People Young Professional Group Profiles

Jack Chiodo (Convenor) One of the YPG committee Co-Convenors for 2022, Jack is a town planner at Manningham Council. Working predominantly in the appeals space, he has an ever-growing passion for advocacy, negotiation and dealing with the more complex planning matters. Outside of work, Jack enjoys all things fitness, being social, live music, the odd whiskey, supporting the Brisbane Lions and AC Milan. This is Jack’s third year as YPG Co-Convenor and he is looking forward to what is hopefully somewhat of a normal year in 2022!

Isobell Vescovi (Convenor) Isobell Vescovi is a senior planner at Upco. This is Isobell’s first year as the YPG Co-Convenor. She has experience spanning across the public and private sector. She is outcome driven and is passionate about innovative, sustainable design. Outside of planning, Isobell enjoys travelling, keeping fit and spending time with family and friends.

Lina Inglis Lina is a Senior Traffic Engineer at Ratio Consultants, her experience includes the preparation of VCAT expert evidence statements, traffic modelling of mixed use precincts and large residential estates in Greenfields areas. In her spare time Lina enjoys painting canvases and illustration.

Zina Teoh Zina is a senior associate in the Public Law team at Maddocks. She specialises in planning and environmental law and has broad experience advising local government and private clients. Outside of work she plays on too many netball teams, likes to host dinner parties and loves her lockdown cat, Tofu. She is looking forward to more opportunities for the young professionals to get together in person this year.

James Cossins James is a Senior Traffic Engineer at Traffix Group. He has experience across a wide range of land use developments from small scale residential developments to Town Centre and major retail developments. This is his first year on the YPG and is looking forward to 2022. Outside of work James enjoys heading down the coast, going to the football to support the Saints and playing golf.

Charlie Wurm Charlie is a lawyer in the Public Law team at Maddocks. He advises local government authorities on planning and environmental matters, and regularly appears as a solicitor-advocate in VCAT and Planning Panels Victoria. Charlie also has experience acting on behalf of private clients and maintains a broad practice in prosecution, often appearing in the Magistrates Court of Victoria. In the colder months, you will find Charlie supporting Carlton on the weekends, and exploring Victoria as the weather gets warmer.

Charlotte Phillips Charlotte is a Planning Consultant at Urbis and has experience working as a planning consultant across several projects throughout Australia. The projects have ranged in scale and complexity, including state transport infrastructure projects, strategic precinct planning, statutory planning and stakeholder engagement processes. This is Charlotte’s third year on the YPG Committee. Outside work Charlotte enjoys a hit of tennis, beach walks and cooking delicious food.

Zac Van Grondelle Zac has recently stepped into the role of Coordinator of Statutory Planning at the Surf Coast Shire Council. Experienced in a wide range of major development, urban and rural applications from working in both metropolitan and regional Councils, Zac is looking forward to helping shape the future of the beautiful Surf Coast. Outside of work, Zac spends as much time as possible exploring all things Geelong and the coast has to offer - always accompanied by his trusty sidekick, Elsie the rescue greyhound.

Emily Mignot Emily is a Senior Town Planner with Tract Consultants. Having recently made the transition from local government to consultancy, she hopes to deepen her understanding of the industry and embrace the chance to work on a breadth of projects with both a statutory and strategic focus. She is passionate about community engagement, having been involved in a range of projects across the public and private sector –from local community to statewide consultation. When not immersed in planning and development issues, Emily can be found in the world of performance, the arts and current affairs.

Amara Coleman Amara is an Associate in the Planning, Environment and Local Government team at Harwood Andrews Lawyers. Amara works across a variety of matters involving statutory planning, strategic planning, environmental protection and local government. Outside of work, Amara enjoys cooking anything and everything Ottolenghi, bushwalks with Lou (her chocolate Lab) and drinking Tasmanian Riesling.

Michael Pavlidis Michael is a lawyer in the planning & environment team at Rigby Cooke Lawyers. He is passionate about planning, property, environmental and administrative law and enjoys publishing articles in the VPELA revue when he can. Outside of work he enjoys hiking, going to the footy and travelling. This is Michael’s second year on the YPG committee.

Stephanie Cimino Stephanie is a planning and environment lawyer at Equipe Lawyers. She works on a variety of environment and planning matters, ranging from residential development to extractive industry permits. Stephanie is particularly interested in administrative law. Outside of work, Stephanie enjoys playing the piano, reading novels and spending time with her friends and family. This is Stephanie’s second year on the YPG Committee.

Madeleine Craig Madeleine Craig is a Town Planner at Contour Consultants where she is driven to deliver exceptional planning outcomes. Her work is primarily focused on residential and commercial projects in Victoria at a range of scales. Outside the planning world, Madeleine loves starting the day off with a run & in the evenings, navigating Melbourne’s ever evolving food and drink scene.

Teresa Davis Teresa is a Senior Urban Planner at Kellogg, Brown and Root. In Teresa’s current role, she is working for the North Western Program Alliance delivering planning approvals for Level Crossing Removal Projects. Teresa is passionate about the planning industry and enjoys working in complex approval environments across multidisciplinary teams. Teresa has also practiced in South Australia, working previously both for state government and a peak industry body. In her free time, you will find Teresa outdoors either running, riding or exploring Melbourne’s beautiful parks and spending time with friends and family.

Jack Curnow Jack is a Lawyer in the Planning and Environment team at Best Hooper Lawyers, beginning as Graduate in 2021. Jack assists in a number of areas and particularly enjoys the strategy behind preparing for a VCAT matter. This is Jack’s first year on the YPG and he is looking forward to connecting with others in the industry after a disruptive 2021. When not working or reading the VPELA Revue, Jack can still be found basking in the glory of a Dees Premiership.

Amy Najari Amy is an Urban Designer at Taylors. She has experience on preparing concept design, masterplan and land subdivision for greenfield areas in Victoria. Her experience involves preparing suite of plans for council approval. This is Amy’s first year on the YPG committee. She enjoys socialising with other professionals in Urban Development industry. Outside of work, Amy enjoys spending time with her family going for a picnic on weekends, travel around and watch movies.