Andrew Johnson, CEO, Youth Action
Andrew brings 30 years’ experience in a senior role at the national and international level. He was the UN Representative and Head of New York Office for Save the Children (USA); Director of Public Policy and Advocacy on Children in Crisis and Emergency (Washington DC), Lead on Save the Children’s global strategic plan on violence against children and young people (Sweden), Head of Programs Effectiveness, Policy and Advocacy for Plan International (UK); Deputy Secretary General and Secretary General for ChildFund Alliance (USA). Here in Australia, he held the position of CEO in the Australian Republican Movement, Australia Council of Social Service, as well as the inaugural NSW Advocate for Children and Young People. As a trainer and mentor Andrew has worked across the globe and conducted training in advocacy, campaigns, human rights approaches and chid rights and child safety. He was adjunct Professor at New York University developing and teaching courses on child rights, Human Rights, and on the history and development of NGOs. The course he developed and trained on children rights was accredited by in Australia by NSW NESA.
Anthony Shannon, Department of Communities & Justice
Anthony leads a range of commissioning, early intervention and inclusion strategies, including Ageing, Carers, Volunteering and Disability Inclusion. Anthony has held a number of positions across FACS, over 15 years at Head Office leading state-wide targeted earlier intervention, child protection and homelessness reforms, and at district level, managing NGO disability and community services funding, and community development and sector partnerships.
Kim McLoughry, CEO, RYSS
Kim McLoughry is the Chief Executive Officer of Regional Youth Support Services. Kim has recently celebrated a milestone of 30 years working at RYSS. Kim’s role at RYSS began in 1993 when she took on the role of the first Youth Centre Coordinator under what was then called Gosford Youth Services. Kim’s innovative approach to youth engagement set the foundation for the service to young people for the next three decades. Kim has led projects including the Wyoming Youth Centre, Labrinth Youth Café in Gosford, Parkside Multi Service Youth Facility, “Donnison’s on the Park” Youth Restaurant, Youth Art’s Warehouse, THE BUS Mobile Outreach Youth Centre, and recently the One3One Youth Hub. These projects have provided opportunities for Central Coast young people to engage in their community, feel empowered with new skills and opportunities, and help them to recognise, nurture and develop to their full potential.
Penny Lamaro, CEO, Women’s Shelter Armidale
Penny Lamaro is the CEO at the Women’s Shelter Armidale Inc. Penny has years of experience as a youth worker. Penny is also currently the Founder and Youth Worker at WAGS the Dog, using the unique genius of dogs to support and assist young people facing challenging life choices. Penny has experience as a Manager at Pathfinders, providing specialist youth homelessness support and has worked as a Youth Justice Conference Convenor for 6 years at the Department of Justice. Penny has also been a Board Member with Youth Action since 2018 and Chairperson since 2021.
Trish Connolly, CEO, Yfoundations
Trish has an extensive background in homelessness and domestic abuse policy, research service design, and service system reform within an Australian and UK context. She has worked across a broad range of sectors including the NSW State Government, UK Government, peak bodies, non-government/frontline service providers and charities. Trish is an experienced consultant having established her own business in 2016 and a new consultancy service within one of the UK’s biggest homelessness charities, Crisis UK. Her most recent experience has been in a service delivery capacity in the community housing sector. Trish is strongly committed to ending homelessness and has a distinct passion to work in the youth homelessness sector. She was a member of the Yfoundations Board in 2014/15 to provide expertise on the impacts and best practice approaches for young people experiencing domestic and family violence.
Susan Watson, CEO, Fams
Susan is an outcomes-focused leader in the not-for-profit sector with decades of experience in both government and non-government organisations across New South Wales, Australia, and the United Kingdom. Known for her ability to drive impactful reform, she has successfully enhanced financial sustainability, improved governance, and fostered vibrant workforce cultures. Susan has a passion for blending data and storytelling to demonstrate impact. As the CEO of Fams, Susan champions the rights of children and young people to thrive in safe, strong, and supportive communities.
Maree Walk, CEO, ACWA
Maree brings over 30 years of experience in the child and family area, with a proven track record of leadership and accomplishment. Maree has worked as Chief Executive, Community services and as a Deputy Secretary in the family and community department (now DCJ, then FaCS) as well as leading operations in The Benevolent Society, a non-government organisation. She has experience on national and state boards regarding community and family support—especially for the most vulnerable.
Luke Wallace, Goulburn Milwaree Council
Luke has been working with youth for over 15 years, working across both community services and local government. Luke has been at Goulburn Mulwaree council since 2018 and has built a youth services program and team using the foundations of Place base and youth Co-design. This has allowed Luke to build a saucerful youth program through the success of several state grants to better support the regions young people.
Kane Sparks, KD Solutions
Kane has been working in the youth industry for over 20 years. Kane worked in local government Victory leading youth teams and advocating for youth at local and state level, advocating for change and better services for youth in regional Victoria. In recent years Kane has left local government and has started his own consultancy business KD solutions providing support and advocacy work across the country.
Michelle Tilden, Central Coast Council
Michelle has worked with young people since 2000, with the past 17 years working in Local Government on the Central Coast delivering youth wellbeing programs, partnering with non-profits to deliver positive outcomes for young people. Michelle is a passionate advocate for mental health and wellbeing and respectful relationship education within schools and the workplace. Her commitment to working collaboratively with community partners to develop and implement programs that benefit young people, ensures they are connected well with their community. Michelle is honoured to work with young people and continually seeks opportunities to help them recognise their strengths, values and skills.
Sewa Emojong, ES Emojong Consultancy
Sewa Emojong is a Youth and Community Development Consultant with 14 years experience working with young people. After working in Local Government and the Tertiary Education sector, Sewa ventured out on her own with E.S Emojong Consultancy, working with organisations across the New England North West on bespoke youth and community development projects.
Ellie Tree, Youth Speak Bellingen
Ellie Tree is a youth community development worker and the visionary behind the YOUth Speak Project, a transformative initiative that amplifies the voices of young people within their communities. Her leadership through this program has secured an additional $290,000 for youth led projects on the Mid North Coast. Ellie’s dedication to empowering young people is evident in the projects success, with high engagement rates and impactful community events. As a first-term Councillor in Bellingen Shire Council, Ellie combines her expertise in youth advocacy, community engagement, and policy development to create lasting positive change for the region’s youth.
Emily Duncan, Youth Worker, MCCI
Emily Duncan is a passionate youth development worker at the Multicultural Communities Council Illawarra (MCCI). With extensive experience supporting culturally and linguistically diverse and refugee youth, she is dedicated to amplifying young voices and ensuring their perspectives shape the programs designed to foster their growth into independent young adults.
In her role, Emily works closely with newly arrived youth and their families, supporting them through the resettlement journey. Over the past three years, she has coordinated MCCI’s Accelerate HER youth development program, empowering young women to enhance their agency, build essential life skills, and cultivate strong social connections and overall wellbeing.
Emily’s recent initiatives focus on refining MCCI’s youth-centered approach to program design and developing strategies that encourage young people with lived experience to become active co-designers of the projects they engage with in order to create a safer, more equitable, and actively anti-racist community in the Illawarra.
Martina Pearce, YES Employment
With 13 years of experience in the employment industry, I initially worked within Disability Employment Services before transitioning over to the Youth employment Space where I could have more impact to support disengaged young people aged 15-24. As an early school leaver and a mother to (now adult children) who also left school at 14, I understand the challenges of navigating traditional learning models, particularly in todays world faced with extra complexities. My mission is to ensure that the young people I work with are supported holistically to learn and develop in their own unique ways, leveraging their individual talents and skills to achieve their goals and aspirations.
Sarah Abi-Kattar, Young Carers Youth Advisory Group
Sarah Abi-Khattar is the Young Carer Project Officer working within the Policy team at Carers NSW, the peak non-government organisation for family and friend carers in NSW. She holds a Diploma in Community Services Welfare from TAFE NSW and a Bachelor of Social Work from University of Sydney. Sarah has previously worked in the disability sector, and has a strong commitment to social justice and human rights.
Tamirirashe Matara, South West Sydney Multicultural Resource Centre
I am currently a freelance journalist, youth advocate and public speaker who aims to be the voice of the youth by encouraging and empowering young people to reach beyond their limits. Through creating content, and interviewing I aim to utilise the people within my community as a great example of how success can be achieved.
Peter Dawe, Botanic Gardens
Peter Dawe has been the Youth Community Greening Coordinator for the Botanic gardens of Sydney for the last ten years and has been delivering environmental education to students and communities for the last 30 years. This experience combined with a Masters of Environmental Management, Bachelor of Education and Diploma of Sustainability provide him with the expertise, knowledge and passion to deliver such an important message and program.
Sam Stanford, Blue Sky Community Services
Sam is a passionate youth worker who has worked with and supported young people for 15 years in a variety of settings, and he’s self-proclaimed geek. Sam specialises in programs which foster relationship skills, whether it’s creating safe spaces for self-expression, social-experimentation, and building confidence or running workshops on sex, consent, and healthy relationships.
Sue Buratti, Australian Childhood Foundation
Sue is a General Manager for the Australian Childhood Foundation. Sue has for many years worked to support trauma healing across the lifespan by providing supervision, training, and consultancy. She an advocate for children’s rights and has trained and presented on topics relating to childhood trauma both nationally and internationally.
Debra Mainwaring, Western Sydney University
Debra is a Clinical Educator and Supervisor for Not-For-Profit mental health programs, a PhD Candidate at Western Sydney University investigating young mother’s mental health literacy. The first manager of headspace Katoomba, a former Leader of Student Wellbeing at Sydney Catholic Schools, and Project Lead promoting the educational outcomes of children in out of home care. She has a Master of Science in Educational Psychology, Master of Education, Postgraduate Certificate in Education, Bachelor of Science (Honours) Psychology, a Diploma in Nature Based Therapy and is an Accredited Permaculture Teacher. Debra’s speciality areas of practice are Complex Trauma, Neurodiversity, and Learning Difficulties.
Freya Conomos, Child Safe Engagement Officer, Office of Childrens Guardian
Having been a rights-based youth worker for the past 10 years, Freya is passionate about upholding children and young people’s right to have a voice in the decisions which impact them. As a policy enthusiast, Freya is excited to get you excited about creating effective policies which support children and young people
Les Coe, Child Safe Engagement Officer, Office of Childrens Guardian
Les Coe is the Child Safe Officer for the health sector at the OCG. Over the past 3 years he has assisted organisations and Local Health Districts to understand and implement the Child Safe Standards. Prior to his role at the OCG, Les worked for over 10 years in Youth Justice (formerly Juvenile Justice) as well as with vulnerable children and young people.
Annukina Warda, Multicultural Youth Network NSW
Annukina Warda (She/ Her) leads the Multicultural Youth Affairs Network of NSW. She is a long-time youth policy analyst, specialising more recently in the areas of countering violent extremism and building social cohesion. Annukina’s experience spans across NSW and in multiple sites around the world. At heart, Annukina is dreaming of a better world where all young people feel included, celebrated and safe from harm.
Karina Inostroza, Solicitor, Legal Aid,
Karina Inostroza is a community legal education lawyer for young people in the Respect at Work Legal Service (RAWLS), a workplace sexual harassment & discrimination team within Legal Aid NSW. Her role is to upskill young people in high schools & TAFES, and workers servicing young people, on workplace legal rights.
Karina has over 8 years’ prior experience in her previous role delivering education on Work & Development Orders to youth workers, school support officers and young people, to help them clear fines debt.
Ammy Singh, Solicitor, Legal Aid
Ammy Singh is a lawyer with the Respect at Work Legal Service (RAWLS). Ammy specialises in human rights matters involving sexual harassment, discrimination and police and prison accountability. Prior to Ammy’s Legal Aid NSW roles, Ammy worked for the North Australian Aboriginal Justice Agency, travelling to remote communities in the Tiwi Islands and Arnhem Land. Ammy has also worked as a refugee lawyer at the Refugee Advice and Casework Service and in litigation at Allens.
Tania Krasinski, Redwood Work Collective
Tania Krasinski established Redwoods Work Collaborative in 2021 to upskill, resource and connect community services, businesses and government agencies through research, consultancy and training. Tania completed her Executive MBA and Adult Education degree at UTS. With over 20 years of experience in the youth and community sector, overlapping with IT and business consulting, Tania’s goal for Redwoods is to promote the work of the community and social sector so that they are understood, seen and valued.
Stacey Jacobs, Cessnock High School
Stacy has worked in the youth sector in the Lower Hunter Region for 23 years and currently works at Cessnock High School, part time in disabilities and provides Youth and Teen Mental Health First Aid Training to all community sectors at cost price only. Stacy works as a Student Support Officer, she runs “The Hub” at CHS which provides a safe space for vulnerable young people where they are welcomed, cared for, supported and fed. She organises external agencies such as PCYC to come into the school to run programs. She has connected with a registered psychologist to come up to CHS a couple of weeks a year to assess young people who are unable to engage with a private practitioner due to financial constraints. She works tirelessly with her young people and their families. Stacy mentors’ university and TAFE placements, supporting the next generation with training and delivers training to other Student Support Officers across the state every school holidays. Stacy has supported more than 95 young people to get their drivers licence with hours of support as a supervised driver.
Louise Pateman, RYSS
My name is Lou Pateman, and I am currently the Team Leader for Regional Youth Support Services’ Abilities North Team. Previously, I was the Team Leader for the One3One Youth Hub, which focused on supporting ‘at-risk’ youth aged 12-25 on the Central Coast. My background in the youth sector is built on an educational foundation in Child, Youth, and Family Intervention, Case Management, and I am now in the final semester of a Bachelor’s in Community Services. Over the past seven years at RYSS, I have worked with NDIS participants, conducted outreach casework, and led resilience-building programs. I am committed to continuously enhancing my understanding of youth work and staying current with best practices, as I believe the effectiveness of our support relies on our ability to understand its impact on the young people we serve.
Dylan Disciascio, RYSS
My name is Dylan Di Sciascio and I am currently a Coordinator of Support (Abilities work) and the PT Coordinator of Legal Service Delivery (CLSD) with Regional Youth Support Services (RYSS) for the Central Coast. I previously worked in the One3One Youth Hub in Gosford which was a Hub that was designed to work with young people on the Central Coast aged 12-25yrs. I have been working at RYSS for 2.5 years now and begun working at RYSS, after completing a University Placement for a Bachelor of Social Science Degree, Majoring in Human Services. In 2024 I started my Juris Doctor (Masters in Law) at the University of Canberra, and am looking to continue to be a strong advocate for young people on the Central Coast and the rest of the community.
Linda Cooper, Senior Project Officer, Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development, Regional Youth.
Linda leads Regional Youth’s contribution to the collaborative Life Skills Project. Drawing on her experience working to foster positive change in the lives of regional young people, Linda translated the life skills research into pilot programs to equip young people with the tools and resources necessary as they transition to adulthood.
Mel Singh, LeaderLife Dubbo
Every child and young person deserves an adult champion. One that will never give up on them, who understands the power of true connection and will always insist that they can be the best they can possibly be. Mel Singh is the epitome of an adult champion for many marginalised youth in Dubbo. She is relational, relatable and relevant. Mel is the manager at LeaderLife. A small, ordinary not for profit organisation in Dubbo embarking on extraordinary things since 2010. LeaderLife creates opportunities for young people to construct a healthier world view that gives rise to greater compassion and empathy toward themselves and others. Mel and the LeaderLife crew continue to trail blaze inspiration into the hearts of young people, generously helping the community to dig deep to find what truly works for young people to live well. One of those recent programs includes the Life Skills program, because when we know better, we do better.
Samantha Kettlewell, TAFE NSW
Sam Kettlewell is a highly experienced and accomplished youth work professional with a diverse background in the field. She holds a Bachelor of Youth Work, Diploma of Counselling and has Qualifications in Leadership and Management She has approximately 20 years of industry experience working with young people in both government and non-government settings. Currently a Teacher in the Health and Wellbeing Faculty at TAFE NSW, she has also worked across various communities within Australia and abroad. Sam’s extensive experience, diverse skill set, and leadership roles in key youth work organisations position her as a valuable resource in the field of youth work education and practice. Her involvement in both practical youth work and educational settings at TAFE NSW allows her to bridge the gap between theory and practice, contributing significantly to the development of future youth workers.
Berenice Murphy, TAFE NSW
Berenice Murphy is a dedicated youth work trainer at TAFE NSW, where she plays a vital role in educating and mentoring future youth workers. With a strong background in youth work, she has extensive experience in various related fields, including family violence, sexual assault, and women’s health. Berenice is committed to fostering the development of her students, emphasizing the importance of practical experience and community engagement in youth work. Her approach to teaching combines theoretical knowledge with real-world applications, preparing her students to effectively address the challenges faced by young people in contemporary society. In addition to her teaching role, Berenice actively sits on various community boards which contributes to discussions surrounding youth work and its impact on communities, advocating for best practices and innovative solutions within the field. Her passion for students and her commitment to professional development make her a respected figure in the youth work sector.
Genevive Ritchie, Western Sydney University
Genevieveis a Lecturer in the School of Social Sciences at Western Sydney University. She teaches sociology, women and gender studies, and youth work.
Genevieve’s work utilises a variety of feminist and participatory methods to critically interrogate conditions of displacement, dispossession, racialization, youth resistance, public pedagogy, and democratic transformations. She has worked with NGOs, youth groups, and artists to develop community engaged research, teaching, and community education. She is the author of The political economy of youth and migration: Precarity and promise (forthcoming); the co-editor of Marxism and Migration (2022) and For the People: Dorothy Smith and Adult Education; and a member of the editorial collective at Interface: A journal for and about social movements.
Howard Sercombe, Western Sydney University
Howard Sercombe has been a youth worker, researcher, and academic in the youth studies area for over forty years. He has worked on the street in the suburbs of Perth, developed services for Indigenous young people in outback WA, alongside Eastern European Roma communities in Glasgow, and with people who use opioids in de-industrialising parts of Scotland. Howard is currently Associate Professor of the Sociology of Youth and Programme Lead in Youth Work at Western Sydney University.
Mark Robertson, MPower Program, One Vision Productions
Mark Robertson is a leading Australian keynote speaker and global expert on alternative ways and paradigms in youth mental health, youth justice and education systems. Mark Robertson, director of OneVisionProductions is a popular motivational speaker due to his life experience and innovative methods in this space. Growing up on the streets of Inala QLD, to being awarded some of Australia’s most prestigious awards for his work with youth, he is recognised as a global thought leader and innovative changemaker.
Avalon Hope Bourne, Sonder Youth
Avalon Bourne is the CEO of the youth mental health organisation, Sonder Youth Ltd., which empowers young people to create positive change in their lives and communities. Avalon has 10 years of experience designing and delivering evidence-based youth programs and with a Bachelor of International Relations and a Masters of Positive Psychology, Avalon has worked on youth-led grassroots projects internationally. This work fuelled Avalon’s research into positive action as a pathway to positive mental health. Now, in her work with Sonder Youth, Avalon and her team empower young people to positively engage with the issues impacting them and create participant-led change around those issues.
Amanda Dunn, Safe Places for Children
Amanda Dunn, MBA, BEd, BHumServ, is the Chief of Operations at Safe Places for Children. In this role, Amanda leads a national team in the service delivery of therapeutic residential care of children and young people. Amanda has 25 years’ experience in working with children, youth and families in both the not-for-profit and government contexts, including roles in child protection, education, community services, domestic and family violence, in-home family support, and out-of-home care.
Hayden Tonazzi, Associate Producer, ATYP,
Hayden Tonazzi is a director and creative producer of theatre and musical theatre. They were appointed Associate Director & Creative Producer in 2024 after holding the position of Artistic Associate since 2022 at the Australian Theatre for Young People (ATYP). During their time with ATYP, they have worked on productions such as SAPLINGS by Hannah Belanszky for Sydney Festival 2024, CUSP by Mary Anne Butler, SHACK by George Kemp and FOLLOW ME HOME by Lewis Treston.
In 2024, Hayden will direct PICKLED كبيس for Belvoir 25A / PYT Fairfield, THE LAST TRAIN TO MADELINE by Callum Mackay for Fever103, and SAINTS OF DAMOUR by James Elazzi for Qtopia Sydney. The works they are currently developing include a new Australian satirical disco musical CONVERTED! by Vic Zerbst, and WATERFOWL by Callum Mackay which won the 2023 QPAS Queer Playwriting Award.
Jason Teoh, Marrickville Legal Centre
Jason Teoh is a community lawyer at Marrickville Legal Centre. He leads the Youth Legal Service which provides young people aged 25 and under across NSW with free legal help with everyday legal issues including victim services, consumer disputes, criminal law, employment law
Kevin Jones, General Manager, Youth and Family Services Division, REDI.E.
Kevin Jones serves as the General Manager of the Youth and Family Services Division at REDI.E, bringing a wealth of professional experience and cultural leadership to his role. As a proud Gamilaroi man from Walgett, NSW, Kevin possesses a deep connection to his culture and communities, which informs his approach to service delivery.
Before joining REDI.E, Kevin was the Regional Manager for Early Intervention Services at Uniting NSW, where he led a range of impactful programs across western and far west NSW. His extensive experience includes overseeing initiatives such as Family Connect and Support Program, Targeted Early Intervention Programs, the Aboriginal Families Together Program, and Communities for Children Programs. Additionally, he played a key role in leading the Aboriginal Permanency Support Program, and Aboriginal Family Preservation Programs most significant is that he led the previous Statewide Aboriginal Aftercare Program. Through these programs, Kevin has demonstrated a strong commitment to improving outcomes for Aboriginal families and children, ensuring culturally appropriate support that respects their unique needs and strengths.
In transitioning to REDI.E, Kevin is focused on supporting the shift of family and community services work to Aboriginal Community Controlled Organisations. His leadership is grounded in the principles of empowerment, collaboration, and cultural integrity, as he works to create sustainable pathways for Aboriginal communities to take charge of their services and futures.
Kevin’s professional background, combined with his cultural leadership and community connections, positions him as a vital advocate for change in the sector. Under his guidance, REDI.E is poised to enhance its service delivery and strengthen its commitment to Aboriginal families across the region.
Charmaine Mara, Youth Development Office, Dubbo Regional Council
Charmaine is the Youth Development Officer at Dubbo Regional Council, I bring a wealth of professional knowledge within the Youth Sector. As a proud Wiradjuri Woman from Wellington, NSW. Her hard work and dedication to her position as Youth Development Officer at Dubbo Regional Council has been recognised by the Member for Dubbo Electorate Dugald Saunders, and parliament.
Charmaine modestly credits her success to collaborations with fellow community groups and service organisations. It was one such community group that praised Charmaine’s commitment to social inclusion and her ability to create a sense of community at events.
Charmaine completed eight years as a youth support worker with Mission Australia working in various programs, Juvenile Justice Support Program, Mental health and Housing and the Domestic and Family Violence program, Charmaine was also coordinator of both the Womens’s and Mens Refuges in Walgett before moving to Dubbo three years ago.
Charmaine’s passion is working with the youth and their families. I have always been a people person, and I love my job. Empathy and passion to be here are my driving forces.
Within her role as Youth Development Officer at Dubbo Regional Council she is responsible for day-to-day minor decision making and for providing clear and concise written advice and recommendations to Management • Ensure effective and timely delivery of all work, in addition to other administrative and special project functions • Creating, organising, delivery and evaluation of youth programs.
Julie Charlton, Youth Advocate
Julie Charlton (she/they) is a disability, queer and youth advocate, elite para athlete and coach who has been working in the advocacy space for almost 20 years. She is passionate about holding systems accountable to the people that they serve, making sure that all people have a chance to be represented in all spaces of society.
Damien Corbridge, Community Restorative Centre
Damien Corbridge is the Senior Youth Transition Worker in the Pathways Home program at the Community Restorative Centre. He is passionate about transforming the lives of young people where systems have made them feel powerless. In his practice, he seeks to amplify his clients’ voices and empower them to develop a sense of agency with decisions that affect their lives. Damien’s passion for systemic change led him to the criminal justice space, where he works with some of our communities’ most vulnerable young people. His dedication extends beyond direct client work and includes ongoing contributions to community practice and raising awareness of broader social injustice. He was awarded the 2023 NSW Youth Action-Youth Worker of the Year.
youthaction.org.au 