McKenzie was raised in the suburbs of Melbourne. She earned an Arts degree at Melbourne University, followed by a Law degree at Monash University. She initially planned to be a human rights lawyer, until she learned about climate change, which she says she realized was going to be ‘a human catastrophe as much as an environmental catastrophe’. In 2006 McKenzie founded the Australian Youth Climate Coalition, which became “one of Australia's largest climate change advocacy groups, with more than 100,000 members.” She is on the board of the Centre for Australian Progress and on the board of Plan International Australia. In 2011 she joined the Climate Commission in the position of Senior Communications Advisor. When the Climate Commission was disbanded, McKenzie initiated and led a communications training program designed for climate scientists. The Abbott Government dismantled the Climate Commission in 2013, and then Mackenzie co-ordinated and led the largest crowd-funding campaign in Australia to date. This led to $1 million of funding received in the first few days, $1.3 million in funding within 10 days from a pool of 16,000 people was received. This funding then allowed the commission to re-launch as the Climate Council, a not for profit organisation. The Climate Council is now able to generate more than $12 million per year.
Climate change and renewables advocacy
McKenzie works with the Cities Power Partnership, which links local councils working towards renewable energy, and provides information on climate policy and research to support the councils. She reported in 2019 that Australian's would be shocked at the cover ups by the Federal Government. The Climate Council report “Climate Cuts, Cover Ups and Censorship” provided evidence that the federal government of Australia had reduced climate change funding, ‘rejected advice from climate bodies’ as well as ‘weakened capabilities by cutting jobs at CSIRO’. "I think most Australians would be outraged if they knew the full story," Ms McKenzie said. "The Coalition Government has slashed climate science funding, censored important information and repeatedly made false claims."
Media
SBS covered the Climate Council's report in the weeks before the 2019 federal election. “Heatwaves have become hotter and last longer, while droughts, intense rainfall and bushfire conditions have become more severe,” Ms McKenzie said. “As Australians experience escalating consequences into the future, they are likely to view this period of missed opportunities and failed leadership with deep dismay." She has also written on the period when the federal government releases their carbon emissions figures, during Christmas when the public is distracted, and how Australia's carbon emissions have risen over the years 2014-2019. Her work on climate change and renewable energy, has been described by the Huffington Post, the ABC, and other media In 2019 she was a speaker for the Smart Energy and Climate Emergency webinar.
Awards and recognition
2020 — Invited Keynote Celebrating Women in Conservation Breakfast.
