I’m thrilled to introduce myself as the new Director of the Northern Hub, and to share exciting news about our expanding team.

My name is Leia Grimsey, I bring over a decade of experience in project management, operational leadership and the development of strong, collaborative teams and communities. Most recently, I was the Manager of the SQNNSW Drought & Innovation Hub, where I focused on enhancing regional drought resilience, building strong partnerships and fostering collaboration across a wide range of sectors and stakeholders.  I am deeply passionate about creating solutions that support sustainable growth in our communities, and I look forward to bringing that passion and experience to the Northern Hub.

I am currently completing a Postgraduate Degree in Organisational Leadership from the University of Southern Queensland, throughout my career I’ve worked to bring together diverse teams, foster impactful collaborations and drive strategic innovation.  I’m eager to continue that work here as we tackle the challenges and opportunities facing our region.

In addition to my arrival, I am excited to introduce some new team members joining us, each bringing expertise in key areas with a wealth of knowledge and experience in Indigenous knowledge and engagement, environmental sustainability and regional development, and including a regional soils coordinator.  Their combined expertise and skill sets will allow us to broaden our capacity to tackle the pressing challenges faced by our communities, and to develop innovative solutions that make a lasting and positive impact on the ground.

As a team, our focus will be on strengthening collaboration between stakeholders, sharing and extending innovation in our regions and building lasting resilience for communities across the North.  Over the coming months, I’m excited to introduce these incredible individuals as they join us and am confident their contributions will significantly enhance our collective efforts.

Together, I believe we can create solutions that not only address today’s challenges but also position us to meet the needs of the future. I’m eager to meet each of you, learn from your experiences and work with you on a shared mission for our Northern Hub region. 

Thank you for your warm welcome, I’m looking forward to everything we’ll achieve together.

Leia Grimsey |  Hub Director

Nadia Rimmer | Northern Hub Manager

Nadia Rimmer has been the Northern Hub Manager since February 2023, bringing a vast range of experience in project coordination, contract management, and governance to the role.

Based in Darwin, Nadia plays a vital role in overseeing key initiatives and promoting strong relationships with stakeholders, ensuring the success of various projects that benefit the Northern Hub Region.

Before stepping into her current position, Nadia built an impressive resume with the Northern Territory Government, where she held several roles, including Governance Officer at the Department of Corporate and Digital Development, Finance Project Officer with the Department of Attorney General and Justice, and Senior Investigator at NT WorkSafe, among other regulatory investigative roles.

Throughout her career, she has gained valuable expertise in corporate governance, investigations and audit and risk management. Her strong leadership skills have made her a trusted figure in managing contracts and navigating complex organisational challenges.

Beyond her professional achievements, Nadia is passionate about cakes! Over the years, she has refined her skills in the kitchen, creating beautifully designed and delicious cakes for family and friends. Whether she’s managing high-level projects at the Northern Hub or perfecting her latest cake recipe, Nadia brings enthusiasm and dedication to everything she does.

David Gallacher | Northern Hub Broker 

David has 30 years’ experience in land-based production systems spanning three countries and several industries. His main expertise has been in rangelands management, having worked on overgrazing issues in arid deserts of the Middle East, and now managing several projects in extensive cattle production of Australia’s north.

He’s a qualified RePL pilot and has an interest in agritech more broadly from working on Sydney University’s ‘digifarm’ initiative.

David currently works for the Northern Hub, one of eight recently established Drought Resilience Adoption and Innovation Hubs around Australia. As such he manages a $4m portfolio of projects delivered by the Hub’s partners, and contributes to the Hub’s development of new programs and activities.

David’s experience in agriculture and land management began with a childhood among sheep on a farm dealing with dryland salinity. He now manages Northern Hub activities across a third of Australia, being responsible for the distribution of funds to meet FDF objectives. In past lives he worked on digital agriculture at Sydney University Narrabri, Asian vegetables across Australia, pigs in Vietnam, and sugarcane in Queensland, but for most of his career he was based in Dubai, where he specialised in Arabian rangeland ecology and the impacts of overgrazing.

David holds a B Agric Sci (Hons) from Melbourne, a PhD in genetics from James Cook, and has authored 50 refereed scientific articles and book chapters. On last count he’s visited 60 countries but still hasn’t been to Uluru.

Hasitha Mendis | Northern Hub Finance Manager 

Hassie is a seasoned Finance Manager with over 20 years of experience, currently leading the Budget, Finance, and Administration Management at the Northern Hub of Charles Darwin University.

Since joining in September 2022, she has played a pivotal role in managing cost and budget oversight, grant administration, and financial accounting. She holds a Bachelor of Business in Accounting.

Before her current role, Hassie was a Senior Finance Officer at Charles Darwin University, where she specialised in financial analysis, asset management, and office administration. Her earlier experience with the Northern Territory Government as a Business System Support Officer sharpened her skills in budget monitoring and system administration.

Outside of work, Hassie’s love for all things Disney shines brightly. She dreams of working at Disneyland, the place she fondly refers to as "The Happiest Place on Earth." If an Australian Disneyland ever becomes a reality, she’d be the first in line to apply! In her free time, Hassie enjoys cooking and baking, sharing her culinary creations with friends and family. With a perfect balance of professional expertise and personal passions, Hassie brings dedication, warmth, and a touch of magic to everything she does.

We are excited to welcome Troy as one of the newest member of our Northern Hub team, stepping into the role of Aboriginal Engagement and Program Coordinator.

In this role, Troy is committed to building meaningful connections between First Nation communities and our hub, ensuring our programs align with cultural values of the Aboriginal people in our region and support Indigenous self-determination. Since joining in September 2024, he has been working on-site in Darwin and travelled out to Kununurra in the East Kimberleys to connect with stakeholders.   

Rural Darwin-born, Troy grew up immersed in a rich variety of cultural influences. His bloodline traces back to the Gunggandji people of North Queensland’s Yarrabah, and more recently to the Boonwurrung/Bunurong people from Victoria’s Mornington Peninsula. With a working background largely in the mining industry, Troy is passionate about promoting cultural safety in all workplaces and supporting First Nations people who aspire to create meaningful change for future generations.

Outside of work, Troy is a father of two and a mentor to many. He has a love for all sports and a passion for gardening. However, his true joy comes from sharing and passing on knowledge to others. For Troy, family goes beyond his home; his relationships across Darwin and surrounding communities are strong and meaningful, creating a network of support and connection. 

Stay connected with Troy as he shares updates on his work and travels—follow along through his LinkedIn.

Ayesha Woibo recently moved from Cairns to Darwin to take on her new role as Senior Communications and Stakeholder Engagement Officer at the Northern Hub. She brings a rich and diverse background in community services, education, business, and administration to this role, all driven by a passion for empowering communities and fostering growth.

Ayesha has experience across several fields, including youth mentorship, education support, and business management. Her work with various organisations has equipped her with valuable skills in relationship-building, stakeholder engagement, and program coordination. She has held roles such as Community Education Counsellor and Transition Support Youth Mentor, where she guided young people through key educational transitions and provided holistic support to families and students.

In addition to her work in education and community services, Ayesha founded Gurrngul Art, where she managed the development and growth of her business, honing her skills in business development and creative enterprise.

Ayesha’s broad experience is complemented by her ongoing studies in Indigenous Governance and Policy as part of her Bachelor of Arts degree. She aspires to deepen her impact by pursuing a Master of Public Policy in the future. With her diverse background and commitment to supporting inclusive and meaningful initiatives, Ayesha is excited to contribute and provide communication support in her new role at the Northern Hub.