Lilly completed a Bachelor of Urban Planning (Hons) at the University of Auckland in 2016 and began her career at Napier City Council. Lilly then worked at Beef + Lamb New Zealand as a Senior Environment Policy Analyst, engaging in Freshwater Plan Change Processes throughout the country. Lilly has a broad range of resource management experience in both urban and environmental planning and has been involved in Council and Environment Court Hearing processes on Regional Policy Statements and Plans.