Kristel Alla is co-founder and editor-in-chief of HEIA. She studied political science at the University of Tartu and holds a doctorate in public health from the University of Queensland. A long-time community volunteer, writer and storyteller, Kristel is passionate about connecting Australian Estonians with each other and with Estonia. Through HEIA, she hopes to help preserve community stories, celebrate achievements and strengthen connections across Australia's vast distances. Warm, curious and always interested in people and their stories, Kristel believes communities thrive when people share what matters to them. You can write to her at kristel@eesti.org.au.