About EngagingDev

Working alongside you to communicate and inspire change

EngagingDev was founded by Lisa Ritchie, a strategic communications specialist with over 20 years of experience in international development and the humanitarian sector. Seeing the growing demand and clear market gap for tailored communications support, Lisa set out to provide professional communications services for donors, governments and implementing partners. 

What We Do

The EngagingDev team works with governments, donors, programs and implementing partners to shape communications and public diplomacy strategies that build trust and visibility, support reform and drive outcomes. 

We strive to understand the contexts in which our partners work and tailor communications to support and strengthen program outcomes through advocacy and outreach, stakeholder engagement, policy reform and uptake, systems strengthening and community participation. 

Our work is grounded in the belief that communications is a strategic asset – not an afterthought. 

Our Services

Our Team

We are a small, versatile team with a global client base. We pride ourselves on the quality of our services and strong working partnerships with our clients. We see ourselves as an extension of your team and work alongside you to develop and deliver your communications strategy.

Lisa Ritchie, Founder and Communications Strategist

  • GradDip (Communications), Deakin University, 2022

  • MSocSc (International Development), RMIT University, 2005

  • BA (Journalism), Deakin University, 1997

Lisa is an experienced, versatile communications specialist. As the Founder of EngagingDev, Lisa directly supports and oversees communications services for a range of projects, government agencies, donors, businesses and NGOs around the world. With experience in monitoring, evaluation, impact assessment and research, and program leadership, Lisa also supports clients in these areas and integrates them seamlessly with program communications. 

Stella Pongsitanan, Visual Communications Specialist

  • MA Media (Multimedia), RMIT University, 2018

  • BA (Visual Communication Design), Petra Christian University, 2007

Stella is an accomplished creative designer and multimedia content developer who has worked extensively on global and multi-country international development programs. After completing a Master of Media in Australia, Stella returned to Indonesia, where she continues her visual design consultancy. Having been an integral member of the EngagingDev team since 2018, Stella is known for bringing our clients’ design requests to life.

  • BA Honours (Professional and Creative Writing), Deakin University, 2024

  • Bachelor of Creative Writing, Deakin University, 2023

Ashlee is an early-career publishing and communications professional with experience in editing, copywriting, social media management and content creation. Specialising in creative writing and literary studies, Ashlee has been published in several journals, magazines and on her website. Ashlee recently completed her Honours on the Divine Feminine in contemporary feminist poetry and thealogy, and intends to undertake her PhD in a related field.

Ashlee Simpson, Communications Officer

  • We provide honest, evidence-based advice, even when it is uncomfortable or not what a client wants to hear. We believe trust is built on candour, not consensus. 

  • We work, engage, consult and advise with integrity. 

  • We hold ourselves to high standards and combine rigour with creativity. Our work is purposeful, well-crafted and informed by strategic thinking.  

Our Values

  • We value our colleagues, clients and industry peers. We build strong partnerships based on collaboration, genuine connections and respect. 

  • We value diversity in ideas, outlook and skills. We recognise the importance of different perspectives and work to create a space where diversity is encouraged. 

  • We value the creative process: the trial and error, the hard slog, the breakthroughs, the shared ideas.