In the MAV’s innovation lab, MAVlab – launched in 2024 – Gemma is enabling innovation in local government to help councils navigate complex and emerging challenges like technological disruption, demographic shifts, services transformation, the impacts of climate change and more. With the MAVlab Innovation Associates Network — a brave and vibrant community of council staff across Victoria – Gemma helps build innovation practice, champion innovation and excellence in councils, scale great ideas beyond municipal boundaries and engender a culture of sharing knowledge and resources. Before this, Gemma was a pilot and trial specialist leading innovation challenges and pilots in the Smart City Incubator at the City of Melbourne, helping curate community conversations for Melbourne Knowledge Week and Melbourne Conversations and designing high-fashion cycling wear. Her toolkit includes expertise in storytelling and engagement, facilitation, co-design, service design, change management and human-centered design.