GOOD BEGINNINGS - Key Persons
Job Titles:
- Group Executive Director, Strategy & Public Affairs
With leadership of Save the Children's strategy, policy, media and advocacy activities, Aram is responsible for ensuring that we deliver on our promise to be a strong and fearless for children.
A highly experienced public affairs professional Aram's career has been dedicated to campaigning and influencing for better outcomes for vulnerable people. Prior to joining Save the Children his work spanned executive roles in health as well as human rights law and policy, with organisations including the Victorian Equal Opportunity and Human Rights Commission, cohealth and ReachOut.com. A human rights advocate in his own right, Aram has also played an instrumental role in delivering reforms to protect the rights of LGBTIQ people both in Australia and globally.
Aram holds a Bachelor of Science (Occupational Therapy) and a Masters of Politics & Policy, and currently serves on the Board of Your Community Health.
Job Titles:
- International Programs Director
Archie has spent the last 25 years working in conflict zones with the United Nations and NGOs in Asia, the Middle East and Africa. He currently leads Save the Children Australia's International Programs Division and is a regular commentator in the Australian media.
Archie spent 2018 in Iraq with Save the Children International leading the start-up of the Building Peaceful Futures Consortium. He was the founding Executive Director of ActionAid Australia and a member of ActionAid's Global Leadership Team. He has worked for the UN Development Program in South Africa on conflict prevention and recovery, the UN Department of Peacekeeping Operations in New York and headed up the Mines Advisory Group in Cambodia.
Job Titles:
- Practice Development Manager ( Child Development )
Belinda has a background in psychology and has spent a decade working with children and families across Australia in government and non-government settings. Her experience spans the family support continuum, ranging from early-intervention to out-of-home care, working across multiple roles including frontline practice, operational leadership, practice leadership and project work.
Her passion lies in early intervention for parents experiencing challenges in their parenting role; using a strengths-based coaching framework to facilitate sustainable change that promotes safe and nurturing environments for children and young people and supports optimal development.
F1 racing superstar, eight-time Grand Prix winner and beloved Australian sports personality Daniel Ricciardo is passionate about helping young people get the best possible start in life.
As an ambassador for Save the Children, Daniel will help shine a light on issues facing children in Australia and around the world with a special focus on education. Daniel is passionate about supporting young people who don't connect with learning in the traditional classroom. He believes in encouraging them to demonstrate their talents in practical ways to help build their confidence and realise their potential.
Dianne has more than 20 years' experience as a senior human resource management executive in blue chip organisations. Most recently, Dianne was a consultant for the CEO of Service Stream Limited. She has also provided consulting advice and program leadership for large-scale business transformation, including 10 years with GE. Dianne has a Bachelor of Arts from the University of Melbourne and a Graduate Diploma in Education.
Job Titles:
- Group Executive Director, International Programs
Francis has responsibility for delivering our International Programs. Francis has been with Save the Children for eight years, previously leading the International Program Operations department for Save the Children International - the global programming division of the movement which every year delivers 1.2 billion USD of assistance in over 60 countries.
Prior to joining SCI, Francis was the Head of Global Operational Support for Merlin (a UK based health INGO that subsequently merged with SCI), and served as a Country Director for Medair in multiple contexts. Francis also worked for a UK based education start-up, Schools Plus Ltd, focusing on business model and strategy development. Francis started his career in a communications role to the UK Opposition Leader in Westminster.
Job Titles:
- Chairman of Insitor Partners Pte.Ltd
- Member of the Board Audit Committee and the Board Programs and Risk Committee
Harvey Collins is currently Chair of Insitor Partners Pte.Ltd, Singapore (an impact fund manager), and an Executive Coach with Foresight's Global Coaching. He has extensive experience at executive and board levels in a range of industries. This includes Chief Financial Officer of Challenge Bank Limited, a Western Australian regional bank; Executive Director of listed-investment company, Chieftain Securities Limited; and Chairman of Navitas Limited, Bankwest Limited and HBF Inc. In September 2016, Harvey retired as Chair of Hagar International, the international NGO that works with women and children survivors of severe human rights abuses via operational bases in Cambodia, Vietnam and Afghanistan. Harvey has also held board roles in other industries including telecommunications, electricity and mining services. His earlier professional work was in treasury and financial markets. Prior to this, Harvey taught for three years in the tertiary education sector. Harvey has been a director of Save the Children since May 2017.
Job Titles:
- Chief Executive Officer
- Fellow of the Australian Institute of Company Directors
Ian is a Fellow of the Australian Institute of Company Directors, a Fellow of the PNG Institute of Directors and, has sat on numerous boards across the financial, aviation, software development, agriculture, property, manufacturing, environment and sporting sectors in Papua New Guinea. He is the first Papua New Guinean to complete the executive Harvard Business School Advanced Management Program (AMP) in 2013. Ian holds a Masters in Business Administration and a Bachelors Degree in Business Economics from the University of Papua New Guinea. He also holds a Diploma in Economic Policy Analysis from the Papua New Guinea Institute of National Research, a Diploma in Financial Markets from the Securities Institute of Australia and a graduate Diploma in Company Directorship from the Australian Institute of Company Directors(AICD). In 2002, he was awarded an MBE for services to the Superannuation Industry in PNG. In 2016, he was further recognised with an OBE for services to NASFUND and the 2015 Pacific Games, hosted in Papua New Guinea. Ian has been a director of Save the Children since July 2021.
Job Titles:
- CEO of the City of Melbourne
- Member of the Board Programs and Risk Committee
Justin Hanney is the CEO of the City of Melbourne. As the former Head of the Employment, Investment and Trade Group in the Department of Economic Development, Jobs, Transport and Resources, Justin's portfolio encompassed economy-wide work to attract and facilitate international and domestic investment, grow employment and expand Victoria's offshore trade. He was also responsible for oversight of key entities including Regional Development Victoria, Visit Victoria, Development Victoria, Agriculture Victoria, Trade and Investment Victoria, Small Business Victoria as well as the delivery of Victorian Government nominated major projects. He was previously CEO at the City of Yarra and the City of Wangaratta, the CEO of statutory body Regional Development Victoria and Deputy Secretary at the Department of Premier and Cabinet. Justin has been a director of Save the Children since September 2020.
Widely acknowledged as one of Australia's foremost educators and practitioners in the field of child sexual abuse and child abuse prevention, Karen leads Save the Children's child protection work. She manages the Child Protection Technical Unit and provides essential advice and guidance to the organisation on all child protection and safeguarding matters.
As part of her role, Karen also leads on providing technical support and training for staff and programs across Australia and internationally, helping ensure children are kept safe and protected from harm through all aspects of Save the Children's work. Karen is a qualified social worker with almost 30 years clinical, managerial, training and research experience in child protection.
Job Titles:
- Chairman of the Board Programs and Risk Committee
Karen Harmon has been involved in the health sector for 40 years and has wide-ranging experience in government, non-government and business sectors. Karen has also worked in humanitarian assistance with a special focus on the health of women and children. Much of Karen's work has focused on Primary Health Care, both domestically and internationally. Most recently, she has concentrated on Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander child and young people's health and social and emotional wellbeing. Another important element of Karen's work is advocacy in the areas of social justice and human rights - especially the rights of the child. Karen has been a director of Save the Children since September 2017.
Job Titles:
- Head of Practice and Impact Measurement
Kylie has over 25 years' experience as a Social Worker and in leadership roles. She has worked in the fields of child development, child and family mental health, early childhood education, family support, out of home care, counselling, parenting, disability, homelessness, microfinance and virtual telepractice. Her experience spans not for profits, education, government and private practice settings, across rural, regional and metropolitan locations.
Kylie is passionate about designing inspiring service and practice models focused on improving outcomes for children. A child's rights lens underpins her work, and she strongly believes in placing children's voices at the centre of decision making and service delivery. Services Kylie has designed have been recognised through National Child Protection Awards, National Mental Health Awards and State Based Industry Awards.
Job Titles:
- Member of the Board of Directors
- Chairman of the Board and Ex - Officio Member of the Board Audit Committee, Board Programs and Risk Committee, and Board Human Resources Committee
- Senior Adviser and Former Senior Partner
Chair of the Board and ex-officio member of the Board Audit Committee, Board Programs and Risk Committee, and Board Human Resources Committee
Larry Kamener, is a Senior Adviser and former Senior Partner in the Boston Consulting Group. During his time with BCG, Larry founded and was the inaugural leader of BCG's Global Public Sector Practice. He founded and is now the Chair of the Centre for Public Impact, a BCG Foundation based in London. Additionally Larry sits on the Boards of Teach for Australia and the Melbourne Theatre Company. Larry has been a director of Save the Children since September 2019.
Leonie Valentine joined Australia Post in January 2022 as the Executive General Manager of Customer Experience and Digital.
Leonie is a digital industry leader with 30 years' experience in general management, sales, marketing and operations, including 20 years in digital technology and telecommunications.
Prior to joining Australia Post, Leonie was Managing Director at Google Melbourne & Government after serving as Managing Director of Sales and Operations Google Hong Kong for 4 years.
Over the years Leonie has been an active member of a number of boards including Not For Profits and currently serves as a board member for Pro-Pac Packaging Limited (ASX: PPG) and Save the Children Australia.
Leonie holds an Executive Certificate in Business Administration from the Australian Graduate School of Entrepreneurship of Swinburne University, a Master's Degree in Communication Management from the University of Technology, Sydney, and a Bachelor of Science from Melbourne University.
She is also a graduate of the Australian Institute of Company Directors and the FT NED Diploma (Asia).
Leonie is passionate about Digital Transformation, supporting women in technology and continual improvement to customer experience.
Leonie has been a director of Save the Children since July 2021.
Star of the INXS drama Never Tear Us Apart, Luke Arnold is a tireless advocate for Save the Children's work. The Adelaide-born actor also plays John Silver in the US big budget drama Black Sails. Some of Luke's work with us:
Touring refugee camps in Jordan
Working with us in the aftermath of the Nepal earthquake
Visiting South Sudan to witness the hunger crisis
Marta Dusseldorp is a household name in Australia for her role as Sarah Adams in A Place to Call Home. Her acting career spans 20-years, and you may have also seen her in ABC's Janet King, Jack Irish, Crownies and the film Burning Man.
Her first love is theatre and she has performed with Sydney Theatre Company, Belvoir, The Griffin, The Ensemble, Bell Shakespeare and Melbourne Theatre Company. She won a Helpmann Award for her powerful performance as Queen Margaret in The War of the Roses.
Job Titles:
- Chief Executive Officer
- Lead Save the Children in Various Executive Roles for Eight Years before Becoming Our CEO in June 2022
- Our CEO
has a high public profile as an advocate for vulnerable children through our media and campaigns work. As well as leading Save the Children's International Programs for eight years, his diverse background in the public and private sectors includes senior executive roles as a Chief of Staff with the Federal Government and as Acting Executive Director of the Public Law Clearing House, an organisation that provides legal services to the most disadvantaged Australians. Mat began his career as a corporate lawyer at Minter Ellison.
Mat Tinkler is a deep policy thinker and a fierce advocate for children and our mission. He has driven change for children by transforming Save the Children Australia's approach to delivering International Programs and ensuring we have a strong public voice for vulnerable children through our media, advocacy, and campaigns work. More about Mat.
Mat Tinkler helped lead Save the Children in various executive roles for eight years before becoming our CEO in June 2022.
"I'm motivated by the sheer audacity of our mission and our power to change lives for the better, here in Australia, the Pacific, and around the world." - Mat Tinkler
Mat Tinkler is a deep policy thinker and a fierce advocate for children and our mission. He has driven change for children by transforming Save the Children Australia's approach to delivering International Programs and ensuring we have a strong public voice for vulnerable children through our media, advocacy, and campaigns work.
Mat's focus is to maintain our strong reputation for advocacy, deliver on our 2024 Strategy, and to scale our "big bets" such as leveraging technology to improve outcomes for children and building climate resilience through access to the Green Climate Fund.
Throughout his time at Save, Mat has fostered an environment of trust and candour with supporters, peers and the people of Save the Children Australia, with a strong focus on building a culture that is diverse and inclusive.
Previously, Mat worked as Chief of Staff to the Hon Bill Shorten MP in the Federal Government, overseeing a diverse range of portfolios covering taxation law, superannuation and financial services regulation, consumer credit, charity and not-for-profit regulation, insurance reforms, workplace relations and disability reform. Prior to this role he was Acting Executive Director for the Public Law Clearing House, an organisation that provides legal services to the most disadvantaged Australians. Mat began his career as a corporate lawyer at Minter Ellison.
Mel leads the shared services and operational teams that support Save the Children's domestic and international programs. She is a passionate advocate for the empowerment and advancement of women and girls.
Mel's expertise is leading complex change and prior to joining Save the Children Mel was the Chief Transformation Officer at QBE Insurance. She has extensive international experience, including in the UK, Singapore, Philippines, India, Hong Kong, USA, and the Pacific. She served on a peace monitoring mission on Bougainville Island, Papua New Guinea.
Job Titles:
- Chief Finance Officer
- Chief Financial Officer
As Chief Finance Officer Michael leads the Finance function supporting Save the Children's operations. Michael has over 20 years' experience in finance, systems, projects, business development and enjoys leaning into business improvement and change. Michael has held roles across a number of sectors including commercial, not for profit, education, health and government and is passionate about organisations that make a difference. Most recently Michael was responsible for leading major change at the City of Greater Geelong, delivering improved customer and employee experience in digital technologies. Michael holds professional qualifications as a Fellow CPA and a graduate member of the Australian Institute of Company Directors (GAICD), as well as degrees in Finance and Business Administration (MBA).
Job Titles:
- Chairman of the Board Audit Committee
Michelle is a Managing Director & Partner in Boston Consulting Group's Melbourne office and has a regional Asia Pacific role, spending considerable time across AP locations. Michelle has a background in finance, and extensive experience in HR and Operations. Michelle had several prior roles with BCG, including Finance Director for the Australia/New Zealand region, global functional leader for the group's financial system implementation, Finance Director for Asia Pacific, Head of financial systems, head of HR for internal functions, Head of global Operations and Head of Global Finance Operations. Michelle previously worked for Arthur Andersen and holds a Bachelor of Commerce from Monash University. Michelle has been a director of Save the Children since September 2020.
Job Titles:
- Director of the McCusker Centre for Citizenship
- Member of the Board Programs and Risk Committee
Michelle Scott was appointed the inaugural Director of the McCusker Centre for Citizenship at UWA in October 2015. The Centre is focused on building greater capacity in the community to understand, contribute and positively impact on social issues. Michelle has over 30 years' experience leading and influencing government and community organisations to address and reduce contemporary, complex social challenges. She has also been an independent statutory officer, including as WA's first Commissioner for Children and Young People (6 years), and Public Advocate for WA (5 years). Ms Scott is also currently the Chair of the WA Government's Supporting Communities Forum. Michelle has been a director of Save the Children since November 2019.
Nick has worked in international aid and development since 1997 specialising in Climate Change and Disaster Risk Reduction. He currently manages Save the Children Australia's Climate Change Division which focuses on how to address the impacts of climate change on children.
Accredited to the Green Climate Fund in 2019 the Climate Change Division is also responsible for supporting the global Save the Children movement to design and implement largescale climate change programs with national governments in least developed countries.
Job Titles:
- Practice Development Manager ( Youth & Community Development )
Oliver leads the Youth and Community Development portfolios, providing support to teams across Australian Services with practice advice. Oliver has over 15 years' experience working in the child welfare sector throughout Australia and New Zealand, both in Government and non-Government departments and holds undergraduate and post-graduate qualifications in Psychology.
Prior to joining SCA, Oliver worked for OzChild in a national practice role. He has also worked as an Implementation Specialist for the Parenting Research Centre and has led teams in the Multisystemic Therapy (MST) and Treatment Foster Care Oregon (TFCO) programs.
Job Titles:
- Practice Development Manager ( Family Functioning & Healthy Relationships )
Peta has 28 years' experience in the community service industry, initially working as a practitioner directly supporting children and their families, and for the last 20 years in leadership roles supporting teams working with families experiencing multiple and complex issues that impact on children's safety. In her current role within the Practice and Evaluation Team, Peta's portfolio focuses on strengthening quality practice in our family functioning and healthy relationships services.
Peta holds Bachelor qualifications in Psychology from the University of Queensland, a Graduate Certificate in Business Administration from Swinburne University, and is a certified trainer with the Safe and Together Institute.
Simon is an international human rights lawyer and policy analyst with experience in Australia and the Indo-Pacific. Prior to Save the Children, he was Senior Policy Adviser at Justice Centre Hong Kong, where he led a civil society human rights project on the United Nations Universal Periodic Review for China as it applies to Hong Kong. He also worked at the Law Council of Australia, DFAT and Human Rights in China. He holds a Bachelor of Commerce, Bachelor of Laws, and Graduate Diploma in Legal Practice from ANU, and a Masters of Laws in International Law from The Fletcher School of Law and Diplomacy at Tufts University. Simon is admitted as a lawyer of the High Court of Australia and the Supreme Court of the ACT.
Stephen Curry has been a regular face on Australian television screens for decades on shows such as Frontline, The Secret Life of Us, Cloudstreet and Redfern Now.
He is well known for this role in the hit Australian film The Castle, as well as his portrayal of Graham Kennedy in The King.
Stephen is a passionate advocate for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander rights, and has visited programs run by Save the Children that work directly with Aboriginal young people. Some of Stephen's work with us:
Promoting our Op Shops in TV ad spots
Lending his skills as Master of Ceremonies for the 70th Anniversary celebration of our Western Australian services
Supporting the Family Matters campaign live on The Project
Job Titles:
- Manager of Fidelity and Impact Measurement
Sue is an accomplished evaluator and strategic advisor who draws on 20 years' experience to bring insight into complex social policy problems. She has worked with government and with the not-for profit sector to lead service and system design, development and evaluation across multiple policy sectors including education, child and family and environment.
She uses co-design and other forms of facilitation to enable collective approaches to service design and delivery principles, outcome frameworks, and impact measurement. She has worked extensively in Australian Indigenous contexts and in 2019 was awarded the received the Australian Evaluation Society Award for Excellence in Indigenous Evaluation working as an evidence partner with identified Aboriginal Community Controlled Organisations in NSW.
Prior to working with Save the Children Sue led a successful portfolio of evaluations and capacity building projects for ARTD Consultants and before this she held senior roles within the NSW government including the NSW Department of Family and Community and Department of Premier and Cabinet. Sue is an AES member and recently served three years as an AES Board member and Chair of the AES Board's Learning and Professional Practice Committee.