From the theatre stage to the fireground, and now to international policymaking rooms - Elly Hanrahan has never taken the conventional path. But it’s precisely this fearless curiosity and passion for justice that has made her one of Australia’s most inspiring emerging leaders in climate advocacy.

As the CEO of Global Voices, Elly leads an organisation that ensures young Australians have a seat at the table where international decisions about climate change and the future of our planet are being made. She is also a bushfire policy specialist, firefighter, and Monash Science alum working at the grassroots level to restore landscapes and empower communities.

But Elly’s journey didn’t begin in environmental science. It began just out of high school on the Oaktree Foundation’s ‘Road Trip To End Poverty’  “I remember meeting someone just a few years older who was doing her PhD in organic chemistry. I was blown away,” Elly recalls. “I had to stop and ask myself - what am I truly passionate about? That moment led me to science.”

Elly enrolled in Monash University’s Bachelor of Science Advanced – Global Challenges (Honours), majoring in Environmental Science. Through the program’s focus on leadership, innovation, and real-world impact, Elly found her voice in advocacy and a deep sense of purpose in climate solutions.

During the devastating 2018–2019 Eastern Victorian Bushfires, Elly was on the frontlines as a project forest firefighter. “Something felt really broken on the ground,” she says. “I wanted to understand why - and how we could fix it.” That question led her to explore landscape rehydration, a powerful ecological restoration method that slows water flow to reduce erosion and rehydrate degraded landscapes.

Elly partnered with Monash to trial the Landscape Rehydration Methodology alongside three honours students. The project, implemented in collaboration with the Victorian Department of Energy, Environment and Climate Action, achieved outstanding results - increasing fuel moisture and relative humidity, two key factors in reducing fire risk.

Today, Elly leads Global Voices as CEO and has facilitated  Australia’s youth delegations at forums including the COP29 UN Climate Conference, GLOBSEC Young Leaders Forum, Y20 Summit, and the IMF + World Bank Annual Meetings. Her leadership is grounded in the belief that climate action is both a scientific and social responsibility - and that the next generation must be empowered to shape it.

“I want young people to know they don’t have to wait for permission to lead,” Elly says.

“I want young people to know they don’t have to wait for permission to lead. Science is for everyone. And the more voices we bring into the conversation, the more powerful our solutions will be.”

Elly’s work is a testament to the power of combining grassroots action with global advocacy. Her ongoing work climate action and environmental restoration continue to deliver meaningful impact, and her vision for the future is clear: a world where young leaders - scientists, advocates, and storytellers alike - are shaping a more sustainable and just future for all.

In recognition of her work and unwavering passion in climate advocacy Monash Faculty of Science has awarded the Elly, its first Emerging Leaders Alumni award in 2025. Congratulations Elly!