Emily Jenke

Emily is a graduate of the University’s Roseworthy Campus – having graduated with a Bachelor in Agricultural Business in 1999. She was awarded the Gramp Hardy Smith Memorial Prize in 1998 from the Faculty of Agriculture and Natural Resources Sciences – recognising the Roseworthy student with the best all round character and ability, taking into specific consideration leadership, scholarship and sportsmanship.

In her final year at Roseworthy, Emily was the President of the Student Union Council.

Emily is currently the Presiding Member of South Australia’s Native Vegetation Council. Additionally she sits on the Murray Darling Basin Authority’s Basin Community Committee.

Emily owns and runs democracyCo with her business partner Emma Fletcher. The work they do reflects a global trend in citizens designing solutions for society and that decision-making, especially when it comes to polarising topics, should be shared.

She is one of Australia’s most skilled engagement practitioners and an accomplished and talented facilitator of over 20 years. She is a specialist in group deliberation and participation.

Annually Emily travels to the US to support the Kettering Foundation in improving democratic practice with stable and emerging democracies, as well as supporting nations in conflict. democracyCo also support the Singaporean Government in building their capacity in engagement and consensus methodologies.

Emily has a long history and commitment to the environment, especially in supporting people to be better environmental stewards through various Board and volunteer roles in Natural Resources & Water Management. Her contribution for the last 12 years in South Australia (and previous to that in Victoria) has been to support institutions to have stronger, more meaningful connections with their regional communities.

Emily is married to Paul. Together, with their three teenage children, they own Talinga Grove – a premium olive oil business & irrigated horticultural enterprise in Strathalbyn.