leadership
Carla enjoys working with the amazing blend of ecological scientists, farming system and agronomy specialists, communications, governance and management specialists which are all part of the WNRM team.
She has enjoyed memorable moments listening to ‘yarns from our Elders’ and witnessing the WNRM Rangers developing their skills and confidence working on Country.
One of the things Carla has learned from her time with WNRM is that people value good leadership, and this has helped improve her leadership skills professionally.
Carla has recently moved to the Southwest of WA for family reasons and now mostly works remotely.
When time permits Carla enjoys managing her small acreage sustainably (which has meant a lot of rural fencing) as well as riding the trails on her beautiful Arabian horses.
Carla is working towards achieving her personal goal of riding the national championship endurance horse ride when it comes to WA in 2027.
On a professional level she is working towards natural capital accounting being seamlessly integrated into the agri-accounting system.
She said this will create a mechanism to better demonstrate the sector’s existing good land management and drive future landscape restoration.
“Sustainability and nature finally have monetary value within the global balance sheet. This is groundbreaking progress and an opportunity not to be missed,” Carla said.
A deep ecologist and humanitarian at heart Carla said there are exciting times ahead for WNRM and all its programs crating a pathway forward for the region.