About
At Regeneration Projects, we come together as one big family, valuing the diverse backgrounds and stories each of us shares.
We put our heart into what we do, striving not only to elevate our partner’s projects but also to impact the world around us positively.
From the CRO to interns, we all contribute to the transformative thinking that our clients crave. We use creativity, heart, ecological, and First Nations knowledge to shape the future of pioneering purpose-driven businesses and organisations.
We’re in this together–and by offering our time, empathy and brainpower to support the collective potential, partners and communities, we all thrive together.
Matt Sykes, Founder & Chief Regen Officer
Matt’s professional background includes business consultancy, landscape architecture, environmental advocacy and tourism development. He grew up at the intersection of Boonwurrung and Gunaikurnai Country in Gippsland, Victoria, Australia.
Learning from First Nations Elders as well as Western eco-pioneers has shaped Matt’s unique approach to business. He has the ability to move between big systems-level thinking and grassroots localised action, always looking for a practical starting point and clearly communicating the steps forward.
Helen Sweatman, Chief Operations Officer
With over a decade of managerial experience, Helen is passionate about making ideas happen and the opportunities that come from interdisciplinary collaboration.
Having overseen the launch and growth of numerous cultural organisations and businesses, both within Australia and the US, Helen has honed her expertise in business development, fundraising, strategic partnerships, operations, and project management processes (She also has a strong personal interest in artist and designer-led regenerative projects).
Helen was born and raised on the land of the Yuggera people in Brisbane, QLD, and is now based in Wurundjeri Woiwurrung Country in Melbourne, VIC.
Nora Silva, Marketing & Community Manager
Nora combines her Sustainability, Regenerative Development, and Marketing expertise to craft powerful communication strategies. Born in the heart of the Nahua people’s lands in México, she developed a profound respect for Indigenous and Ecological Knowledge.
Holding a Master of Environment from the University of Melbourne, Nora is adept at transforming complex projects into engaging narratives that highlight their positive socio-environmental impacts. Now residing in the lands of the Kabi Kabi people, Sunshine Coast, QLD, she is instrumental in conveying our mission, values, and the significant impact we make.
Shruthi Vijayakumar
Senior Facilitator & Project Manager
Superpowers: Coaching, Leadership Development & Social Entrepreneurship.
Interests: Sustainability, Systems Change & Indigenous Knowledge.
Business: Shruthi.Co
Loretta Bellato PhD
Senior Facilitator & Project Manager,
Superpowers: Regenerative Tourism, Community Development & International Development.
Interests: First Nations, Collaboration & Regenerative Practices.
Karin Traeger Hermosilla
Senior Facilitator & Project Manager
Superpowers: Grassroots Organisations & Environmental Awareness Campaigns.
Interests: Operations, Fundraising & Volunteer Coordination.
Business: La Loyka
Josie Jones OAM
Senior Facilitator & Project Manager
Superpowers: Behaviour Change, Environmental Education & Litter Prevention.
Interests: Corporate Partnerships & Coastal Ecosystems.
Business: SHARE
Sophia Bagatsing
Assistant Facilitator & Project Manager
Superpowers: Cross-Cultural Collaboration, Events & Research.
Interests: Youth-led Climate Action, Social Justice & Biodiversity.
Business: Friends of the Forest
Pratyush Singh
Assistant Facilitator & Project Manager
Superpowers: Visual Storytelling, Photography & Empowerment.
Interests: Agriculture, Ecosystem Restoration & Community.
Fernanda Farias Zorilla
Assistant Facilitator & Project Manager
Superpowers: Design-thinking, Strategy & Visual Communication.
Interests: Environmental Education, Swimmable Cities & Waterways.
From little things, big things grow
At the September 2019 climate strike in Melbourne, Founder & CEO Matt Sykes was frustrated about the reluctance of established leaders to take decisive action on systemic issues. He saw the same emotions on the faces of over 100,000 people who also took to the streets. From that time, Matt committed to be different for his nine nephews and nieces and future generations.
Throughout his career, he has invested in world-class education – a Bachelor of Landscape Architecture from the University of Melbourne, a Postgraduate Diploma in Entrepreneurship from the University of Cambridge and ‘Bush University’ experiences with First Nations Elders – BUT this called for more.
Matt quit his full-time job a month later and flew to California to meet the former head of environmental initiatives at Patagonia, Rick Ridgeway. Matt describes it as like meeting Yoda. “I was looking for answers, and Rick just put a mirror right in front of me.” During that 2-hour lunch, Rick challenged Matt to create a consultancy for purpose-driven businesses. “Initially, the context was ecotourism, but I felt the need to support leaders across different industries and sectors.”
Fast forward, and Regen Projects emerged from the 2020/21 COVID-19 Lockdowns with like-minded collaborators around the Earth – from Naarm / Melbourne to Manna-hata / New York, Oslo to Tāmaki Makaurau / Auckland and even the Amazon.
Our strategic and action-focused approach brings great value to organisations ready to challenge the status quo and invest in the planet.
