Dr Lisa J. Griffiths is the Chief Executive Officer of OzChild, Australia’s leading provider of evidence-based and innovative foster care services. Lisa is a Professor and Senior Fellow at the Australian Graduate School of Leadership and holds a Doctorate in Business Leadership. A Fellow of the Australian Institute of Company Directors and the Centre for Evidence-Based Management, Lisa is a passionate advocate for children’s issues and strongly advocates for utilising effective strategies that benefit Australian children, young people and families.

Suzanne is the Chief Executive Officer of Families Australia, the national peak body for children, young people and families. Suzanne is a highly accomplished CEO, Board Director and lawyer with more than two decades of senior leadership across the health, community services and for-purpose sectors. She has led the national secretariats of several prominent Australian peak bodies, including the Pharmacy Guild of Australia and Catholic Health Australia, and has worked extensively with government, the community sector and frontline organisations on national reform. 

Jamie is the Chief Executive Officer of The Centre of Excellence in Child and Family Welfare, the leading voice for children and families in Victoria and Tasmania. He brings an extensive network of community sector, government and business relationships and community advocacy experience to his role. Jamie has deep experience in the federal public service having spent more than a decade working in Indigenous Affairs and the Department of the Prime Minister and Cabinet.

Simone is the Chief Executive Officer of the Association of Children’s Welfare Agencies (ACWA), the New South Wales peak body for child and family services. With over 25 years’ experience in child protection and social services, including as Deputy Secretary at the NSW Department of Communities and Justice, Simone brings extensive leadership in out-of-home care, policy, and reform. She holds degrees in psychology and public administration and is dedicated to improving outcomes for children and young people.

The First Nations NGO Alliance is a self-determined group of experienced First Nations leaders bringing an average of 27 years working across the child and family sector nationally. While employed by supportive organisations, the alliance are independent in thought and Voice on matters relating to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Children, young people and families. They provide cultural leadership, guiding practice, strategy, partnerships and policies. 

Nadine is a foster carer and advocate for foster care reform, bringing her valuable experience, insights and advocacy skills to the group. Alongside her experience as a foster carer, she brings more than 13 years’ experience on the boards of major organisations and spent almost a decade as National Secretary of the Community and Public Sector Union, working across public policy, organisational leadership and national advocacy.

Melissa is the Chief Executive Officer of Child and Family Focus SA, the peak body for children, young people and families in South Australia. Melissa has worked at the executive level across health, housing and community services in government and NFP sectors, She chairs the Child and Family Wellbeing Association of Australia (CAFWAA) and is a member of the Families Australia Board, the Dame Roma Mitchell Trust Fund Board and the SA Thriving Families Leadership Collective.

Dianne is the Chief Executive Officer for Key Assets Australia. Dr Jackson has more than 30 years’ experience in the government, community and philanthropy sectors and brings with her a wealth of experience in executive leadership, policy, research and advocacy for the safety and wellbeing of vulnerable Australians.

Carly is the Deputy Chief Executive Officer – Child, Youth and Family at Life Without Barriers (LWB). Carly has undergraduate qualifications in business and postgraduate qualifications in psychology and is a registered psychologist with the Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency. She is a graduate of the Australian Institute of Company Directors (AICD) and a Non-Executive Director with both PeakCare and DVConnect.

Kelly is the Chief Executive Officer of PeakCare, Queensland’s peak body for child and family services. Kelly has worked in social policy in government and the not-for-profit sector for over two decades, across areas including housing and homelessness, communities, child protection and early childhood education. Kelly is a strong advocate for improving the systems that support children and families and became a foster carer in recent years.

Robyn is the Chief Executive Officer of MacKillop Family Services. She is passionate about social justice and the rights of children and families. As a social worker and family therapist, Robyn has over thirty years' experience in the child and welfare sector. Robyn is committed to training and supportive supervision for colleagues to provide best practice to the children and families we serve.

Bev Orr is the vice-president and co-founder of the ACT Foster Carers’ Association, and has taken her work to the national level through her presidency of the Australian Foster Carers’ Association. Beverley is currently on the ACT Children’s Services Council and is the Board Secretary of Families Australia.

Sue Sealey is the Chief Executive Officer of Anglicare Victoria. She has worked in the child, youth and family sector for more than 40 years and has extensive executive leadership experience, informed by her significant operational service delivery work as a social worker and youth worker. Sue has a particular interest in therapeutic evidence-based services for vulnerable children and young people.