Estelle Abela is Chief Executive and a senior sector leader with more than 16 years’ executive experience across child protection, family support and community services systems in Queensland, Victoria and South Australia. Estelle is currently serving as Interim Chief Executive Officer of PeakCare, Queensland’s peak body for child and family services, during a period of heightened public scrutiny and system reform.

Jamie is CEO Families Australia, bringing experience from Federal public service having spent the past decade working in Indigenous Affairs within the National Indigenous Australians Agency and the Department of the Prime Minister and Cabinet. A youth and family worker by training, Jamie holds a Master of Public Policy, a BA in Youth Affairs and has successfully completed the AICD’s Company Directors course.

Simone was appointed CEO of ACWA in 2025, the NSW 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. 
Whilst 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 bringing her valuable experience and insights, and advocacy skills to the group.    

Melissa is the CEO of Child and Family Focus SA, the peak that amplifies the voices of children, young people, families, carers and communities, and the NGOs and ACCOs that support them in South Australia. Melissa has worked at the executive level across a range of portfolios including health, housing and community services across government and NFP sectors, with vulnerable children, families and communities always at the heart of her work. Melissa chairs the Child and Family Wellbeing Association of Australia, the national peak body for child, adolescent and family wellbeing in Australia and is a member of the Families Australia Board, the Dame Roma Mitchell Trust Fund Board and the SA Thriving Families Leadership Collective. She is passionate about the ways innovation and reform can change lives when we work together for a common purpose. 

Dr Lisa 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. She is a Fellow of both the Australian Institute of Company Directors and the Centre for Evidence-Based Management. A recognised thought leader in Evidence-Based Leadership, Lisa teaches and mentors professionals across the sector and is a passionate advocate for system reform to improve the lives of children, young people, and families experiencing vulnerability.

Dianne is the CEO 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 current Executive Director – Performance, Risk and Assurance (Child, Youth and Family) at Life Without Barriers (LWB). She brings a unique perspective derived from experience in both front line statutory child protection and nationally with one of Australia’s largest out-of-home care providers, 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.

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. When not traveling to MacKillop programs all over Australia, Robyn delights in her own five children and three beautiful grandchildren.

Beverley 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 has worked in the Child, Youth & Family Sector for 40 years. Sue has extensive Executive leadership experience, informed by her significant operational service delivery work as a social worker / youth worker. Sue has a particular interest in therapeutic evidence-based services for vulnerable children & young people.

The Centre for Excellence in Child and Family Welfare is the leading voice for children and families in Victoria and Tasmania.