Sudanese situation

Voula Messimeri has had a long career in the community and multicultural services sector.

She has had roles as a non-executive Board Director, including as Chair of the Federation of Ethnic Communities’ Councils of Australia (FECCA), Deputy Chair of the Ethnic Communities Council of Victoria, inaugural Chair of Women’s Health in the North, and Chair of InTouch Multicultural Centre Against Family Violence.

She has held appointments on a wide range of ministerial state and federal advisory structures across diverse areas, including health, ageing, income support and media, and as a member of the Australian Multicultural Advisory Council.

Voula was recognised under the Order of Australia for her contribution to refugees, migrants and women. She is currently serving on the Board of PRONIA and is the Chair of the National Accreditation Authority for Translators and Interpreters.

Frank Zheng is the CEO of Auburn Diversity Services Inc, a SSI member organisation.

He holds a Master of Applied Finance from Macquarie University Applied Finance Centre, along with significant experience in service delivery, case management, finance, HR, IT and operations at an organisational level.

Frank has been working in a variety of organisations in the community sector including peak bodies, a community research company and front line service providers in different capacities. He has led organisational changes with proven positive outcomes, based on extensive knowledge and thorough understanding of the sector. Frank also has a Cert IV in Training & Assessment.

Scott is Chief Operating Officer at Deadly Science. Prior to this role, he had extensive experience in the financial services industry including senior leadership roles in strategy, finance, advice and program management functions.

Scott holds a Bachelor of Economics, Master of Business Administration, and a Graduate Diploma in Applied Finance and Investment. He is currently the Chair of Metro Assist Limited, an SSI member organisation.

Alex is CEO and Executive Director of Australia’s peak advocacy group for tech startups, StartupAUS. He has a national and international profile as a leader in innovation and technology policy and has published numerous reports on these subjects. He is Chair of the Startup Advisory Panel for the Department of Home Affairs’ Global Talent Scheme, and has advised policymakers at all levels of government.

Alex spent six years as a member of Australia’s foreign service, where he represented Australia as a diplomat in Israel from 2012 to 2015. During his posting, he was responsible for the embassy’s reporting on regional Middle Eastern geopolitical strategy and security. He has degrees in Economics and Social Sciences and Law (Hons) from Sydney University

Tharani is a partner at Deloitte Australia and leads Deloitte’s Social Impact Consulting Practice. Drawing on over 15 years of strategy and transformation experience, combined with a deep passion for social change, Tharani has partnered with many of Australia’s leading social sector organisations and government agencies on their transformation journeys to deliver greater social impact.

Outside her executive role, Tharani has served on a number of boards, including as a Director of UNICEF Australia and the Deloitte Foundation. She is a passionate speaker and strong advocate for social impact, profit with purpose, corporate and social sector collaboration, and diversity and inclusion.

Tharani holds a Bachelor of Business degree from the University of Technology, Sydney (UTS) and is a certified Chartered Accountant with the Institute of Chartered Accountants, Australia (ICAA).

Ms Matton has extensive experience in the IT industry and business management. She spent 34 years with IBM, including as vice president of operations, and 12 years holding key roles in Southeast Asia, the United States, Japan, China and Europe. Ms Matton is Chair of the Australian Centre of the Moving Image (ACMI) and the Eastern Community Legal Centre. She is on the Board of pitt&sherry (engineers).

In 2010 she was named the Victorian Telstra Business Woman of the Year and was awarded an Order of Australia (AM) in January 2020. She is a member of Chief Executive Women.

Rola is admitted as a solicitor in the Supreme Court of New South Wales and the High Court of Australia, with over 20 years of experience in immigration law. She is recognised as an Accredited Specialist in Immigration Law by the New South Wales Law Society since 2012.

She is the Principal Solicitor and Director of Hijwel Migration Lawyers, who work with a range of clients from multinationals to individuals and displaced people. Previously working with global immigration law firm.

She has a passion for working with diverse communities’ and advocating for social impact and representation. Currently serving as Board Chair of Western Sydney Migrant Resource Centre.

Rola brings extensive experience in law, governance and an understanding of the community sector and the needs of migrants.