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Kerry Staines
With more than 30 years’ experience in the community and human services sector, Kerry Staines is a passionate and forward-thinking leader who strives to create positive social impact and address injustice. As the Chief Executive Officer of FNAAFV, Kerry brings extensive expertise in strategic planning, policy development, stakeholder engagement, and business growth. Having delivered successful outcomes and best practices for diverse and complex organisations, such as STEPS Group Australia, Queensland Health, and North Coast Aboriginal Corporation for Community Health, Kerry is passionate about addressing systemic challenges that adversely affect Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people, their families, and their communities, including those impacted by domestic and family violence. “I want to be a part of, and work alongside a network of providers that honour our unique culture and respects the values and history of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities.” Kerry holds an MBA (Leadership) and a Bachelor of Science Psychology, is a graduate of the Australian Institute Company of Directors and holds multiple qualifications in community services and mental health. Born and raised around Brisbane and having lived most of her adult life on Gubbi Gubbi country, Kerry’s cultural heritage extends across the Wakka Wakka and Mandandanji mobs.
Tahlia-Rose Vanissum
Tahlia-Rose is a proud Woppaburra woman with disability, a Traditional Owner of the Keppel Islands, a carer, and a victim-survivor of family violence. Her lived experience continues to shape her advocacy and fuels her commitment to building systems that uphold safety, justice, and healing for our people. Tahlia-Rose has worked across government, community, and research sectors to strengthen policies, programs, and responses for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander women, girls, and mob with disability. Her expertise spans intersectional policy reform, systemic change, organisational governance, and community-led practice. Tahlia-Rose is a former member of the Justice Policy Partnership and the Housing Policy Partnership and has experience across the Closing the Gap and women’s safety policy ecosystems – formerly leading intersection policy efforts at NIAA – include the development of gender as a cross-cutting outcome area under the Commonwealth’s Implementation Plan on CTG, before moving to DSS to help finalise the Disability Sector Strengthening Plan. Tahlia-Rose currently also serves as Chairperson of Sisters in Spirit Aboriginal Corporation, the ACT’s only all-female governed Aboriginal Community Controlled Organisation, as a Board Director at the Canberra Institute of Technology (CIT), and as a Research Committee Member of the National Disability Research Partnership (NDRP – the disability worlds “ANROWS” equivalent). She has undertaken AICD’s Company Directors Course and holds a Bachelor of Criminology from Australian National University (ANU) alongside her tertiary qualifications in government administration, leadership & management, human resources and business.
Lianne Brown
Lianne is a former journalist and communications and marketing professional with more than 24 years' experience across Australia and globally in government, professional services (legal), pharmaceuticals and biotechnology, economic development, and tertiary education. Lianne has lived on Gimuy country in Cairns and currently lives on the Gubbi Gubbi and Jinbarra Lands of the Sunshine Coast. Lianne is the inaugural Senior Communications Officer for FNAAFV and brings seven years of combined communications experience in the legal services sector in Queensland and the Northern Territory Government’s Department of Children and Families to her role. Lianne’s media relations experience extends across the areas of child protection, youth and women’s affairs, domestic and family violence, and legal services. Her marketing experience, backed by a Mini MBA in Marketing, covers the traditional and digital disciplines. Lianne’s commitment to the FVPLS sector is fueled by a desire for meaningful work where she can partner with passionate professionals committed to making an impact for those that need it most. “The written word is my passion and using it to elevate the voices of those in need is my life’s work.”
Priya Devendran
Social justice causes have been the driving force in Priya’s professional journey, which spans a decade in the criminal justice and social policy space, both in the government and non-government sectors. Priya’s commitment to effecting change for those adversely affected by societal injustices is strongly supported by a number of notable education accolades including a Bachelor of Arts (hons) from Monash University, and a Masters in Philosophy from Cambridge University. During her studies, she was named an Economic and Social Research Council Scholar and is currently completing a PhD at Oxford University, studying the intersectionality of domestic violence. Priya lives in Naarm, Melbourne and is the NFVPLS Forum’s dedicated senior policy officer, supporting both the peak body and its members to navigate the political landscape in which they operate. “I am a strong advocate for the social justice causes. While I spent time working in Government, I was very keen to transition to work in the FVPLS sector where creative, innovative, and progressive change happens. I am passionate about preventing violence against women, especially in communities that are adversely affected by such violence.”
Jennifer FitzGerald
Jenn is the Forum’s dedicated and diligent Policy and Grants Officer and brings more than 20 years’ experience working within various Commonwealth and State Government Health portfolios to the role. Her professional experience includes policy development, strategic and business planning, business case development, program and project management, procurement, and contract management, along with funding advocacy. Originally from Ngambri and Ngunnawal country, Canberra, Jenn lives and works on Wardandi country (also known as Australind), in the Southwest of Western Australia, and has worked closely with Aboriginal Community Controlled Organisations in regional and remote communities across Western Australia for many years. Jenn’s wealth of government and community experience is backed by a Master of Project Management and Post Graduate Certificate of Business. Her passion for her chosen field and continued support for the work of the FVPLS sector comes from her desire to make a positive impact for First Nations peoples. “This sector contributes to developing a nation where equity, fairness, respect, safety, and dignity are paramount, and I’m privileged to work with a highly skilled, experienced and passionate team focused on building the sustainability of our sector.”
Sam George
Sam brings a wealth of experience across frontline legal assistance, youth advocacy, data and reporting, policy development, and stakeholder engagement to his role at FNAAFV. Holding a Master of Social Impact and Not-for-Profit Management and a Master of Laws, Sam is passionate about advancing access to justice and driving systems change that strengthens safety, equity and outcomes for First Nations women and children experiencing family violence. He is also committed to fostering strong relationships across the sector and has a proven ability to bring stakeholders together through meaningful member engagement, collaboration, and sector development initiatives. Having worked in both client-facing and policy roles across the legal assistance sector, Sam has a particular interest in the intersection of technology and access to justice. He brings technical expertise in legal assistance sector data, dashboard development, app development, automation and artificial intelligence. As Sector Development and Member Engagement Officer, Sam supports FNAAFV's members and broader sector development initiatives, including serving as the jurisdictional lead for New South Wales and Victoria. He also leads the coordination of the FNAAFV Data Working Group and the FNAAFV New South Wales Member Alliance. Sam and his family recently returned to Western Australia and now live on Whadjuk Noongar Country, after spending 15 years on the East Coast on Gadigal, Bidjigal and Gumbaynggirr Country.”
Julie Perkins
Julie is a proud Gumbaynggirr woman from Corindi Northern New South Wales. She was born on Bundjalung Country in Grafton and continues to live and raise her family on Country in the Clarence Valley. Julie is the Chief Executive Officer of Gurehlgam – Many Rivers and brings almost three decades of leadership across Aboriginal community-controlled organisations in law and justice, family violence, homelessness, early intervention and behavioural change programs. She is a strong social justice advocate, committed to advancing culturally grounded, community-led responses to family, domestic and sexual violence. Julie holds an Associate Degree of Law and a Bachelor of Laws, and has received numerous awards recognising her leadership, advocacy and contribution to the sector, including national and state union awards and recognition for excellence in legal studies. She is also a passionate union advocate, working to improve conditions and recognition for the community and disability workforce. As Chair of FNAAFV, Julie is dedicated to ending violence and addressing systemic power imbalances through culturally informed approaches led by First Nations communities. She is deeply committed to strengthening families and communities, championing self-determination, and ensuring the next generation has opportunities to thrive.
Corina Martin
Corina Martin is a Mulgyin Jaru and Gooniyandi woman and was born and raised in Broome, Western Australia (WA). Her grandparents were part of the stolen generation, and both grew up on missions and her mother was born in Beagle Bay Mission in northwest Australia. “They were my inspiration and encouraged all of their children and grandchildren of the importance of education and how to succeed in the world.” Corina holds a Bachelor of Marketing and Media and a Bachelor of Law. In 2016, she was admitted to the Supreme Court of WA as a barrister and solicitor. Corina is the Chief Executive Officer of Aboriginal Family Legal Services (AFLS) in WA, which is a role she has held since 2017. Prior to that she was their Principal Legal Officer. Corina has extensive experience in the family violence sector and has sat on numerous executive boards, including FNAAFV, and committees dedicated to improving access to legal assistance and preventing family violence in Western Australia. Corina’s commitment to her role as a lawyer has attracted various accolades including being named Indigenous Lawyer of the Year Award at the Women in Law Awards in 2022; being awarded the Medal of the Order of Australia for service to the Law in 2023; and in 2018 she was invited to prepare and present a paper ‘Working in Violence with Adults and Youth. Effective clinical, Welfare and Legal Strategies’ at an international conference on in Prato, Italy.
Cindy Torrens
Cindy Torrens is a Warlmanpa/Wambaya woman from the Barkly Region of Central Australia and is the Chief Executive Officer of the North Australian Aboriginal Family Legal Service (NAAFLS). Under her leadership, NAAFLS has grown into a majority Aboriginal-led workforce and strengthened its organisational governance and strategic planning frameworks. NAAFLS has also expanded its service delivery to Aboriginal women and children escaping violence, through the acquisition of the Miyalk Domestic Family Violence Shelter in Nhulunbuy and the establishment of the Northern Territory Indigenous Family Legal Support Service (NTIFLSS). During Cindy’s tenure, NAAFLS has secured significant long-term funding, including a five-year agreement under the National Access to Justice Partnership and $9.5 million under the National Leaving Violence Payment Trial. She is an active voice in sector advocacy, engaging with government and peak bodies at both Territory and national levels, including through the National DFSV Sector Strengthening Plan and the NT Justice Policy Partnership. Cindy is committed to growing the next generation of Aboriginal leaders and strengthening the NT ACCO sector, investing in leadership development pathways, mentoring emerging Aboriginal professionals, and championing the self-determination of Aboriginal Community Controlled Organisations as the model best placed to deliver lasting outcomes for Aboriginal families and communities across the Northern Territory.
Tosha Sambo
Tosha Sambo is a proud Gubrun woman from Kalgoorlie, Western Australia, who was raised in South Australia and has strong family connections to the Barngarla people in Port Lincoln, Whyalla, and Port Augusta. Tosha is the Deputy Chief Executive Officer of the Family Violence Legal Service Aboriginal Corporation (SA), where she supports the delivery of culturally safe, legal and holistic services to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities across regional and remote South Australia. Her experience spans the Commonwealth Public Service and Aboriginal community-controlled organisations, complemented by a strong background in Aboriginal health and wellbeing, trauma-informed practices, as well as governance, HR and finance. She represents her organisation through key sector partnerships in South Australia, including the South Australian Aboriginal Community Controlled Organisations Network SAACCON for Closing the Gap, and the Aboriginal Partnership Committee established through the South Australia Royal Commission into Domestic, Family and Sexual Violence. Tosha is passionate about Aboriginal self-determination and empowering others and is committed to amplifying the voices of the most vulnerable through culture, connection and community.
Jake Smith
Jake is a proud Palawa man who was born and raised in Tasmania and has built a career working across multiple social sectors on the island state. Jake is a graduate of the University of Tasmania and holds a Bachelor of Business Administration and is a current member of the Australian Institute of Company Directors and a residing Board member of the RSPCA Tasmania. Jake is the Chief Executive Officer of the Tasmanian Aboriginal Legal Service (TALS), which operates SiS Tasmania - a dedicated statewide service that supports victims/survivors of family violence and sexual assault, and provides culturally safe, trauma-informed legal assistance and holistic social supports to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander women, children and families. Jake’s professional background includes management and executive roles in the social and tourism sectors, including the Australian Red Cross where he held a variety of roles such as State Director and Manager of the Statewide Community Programs portfolio, which included justice, First Nations, mental health and aged care. Jake is deeply passionate about social change and improving outcomes for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people by consistently advocating for the right to culturally appropriate legal representation.
Antoinette Braybrook
Raised on Bidjigal & Gameygal lands (Narwee, NSW)
Antoinette Braybrook AM is an Aboriginal woman whose family line is through the Kuku Yalanji in Far North Queensland. She was born on Wurundjeri country in Victoria. Antoinette has been the CEO of Djirra since it was first established in 2002. Djirra is Victoria’s first and only specialist Family Violence Prevention and Legal Service. Djirra provides holistic legal and wrap around services and programs for First Nations women in Victoria who experience or are at risk of experiencing family, domestic and sexual violence. Antoinette is a strong advocate for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander community control and self-determination, and she has worked tirelessly to give voice and visibility to First Nations people, particularly Aboriginal women. In 2003, Antoinette became a Member of the Order of Australia in recognition of her service to law and family violence prevention. She was awarded the Deakin Alumni Award for Excellence and received an Honorary Doctorate from Deakin University in 2024.
Dr Warren Mundy
Raised on Bidjigal & Gameygal lands (Narwee, NSW)
FNAAFV’s inaugural Independent Director (2025) and a leading authority on legal-assistance funding. Led the Productivity Commission’s Access to Justice inquiry and the 2020–25 NLAP review.
