Professor of Practice

With extensive experience leading the transformation of one of Australia’s largest regional cities, Nuatali is an international consultant, advisor, and keynote speaker across city leadership, urban transformation, economic development, governance reform, sustainability, and strategic growth. Drawing on her experience as Lord Mayor of Newcastle, executive leadership roles with global city networks, and work across climate policy, infrastructure, and regional development, Nuatali partners with governments, investors, institutions, and organisations to deliver practical, future-focused solutions that strengthen cities, economies, and communities.

Services include:

  • Strategic city transformation and urban renewal

  • Economic development and investment attraction

  • Infrastructure strategy and delivery

  • Regional growth and metropolitan planning

  • Governance reform and organisational leadership

  • Financial sustainability and public sector reform

  • Climate action, sustainability and net zero strategy

  • International relations and multi-level government advocacy

  • Stakeholder engagement and collaborative governance

  • Housing, planning and development strategy

  • Major project facilitation and partnership development

  • Tourism, events and destination development

  • Aviation, regional connectivity and economic diversification

  • Public policy, advocacy and government relations

  • Leadership mentoring and executive advisory services

  • Community engagement and inclusive decision making

  • City branding, positioning and global recognition

  • Resilience, recovery and long-term strategic planning

As the city’s youngest and second-ever female Lord Mayor, she championed gender equity by leading Newcastle’s first female-majority council and establishing scholarships to empower women in leadership. Nuatali continues this important work sharing her knowledge in leadership and sustainable urban development, now as a Professor of Practice at the University of Newcastle and a Mayoral Mentor for Local Government NSW.

Nuatali is currently advising on the establishment and strategic development of best practice municipal government bringing her expertise in governance, city strategy and sustainable urban systems to one of the world’s most ambitious new city projects in the Middle East.