Tomi has twenty years of experience in the tertiary education and research sector, most recently with the Centre for Urban Transitions, formerly the Institute for Social Research, at Swinburne University of Technology as part of the national Cooperative Research Centre for Low Carbon Living. Her experience includes applied research in sustainability and low carbon education policy and program development in partnership with the Commonwealth and State Governments (VIC, NSW and SA) and in collaboration with various industry sectors (mainly education, building, business, manufacturing, and food services).

She is passionate about investigating and developing collaborative partnerships between professionals, governments, and communities locally, nationally, and internationally toward a more sustainable future. She is completing a social science PhD exploring collaboration in professional design practice toward regenerative buildings.

She and her family joined the Mornington Peninsula community seven years ago. You may see her exploring the Mornington Peninsula on the weekends supporting local youth sports, music, art and winery events while taking in the natural surroundings.