Alice is the Director of Environmental Analytics and Co-Founder of DiscoverEI. Her passion is finding clever ways to process, analyse and share environmental data. Alice is a Microsoft MVP for the Data Platform and her passion is combining Power BI with graphic design, and environmental modelling to bring data to life. Drawing on her background working for over 9 years as environmental engineer specialising in surface water and groundwater modelling, Alice works collaboratively with government organisations to turn mountains of data into practical, useful, decision-guiding insights. Alice has a deep understanding of how environmental data can be used to provide insights, drive efficiencies and really improve communication.

A newly appointed Microsoft Certified Trainer, Alice has recently launched a series of Power BI training courses in BI Design and Environmental Analytics, and gets a real buzz from empowering her clients to build their own environmental analytics solutions and interactive dashboards!

Alice is proficient in a range of environmental modelling and data analytics software, including:

• Power BI: As a Microsoft MVP for Data Platform, Alice is a recognised world leader in the field of Power BI! She specialises in Power BI visualisation and data storytelling.

• Microsoft Data Platform and Business Applications: Certified Associate of Business Intelligence Reporting (Power BI), Microsoft Certified Trainer in Power BI, mobile application development (PowerApps), Business Automation (Power Automate), SQL, Azure Data Factory, Azure Machine Learning and R Studio.

• Environmental Modelling: water allocation modelling (eWater Source, REALM, SIMHYD, STEDI, PRIDE), spatial analysis (ArcGIS, QGIS), groundwater modelling (MODFLOW-USG) and calibration software (PEST)

Away from the computer, Alice loves getting back to nature. Whether it’s cycle touring across Europe, trail running through the Swiss Alps or hiking in New Zealand, if she’s outside - she’s happy!

Christian is the Director of Visual Solutions and Co-Founder of DiscoverEI. His passion is helping clients visualise the complex environmental problems that we are working to solve.

Christian has 9 years’ experience working as an Environmental Engineer, specialising in contamination assessment and remediation, and has helped clean-up impacted sites across Australia and New Zealand. Through coordinating field programs and managing remediation projects, Christian understands the importance of collecting representative data and processing it efficiently. Christian knows how the simple act of combining schematics and visualisations can be a really powerful tool in helping bridge the communication gap. As a Microsoft Certified Solutions Associate (MCSA) and Microsoft Certified Trainer (MCT) in BI reporting, he loves to teach the next generation of data warriors.

Christian is proficient in a range of environmental data collection, processing and visualisation software, including:

• Land Contamination and Remediation: data analysis (Esdat, gINT), conceptual site model development, environmental data collection systems

• Visualisation: infographic and schematic design (Adobe Illustrator, Photoshop), animation production (Adobe After Effects, Premiere Pro), registered drone videographer (DJI technology)

• Microsoft Power Platform: mobile application development (PowerApps), Automation (MS Flow), Business Intelligence Reporting (Power BI)

Outside of work, Christian loves his sport. Whether it’s watching his footy team the Freo Dockers, or competing in marathon and ironman events, he is passionate about his sport! You’ll get the picture once you check out his AFL Power BI Dashboard…

Daniel is a Microsoft MVP for the Data Platform, and Principal Data Analyst at DiscoverEI in addition to being founder of Coacervo. Based in Auckland, New Zealand, his 18-year career working has seen Daniel working to help drive enterprise-wide solutions through process and software engineering; predominantly through business intelligence, software integration and data visualisation. He is extremely passionate about the Microsoft BI stack - specifically Power BI. As an MVP, Daniel has been recognised as one of the leaders in his field for providing data management and visualisation solutions and developing automated workflows across a range of scripting languages.

Daniel aims to empower people with the knowledge and tools to make their workday easier by using software and/or common sense to eliminate the tedious bits. He enjoys sharing the knowledge he has gained with anyone that has the inspiration and desire to learn these skills for themselves

Daniel is an expert in a wide range of data analytics and engineering fields, including:

• Software Engineering: provides enterprise-wide software solutions through process and software engineering skills.

• Business Intelligence: end-to-end Power BI model development, including architecture, database design, data modelling (M and DAX languages) and dashboard creation.

• Power BI Custom Visuals: develops and publishes Power BI custom visuals on Microsoft AppSource (check out these links to Daniel’s Violin Plot, Small Multiples Line Chart and HTML Content) and the DiscoverEI MarketPlace.

Outside of work Daniel enjoys playing and listening to music, brewing craft beer, home improvement and spending time with his wife and two dogs.

Rinat is a motion designer and visual effects (VFX) artist that has over 10 years’ experience developing animations, motion graphics and schematics. He is passionate about design and believes that visual communication is an effective tool for knowledge sharing and education. He applies his skills within DiscoverEI, developing motion graphic templates, 3D block model schematics and explainer videos tailored to the environmental industry. Check out some of Rinat’s latest work in our project highlights video below!

Rinat is an expert across a wide range of creative software platforms, including:

• Design principles: Advanced knowledge of creative concepts applied through illustration;

• Schematics: Skilled working within the Adobe Creative Cloud platform (Photoshop, Illustrator) for 2D and 3D design; and

• Motion graphics: Expert in using Adobe After Effects, Maya and Cinema 4D (C4D) for video development.

In his spare time outside of work, Rinat enjoys applying both his design and engineering skills to experimental rocketry, and is the founder of a community Rocket Club. He is also a talented guitar player, fisherman and enjoys getting out exploring nature on his bike.

You can see more of Rinat’s design work at DiscoverEI in the video below

Having started DiscoverEI working out of YBF Ventures, Australia's top start-up hub for tech and innovation, we were constantly surrounded by others who are on a similar journey to discovering how we can develop, and apply technology to help make our world a better place.

It was wonderful to take the time to reflect on the DiscoverEI journey one year in with Joe Harrington, and share a bit more about how we are applying data analytics and visualisation tools to streamline environmental modelling and create a shared understanding of the complex environmental systems we are working to protect. We can’t wait to reflect again in another 12 months!

Alice and Christian are passionate about protecting the health of our waterways and are regular attendees at water industry events across Australia.

Alice is a proud committee member of the Australian Water Association in Victoria, Australia's leading water association works with our 700 corporate and 5000 individual members to help build a sustainable water future.

Christian is on the River Basin Management Society committee, which is a volunteer lead community group bringing together scientists, engineers and ecologists to help promote river health and catchment management across Australia.

Both these organisations help to connect and inspire our water industry professionals and facilitate us to use our skills for good, to help manage and protect our precious water resources. Come and meet Alice and Christian at many of the upcoming events!!