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 individuals, communities and organisations within complex operational contexts. I graduated with a Masters of Peace and Conflict Studies from the University of Sydney in 2012 and served on the governing Council of the Centre for Peace and Conflict Studies within the School of Social and Political Sciences (SSPS) prior to founding Brave Media, an, independent communications and media consultancy with global reach.
From 2017-2022, I served as Head of Communications within the lead agency 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 trauma survivors from over 170 countries of origin, working with a broad range of key stakeholders across sectors, across all levels of government, and in close liaison with specialist international agencies. Prior to this, I held positions in Australia’s fastest growing (BRW Fast 100) consumer health marketing companies in the corporate sector, and for the past 15 years, have been involved with a wide variety of activities, 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.
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. I’ve written for publications such as, Pearls and Irritations Public Policy Journal; The Journal for Business; Peace and Sustainable Development (BPSD), Refugee Transitions Magazine (STARTTS), The Globalist (part of the Global21 Network), the Center for Justice and Accountability (CJA), and contributed to special publications and projects with the Tibetan Government-in-Exile, in collaboration with the Dalai Lama’s Representatives in Australia/Oceania from 2006 until the present.
I often contribute to story packages with Australia’s leading news broadcasters and have a passion for working with underserved communities and increasing trauma literacy in the global media.
Memberships/Affiliations
- Member Australasian Society for Traumatic Stress Studies (ASTSS)
- Member MEAA – Media, Entertainment & Arts Alliance
- Member International Federation of Journalists (Freelance)
- International Electoral Observer (ODIHR)
- Australasian Representative – International Human Rights Observer (IHRO)
an NGO in Special Consultative Status with the Economic and Social Council of the United Nations (2019-2020) - Member PACFA – Psychotherapy and Counselling Federation of Australia
- Former Board Member, Australia Tibet Council (2024-2026)
- Former Chairperson & Member, Centre for Peace & Conflict Studies Governing Council, University of Sydney, Australia (2014-2016)
- South Asia Studies Group, University of Sydney
bravemediaaus.com 