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 the NFVPLS Forum, 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.

Lianne is a former journalist and communications and marketing professional with more than 21 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 the National Family Violence Prevention Legal Services Forum 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.”

Marlo’s diverse background has brought her to the newly developed role of Sector Development and Member Engagement Officer for the NFVPLS Forum. Her professional career spans a 20-year journey working with community legal centres, universities, art galleries, and wellbeing services. In the past decade, her focus has been on advocacy and community development; in the context of higher education and community-led services. Born and raised in a rural and remote part of Biripi Country, Marlo spent her senior high school years in Lismore on Bunjalung Country before moving to Sydney to study a Bachelor of Visual Arts (Hons). Having more recently added a Juris Doctor to her qualifications, she now lives and works on Biripi Country again, in the Mid Coast region of NSW. Marlo is passionate about supporting place-based community development work, and services delivery, which respects the self-determination, and expertise of First Nations people and communities. “I love ideas and conversations about systems solutions that can improve equity, compassion, and community. I am energised by the relational connection, creative synergy and learning opportunities that happen in collaborative processes while working collectively towards practical outcomes.” Her role within the FVPLS sector is a balance of engaging with member services to understand their unique perspectives; and, with the Forum, developing and implementing innovation nationally to enhance the capacity of the sector in responding to their communities’ needs.

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.”

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.”

Kari’s education credentials, combined with 12 years of professional experience in government and non-government organisations, corporate, and tertiary education bring a wealth of experience to her role. Her broad experience, combined with a 2-year term of service with the Peace Corps in Thailand, bring a dedication to detail that helps to keep the FNAAFV team running efficiently. Originally from Dakota land in the United States of America, Kari’s family roots are entrenched in the upper Midwestern state of Minnesota. After spending four years in Gadigal/Sydney to further her tertiary education, Kari now lives on Gimuy Country in Cairns. Kari holds multiple qualifications including a PhD in Philosophy (University of Sydney) Thesis: “Globalizing Care Ethics: Policy, Transformation, and Judgment”, exploring the ethics embedded in care work as structured by the current political and economic climate, a Bachelor of Arts in Philosophy and a Bachelor of Arts in Comparative History of Ideas (University of Washington, USA), and a Master of Arts in Philosophy (University of Sydney); focus on Human Rights. Kari’s lived experience brings her a strong sense of appreciation for the work of FNAAFV’S FVPLS members, and she is grateful to play a role in the valuable work of the sector. “I’m glad that every day the work that I do helps our member services in their vital on-the-ground work and activities. It is something I can be proud of, and in turn show my son what it is to be doing good work in this world.”