Principal Consultant · Co-Founder
Matt Healey
Systems, evaluation, and design expert specialising in collaborative approaches to complex problems. Passionate about building capability in systems approaches to evaluation and design.
Professional background
Matt co-founded First Person Consulting in April 2015 and has since undertaken nearly 200 different projects over 10 years. His practice sits at the intersection of evaluation, systems thinking, and design, focusing on collaborative approaches that help clients figure out 'what works' for them and those they serve.
Matt is a sector leader in the practical application of systems thinking and systems methodologies to complex challenges. He co-hosts The Systems Sandbox Podcast and The It Depends Podcast.
As a recognised facilitator and presenter both virtually and in-person, Matt thrives in fostering collaborative working relationships with clients. He has designed and led capability building programs for State Government departments, delivered public training on co-design and evaluation, and recently co-led part of the Executive Course 'Service Design for Systemic Change' for POLI.design in Italy.
His expertise is frequently sought for complex strategic initiatives, he was a member of the Evaluation and Implementation Advisory Group (EIAG) for the Early Years Partnership in Western Australia, where he contributed knowledge of systems science, developmental evaluation, and innovation. He is also working with the Victorian Legal Services Board on a program of work to address systems conditions that drive poor wellbeing outcomes in the legal sector.
Matt's approach is characterised by humour and humility in addressing complex problems. He believes in creating fit-for-purpose designs that are feasible and sustainable, ensuring organisations can 'own' the approaches they develop together. His work spans from individual capability building through to whole-of-sector transformation initiatives.
Areas of expertise
Matt's expertise spans evaluation, systems thinking, and design, with a particular focus on complex contexts requiring innovative approaches. He specialises in creating meaningful evaluations for complex environments and developing systems-based solutions to challenging problems.
Matt's speciality is the application of novel approaches for working together in complexity:
- Systems methodologies: Matt is an emerging sector leader in applying different systems methodologies to strategy, design and evaluation
- Complex program evaluation design: Development of models suitable for complex contexts, including multi-site, multi-year, and multi-stakeholder programming
- Embedded capability building: Recognising every interaction is an opportunity to learn and evolve practice, Matt embodies an 'open book' approach to learning and problem solving
- Designing solutions: Matt's practice spans evaluation and design, and is not limited to working on evaluations, but also designing solutions. Most recently he developed Catalyst: The Systems Thinking Strategy Game
Education & qualifications
Part-time fellowship exploring the role and application of systems methodologies to the design and evaluation of place-based approaches.
Tailored study in environmental systems, including food systems, urban planning, environmental law, resilience, and political ecology. Minor thesis in a place-based approach to urban regeneration via a case study in Pretoria, South Africa.
Undergraduate study of human society and culture. Comprehensive study of human societies, cultures, and behaviour. Developed skills in qualitative research methods, ethnographic approaches, and understanding complex social systems. Undergraduate ethnographic research project examining culture shock among exchange students.