Our staff
FYA’s senior team members
Jan Owen, AM
CEO
Jan Owen is CEO of FYA and a pioneer of the youth sector in Australia. She is a highly regarded social entrepreneur, innovator and child and youth advocate. From 2002 – 2010, Jan was Executive Director of Social Ventures Australia, a leader in social investment in Australia. Prior to this Jan founded the CREATE Foundation and was inaugural CEO for nine years.
Jan is the only non US citizen to receive a fellowship for leadership and innovation to the Peter Drucker Foundation, USA. In 2000 she was awarded membership of the Order of Australia for services to children and young people.
She serves on the Boards of NAB Schools First, the School for Social Entrepreneurs, Inspire Foundation, Enterprise Melbourne, and the International Women’s Development Agency.
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 …
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.
Dr Lucas Walsh
Director, Research and Evaluation
Dr Lucas Walsh is currently Director of Research and Evaluation at the Foundation for Young Australians. His responsibilities include commissioning research such as the annual report How Young People Are Faring, as well as being commissioned to conduct research by independent and government bodies.
Previously Lucas has worked in corporate, government and not-for-profit sectors. He has managed the Online Curriculum Centre within the International Baccalaureate Organisation in the UK, held three academic research fellowships and been invited to consult local and commonwealth governments.
Lucas has published internationally. In 2007 he co-edited a book entitled Recognition in Politics: Theory, Policy and Practice (Cambridge Scholars Press), and Building Bridges (Melbourne University Press), a co-authored book on managing cultural diversity in schools. Current research includes youth engagement, ICTs in education and the potential for school-community partnerships. In 2011, Lucas published a third book on young people leading change, which he co-authored with Ros Black (ACER Press).
Q: What impact are you having on young people?
A: We seek to conduct research that people use. I’d like to think that our research contributes to thinking, action and influencing policy and practice that has positive impact upon young people’s wellbeing.
Q: When you were in high school, how did you want to change the world?
A: Through writing and teaching.
Gerda Fanning
Head of Communications
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!
Sue Russell
Chief Financial Officer
Sue was looking for a change after working in the government sector for an extended period and was keen to work in a not for profit organisation associated with education and improving the lives of young people. Sue joined the Education Foundation Australia as Business Manager in July 2007 and is now the Chief Financial Officer and Company Secretary at FYA. In these roles she can utilise her extensive experience in finance, human resources management and corporate administration and is responsible for finance, investments and governance.
Q: What impact are you having on young people?
A: I am responsible for FYA’s financial management which supports our initiatives and ensures our resources are having the maximum benefit for young people.
Q: When you were in high school, how did you want to change the world?
A: When I was in high school I wanted to contribute to reducing diseases and suffering in the world, so I worked in medical research for several years before changing careers to work in finance.
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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!
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!
Anna Glue
Finance Administrator
Q: What impact are you having on young people?
A: My biggest impact on youth (without hesitation in the case of my sons) would have to be as a role-model. It is sometimes a case of ‘Do as I say, not as I do’ or maybe, sometimes, “do both!”
Q: When you were in high school, how did you want to change the world?
A: In high school I focused on changing myself. However, I have always been interested in Human and Animal Rights and now as an adult I add to that Environmental/Ecological Rights. With a family history of loss relating to “home”, of particular concern to me are the rights of displaced people. I would love to see safe, respectful and efficient support channels for integration into society.
Anna van Veldhuisen
Optimisation Manager
Q: What impact are you having on young people?
A: Though I’m new to FYA, I’d hope that by helping administrate the Groundforce and Marketing & Comms teams I’m using my organisational skills for good (and not evil!) by helping FYA improve the lives of young Australians. Outside of the workplace, I also volunteer tutor music to disadvantaged VCE students. The work I do in that arts sector has given me many opportunities to play music and make theatre with young people from diverse backgrounds – an experience that I believe can impact and improve their lives significantly.
Q: When you were in high school, how did you want to change the world?
A: Honestly, I just wanted to be a writer for Rolling Stone and hang out with rock stars. My ‘changing the world’ phase came later, when I began doing volunteer work in university and became passionate about making education accessible to all through student unionism and volunteer teaching.
Anne Reyes
Director of First Impressions
Q: What impact are you having on young people?
A: Being one of the younger ones at FYA and having much to learn along the way, I can share my experiences and relate to those who are wanting to find their voice in the community as well as still finding their own self identity.
Q: When you were in high school, how did you want to change the world?
A: I would hear stories about hundreds of starving children and families in different parts of the world – if I could and if money grew on trees, I would drop crates of food and fresh water from planes. Just like in the movies! It could work, right? I think giving them all the money itself would probably send the wrong message and create more unwanted issues.
Carlita Bevege
Communications Adviser
Q: What impact are you having on young people?
A: Through social media and various projects I make sure that young people feel 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 often felt embarrassed about participating in broader community activities and volunteering. I used to play music at a local nursing home and I loved bringing joy to the residents – but I didn’t want any of my friends to know that I was doing it. I really wished that attitudes would shift to allow me to do these things without feeling uncool and having my friends roll their eyes!
Charby Ibrahim
NAB Schools First Project Manager
Q: What impact are you having on young people?
A: Giving young people the opportunity to experience education outside of the traditional classroom setting allows them to draw on a wealth of expertise that they would not otherwise have. Some young people who were previously disengaged from education have found a new passion through their school and community partnerships as part of the NAB Schools First project I lead.
Q: When you were in high school, how did you want to change the world?
A: In two ways: The first, through the lyrical and musical genius of the most awesome high school rock band known to man (and woman). And the second, I wanted to cure the world of racism and other forms of discrimination – I haven’t yet achieved this, but I’m well and truly on my way. Should be done by COB Friday.
Dawn Mackay
Communications Adviser
Q: What impact are you having on young people?
A: I’m working at creating a program that is creative, fun and engaging for young people based in regional and rural communities.
Q: When you were in high school, how did you want to change the world?
A: After the end of apartheid in South Africa, Black, Indian and Mixed-Race kids were allowed to go to what was termed “White Schools”. My school struggled knowing how to make our school more diverse and welcoming of the new students. So I created a team of students who were keen to make our school a better place for all. In partnership with the school governing body, we re-wrote our school’s constitution as well as got the principal to hire the first non-white teacher; who played a great role during the transitional stages.
Elisa Brear
NAB Schools First
Q. What impact are you having on young people?
A: In a nutshell, students across Australia are enjoying a more fun and rewarding school experience that is relevant to their next chapter in life. I help support schools that find creative ways to partner with their community to help young people reach their potential. One of the great things about my job with NAB Schools First is that I work with schools, governments, business and community organisations that are all partnering to back our young Australians.
Q. When you were in high school, how did you want to change the world?
A: In high school, I wanted to join the World Health Organisation to work in public health, helping communities take the right measures to prevent epidemics and health crises. After six weeks of studying Biomedical Science at university, I had to escape the lab coats, so I swapped careers and haven’t looked back. Corny as it sounds, my favourite way to change the world is to take the time to smile and say hello to people.
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!
John Kilner
Partnerships Manger, Worlds of Work
Q: What impact are you having on young people?
A: The WOW program is a national program that helps young people see what the future could be like for them. They leave the week long program assured, more confident, feeling optimistic about their future, better communicators. This is a dream job for me.
Q: When you were in high school, how did you want to change the world?
A: I wrote my first letter to a newspaper when I was 12 about the killing of kangaroos. People wrote to me. I was invited to join the “Kangaroo Lovers Club of Victoria”! I started my own high school newspaper against the Vietnam War. My brother was conscripted into the army and served in Vietnam. Vietnam politicised me. Twenty years working for The Age newspaper was a brilliant education in life. From when I was a little boy, I seemed to care strongly about the world, about people. The little boy is still there.
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!
Meryl Scott
Program Adviser, NAB Schools First
Q: What impact are you having on young people?
A: I impact young people by exposing a them to a world view of opportunities that creates avenues for them to succeed.
Q: When you were in high school, how did you want to change the world?
A: Working towards an equal and fair education was my main focus when I was in high school – we did this by carrying out informal ‘skits’ or short plays at school which were humorous, yet a meaningful experience to all that took part. Somehow I have not had a calling to the stage since.
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.
Natalie Matulick
Manager, NT
Q: What impact are you having on young people?
A: I am inspiring young Territorians to be their best selves!
Q: When you were in high school, how did you want to change the world?
A: When I was in high school I was pretty focused on myself, my friends, my next game of netball, and the latest boy I had a crush on. Then, at the end of Year 12 I lived overseas as an exchange student and this blew my mind. A girl from small town country SA, I suddenly realised that there was this whole world out there and I had better get a move on if I wanted to explore the world and impact even some of those people! So in some way, I have Rotary and the plane ride from Adelaide to Stockholm to thank for my global perspective.
Peter Baynard-Smith
Program Head, Young People Without Borders
Q: What impact are you having on young people?
A: I am passionate about young people being equipped to use their energy, ideas and enthusiasm to make a real positive difference in the world. Having spent many years in international development and local community service, I love working on Young People Without Borders, so that all young Australians can experience the adventure, satisfaction and benefits that come from learning about global citizenship and having the opportunity to volunteer at home and overseas.
Q: When you were in high school, how did you want to change the world?
A: I always wanted to travel, to help countries and people less fortunate than mine, and to be a part of solutions not part of the problems! I knew that the time was coming when the world would need to turn to renewable energy, so I studied how solar and other energy technologies could make a difference to the daily lives of people; I loved French so I worked on speaking it well enough to use it in Africa, and I had a passion for photography so I have always loved capturing images of different peoples and cultures.
Peter Baynard-Smith on LinkedIn
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.
Rosalyn Black
Senior Manager, Research & Evaluation
Q: What impact are you having on young people?
A: As a member of FYA’s Research and Evaluation team, I am generating research that highlights the ways in which young people are leading community and social change.
Q: When you were in high school, how did you want to change the world?
A: Like a lot of young people, I wanted a fairer world. I spent my summers fundraising for philanthropic ventures, but I had little idea of how bigger change could be leveraged. That had to wait until my university years, when I began my teacher training and started honing my political knowledge.
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!
Sasee Devaraja
ICT Manager
Q: What impact are you having on young people?
A: As ICT is front end as well as back end service depending on the situation, I definitely do have impact on young people via technology. FYA makes impact an young people, and technology plays a significant and major role in communicating to them, despite my role at FYA not being directly in contact with young people.
Q: When you were in high school, how did you want to change the world?
A: I used to think about a way to eliminate the class/cast system which was splitting the student neighbourhood. Even sometimes when it was not a big deal, I felt there was a trend that prevailed and some students had no courage to come forward and participate. The society had their own boundaries making change not easy. I aspired to find a way to make all students feel equal in the society and that they could lead the world for a common good.
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.
Tom Doig
Communications Adviser
Q: What impact are you having on young people?
A: I am helping young people find out about the wonderful world of FYA, through plain-English eNewsletters, Facebook messages and Tweets. And some cool videos.
Q: When you were in high school, how did you want to change the world?
A: As a teenager I worked in a milk bar after school, and watched lots of people pour their money into lottery tickets and scratchies. The people who spent the most were always those with least to spare. Over the years, they won back only a fraction of what they spent – but they kept throwing their money away, chasing “the dream”. It was crazy. I wanted to make gambling illegal.
Also, when I was in high school I really wanted there to be girls at my (all boys) school.
Ty Robinson
Young People Without Borders
Q: What impact are you having on young people?
A: I hope that the times I have been engaged around young people that I make them feel like anything in their life is possible if you set your mind to it; that there are no mountains too high to climb and that they are special and can make a real difference in the world. That’s what Young People Without Borders is about.
Q: When you were in high school, how did you want to change the world?
A: I wanted to change the world by having a successful corporate career. Being someone of influence that could then use this to make the world a better place; like I am attempting to do now through my work at FYA.
