Frances’ ongoing clinical experience dates from the commencement of her nursing studies over 35 years ago. Frances takes great pride in her family connection to the work of the Society with her Aunt Kay Annesley being a founding member and CCS President (1975-1977). Frances continues to practice as a Registered Nurse in a Victorian Public Hospital. Her professional experience also includes clinical research. Voluntary work has brought experience in governance as a member of Human Research Ethics Committees & Board membership. Married and with an adult daughter, Frances is grateful for their support in her endeavours.

Kristen Sikora is a marketing and communications executive manager, with experience in both for-profit and not-for-profit organisations. Having completed her Master of Marketing, she specializes in brand development and creating positive experiences that drive growth, impact and change. She is currently employed within the financial sector and is married with a young family.

Amanda is a strategic and values-driven public policy professional with a legal background and a deep commitment to social equity. With experience across government and not-for-profit sectors, she has led reforms in housing and social procurement—working at the intersection of policy, law, and community impact. Amanda brings expertise in navigating complex systems and building collaborative relationships to drive meaningful outcomes. She is passionate about good governance, integrity, and purpose-led leadership.

Lolou has over two decades of leadership experience across federal, state, and local government sectors in both Australia and New Zealand. Lolou has managed successful strategic programs including workforce change management, spearheaded policy development and design and undertaken key strategic advisory and risk management roles. Lolou's career is defined by a deep commitment to community wellbeing and a passion for creating innovative, evidence-based solutions that drive meaningful change.

With over 22 years of experience as a Social Worker across both regional and metropolitan settings, Ayfer has dedicated her career to supporting some of the most vulnerable in our communities. Her frontline work has spanned homelessness, family violence, generalist counselling, and family services—always grounded in empathy, advocacy, and practical support. A passionate advocate for the empowerment of women and children, Ayfer draws strength from her own experience as a migrant woman. She deeply understands the power of personal history and believes in co-creating stronger, more hopeful narratives for individuals and families—stories that lead to lasting change and brighter futures. In her current role as Head of Housing and Special Projects at CCS, Ayfer leads with vision and heart, driving initiatives that create real opportunities for the women and families we support.

With over 30 years of experience in the human and community services sectors, Marisa brings a deep commitment to advancing inclusive, compassionate systems that support women, children, and families. Her leadership spans direct service delivery and corporate strategy, with a strong focus on disability and community services delivery and reform. Marisa holds formal qualifications in business and community services, providing her with a strong foundation in governance, leadership and strategic planning. Marisa leads the perinatal mental health and early parenting programs practitioners and is responsible for ensuring the quality and effectiveness of service delivery with a strong focus on continuous improvement across the organisation.

Niki has worked in the Social Work sector for over six years, supporting individuals and families from a range of backgrounds. A big part of her experience has been working with diverse communities, focusing on areas like family violence, elder abuse, mental health, and migration. Niki is passionate about promoting social justice, upholding human rights, and using anti-oppressive approaches in her practice. Whether she is facilitating groups or advocating one-on-one, she strives to create inclusive, empowering spaces where children and families feel heard, respected, and supported.

With over 8 years of experience in the social work field, Mal specialises in supporting families with children aged 0–5, using a strengths-based, family-centred, and trauma-informed approach. She is passionate about fostering safe and stable home environments and recognising their vital role in promoting healthy development and long-term wellbeing for both children and their caregivers. Mal's work is grounded in supporting families to build strong relationships, empowering families, and advocating for systems and policies that prioritise the needs of young children and their families.

With over seven years experience in the not-for-profit sector, Michelle leads Corporate Services across finance, IT, property, fleet, human resources and administration. Her role allows her to actively contribute to the community, reflecting her passion for creating safe, efficient, and inclusive environments that support vulnerable children and families. Michelle is known for her practical mindset, collaborative leadership, and people-first approach.

Dinushka brings over 12 years of experience in the not-for-profit sector, having worked across international aid, women’s health, and most recently, family services. Her career reflects a deep commitment to creating meaningful change through community engagement and fundraising. With academic qualifications in Media and Communications, as well as International Relations, Dinushka combines strategic insight with a passion for collaboration. She thrives on working alongside community groups and stakeholders to drive impact and foster lasting connections.