MEET OUR
TEAM

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The staff at Safe and Equal are critical to supporting the work taking place within the sector.

We bring together the skills, experience and expertise of many people. Our team are passionate about ensuring Safe and Equal stands strong against family violence.

We are currently working to ensure all staff are recognised in this section.

Our Chief Executive Officer:

EXECUTIVE
DIRECTORS

Jelena Djurdjevic

Executive Director, Sector Development

​​Jelena leads the Sector Development Unit in the development of innovative state-wide workforce capability policy solutions, and oversees the design of Safe and Equal’s workforce strategy.

Louise Simms

Executive Director, Policy, Communications and Engagement

Overseeing the multi-disciplinary PCE Unit, Louise leads Safe and Equal’s approaches to policy analysis, strategic advocacy, government, partner and member engagement, and broader campaigns and awareness-raising.

Marina Carman

Executive Director, Primary Prevention

Marina leads the integration of primary prevention across the organisation, with a focus on workforce development; building and sharing specialist expertise; and contributing to stronger coordination of prevention efforts across organisations and sectors.

Julie Lane

Finance Manager

As Finance Manager, Julie is responsible for the oversight, management and consolidation of Safe and Equal’s financial systems, processes and infrastructure.

SECTOR
DEVELOPMENT

Ashley Gregoratos

Instructional Designer

Drawing on adult learning principles, Ashley maintains, enhances and develops rich and engaging learning programs and designs interactive, social and collaborative online activities.

Courtney Wamala

Practice Development Advisor

As Practice Development Advisor, Courtney supports workforce and practice development for the specialist family violence sector.

Elizabeth Yared

Practice Development Advisor – MARAMIS

Elizabeth’s role predominantly supports capacity building for the MARAM and information sharing schemes within specialist family violence victim survivor services.

Ellen McGregor

Manager, Workforce Policy and Practice

Ellen supports the implementation of state-wide practice frameworks and building the capacity of the specialist family violence workforce.

Esther Lee-Scott

Traineeship Program Project Officer

Esther supports the implementation of the Family Violence and Sexual Assault Traineeship (FVSAT) Program, by supporting the program across the state.

Jessica Wilson

Practice Development Advisor

Jessica supports workforce and practice development in the specialist family violence sector.

Kelly Finch

Trainer

As a trainer, Kelly delivers a range of training packages to the specialist family violence sector and non-specialist sectors across Victoria.

Kristy-Lee Loots

Sector Development Advisor

Working within the Sector Development Unit, Kristy works across multiple projects focussed on strengthening and supporting the family violence sector.

Lisa Levis

Manager, Statewide Coordination

Lisa supports the strategic objectives of a team who engage with external stakeholders to embed reforms and build capability across member agencies and other community organisations.

Stephanie Penna

Trainer

As a trainer, Stephanie delivers a range of training packages to the specialist family violence sector and non-specialist sectors across Victoria.

Tharaka Tennekoon

Manager, Training Operations and Strategy

Tharaka manages the Workforce Development Training team and collectively ensures that the training packages and training delivery are effective and above industry standard.

PRIMARY
PREVENTION

Amelia Ditcham

Prevention Practice and Workforce Development Manager

Amelia manages primary prevention practice and workforce development, overseeing a suite of capability development offerings.

Beth Mooney

Fast Track Project Advisor

Beth supports the delivery of the Fast Track program, an intensive leadership program for specialist family violence response and primary prevention professionals.

Erica Wastell

Prevention Workforce Development Advisor

In her role as Workforce Development and Training Advisor, Erica leads the strategy, design and development of primary prevention training packages and workshops.

Hannah Dwyer

Prevention Program Officer

As Prevention Program Officer, Hannah supports the delivery and implementation of all programs related to prevention sector development.

Khyaati Acharya

Prevention Policy Advisor

Khyaati leads the development of policy submissions and advocacy relating to the primary prevention of violence against women and gender equality.

Lucy Peckham

Prevention Advisor, Connecting Communities

Lucy supports the Primary Prevention Unit across areas such as the development and delivery of training, resource development and stakeholder engagement.

Meghan Cooper

Prevention Project and Partnership Manager

Meghan leads a team of Prevention Advisors working on prevention policy, partnerships, evaluation and sector development, including the Partners in Prevention Network.

POLICY, COMMUNICATIONS
& ENGAGEMENT

Ella Longhurst

Policy and Research Officer

As Safe and Equal’s Policy and Research Officer, Ella works within the policy team across policy and research priorities.

Hayley Williamson

Communications Manager

As Communications Manager, Hayley leads the design, development and implementation of Safe and Equal’s communications activity.

Kate Mecham

Policy Manager

As Policy Manager, Kate is responsible for the day-to-day management and coordination of the Policy Team, as well as supporting policy and advocacy activity across the organisation.

Kim Hay

Policy Advisor

Working collaboratively with the policy team, Kim contributes to policy development, consultation and sector collaboration to inform public policy on family violence.

Lesly Zambrano

Access and Inclusion Advisor

Lesly drives the development and implementation of a program of work supporting access and inclusion within Safe and Equal and amongst member services.

Megan Kelly

Digital Engagement Advisor

Megan works on the day-to-day management of Safe and Equal’s communications channels including our websites, newsletters, social media and online community platforms.

Melanie Scammell

Media and Communications Advisor

Melanie plans and coordinates Safe and Equal’s media and communications activities, and leads the day-to-day coordination and support for media engagement.

Naomi Bellingham

Policy and Advocacy Advisor

Naomi plays a key role in advancing key policy changes in line with the organisation’s advocacy strategy and based on evidence, practice expertise and lived experience.

Rebeca Carro

Lived Experience Program Officer

Rebeca supports Safe and Equal’s lived experience program administration activities, including program coordination and peer support.

Robyn Stone

Business Partnerships and Engagement Advisor

Robyn coordinates the development and delivery of tailored professional development and capability building products and services.

OPERATIONS, QUALITY
& GOVERNANCE

Julie Lane

Finance Manager

As Finance Manager, Julie is responsible for the oversight, management and consolidation of Safe and Equal’s financial systems, processes and infrastructure.

Kate Ashton

Client and Training Services Support

Kate provides high level customer support to Safe and Equal’s training participants, and ensures the smooth delivery of all training and programs.

Meg Barber

Operations Lead – Organisational Development and Governance

Meg is responsible for leading and coordinating the governance activities of the organisation and for supporting the implementation of good governance principles.

Sam Meeks

Manager, Client Services, RTO and Quality Assurance

Sam leads the Client Services Team and is responsible for coordinating the whole of organisation training, administration and business systems and processes.

Sara Burgess

Operations Lead – Client and Training Services

Sara supports the implementation and delivery of organisation-wide capacity building activities through the lens of operations, quality, and governance.

Savanna Koene

Client and Financial Services Support

Based in the Operations, Quality and Governance Team, Savanna provides administrative and training support to the organisation.

Tyra Rochecouste

Executive and Office Coordinator

Tyra provides operational and administrative support to the organisation and its implementation of capacity building activities.

KEEP
UP TO DATE

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