Board Profiles
Chair | Kathryn Mandla, nominee of yourtown
Kathryn Mandla is the CEO of the National Employment Services Association (NESA), the peak body for the Australian employment services sector. Prior to joining NESA, Kathryn worked for yourtown, one of Australia’s largest youth service providers as Head of Strategic Partnerships and Advocacy.
Kathryn was the inaugural Head of the National Office for Child Safety in the Department of the Prime Minister and Cabinet in Canberra and the Chair of the OECD Working Party on Social Policy from 2016-2019. She has also worked as a senior executive in the Australian Government’s Department of Social Services in various roles responsible for children, family, housing and homelessness policies, international and Commonwealth-State relations, performance and evidence; worked for the Queensland Government in central and line agency roles including as a senior executive responsible for child protection policy; and as Head of the Office for Women.
Kathryn holds Law and Arts degrees from the University of Queensland.
Deputy Chair | Phil Doorgachurn, nominee of Y Australia
Phil is the Executive Director of Y Australia and leads the strategic safeguarding work for the Ys in Australia. Phil was previously the Head of Safeguarding for Arsenal FC and British Tennis and has extensive international experience in children’s rights.
Phil is a passionate speaker and has travelled the world providing thought provoking speeches on children’s rights and safety.
Phil also sits on the Advisory Board to the Australian Government’s National Office for Child Safety and is a Director for Safe Sport International and LimeCulture UK, two of the world’s leading charities in responding to sexual violence and safeguarding,
Secretary | Ms Bev Orr OAM, representative of AFCA
Bev has held leadership roles at local, regional, state and national levels, and as a Board Director and Company Secretary. Bev is a subject matter expert in child safety and protection. She has led and participated in research, policy development and strategic change processes, and evaluated local and national programs and systems.
Bev has been a foster carer of more than 300 children and provided support and counselling to others in her work as a therapeutic counsellor. Bev is a passionate advocate for marginalised and vulnerable children, working to improve their quality of life and outcomes.
Bev has been recognised at state and national levels for her community sector work. She was awarded ACT Woman of the Year twice, ACT Australian of the Year Local Hero, ACT Senior Australian of the Year nominee, and has received an Order of Australia Medal. Bev holds post-graduate qualifications in governance, leadership and business.
Penny Hood, nominee of Barnardos
Penny is the Executive Leader, Children & Families for Barnardos Australia. Penny joined Barnardos in 2018 after an extensive 20+ year career with the NSW Government.
As Executive Leader, Children & Families, Penny is responsible for all Barnardos services and programs, working with over 14,000 children, young people and their families. She is well regarded for her strong leadership skills, which have seen her successfully lead large operational portfolios and strategy, policy and program reform projects. Penny has extensive experience working with children, young people, their families and communities across early intervention and prevention, child protection, out-of-home care, domestic and family violence, disability and housing and homelessness. Penny holds a BA Arts, BA Law, M Policy Studies, and Specialist Certificate in Implementation Science.
Catherine Liddle, representative of SNAICC – National Voice for our Children
An Arrernte/Luritja woman from Central Australia, Catherine comes to SNAICC with a strong background in senior management positions with First Nations organisations. She was most recently CEO of First Nations Media Australia and previously Regional Director of Jawun Indigenous Corporate Partnerships, Central Australia Regions.
Catherine has also held senior roles within the Northern Territory Education Department, the ABC, and NITV/SBS.
Associate Professor Tim Moore, nominee of AFCA
Tim is an internationally recognised child and youth researcher and children’s rights advocate. He has worked directly with children, young people and families focusing on research underpinned by a commitment to promoting their needs, views and experiences and supporting the development of practices, policies and programs that respond to them.
With a body of research spanning two decades, he has worked across issues such as homelessness, youth justice, child protection, residential care, young carers, and child sexual abuse prevention. Much of his work has actively involved children and young people in its design and as beneficiaries, underpinning a deep empathy and respect for the child’s point of view.
Tim has provided advice to several inquiries and Commissions and shaped local, national and international initiatives to improve the lives of children, young people and their families. His work for the Royal Commission into Institutional Responses to Child Sexual Abuse helped form child safe practices and organisations.
Tim currently holds the position of Deputy Director, Institute of Child Protection Studies, Australian Catholic University.
Jo Sadler, nominee of Wanslea
Jo is an early childhood teacher by profession, and she has enjoyed a 25+ year career as a leader in community settings across all three tiers of Government, the corporate sector and within non-government organisations.
As the CEO of Wanslea, Jo leads a large non-government service provider that delivers a range of early learning and care, early intervention, parenting, youth, family support, children protection and community development services.
Jo has a strong personal and professional commitment to the child and family sector and after living and working in regional and remote settings for a period of ten years, she has a special affiliation with seeing genuine reconciliation for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Australians and the equitable provision of services regardless of postcode. A graduate of the Australian Institute of Company Directors, Jo is also on the Board of Western Australian Council of Social Services.
Lesley Taylor, nominee of NAPCAN
Lesley Taylor has an extensive career in child safety, abuse prevention and national advocacy. Based in the Northern Territory for over 15 years, Lesly’s work focus has included managing the development and delivery of a range of innovative child abuse prevention programs across multiple NT communities and working organisations, communities and families to create a child-friendly, and child-safe Australia.
As a current Board Director of NAPCAN, and through previous professional and volunteer roles, Lesley has been actively engaged in national social policy campaigns and strategic planning initiatives seeking to reduce the risk of child abuse occurring in Australia over an extensive period.
Deb Tsorbaris, nominee of CAFWAA
Deb Tsorbaris is the CEO of the Centre for Excellence in Child and Family Welfare. The Centre is Victoria’s peak body for child and family services. Deb is a passionate advocate for Victoria’s vulnerable children, young people and families.
Deb has over 32 years’ experience in the Not for Profit and Public sector and has held executive positions in organisations working across youth services, disability, homelessness, drug and alcohol support services; and employment programs. Prior to joining the Centre, Deb held senior executive positions in State Government.
Deb provides policy leadership to state and federal governments and is a strong contributor to the child and family services sector. Deb has been instrumental in working collaboratively across department, government and community sectors to address long term strategic needs and community objectives. Deb co-chairs the Roadmap Implementation Ministerial Advisory Group and its Implementation steering group and currently sits on the Victorian Children’s Council.
Tom Allsop, nominee of CAFWAA
Tom Allsop is the CEO of Queensland’s peak body for child and family services, PeakCare Queensland. Tom is a social worker, academic, and passionate advocate for Queensland’s children, young people and families. Tom has extensive experience in the Not for Profit and Public Sector having held senior positions in child protection, youth justice, early childhood education, health, and homelessness service sectors. Tom also has expertise in the intersection between emerging technologies and the delivery of human and social services through his roles leading the delivery of critical programs and projects including the Queensland’s Government’s participation in the National Redress Scheme, NDIS Worker Screening, and the implementation of contemporary systems and practices that have reshaped the delivery of child protection and youth justice services in Queensland.