Lynette Thorstensen
Vision. Nature. Poetry.
Lynette says she is ‘in flow’ when life is in balance: plenty of hiking, writing poetry and advocating for others.
Lynette has devoted her life to social and environmental justice.
Career Highlights
A former Managing Director of Communications with the World Business Council for Sustainable Development (WBCSD), Switzerland and now inaugural Chair of the Advisory Board of Poetry for Planet, Lynette is an internationally recognised poet. She is also a visual artist and is based in France.
CEO of Greenpeace Australia
A leading campaigning organisation focused on global environmental problems.
Executive Director of Social Development and Environment New South Wales Premiers’ Department
Central government agency focused on ‘connecting to deliver’.
Global Chair Fairtrade International
Fairtrade changes the way trade works through better prices, decent working conditions and a fairer deal for farmers and workers.
When Lynette’s life path irrevocably changed
I have always been interested in what makes people want to ‘change the world’ aligned to the inner wellbeing of humanity. I believe that to advance social and environmental justice, we must be integral: that is, mindful, physically and mentally well, curious and kind.
I try to live my beliefs and actions thoughtfully. When my two children were still very young, my first husband died of cancer. This was my life changing moment. I realised that I was their only parent on this earth and I needed to become strong and resourceful. I had to remember to be grateful for the good things in my life despite my grief. I needed to become resilient. I had no choice.
I think this time in my life made me less ferociously judgemental of others, yet at the same time, more determined than ever to model a life of value and compassion to my children. I learned that everyone has their story and that when in doubt, opting for generosity is a good approach to life, one that pays you back in spades, especially if that is not your intention at the outset!
The loss of my first husband, unexpectedly finding love again with my second, along with personal and institutional betrayals in my life have led me to reflect deeply on the roads to recovery, on how to build pathways to serenity, and I learned that different kinds of trauma require different kinds of healing.
I am an experienced coach and mentor and know that the greatest skill in those roles is to take the time to listen deeply. Nothing makes me happier than seeing human potential realised in self-transcendence. This is above all my hope for my work with Néos Delta.
Erina Reddan
Australia
