Karen-Angela Collier | Founder Brave Media (est. 2012) | Brave Mind-Body (est. 2022)
I am an interdisciplinary communications specialist and health professional with extensive experience across the for-purpose, private and public sectors, in roles to date that have been primarily focused on advancing the health, wellbeing and resilience of vulnerable populations and individuals at risk, within complex operational contexts. I graduated with a Masters from the University of Sydney in 2012, with specialisation in Media, Peace, and Conflict Studies, and served on the governing Council of the Centre for Peace and Conflict Studies within the School of Social and Political Sciences, prior to founding Brave Media, an independent communications and solutions-focused media consultancy with global reach.
From 2017-2022, I led Communications within the NSW-based peak body of the Forum of Australian Services for Survivors of Torture and Trauma (FASSTT) –– a network of eight Centres throughout Australia providing psychosocial support and specialist services to refugee survivors of torture and traumatic experiences from over 180 countries of origin –– working alongside a broad range of key stakeholders across sectors, across all levels of government, and in close liaison with specialist international agencies. Prior to serving within FASSTT, I held positions in Australia’s fastest growing (BRW Fast 100) consumer health marketing companies in the corporate sector, where I developed a long-term interest in the global health priorities, holistic health promotion and exploration into cross-cultural conceptions of healing, wellbeing and resilience.
Most recently, I was involved with specialist projects focused on building community resilience within the Stronger Communities Cluster of the Department of Communities and Justice, where I was responsible for ministerial liaison, coordinating critical communications, and providing high-level advice as a Senior Media Advisor within NSW Government. For the past two decades, I’ve been involved with a wide variety of major projects, health literacy campaigns, community development initiatives, and flagship programs supporting trauma survivors and newly arrived refugees resettling in Australia, many of whom were former political prisoners.
I’ve contributed to publications such as, Pearls and Irritations Public Policy Journal, The Journal for Business, Peace and Sustainable Development (BPSD), Refugee Transitions Magazine, The Globalist (part of the Global21 Network), with the Center for Justice and Accountability (CJA), and contributed to a wide variety of publications, projects and community development initiatives for the Tibetan Government-in-Exile in collaboration with the Dalai Lama’s Representatives in Australia since 2004. I often contribute to local and international story packages with Australia’s leading TV and Radio news broadcasters. I have a passion for working with underserved communities and increasing trauma literacy in the global media.
Memberships/Affiliations
- Member Media, Entertainment & Arts Alliance (MEAA)
- Freelance Member International Federation of Journalists (IFJ)
- Member Australasian Society for Traumatic Stress Studies (ASTSS)
- Australasian Representative – International Human Rights Observer (IHRO) an INGO in Special Consultative Status with the Economic and Social Council of the United Nations (2019-2020)
- International Electoral Observer
- Former Chairperson & Member at the Centre for Peace & Conflict Studies Governing Council, University of Sydney, Australia (2014-2016)
- Member South Asia Studies Group, University of Sydney
bravemediaaus.com 