Our staff
FYA’s Senior Team Members
Jan Owen, AM
CEO
Jan Owen is CEO of the Foundation for Young Australians. In 2012, Jan was named the inaugural Australian Financial Review & Westpac Group ‘Woman of Influence 2012’. In 2000 she was awarded membership of the Order of Australia for services to children and young people and in 1999 received a fellowship for leadership and innovation to the Peter Drucker Foundation in the US. Jan is the author of Every Childhood Lasts a Lifetime (1996). Before joining FYA, Jan was Executive Director of Social Ventures Australia, which aims to increase the impact of the Australian social sector. Prior to this, Jan founded the CREATE Foundation, the national consumer body for children and young people in out of home care. Jan has contributed to the establishment of many social change organisations in Australia and served on a wide range of Boards. She is currently Board Director, Australian National Development Index (ANDI); Chair, Bridges to Higher Education Advisory group; Member, RMIT College of Business Industry Advisory Board and Patron of Vanish.
Q: What impact are you having on young people?
A: I hope I am inspiring and motivating the courage, imagination and will of young people to unleash their brilliance on Australia … and the world.
Q: When you were in high school, how did you want to change the world?
A: First I wanted to look at the world by being the first woman astronaut, then I wanted to save the world by being the mother of all the children, then I wanted to lead the world by being the first female PM, then I met boys …
Alecia Rathbone
Director of Finance & Human Resources
Alecia is passionate about social justice and how we can all play an active role in shaping and contributing to the communities in which we live.
In her role at FYA, Alecia leads the Optimisation Team which strives to add value across the organisation by supporting and improving the operational processes. The Optimisation Team encompasses the areas of Finance, Human Resources, Information & Communication Technology, Administration and Property Management.
Prior to her role at FYA, Alecia was the Chief Operating Officer of Girl Guides Victoria which is part of the largest organisation for girls and young women in the world. In this role, Alecia worked to develop and implement projects across the organisation. in 2008, Alecia was selected as the youth representative from Australia to the World Conference of Girl Guides & Girl Scouts.
Alecia is an active volunteer in her community and has been a Girl Guide Leader for twelve years and more recently, a St Vincent de Paul Society home visitor. Alecia has a Bachelor of Commerce and is a Certified Practicing Accountant. Alecia is currently undertaking a Graduate Certificate in Management of Not for Profit Organisations at the Australian Catholic University.
Q: What impact are you having on young people?
A: By supporting the team at FYA to have the most impact, I feel that I am contributing to FYA delivering systemic change for young people in Australia.
Q: When you were in high school, how did you want to change the world?
A: Definitely through dance. I was fortunate to go to a school that participated in the Rock Eisteddfod Challenge and I was able to be in the school team from year 7 to 12. This provided me with a great opportunity to contribute to the school community outside of the classroom and mentor younger students in the process.
Andrew Brough
Managing Director
Andrew enjoys helping passionate people turn their ideas into reality. As Managing Director he supports FYA and its initiatives to create opportunities for young Australians to live, learn and lead.
His career has included working in Australia, UK, USA and France. In the UK he worked with The Young Foundation setting up social venture funds in education and health and new ventures including School of Everything, Spice, Studio Schools and Social Innovation Camp. Working closely with government, private and not for profit organisations he delivered partnerships and developed networks around innovation for social change.
Previously he worked in venture capital developing several ventures from University R&D and consulting on innovation to organisations such as the BBC, UCL, Siemens and Philips. In addition he has been a board member for commercial, government and charitable organisations. He has a Masters in Space Science and Bachelors degree in Mechanical Engineering.
Q: What impact are you having on young people?
A: At home I’ve got three kids aged 7, 5 and 3 years old. I’m trying to encourage their courage, imagination and will – they show me a lot of it, especially will! At work I’m helping to spark the same in young people through FYA’s initiatives, partnerships and research.
Q: When you were in high school, how did you want to change the world?
A: I wanted to rocket into space, maybe to the Moon or Mars and see the world from a different perspective. At high school I didn’t know the world; I’d heard and read plenty but wanted to see it for myself. So after high school I took a year out to travel, then after university spent 13 years overseas. It helped me appreciate the things I like as well as want to change.
Gerda Fanning
Director of Marketing and Engagement
Founder and Director of Global Village Connections, Gerda Fanning started her career in advertising as a graduate trainee after successfully completing a Bachelor of Business Degree at Monash University. After achieving the position of Senior Account Director, Gerda moved on to the client side where she took on the position of Marketing and Advertising Director at Esprit Australia for seven years and founded the Esprit Cares Trust.
As General Manager for the Esprit Cares Trust, she worked with a variety of community groups dedicated to supporting homeless youth or the environment. While at Esprit she became a founding Director of the Epoch Foundation – an organisation dedicated to instilling better ethical, environmental and social standards in business. The Foundation’s primary role was to educate individuals about the triple bottom line and as such Gerda facilitated a variety of workshops, seminars and retreats.
More recently Gerda has worked as a Marketing and Communications Manager with the Victorian State Government and as a tutor for Monash University’s Masters of Marketing program.
Q: What impact are you having on young people?
A: I’d like to think that through my job I can communicate and show adult Australians that all young people have amazing courage, imagination and will to effect change, make a difference and be the best that they can be. If I am able to give young people a voice and be heard then I am doing my job.
Q: When you were in high school, how did you want to change the world?
A: I wanted everything to be fair and equitable and most of all everyone to be honest. Little did I realise that this was a very ambitious dream! So whilst on the road to achieving this dream I focused on something equally as important to a teenager of the 70’s – how to change the R rating of Saturday Night Fever to M!
Neil Pharaoh
Head of Partnerships
Neil Pharaoh has a personal and professional interest in where marketing, government relations and public policy intersect. Having worked on a number of high profile policy change campaigns – most recently that for marriage equality – he brings an intense passion and energy to government and stakeholder relations in the change maker space.
As Head of Partnerships for the Foundation for Young Australians, Neil’s role is the driver of FYA’s “partner powered” agenda. FYA believes that all young people have the courage, imagination and will to shape their education and create social change, and in achieving this, FYA is reliant on partners, including trusts and foundations, corporates, business and government across a number of levels.
Prior to FYA, Neil worked in a variety of roles in social purpose organisations, within political communications and the private sector in marketing strategy and brand, external communications and website, public, media and government relations, as well as fundraising, donor and corporate engagement.
Neil holds a Bachelor of Commerce, and a Bachelor of Law Degree and is an Associate Member of the Australian Marketing Institute. He is a Certified Practising Marketer and associate tutor of Marketing at the University of Melbourne. Neil also serves on the Victorian State Council for the Australian Marketing Institute (AMI). In his spare time he enjoys the gym, kayaking and his favourite colour is orange.
Q: What impact are you having on young people?
A: I believe strongly in the quote that “for evil to triumph, good people do nothing”. I want to be able to help FYA and all young Australians to get involved, stand up, engage and connect with governments, business, media and community leaders. Being “partnership powered” is the only way to make change sustainable.
Q: When you were in high school, how did you want to change the world?
A: I wanted to change the world in little ways, like standing up for what I believe in, or fighting a matter of principle, and in large ways like getting involved in politics. I have learnt along the way you need to do both to be the change you want to see.
FYA’s staff
Aidan McLaren
Worlds of Work (WOW) National Manager
Q: What impact are you having on young people?
A: Inspiring and empowering thousands of teenagers around Australia to create positive futures for themselves through the WOW initiative.
Q: When you were in high school, how did you want to change the world?
A: I grew up in a tiny little regional area called Krowera. It was so small that the primary school I went to only had 12 kids! As a teenager I always had a dream of running a big concert in Krowera called ‘Krowstock’ that would give an artistic and musical outlet to all of the people in the area who didn’t only want to play sport … I’m still working on it!
Alex Gibson
Digital Lead
Q: What impact are you having on young people?
A: Everything we do impacts young people. Digital is no different. We are becoming more digital, and digital is becoming more human – the impact is yet unknown, but I am keen to find out. My work is focussed on amplification, empowerment, mobilisation and engagement with young people. My impact is engaging young people to be afforded the power and responsibility of digital technology.
Q: When you were in high school, how did you want to change the world?
A: I made drawings. Drawings are observations, ideas and plans. I wanted the world to understand itself better through observation, thought and considered action. This interest in high school led to study in Fine Art (drawing) and eventually into computer programming and social media. If we can change our way of being, the world follows.
Alissa Phillips
Social Innovator
Q: What impact are you having on young people?
A: I like to lead a life that makes an example of my values – honesty, optimism and inclusion. When my friends and I were in our early twenties we started a community centre that was all about these three things, called ‘s.p.a.c.e.’ Now I am a bit older I have come to FYA to keep learning but to also share my skills with other talented and passionate young change makers, helping them to realise their big ideas in the same way that I was supported to realise mine.
Q: When you were in high school, how did you want to change the world?
A: In high school I was really into drama, music and the arts. I spent a lot of time day dreaming about being a performer. When I wasn’t rehearsing I was at home with my Mum hanging with my foster siblings many of whom had a disability. By the end of grade 12 I had decided there might be more to life than centre stage so I decided to combine my passion for music with my ideas about inclusion and went off to university to begin study that would turn me into a Music Therapist. Great choice!
Carlita Bevege
Communications Adviser
Q: What impact are you having on young people?
A: Getting the FYA word out there so that young people know they’re a part of the FYA family.
Q: When you were in high school, how did you want to change the world?
A: When I was in high school I felt embarrassed about community involvement and volunteering. I used to play the piano at a local nursing home and I loved bringing joy to the residents (unmoved? watch this) – but I didn’t want any of my friends to know I was doing it. I wished that attitudes would shift and allow me to do these things without feeling uncool and having my friends roll their eyes!
James Lees
Partnership Coordinator
Q: What impact are you having on young people?
A: I work in the partnerships team where we manage relationships with government, corporate and not-for-profit organisations to ensure FYA’s financial sustainability. Our partnerships are essential to our work at FYA and ensure we can continue to run our initiatives for young people.
Q: When you were in high school, how did you want to change the world?
A: I wanted to give everyone the ability to see life from each other’s perspectives. To see what it was like living in someone else’s shoes. Maybe then we might not have so much conflict in the world.
Jane Fishburn
Education Design Manager – Reframe Productions
Q: What impact are you having on young people?
A: Through program design, I am constantly looking for new ways to take what young people say engages them with learning and then make it happen.
Q: When you were in high school, how did you want to change the world?
A: I wanted to clean up the planet, and protect the natural environment . I went on a mini crusade (did a class project and talked a lot) about the negative impact of excess packaging. My grandfather encouraged my views and bought me a subscription to the National Geographic magazine. The stunning beauty of the photographs made me dream about travelling around the world, going to amazing destinations, capturing my message in pictures, inspiring people to save the world, and at the same time, getting paid for it!
Jane Pound
Legal Council
Jane joined FYA in August 2011 in a strategy and legal role. Jane has a background in both the commercial and non-profit sectors. Previously Jane worked at SVA for 6 years including as Director – Victoria and focussing on SVA’s social enterprise development and Indigenous strategy. Jane also worked for 10 years in corporate law and advisory roles including as a senior corporate lawyer at leading law firm Gilbert + Tobin and as a Senior Manager at Ernst & Young. Jane is currently director of the Australian Indigenous Governance Institute Limited and on the steering group for the Indigenous Social Enterprise Fund. Her previous board positions include Director of Bonsai Social Firm Limited and Poets Grove Family and Children Centre Inc. Jane holds a Bachelor of Economics and Law from Monash University.
Q: What impact are you having on young people?
A: I love hearing about the ideas and aspirations of young people to change the world. And maybe I can lend an idea or two about how to get there. I always tell my girls that you can do anything you want to do, you just have to try really really hard (and listen to mum when she tells you to do your seat belt up!). Bring them on!
Q: When you were in high school, how did you want to change the world?
A: I’ve noticed that like a couple of people around here, I wanted to be an astronaut. I even tried to join the air force but back then women weren’t allowed to fly fast jets! But I’ve always been one for peace, so instead I embarked on the journey of the universe within (and now I’m secretly hoping that in our life times space travel will be like flying to Paris).
Kate Gardam
Partnership Coordinator – Corporate
Q: What impact are you having on young people?
A: I am lucky enough to work with the talented people on the Worlds of Work program. I take the quotes from the students after they’ve experienced the life-changing week exploring the worlds of life and work. I hear firsthand the amazing comments of how the week helped them to build confidence, set goals, value education and get the best out of life. Who could ask for anything more?
Q: When you were in high school, how did you want to change the world?
A: I have always had the same philosophy for as long as I can remember. I think everyone should be treated equally and fairly with kindness and respect; to be given all the encouragement and confidence to embrace every opportunity to be the best they can be (with a good dose of fun mixed in too, I might add). That’s why I’m at FYA.
Li Tan
Business and Policy Project Manager
Li Tan is the Business and Policy Project Manager of the Centre for New Public Education. Prior to this, Li worked as an Officer in the Strategy, Growth and Development Department for Teach For Australia, driving organisational growth through policy analysis, research, government relations, project management and marketing. Li was also the Teach For All Senior Associate, the primary relationship manager between Teach For Australia and its global network of 25 sister organisations. Before joining the world of education and policy, Li worked in several Barristers’ Chambers, and served as Chairman of Ormond College, The University of Melbourne. Alongside CPE, Li indulges her passion for working with start-up organisations as a pro bono strategy consultant to OurSay. Li holds a Bacheler of Laws and Commerce from The University of Melbourne, and is also currently completing her Masters of Public Policy and Management from The University of Melbourne.
Dr. Lucas Walsh
Senior Research Fellow
Associate Professor Lucas Walsh is Associate Dean (Berwick) in the Faculty of Education at Monash University and Senior Research Fellow at FYA. Previously he was Director of Research and Evaluation at FYA. Lucas has worked in corporate, government and not-for-profit sectors. He has held three academic research fellowships and managed the International Baccalaureate’s Online Curriculum Centre in the UK. He has been invited to advise local, state and federal governments, including the National Curriculum Board and Australian Institute for Teaching and School Leadership, presented nationally and internationally, and published one co-edited book and two co-authored books.
His research has covered a diverse range of areas related to young people, including:
- Youth transitions, well being and economic, political, social and cultural participation
- International education
- Flexible learning, e-learning and culture
- Schooling, teaching, school leadership, school-community partnerships
- Joined approaches to addressing the needs and challenges of young people who are disadvantaged and “at risk”
- Creating cultures of diversity
- Citizenship and human rights
- Information and communication technology and young people
- Technology, cyber safety and e-democracy.”
Q: What impact are you having on young people?
A: I seek to develop research that people use to improve the lives of young people.
Q: When you were in high school, how did you want to change the world?
A: Through education.
Mandy Hudson
Initiative Manager, Safe Schools Coalition Victoria
Q: What impact are you having on young people?
A: I hope that by working on Safe Schools Coalition Victoria I am supporting schools in Victoria to be places where same sex attracted and gender questioning young people are supported, where every family can belong, where every teacher can teach and every student can learn.
Q: When you were in high school, how did you want to change the world?
A: When I was in high school I was passionate about working with animals and wanted to live in Africa. I thought I might and up as a zoologist but the only animals I live with now are 2 dogs, a cat and two 19 year olds (just joking!!!!!) I also had a passion for working overseas and thought I would join Australian Volunteers abroad but that didn’t happen. Instead I lived in Canada on and off for 10 years and while I was there I worked for Greenpeace for a few years where my passion for looking after animals was focused on whales, harp seals and puffins.
Mel Ibrihim
WOW portfolio coordinator
Q: What impact are you having on young people?
A: Facilitating a meaningful, colourful and uplifting journey for young people on the WOW program. Guiding them through different experiences where they learn new skills that translate immediately into their life and work. Exposing them to new and bold opportunities to increase their self awareness and confidence.
Q: When you were in high school, how did you want to change the world?
A: My vision is for a world that is healthy, happy and honest. I believe if everyone lived by these three h’s then the world would be an even more amazing place. Through in some respect, integrity and equality and BAM we have a wonderful world!
Michelle Pipino
Project Coordinator, Young Indigenous Leadership Program – IMPACT (NT)
Q: What impact are you having on young people?
A: I am working with an amazing group of Northern Territory students in Years 10, 11 and 12 on a three year leadership program which aims to develop a community of strong young indigenous leaders. The program encourages the development of confident and resilient young people and encourages the students to aim high and be the best self they can be. I hope to provide them with positive role models and support as they go through their final years of schooling.
Q: When you were in high school, how did you want to change the world?
A: Throughout high school I was always passionate about environmental and social justice issues – I had fond hopes of joining the Greenpeace ship ‘The Rainbow Warrior’ becoming an environmental activist. Over the years this passion has been turned into working with and assisting young people develop their skills to be active and engaged social and environmental citizens… (plus I get sea sick!)
Naomi Berman
Manager, Policy & Evaluation
Q: What impact are you having on young people?
A: My impact is through providing FYA with the kinds of information that will enable it to do its job effectively and make the difference to young people it is committed to.
Q: When you were in high school, how did you want to change the world?
A: I wanted to be a barrister and make sure that justice was affected, that the wrongs of the world were put right again by my actions. I also wanted to adopt a Down Syndrome baby. I have a strong urge to stand up for the rights of those who are unable to defend themselves.
Reny Massoud
Senior Manager, Partnerships
Q: What impact are you having on young people?
A: I develop a network of strategic partnerships to ensure the financial sustainability of FYA’s work – so that we can continue to support young people in having fuller minds and fuller hearts.
Q: When you were in high school, how did you want to change the world?
A: When I was in high school, you were either in the ‘smart’ group or the ‘beautiful’ clique (you couldn’t be both). I used to spend hours looking at fashion magazines and thinking how I could help all the geeks become goddesses and then we’d take over the world because we were intelligent enough to do it!
Rhondah Whitaker
Young Social Pioneers – Program Lead
Q: What Impact are you having on young people?
A: The impact I have on young people is through the work I do on the Young Social Pioneers program. The impact is evident through the connections and communities which grow from Young Social Pioneers.
Q: When you were in high school, how did you want to change the world ?
A: I’ve always been aware of the bigger world around me, even before I was a teenager. I think it was the conversations and people I met when growing up through my family. About wanting to change the world, I don’t know. I was always moving and shaking the world around me with a variety of consequences (if you know what I mean). I was always interested and did generate change in my school community.
Ricky Campbell-Allen
Director of the Centre for New Public Education
Ricky Campbell-Allen the Director of the Centre for New Public Education, an initiative of the Foundation for Young Australians (FYA). Prior to joining FYA, Ricky worked as the Director of State and Federal Grants, and as a primary advisor to the Chief Academic Officer, in Boston Public Schools (USA), managing federal education reform programs (Race To the Top) which aimed to improve students’ performance and build the capacity of teachers and school leaders across the system. Ricky began her professional life in the visual arts and consulting before managing an outdoor education company. She then studied teaching and spent seven years as high-performing teacher and successful school leader in Sydney, Australia. Ricky has served in a number of leadership and representative roles in professional, faith and community organisations and has been involved in education initiatives in Nepal and Ethiopia.
Ricky holds an Ed.M from Harvard University (Robert Gordon Menzies Harvard Scholar), a Dip.Ed from University of Canberra and Bachelor of Visual Arts (Hons) from the University of Sydney.
Sam McCully
Head of Groundforce and EA to Jan Owen AM
Q: What impact are you having on young people?
A: I’m a big part of the ‘behind the scenes’ impact at FYA – the Groundforce team provides support to all FYA teams, making it possible for them to focus on their impact on young people. And my kids love me, that’s gotta be good right?
Q: When you were in high school, how did you want to change the world?
A: Actually my major focus in high school was becoming Adrian V’s girlfriend! My ‘change the world’ phase came a bit later on (when I grew up) and I spent nearly 20 years working in the disability sector advocating for improved life opportunities for people with a disability. We still have a long way to go but I like to think I made a bit of a difference.
Sarah Fenton
Q: What impact are you having on young people?
A: Designing and running programs and initiatives that encourage and allow young people to be their best selves.
Q: When you were in high school, how did you want to change the world?
A: Through music. I loved, and still love, that music is a universal language, that it has the power to bring people together and feel good about themselves. I wanted to be a music therapist, to help rehabilitate, inspire or heal people. Or win an Oscar for best film score in a movie, but I’m not sure that would have changed the world all that much!
Stefan Bramble
Youth Engagement Specialist (WOW)
Q: What impact are you having on young people?
A: Delivering the amazing WOW program allows me to help young people grab a hold of their own lives and imagine a positive and fulfilling future for themselves. I’m giving them self confidence, perspective and pride. Needless to say, I like what I do.
Q: When you were in high school, how did you want to change the world?
A: In high school I had opinions on everything but few ideas for how to make anything better. I have since learnt that every journey starts with a single step and that one small action towards a better world beats a million words spoken about it. Also, I wanted the return of happy pants and the hyper-colour t-shirt.