Strategy that delivers
Value & Impact.
Urbaine is a strategic communication and engagement agency delivering tailored strategies that drive commercial and social outcomes for businesses.
Formulated over a 20 plus year friendship, our business partnership was founded on trust, mutual respect and admiration, and a good sense of humour.
Sarah Dixon and Anita Kharbanda
Managing Partners
Urbaine is an award-winning communication, public relations and engagement consultancy specialising in property, infrastructure and corporate sectors.
We are experts in strategy, community acceptance, and content. As trusted partners of some of Australia’s most respected companies we build brand awareness and nurture and protect reputations through positioning and strategic communication, and strengthen project approval and development processes to encourage community acceptance. We are master storytellers – we use our journalistic instincts and leverage our extensive media network to promote and elevate the stories of the people and places behind our rapidly evolving smart-cities and regions.
Considered, inclusive communication and engagement practices drive our approach to strategy, service delivery, relationship building and reputation management. We do agency differently – we are selective about who we work with to ensure our values align and the scope of work contributes to, and benefits from, our networks and influence. Care and empathy are foundations of our success and with a rich set of multidisciplinary skills and diverse perspectives, Urbaine is an extension of our clients’ teams.
We understand the social, cultural and economic value of legacy infrastructure, civic and community resilience and sustainable place-making in the well-being of our cities. Our team is passionate about shaping the businesses, infrastructure and urban spaces that will benefit communities for years to come.
Our Team.
Sarah Dixon
Founder and Managing Partner
Sarah has more than 20 years' experience in media, communication and engagement. Her experience includes local and state government projects as well as some of Australia’s largest private and listed companies including Lewis Land Group, Frasers Property, Sekisui House Australia, QIC Global Real Estate, Sunland Group, Watpac, Coles and McDonald's. Sarah is a member of the Public Relations Institute of Australia and the Property Council of Australia’s Social Infrastructure Committee.
Anita Kharbanda
Managing Partner
Anita is an accomplished external affairs expert with more than 20 years’ experience across infrastructure, construction, and resources. She has led community and stakeholder engagement programs for major projects in Australia and the UK, managed in-house corporate affairs and communication functions, and consulted to large private and listed companies. Anita is a member of the Infrastructure Association of Queensland and the Committee for Brisbane.
Rhianne Bell
Communication Director
Rhianne brings nearly 20 years of experience to her role as Urbaine’s Communication Director. Her expertise includes corporate communications, stakeholder and community engagement across diverse industries including property, public transport and infrastructure, not-for-profits, energy and professional services. Rhianne offers both in-house and agency experience, and has a Certificate in Engagement with the International Association for Public Participation (IAP2).
Jo Cranstoun
Communication Manager
Jo is a former journalist with decades of experience in media and communications. Her career experience includes regional and major metropolitan newspaper titles as a reporter and sub-editor, and in recent years she moved into the private sector. Prior to Urbaine, Jo led the communications and media relations for a large retirement living provider and a Queensland not-for-profit organisation.
Tessa Hanlon
Communication Manager
Tessa is a strategic communication specialist with over 15 years of experience through her own consultancy, in-house and agency side. She has worked with all levels of government and several private organisations in Australia, South Africa and the US.
Genevieve Anderson
Communication Consultant
Genevieve brings qualifications in Fine Arts and a passion for architecture and urban design to role at Urbaine. With nearly a decade of experience in construction and development as a successful freelance consultant, Gen combines her understanding of placemaking and flair for creative writing with strong project management capabilities.
Emily Lowe
Communication Consultant
Emily is a talented journalist with a passion for storytelling. She brings high energy and a can-do attitude to her clients and the Urbaine team. With her extensive experience at regional newspaper titles and a metropolitan broadcaster, Emily offers recent newsroom expertise and a range of established media contacts. Emily has a Bachelor of Journalism with multiple awards received during her studies.
Sarah Rogers
Office Administrator
Sarah is a results-oriented Business Administrator with over twenty years’ experience working in local, regional and global corporations across the corporate services sector. She excels in project delivery and her outstanding communication skills, attention to detail and efficiency focus are the foundation of her exceptional level of service and professionalism.