Grant Young, Principal
When Grant was first introduced to the web in the mid 1990’s, he was drawn to the promise of individuals being able to communicate on a global stage. Even at this early point in the web’s history he recognised as its power source the people connected by it. Over the next 15 years Grant witnessed the realisation of this promise, most vividly demonstrated in the rise of large-scale social networks such as Facebook and Twitter.
Grant founded Zumio in 2008 to apply his rare blend of skills, developed through his experience in roles across the commercial and non-profit sector, in support of ventures that aim to achieve positive environmental and social outcomes.
Since foundation, Zumio has assisted organisations such as the Inspire Foundation, VicRoads, UNSW, and Amnesty International Australia in achieving their goals. In each case Grant’s focus has been on identifying opportunities for creating value both for his clients and their constituents and stakeholders.
As a workshop facilitator and public speaker Grant has delivered presentations and workshops on the topics of social media & networks, “Government 2.0″ and online business development for Web Directions South and CPA Australia.
Prior to founding Zumio, Grant produced web projects for award-winning sustainable design agency Digital Eskimo and managed online communications and social media strategy for conservation organisation WWF-Australia, including for the inaugural Earth Hour (2007). He has also developed web applications for the business sector in the areas of financial and carbon accounting (Saasu, Climate Friendly).
Grant will be commencing the Master of Sustainable Practice degree at RMIT in 2010.
Find Grant elsewhere online: Twitter, Linked in
Partners
Depending on the nature of our clients’ specific needs, Zumio works collaboratively with the following partners to deliver our services.
Penny Hagen, Design Strategist
Penny is a design strategist currently completing her PhD in participatory design methods for social technologies at the University of Technology, Sydney.
Penny has over 10 years experience in interactive technologies having designed or produced a range of online and interactive community projects in Australia and New Zealand.
She is an experienced practitioner of human-centred-design approaches. As a facilitator Penny leads project teams to a shared project vision, whilst providing creative and strategic insight. She combines hands-on design experience with a knowledge of design research methods to develop stakeholder engagement programs for social change projects.
Find Penny elsewhere online: Weblog, Twitter, Linked In
Natalie Rowland, Qualitative Specialist
Natalie is a qualitative researcher with a Bachelor of Commerce (UNSW) and a Masters in Social Inquiry (UTS).
Natalie has over 12 years experience as a qualitative specialist working for social and market research agencies, as well as with design and advertising agencies, in Australia and the UK.
She is dedicated to finding creative ways to discover and share rich insights about the ever-changing landscape in which people, brands and society operate. Natalie has worked with a range of methodologies from video ethnography, mobile diaries and cultural probes, to more traditional modes such as focus groups, friendship triads and interviews. Natalie understands the importance of a human-centred approach to design. She plays an active role in the discovery phase: unpacking user needs, motivations and contextual insights to inform and inspire the design process.
Find Natalie elsewhere online: Redrollers, Twitter