We’re here to collaborate with you to co-design strategies for your community.
At Cobalt Engagement, we believe that for our collective plans, programs and infrastructure to succeed it is critical for the work to be place-based and community-led.
Our experienced team is from diverse backgrounds in the built environment, planning, community development and the arts, bringing a deep understanding and respect and empathy for the range of issues, considerations and opportunities that are encountered.
We bring a wealth of complementary experiences that we harness to ensure that our engagement and strategies are accessible, inclusive and mindful of a range of different lived experiences.
Planner-led engagement
Our Director, Nicole Dennis, brings 20 years’ experience in strategic and statutory planning, placemaking and engagement. Her expertise ensures that community insights inform real planning and design outcomes. We help you create real value and meaningful change grounded in an understanding of the planning process.
Collaborative, creative, contextual
Every place and community is different. We design creative engagement processes often working with artists, that reflect the unique character and needs of each community. We listen to what is important to communities, and help identify where communities and decision makers can work together to create impact and lasting benefits.
Accessible and inclusive
Our methods are designed to reach beyond the usual voices — engaging young people, culturally and linguistically diverse communities, and people often left out of traditional consultation. We partner with those with lived experience to better inform our approach and know when it is time to get out of the way.
OUR TEAM
Nicole Dennis
Founder and Director
Nicole has 20 years of experience in engagement, strategic planning, placemaking and resilience-based strategies and regeneration.
Through her work, Nicole recognised the need for connecting with the experiences of regional and marginalised communities.
She founded Cobalt Engagement with the primary goal of designing bespoke approaches that build from the ground up trust with communities, while ensuring that engagement leads to meaningful contributions for decision makers.
As an experienced urban and regional planner, Nicole has designed and delivered numerous technical workshops for government bodies and decision makers, fostering clear knowledge sharing and targeted conversations to address complex problems.
James Peter Brown
Creative Director
James is a composer and sound designer and Creative Director of Cobalt Engagement. He oversees the creative direction of the company and works to integrate artists and creatives into engagement, co-design and producing artistic activations that support increasing resilience, engagement and collaboration.
He has been a practicing independent artist for over 20 years and brings considerable experience to working across theatre, film, dance, VR, podcasts and installations.
He works with a wide variety of independent artists, main stage and creatives to create scores and soundscapes closely with artists.
Throughout James’ extensive professional experience, he has nurtured a wide range of creative endeavours, both in Australia and overseas, including several high-profile collaborations and significant artistic partnerships. Each of these demonstrate his increasing demand, adeptness and responsiveness to the creative work.
Morgan Hannan
Resilience, Design and Engagement
Morgan is an urban and regional planner and designer with a background in research, design, community development and social data management. He has worked with and within government agencies, local community organisations and the private sector in regional, Western Sydney and urban settings.
He is passionate about creating just and equitable communities and projects that amplify agents for change and capacity development.
Mia Stevens
Communications, Engagement and Sustainability
Mia Stevens is a recent graduate of the University of Wollongong with a Bachelor of Sustainable Communities and supports the organisation and facilitation of our in-person and online engagement activities and community building.
Mia’s well developed interpersonal skills help communities and stakeholders feel comfortable and welcome at our engagements. Her passion for people and communities shines through will her care for how she looks after individuals to support our clients to build strong long term relationships.
