Josie grew up in Christchurch, a city of 350 000 between the mighty Pacific Ocean and the Southern Alps. Family tramping trips in Aotearoa New Zealand's awe-inspiring national parks and summer holidays at the beach raised her interest in the environment at a young age. She is currently a student of Ecology, Politics and Spanish at the University of Otago, Dunedin, where she coordinates the student environmental club. She is involved with Students of Aotearoa Network for the Environment (S.A.N.E) and is an Executive Member of the Environment and Conservation Organisations of New Zealand (ECO). Josie is a true believer in inspiring hope through personal and local action. Over the past two summers she has worked as a park ranger monitoring rare bird species – the kiwi, kokako and New Zealand dotterel, alongside passionate volunteers from local communities.

She is interested in novel and creative initiatives in response to challenges regarding sustainability, conservation of biodiversity, food and energy resources, fair trade and social justice. Josie enjoys being outdoors, learning languages, potluck dinners, hanging out with her flatmates and watching native kereru and piwakawaka play in their backyard.