Where curiosity meets purpose and transforms communities
Social research and leadership programs for the heritage, environment and social sectors.
Our Practice
We work at the intersection of social research, cultural insight, and human-centred strategy—supporting partners across Australia to create resilient systems, empowered communities, and regenerative futures.
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Cultural Planning & Heritage Advisory
We specialise in cultural heritage management and cultural landscape planning, integrating social, environmental, and heritage expertise. Working alongside communities, Traditional Owners, organisations, and government, we create holistic frameworks that protect and celebrate significant places.
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Organisational & Community Development
We help organisations and communities grow stronger, more aligned, and better equipped to meet current and future challenges. Through facilitation, strategy, and capacity building, we nurture resilience, clarity, and collaboration.
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Social Research & Evaluation
We deliver rigorous, place-based qualitative research to illuminate the needs, stories, and lived experiences shaping communities. Our approach blends ethnography, environmental anthropology, systems thinking, and behavioural science to surface insights that matter.
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Engagement, Facilitation & Co-design
We design and evaluate programs with the people they’re created for. Our facilitation and codesign processes centre lived experience, equity, and genuine collaboration—building trust, strengthening relationships, and delivering solutions that are practical, grounded, and community-led.
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Leadership Advisory & Coaching
From leadership development to whole-of-organisation strategy, we guide teams through complexity with grounded clarity. Through grounded advisory, reflective coaching, and evidence-informed frameworks, we help you see patterns, strengthen relational influence, and lead with steadiness.
Take a deeper look at the people, principles, and practice guiding our work across Australia.
Everything you need to know about KŌTA—our company, our projects, and our impact.
Our Approach
For almost two decades, we’ve supported communities, government agencies, and purpose-driven organisations across Australia to navigate complexity and create positive impact. Our work is grounded in:
Deep listening and relational understanding
Interdisciplinary expertise across social research, behaviour change, heritage, environment, and systems thinking
Clarity and calm in complex contexts
A commitment to equity and meaningful participation
Design that honours people and place
This is change with integrity.
This is change done well.
Our Work
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National Trust Peninsula Farm Cultural Landscape Plan
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WA Water Management Stakeholder Mapping & Engagement Plan
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Western Australia Regional Heritage Advisory
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Tailored 10 Month Industry Leadership Program
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Abel Property Organisational Culture Audit & Strategy
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SILA Program Interviews & Case Studies
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Whadjuk Aboriginal Reference Group Consultation
What Our Clients Say
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Thank you for your work on the project. We couldn’t be happier with the outcomes. This is industry-benchmark work.
Julian Donaldson - CEO, National Trust
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I wanted to acknowledge the effort and quality of the plan you’ve put together. It’s clear that a significant amount of research went into this, and given that you and Antje only had a couple of weeks to get up to speed, the result is impressive. The document provides a thorough overview and reflects a strong understanding of the regions.
Patrick - Senior Environmental Officer, WA Government Department
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There is a nuance and highly contextual element to building social enterprises - the purpose and profit paradigm. Many consultants in this sector seem to land with too much of a focus on either one or the other. However, Renée gets it, and we are lucky to have worked with her on supporting some of our key social enterprise development projects.
Sven Stenvers - Director, Impact Seed
Our Story
KŌTA is led by Renée, a social researcher, archaeologist, leadership coach, and community strategist with 18 years’ experience working across government, community, research, and consultancy sectors. Recognised in the Australian Parliament for her contributions to community health and sustainability, she brings depth, clarity, and a relational approach to every project.
Our approach is grounded in evidence and guided by humanity. We combine interdisciplinary research, human-centred design, systems thinking, and culturally informed methodologies to support projects that honour both people and place.
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