About Us

Jason Rahilly, Founder and Director 

A entrepreneurial spirit at heart, building businesses is in Jason's blood. His money making schemes in primary school and started his first official business, a personal training company, at 17. His late teenage years and early twenties were spent living interstate while playing VFL. He moved into carpentry at 22 and soon started his own carpentry business.
Jason's love for animals and frustration with the plastic pollution lead to the birth of B-Alternative.
As a business minded human he understood that by build a successful business model, he could support the philanthropic and educational activities needed to make real change.
Now a licenced builder, Jason is also building earthships and looking at sustainable off grid communities.

Tim Landells, Festival Manager and Environmental Consultant

Tim is a keen surfer and environmentalist with a deep passion for embracing and sustaining our natural world. He is motivated by creating positive environmental change through impactful action and leadership. Tim is responsible for helping festival organisers create the most environmentally sustainable event possible, maximising efficiency and affordability.

Lourdes Sanchez, Business Development Manager 

Lourdes is in charge of Business Development at B-Alternative. She speaks five languages, has experience in social entrepreneurship, education, corporate, and government, and loves travelling and creating socio-environmental impact. Her experience, skills and passions allow her to bridge different cultures, sectors, and mindsets.

Esther Gatnau, Market Manager and Environmental Campaigner

Our bright spirit Esther was born in Catalonia and moved to Australia to work in environmental science, she is now our star campaigner and we couldn't live without her! "I love working with B-Alternative because we are a community that share the passion to protect our planet, I get to help others shift to a more sustainable lifestyle and engage younger generations to make this world a better place!" Esther loves working with wood, scuba driving and hiking - "Nature is the best cure!" 

Loki was the cool Science Club president in high school who everyone loved and also hated for telling people off because they litter. Little did she know that two decades later she will be picking up litter on Australian beaches, working as a bin fairy in festivals and helping run an environmental organization called B-Alternative. In late 2014, on a plane ride from Dubai to Melbourne, she sat next to Jason who just completed a Sea Shepherd mission at Faroe Islands, Denmark. In a few months time, she would be building a website and setting up systems for B-Alternative -- and later on would become Jason's strong ally behind the force that is B-Alternative. She provides a nurturing and loving space to make it easier for people to make a positive change. She dreams of building a sanctuary in one of the 7600+ islands of the Philippines which will aim to protect the local flora and fauna and provide a safe refuge to victims of humanitarian injustices.

Sivan Barak Bialobroda, Environmental Campaigner and Bin Fairy

Sivan is a lifetime social worker and ally, who collaborates for the means and ends. She believes in passing the microphone, working across groups and walking gently on stolen land. Sivan energetically advocates for social justice while repairing our Earth.

Bleps Dapo, Graphic Artist

The cool artist mother volunteering to bring colour and magic to B-Alternative! Check out her amazing artworks:

https://creativemarket.com/SunnyHunny/

https://www.instagram.com/blepsc/

Marty Draper, Site Manager and Bin Fairy

He moved from the Byron Bay area to Melbourne -- a truly awesome lad who loves to surf, cook and build wood products. He seems so chill but he is a weapon on festival grounds!

Tegan Carter, Environmental Campaigner and Bin Fairy 

The super woman who cares an awful lot about animals. She loves the local markets and loves engaging in community work.

She's a legend! The awesome surfer girl who's creating change to protect our oceans.

Khen Asuncion, Product Catalogue Manager

Karen is the "universal lid expert" and product catalogue manager. She is organised, with good attention to detail and likes to keep a general positive attitude. Being part of the BA team has helped strengthen her environmental awareness and her drive to make a positive impact on the environment however little it may be. A girl who loves her tea. :)

Stephanie Smilas, Mindfulness Coordinator, Sustainability Educator and Bin Fairy

Stephanie helps the B-Alternative team look after their physical and mental wellness by providing onsite mediations and teaching people how to stay flexible and stretch while they educate. As the founder and director of Here Now Group Stephanie is usually found teaching mindfulness & meditation to organisations in the corporate, not-for-profit and aged care sectors.

Anneliese Hallam, Environment and Education Consultant

Anneliese has ten years experience working in schools teaching environmental education, sustainability, social justice and comparative religions. She is dedicated to working with young people to ensure the next generation have opportunities to connect with nature. She is responsible for working with schools to support new systems for resource recovery, waste-management innovation and empowering young people to lead and drive change. She provides practical programs which enhance curriculum and promote experiences that support growth of character, responsibility and values in young people.

Chase Urita, Website Manager

Chase keeps the website up-to-date. As a mother of two little kids, she hopes to contribute in ensuring that her children and their generation will see and experience the beauty of the world around them - like we do now.

The Festival Crew on our first festival!