I’m Ann’Elisha Stephen. Call me annie, for short

I live on Whadjuk Noongar country with my husband, three young kiddos and cat. I’m a lover of people, travel, nature and spaces. And I like coffee. A lot.

For almost two decades and across two continents, I’ve worked in most facets of corporate public affairs in government, corporate, not-for-profit and consulting roles, helping organisations, leaders and project teams rise to meet a diverse array of reputational, stakeholder and social performance challenges and aspirations.

I’ve worked on high-profile infrastructure projects, as part of teams in mining, engineering and construction companies, and across all parts of the project lifecycle. As a consultant in Western Australia for the last 10+ years specialising in communication, engagement and social performance, I’ve had the privilege of working closely with some 20+ companies, consortiums, and government agencies on a multitude of projects.

Early in my career, my happy place was smack-bang in the middle of a contentious issue – engaging, mediating, negotiating and resolving. Over the years, I’ve helped organisations navigate major policy reform, social performance failures, stakeholder activism, not-in-my-backyard opposition, protests and picketing, industrial action, legacy issues, environmental contamination and human health risks, undesirable socio-economic and environmental project impacts, organisational transformation/redesign, and of course the disruption and impact of an ongoing pandemic… to name a few.

Over time, my focus shifted toward helping organisations avoid social missteps and stakeholder conflict in the first place through sound strategy, social impact assessment, meticulous engagement and communication planning, programme delivery and evaluation, and hands-on tactical support.

Now through Blue Tonic I work with values-driven companies and teams in the infrastructure and resources sectors on:

1.  Social performance – helping companies and their assets/projects align with social values now and in the future, and
2. Social license – seeking broad acceptance and informal permission given by local communities to a project/operation over its lifetime.

Fueled by my own personal journey of reconnection with self, family, community and nature, I founded Blue Tonic in 2022 with a desire to help companies genuinely connect and create shared value with people – communities, stakeholders and society.

As companies shift and pivot to meet ever-increasing stakeholder expectations and societal demands, there’s never been a stronger business case for moving beyond compliance, risk management and business-as-usual toward best-in-class citizenship and a social legacy that you, your company and your communities can be proud of. The evidence is mounting – what’s good for people, is good for business.

So where ever you’re at on your journey – I see you, and it would be my honour to meet you there and walk forward with you.