Our People - Brave Foundation

Our People

OUR BOARD

Prof. Maria Harries AM

Chair

Professor Maria Harries AM is Adjunct Professor at Curtin University and a Senior Honorary Research Fellow in Social Work and Social Policy in the School of Population Health at The University of Western Australia.

Ebony Curtis

Director

Ebony was a teen mother and recently joined the Board after years of advocating alongside Brave.

 

Rolfe Brimfield

Director

Rolfe brings extensive HR and operational management to the Brave board, with 15 years experience in this area at a senior level.

 

Sabina Curatolo

Director

Sabina is highly experienced in public policy and social innovation with more than 19 years’ experience in international institutions, Australian government, politics, civil society and with the private sector.

 

Angie Mastrippolito

Director

Angie has over 30 years’ experience in the financial services industry both as an Executive and as an adviser. Her executive experience includes 5 years as a superannuation fund CEO and two years as a COO.

Irene Quah

Director

Irene is a Certified Practicing Accountant and Graduate of the Australian Institute of Company Directors.

 
 

Dr Niki Vincent

Director

Niki is Victoria’s Public Sector Gender Equality Commissioner. She has diverse expertise in business, academia, government and the community sector with a focus on gender equality, equal opportunity and diversity and inclusion.

Dr Rachel Howard

Director

Rachel is a government relations professional, with policy and political experience. Rachel is a Senior Adviser at 89 Degree East and co-Founder of Equal Workplaces.

 

James Crosby

Director

James is CEO of Families Australia and has more than 20 years’ experience in the non-government for purpose sector and 10 years as a federal public servant.

 

OUR LEADERSHIP

Jill Roche

Chief Executive Officer

Since joining Brave in 2019, Jill has been instrumental in leading the operations and strategic planning of the organisation.

Catherine Cooney

Head of Program

Catherine joined Brave in April 2022 and was previously an Advanced Practice Lead and Social Work Coach at the Centre for Excellence in Child and Family Welfare.

 

MICAELA DRIEBERG

HEAD OF GOVERNMENT RELATIONS AND PARTNERSHIPS

Micaela has over 20 years’ experience across multiple for-purpose sectors including working with all levels of government, including as a former Ministerial Adviser and Mayor of the City of Monash.

 

Sue Wilson

Head of Transformation

Sue joined Brave in October 2022

 

Kate Derrick

Head of Operations

Kate has been working with Brave since February 2022, working closely with the CEO.

OUR PEOPLE

Bernadette Black AM

Social Economic Ambassador (SEA) & Founder of Brave Foundation

Lisa McGhee

Community Manager

 

Luisa Caruana

Executive Assistant to the CEO

 

Nicole Williams

Communications Advisor

 

Kelsey Deane

Measurement, Evaluation and Learning Advisor

Cath Cooper

Team Leader, South

 
 

Vidya Surajbali

Team Leader, North

Peta Ajkunic

Team Leader, Tas

 

Chantelle Hunt

Mentor - Darwin, NT

 

Danielle McLaughlin

Mentor - Newcastle, NSW

 

Deborah Benson

Mentor - Cairns, QLD

Elke Robinson

Mentor - Greater Hobart, Tas

 
 

Jess Toohey

Mentor - Geelong ,Vic

Karina Hilliard

Virtual Mentor

 

Katie Ryan

Virtual Mentor

 

Louise Madden

Mentor - Launceston, Tas

 

Lynn York

Mentor - West & North Coast, Tas

Samantha Young

Mentor - Perth, WA

 
 

Sophie Falkenhagen

Virtual Mentor

Stacey Crawford-Ferguson

Aboriginal & Torres Strait Islander Mentor, Darwin NT

 

Steph Paramenter

Mentor - Greater Melbourne, Vic

 

Tahlya Searle

Mentor - South East Melbourne, Regional Victoria & Virtual