Our Governance

Karinya is overseen by a skills-based Board of ten women, each selected for their expertise and professional background.  This Board is responsible for the strategic governance of the organisation, ensuring decisions align with our mission and values.  An Audit and Risk Sub-Committee further supports the Board by focusing on financial oversight and risk management, which is crucial for maintaining operational integrity and sustainability.  Operational duties are delegated to the Chief Executive Officer, who manages day-to-day functions.  The Association Constitution of Kariya Young Women's Service Inc. enables the governance structure, which provides a clear framework for accountability and decision-making processes.  This structure ensures operational excellence in serving the community.

Our Board

  • Secretary

    Susan is a primary school teacher with the Department of Education. She holds a Bachelor of Education from the University of Tasmania and, upon graduation, was placed on the Dean’s Honour Roll for the College of Arts, Law and Education. Susan is passionate about education and the benefits it provides to young people to equip them to live happy and successful lives. Her educational expertise provides a valuable support to programs such as Karinya Young Mums.

    Susan has previously volunteered for not-for-profit organisations, such as the Brave Foundation, that assist young women, in particular young mothers. She has a passion for supporting and championing young mothers, having been one herself, and now raising 2 daughters with her husband. Spending time with family and supporting local arts organisations also keep Susan connected to the Launceston community.

  • Olivia has worked in Education for over 20 years in a variety of schools and positions in Northern Tasmania, from classroom teaching, support roles and lastly in Leadership. In 2023 she undertook a position at the University of Tasmania, and is now helping tertiary students and adult learners to find their passion in higher education and continue study in our wonderful state. Olivia has a love of learning, completing a Bachelor of Education and Graduate Certificate in Leadership through University of Tasmania, Certificate III in Agribusiness, has even completed a jillaroo course and hopes her passion for learning encourages others to endeavor to continue to learn. Olivia was previously on the Karinya Committee from 2015-2020 and missed being a part of the Karinya team and rejoined in 2023.

    Olivia lives in a rural community on a farm with her husband and 2 children. She enjoys volunteering and making a difference in people's lives especially in rural communities; previously being on Rural Youth, Agfest and Longford Show Committee, also Secretary for Proactive Agricultural Safety & Support (PASS) Farmsafe Tasmania and on the organising committee for a cancer fundraiser, Breast Out For Research (BOFR).

    Olivia enjoys spending her spare time outdoors, bush walking, bike riding, tap and jazz dancing and gardening. She is always looking for a new adventure and meeting new people.

    Olivia wants to support young people to be life-long learners in any area they are passionate about and being part of the Karinya team enables her to give her wisdom, passion and make a difference in other people's lives.

  • Chloe comes from an accounting background with experience in both a professional capacity and an administrative capacity.  She holds a Certificate III in Business and is currently undertaking a Bachelor of Accounting with Charles Sturt University.  Due to her age Chloe is able to relate closely with the demographic that Karinya aims to help.

     

    Chloe has previously volunteered with Anglicare Tasmania, assisting on their camps focused around mental health and building resilience.  She has also volunteered in many primary school class rooms providing students with additional help and a safe space to go when they need a chat.

     

    Chloe spends her spare time renovating her fixer upper house and spending time outdoors with her partner and their dog.

  • Director

    Natalie joined the Karinya Board in June 2023. She is currently employed as the Executive Manager People & Culture with NDIS disability support provider Multicap Tasmania, having previously worked with Eskleigh Foundation both as Executive Manager and prior to that, serving on their board. Natalie is an experienced group executive with professional qualifications in Industrial Relations and People & Culture with a proven background in the resource and professional services sector including senior positions with Lester Franks Survey and Geographic, Sonic Mining Services and MG Mining Services. Natalie brings her skills for change management, organisational culture and strategic planning to the board. Natalie is passionate about adding value to the community and helping others to live a meaningful life of quality both in terms of health and purpose.

    Natalie is a member of AICD, Women on Boards, AHRI and IRST.

  • Director

    Katrina is a marketing communications leader with 20+ years’ experience in the energy, wine, education, consumer and automotive aftermarket sectors. She has held senior roles at local, national and international levels with much of her career spent at Weber Shandwick, one of the world’s leading PR agencies. She is currently Head of Marketing and Communications at The Project Lab and was previously Head of Marketing at Tas Gas. Katrina also runs a small business, winesoftasmania.com.au, an online wine subscription and gift retailer. Her skills span corporate communications, branding, reputation management, digital and social media marketing, visual storytelling, public relations and internal communications.

    Katrina has a strong desire to engage with and promote the great work being done at Karinya. She has a Bachelor of Communication from the University of Canberra and has completed the AICD Advanced NFP Governance Course. She has held previous board roles with Playgroup Australia, and Playground Tasmania.

  • CEO

    Jane is a highly experienced professional in the community and health sectors. Her expertise lies in leadership, governance, and project management. Throughout her career, she has held senior management positions where she has focused on developing policies, programs, and services in the areas of community, health, and aged care. Jane excels in collaboration and communication, and she is skilled at implementing significant system and operational changes to address the evolving needs and directions of the community and health sectors.

    Jane's leadership style is characterised by promoting consensus and advocating for natural and social justice as well as equality. She possesses multiple qualifications, including a Bachelor of Nursing, a Post Graduate Certificate in Health Service Management with a specialization in Project Management, and a Graduate Diploma in Public Health with a focus on Health and Aged Care Management. Currently, Jane is pursuing a Bachelor of Healthcare with Honors in Clinical Redesign. Jane is also Vice Chair Migrant Resource Centre North.

    Jane's primary focus is ensuring the safety and welfare of young people in need of Karinya’s services and advocating for a positive impact in the community.

  • Treasurer

    Ashley is a Chartered Accountant with 17 years finance and operations experience across public practice and industry roles. Currently teaching within the College of Business and Economics at the University of Tasmania (UTAS), Ashley has previously worked in both corporate and not for profit environments. In 2020, she received first class honours for her dissertation exploring transparency and accountability in Australian charity sector reporting. Ashley has previously volunteered in both the suicide prevention and cancer research spaces and joined Karinya in 2020 to contribute to the safety of women and children in the Launceston community.

  • Director/Chair Audit & Risk

    Claire is senior executive and accountant with almost 20 years’ experience across the private and public sectors. Her work history goes beyond traditional accounting and finance roles, encompassing risk management, quality assurance, compliance, human resources, workforce development, regional economic development and digital transformation.

    She is currently a Senior Consultant at Synectic Accountants & Advisors joining the organisation in 2021 to build a specialist assurance and risk consulting practice within the firm.

    Claire is a graduate of the 2019 Tasmanian Leaders Program, an independent member of the Department of Treasury and Finance Audit & Risk Management Committee, CPA Australia Tasmanian Divisional Councillor, Vice Chair of the Institute of Internal Auditors (Tasmanian Chapter), Executive Member of the Devonport Chamber of Commerce and Industry and volunteer not-for-profit Board Member.

    Passionate about business performance and improvement she is strong advocate for the north west region and local business.

    A foodie at heart, she enjoys any excuse to cook up a storm and also appreciates spending time outdoors in the sun and experiencing different cultures.

  • Jozie is a general psychologist with 9 years of experience working in the mental health sector. With a passion for fostering accessibility and opportunity for all, Jozie's journey has led her through various roles, from research into youth mental health services in Tasmania to hands-on work with children and adolescents in the disability sector.

    Jozie has dedicated herself to supporting individuals in the community sector, through working with complex mental health cases and facilitating their integration back into the community and supporting long term health outcomes. Jozie currently works as a psychologist in private practice and focuses on empowering children and adolescents particularly those from neuro and culturally diverse backgrounds.

    Jozie is Launceston bred, and lives alongside her husband and two young children. Outside the office, you'll often find her exploring the outdoors with her family, cooking or indulging in some of the amazing produce we have in this state.