Our Team
Meet Lauren Geatches,
Senior Manager, Social Policy
Lauren is an accomplished health and social policy analyst and writer. She has considerable experience in health and social policy design, development, research, analysis and program implementation.
As Senior Manager of Social Policy, Lauren has recently led and contributed to projects for Equity across place-based approaches, rare diseases, child and youth wellbeing, and the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander sector. Lauren has gravitated towards co-design roles that allow her to connect and collaborate with client organisations and the community, delivering targeted, ‘people-focused’ policy solutions.
Prior to joining the Equity team, Lauren worked with the Australian Government Department of Health in rural health and primary care. Lauren’s leadership qualities and her strong focus on delivery saw her appointed to lead a number of key projects while with the Department, including the redesign of policies, programs, and funding methodologies, to achieve more equitable distribution of the health workforce and health services across Australia.
Lauren is deeply passionate about addressing sociocultural inequalities; in particular, the barriers many Australians face accessing quality and timely health and social support services. She holds a Bachelor of Social Science with Distinction, majoring in Sociology and Anthropology, from the University of Newcastle, and an Excellence in Sociology Award from the Australian Sociological Association.
Connect with Lauren
A chat with Lauren
What is your favourite quote?
“How wonderful it is that nobody need wait a single moment before starting to improve the world” - Anne Frank
What is the best part about working at Equity?
The projects we take on really mean something and they have real impact - it's really as simple as that for me. As Sociology is my passion, I find it so energising to be part of an organisation that is contributing to social change in real time, both on home soil and internationally.
What can clients expect from you?
They can expect commitment and connection. When I take on a project, I am personally invested in its success. They can expect me to bring momentum, strong communication and a details focus. My social research background means I'm always honing back in on the series of questions that exist at the heart of any project and looking to ensure we answer those faithfully - but I also know when to lift my gaze or consider expanding scope if new directions emerge from our work. My team will also tell you that I'm a born organiser. I do love a list.
Meet the rest of the team