Our people

Our Trust

The Trust was established under the Queen Victoria Women’s Centre Trust Act 1994 to govern the Centre, which acts as a statutory authority consistent with the meaning of ‘public body’ in section 3 of the Financial Management Act 1994. The Trust comprises up to 10 members, appointed by the Governor-in-Council on the recommendation of the Minister for Women, to fulfil the following obligations as prescribed by the enabling Act.

VIEW ACT

Jennifer Kanis - Chair

Jennifer Kanis is a Principal Lawyer at Maurice Blackburn and leads the firm’s dedicated social justice practice.

  • From 2012–2014, Jennifer was the State Member for Melbourne, and held the positions of Shadow Parliamentary Secretary for Justice and Mental Health and was Deputy Chair of the Victorian Parliament’s Accountability and Oversight Committee and was on the Independent Broad-based Anti Corruption Committee. Jennifer was a member of the Melbourne City Council from 2008 – 2012 and held the portfolio areas of community services and arts and culture. Other relevant experience includes Jennifer’s role as Director of Advocacy and Campaigns at the Asylum Seeker Resource Centre and experience as a secondary school teacher. Previous directorships include: Housing Choices Australia, Victorian Legal Aid, Melbourne Health and the Melbourne Symphony Orchestra.

Melanie Collett

Melanie is a professional engineer with over 20 years of experience on major infrastructure projects in Melbourne and around Australia. 

  • She is an Executive Engineer and Fellow of Engineers Australia and is recognised as a Chartered Professional Engineer in Civil Engineering, Environmental Engineering and Leadership and Management. Melanie has worked on many projects across Australia and New Zealand including Christchurch NZ following the 2010/11 earthquakes, providing expert evidence at the Panel Hearing for the EES for the Westgate Tunnel Project & verification for the Melbourne Metro Rail Infrastructure Alliance She is currently the Director of Technical Practices for the Australia and New Zealand region of the large multinational consulting firm AECOM. Melanie is involved in her local community in the City of Port Phillip, previously holding positions on the boards of Bubup Womindjeka Family and Children’s Centre and Gasworks Arts Inc.

Susannah Day

Susannah is a Martu/Darlot woman originally from Western Australia, now residing in Naarm (Melbourne). She is currently CEO at The Torch.

  • Susannah is a Martu/Darlot woman originally from Western Australia, now residing in Naarm (Melbourne). She is the granddaughter of Ivy Kilmurray, a Stolen Generation survivor born at Wongawol Station near Wiluna.

    Currently serving as CEO at The Torch, Susannah oversees the organisation's financial health, fundraising, governance, people and culture, operations, and strategic vision. Her journey with The Torch began as Program Manager in January 2019, and she was later appointed as their inaugural General Manager in July 2022.


    Susannah is deeply committed to providing artists with the resources and platforms necessary to tell their stories and practice art and Culture. Susannah has seen the impact that First Peoples-led programs can have on communities, and she works at the coalface to close the gap.

    Prior to her tenure at The Torch, Susannah held pivotal roles including Head of Programs & Operations at Brunswick Mechanics Institute under Next Wave, Dance Massive Coordinator for the City of Melbourne and Producer at The Blue Room Theatre in Boorloo (Perth, WA).

Dr Marcia Devlin AM

Dr Marcia Devlin AM is the Chief Executive Officer of the Victorian Academy of Teaching and Leadership and has three decades of experience across the education and not for profit sectors.

  • She has served in three multi-sector institutions offering university, vocational and senior secondary education: as Senior Deputy Vice-Chancellor at Victoria University; as Associate Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Education) at RMIT University; and as Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Learning and Quality) at Federation University Australia. Marcia has also served in senior leadership roles at Deakin University and The University of Melbourne. Until recently, Marcia served as a Non-Executive Director of the Board of Melbourne Polytechnic, where she also Chaired the Education Quality Committee and was a member of the Finance, Audit and Risk Committee. Marcia was also previously a Ministerial appointee to the Board of the Victorian Curriculum and Assessment Authority, where she served on the Board Executive, the Audit Committee and the Project Control Board delivering VCE and VACL, and as Chair of the Senior Secondary Certification Reform Committee. An Adjunct Professor, psychologist, teacher, keynote speaker, author and qualified Company Director, Marcia is keenly interested in improving gender equality and increasing the representation of women in all levels of leadership and governance. In 2023, Marcia was made a Member of the Order of Australia for services to higher education, and to women.

Amy Hudson

Amy is a Chartered Accountant with over 20 years experience working in professional practice.

  • Emily is a respected leader in family violence prevention and response, most recently serving as CEO of Respect Victoria, the state’s dedicated family violence prevention agency. She previously led DVRCV and oversaw its merger with DV Vic to create Safe and Equal.

    Her consulting work has included major projects for governments and the specialist family violence sector across Australia. Over the past two decades, she has worked with organisations including Our Watch, VicHealth, the Australian Human Rights Commission and CASA House, and co-authored Change the Story, Australia’s national violence prevention framework.

    Emily currently chairs the Eastern Metropolitan Region Family Violence Partnership and also supports Dying with Dignity Victoria as a Board Strategic Advisor.

Aayushi khillan

Aayushi is an Australian MD/PhD candidate, social entrepreneur & youth advocate based in Melbourne. She is the founder of Body Buddies, a Social Traders certified social enterprise using creative health education to improve health literacy.

  • At 18, Aayushi became the youngest board member appointed to the Victorian Curriculum and Assessment Authority, where she advocated for student voice and educational equity. She has also served on several youth advisory groups and leadership bodies, including the Centre for Multicultural Youth Youth Advisory Group, the Australian Government STEM Youth Advisory Group, the Victorian Student Representative Council and the Australian Medical Students' Association.

    Her contributions have been recognised through awards including The Diana Award, Young Melburnian of the Year, the Victorian Honour Roll of Women Emerging Leader Award, the Victorian Multicultural Honour Roll and the 40 Under 40 Most Influential Asian Australians list. In 2026, one of Victoria’s Suburban Rail Loop tunnel boring machines, TBM Aayushi, was named in recognition of her contributions to youth advocacy and health education.

    Aayushi is passionate about empowering young leaders, women of colour, and multicultural communities, with a strong commitment to creating more inclusive spaces in leadership, education, and healthcare.

EMILY MAGUIRE

Emily is a specialist consultant in family violence and violence against women across the areas of strategy, policy, advocacy, workforce development, system reform, capability building, and service/program design.

  • She served as the independent member of the FARG for over 5 years before joining the trust as a member. Amy is passionate about developing and supporting women in building strong careers and fostering equity in the workplace. Amy holds a Bachelor of Commerce from Monash University, is a Member of the Institute of Chartered Accountants in Australia and New Zealand, and is a Registered Company Auditor in Australia. Amy Hudson is Chair of the QVWC Audit & Risk Committee.

elke smirl

Elke is a proud descendant of the Kaurna and Narungga peoples of South Australia and was born and raised in Victoria. Inspired by her mother's leadership as one of Victoria's first Aboriginal Community Justice Program Chairs and Koori Court Elders, Elke has dedicated her career to advancing opportunities and outcomes for Aboriginal communities.

  • With more than 40 years' experience across Commonwealth and State governments, Elke has worked in diverse portfolios including justice, family violence prevention and healing, remote housing and infrastructure, consumer affairs, and workforce development. She currently leads the First Peoples Employment and Development Branch at the Department of Energy, Environment and Climate Action.

    Elke has also held leadership roles within Aboriginal Community Controlled Organisations, including as CEO of Mullum Mullum Aboriginal Gathering Place and Manager of Boorndawan Willam Aboriginal Healing Service. Her career reflects a longstanding commitment to community development, cultural strengthening, governance, and advocacy for First Peoples.

Angela Skandarajah

With over 25 years’ experience in the real estate sector, Angela has broad based expertise in property development, urban renewal and infrastructure projects.

  • She previously headed up Minter Ellison's National Real Estate, Environment and Planning team and has been a long term contributor to various industry bodies. Since joining Development Victoria in 2017 she has been part of the leadership of the organisation in various roles and was appointed CEO in February 2019. Angela is passionate about creating a learning environment at DV, where people are encouraged to develop and maximise their potential, whilst achieving great outcomes for the community.

Our STAFF

The QVWC staff is a small group that together strives to ensure the Centre is a safe and engaging place for resident organisations, their staff and all of our visitors.

Keryn Negri - CEO

Keryn is passionate about progressing social justice and equity outcomes for women and comes to the QVWC with extensive leadership experience gained from working in government and higher education.

  • Keryn has a passion for driving organisational excellence and reform, underpinned by a shared strategic vision. Empowering workplace cultures and building strong communities is central to the way Keryn works. Keryn joins us from the University of Melbourne where she was the Executive Director of the Graduate School of Education. Prior to this Keryn worked in the Victorian Public Service where she held a range of senior executive management roles, across several departments and portfolio areas, driving complex legislative reform, implementing new policy initiatives and leading high performing teams.

Marianne has built her career in the retail industry across buying, sourcing and product design. As a girl she loved playing shop and that passion lives on today in her role as QVWC SHOP Coordinator.

MARIANNE DUVAL-SHE/HER- QVWC SHOP Coordinator

  • Marianne is an advocate for conscious consumerism and sees the value in connecting customers with the person and the story behind the products. She is passionate about supporting women and non-binary makers, and building an inspiring retail experience in Melbourne which provides a space for those stories to be shared and celebrated.

FREYJA GILLARD -THEY/THEM VENUES COORDINATOR

Freyja oversees our venues and is keen to support you in making the Centre your own!

  • With an events career spanning over 25 years, they started out in the DIY music-arts scene and have since gone on to specialise in youth, community and arts events and festivals, working across Australia, the UK, and the United States.

    Freyja is a keen advocate for creating accessible, sustainable, and welcoming spaces and is always up for a chat on how best to design and deliver your events!

    Outside of QVWC, Freyja loves the cinema and is the current Director and Chair of Environmental Films Australia.

LUCI KALISCH- SHE/HER -VENUES ADministrator

Luci is excited to support you in making the Centre your own! 

  • With a background in not-for-profits and aquatics, Luci brings a passion for community building, youth empowerment, and connecting with new people. She loves working in a beautiful building steeped in feminist history - home to many wonderful organisations and events advancing gender equity.

    Outside of work, Luci is a proud cat mum and an aunty to a (relatively tame) chihuahua. 

MONELLE DIPROSE- SHE/HER -QVWC SHOP ASSISTANT

Monelle is a designer, maker and creative enthusiast who believes life is better with colour, imagination and a healthy dose of chaos. 

  • She is the founder of Bunny & Wolf, a handmade fashion label creating bold, joy-filled clothing designed to help people feel confident, comfortable and unapologetically themselves.

    At QVWC SHOP, she loves championing women-led businesses, connecting with artists and makers, and sharing the stories behind creative work.

    When she's not working, you'll usually find her sewing in her studio, painting, chasing new creative ideas, or hanging out with her two kids (who are also her biggest cheerleaders), always accompanied by her senior Mini Schnauzer Victor. 

NATALIE FORDE -SHE/HER-Communications Coordinator

Natalie has worked in NFP and creative industries across strategic communications, project management and design. She has a passion for gender equality and social justice issues.

  • Natalie loves working at QVWC, she gets to apply her creative experience within a community organisation that advocates for women and gender diverse people of Victoria.

JENNY HUANG - QVWC SHOP Curator

Jenny Huang is an artist based in Melbourne. She completed her Postgraduate studies in Master of Fine Art at RMIT University in 2018

  • Jenny is currently working as the QVWC SHOP! curator at Queen Victoria Women’s Centre.

JOHANNA REILLY- SHE/HER-Facilities Coordinator

Johanna’s career is firmly steeped in social enterprises and NFP industry.

  • Committed to a healthier and happier society, Jo would like to see improvements in the accessibility of reproductive healthcare and financial literacy for Australian women, and desegregated industries – especially the pathways to. Fortunately, all of Jo’s niblings are nieces, so she’s excited to see a world where they can access the same sporting, education and workforce opportunities as the boys. Jo likes spending time under water or on top of mountains, including trail running & spearfishing.

FIONA WILSON-SHE/HER- Finance Manager

Fiona is a CPA with a background in the corporate and not-for-profit sectors. She loves that her work is part of the QVWC fabric of support for the women of Victoria

  • Fiona is also a mum to 3 young children and when she’s not balancing the books, she enjoys running and yoga (with or without her tiny entourage).