Our people

From our Board to our committed team, meet the people behind the work we do. Together, we ensure we are effective and efficient as we strive toward creating just and sustainable change with women, children and communities. 

Meet the board

Dr Leoni Degenhardt

AM PhD MEd BA Dip Ed FACE FACEL GAICD
Chair
I was the first lay Principal of Loreto Normanhurst, and remain committed to the mission and values of Mary Ward.

For me, being part of MWIA is a privilege: I am drawn to the focus on women, children and education, and working in partnership with local communities and the Loreto sisters who live among and work with them.

My background and qualifications are in educational leadership. Now semi-retired, I consult in areas related to learning, leadership, strategy and organisational change.

My previous Board experience includes membership of the National Catholic Education Commission (NCEC), the Loreto National Education Board, and the National Council of Caritas Australia.

Kelly Morrison

BEHons(Civil) (Syd), MBA (AGSM, UNSW)
Director
I was honoured to join the Board and the Audit Risk and Finance Committee of MWIA in 2018. I believe in the mission of MWIA and the work it does with communities to empower women and children through education, development initiatives, sanitation and medical care.

I have a background in engineering and finance, which I am glad to utilise in assisting MWIA and their project partners in their efforts to help improve outcomes for people living in disadvantaged communities.

I have previous board experience with Stella Maris College Manly, where I was also Chair of the Building and Resources Committee.

Mary Cook

Director
I am the Director of Advancement and Community at Kincoppal-Rose Bay School, focusing on raising funds in major gifts, bequests and annual giving for the school’s Bursary Fund and capital developments.

I have worked in fundraising and community relations for over 20 years, initially as Director of Development at Loreto Normanhurst, then at the University of Sydney and finally at Kincoppal-Rose Bay.

I have also been a member of the Victor Chang Cardiac Research Fundraising Committee, the Catholic Health Care Committee and the Joan Sutherland Richard Bonynge Foundation.

Chris Dureau

Director
I live on the traditional lands of the Wadawurrun people in Ballarat. I am an adult educator, community development worker and cross-cultural social psychologist.

I have managed international development programs in many countries in Asia, Africa and the Pacific. With a conviction that everyone has insights and gifts to enhance our collective lives, I nurture and celebrate biodiversity, gender equity and social inclusion.

I have board experience with similar international agencies to MWIA, including Jesuit Mission. I enjoy lecturing and communicating about the importance of taking a strengths-based approach in all that we do and how we live our lives.

Soulla Nicodimou

Director
A brief period as MWIA’s interim Director, Finance & Business and Company Secretary introduced me to the world of Mary Ward and I have been drawn the five core values or Freedom, Justice, Sincerity, Verity and Felicity and the work undertaken ever since.

My finance, technology and transformation background has allowed me to work in Africa, Asia, UK and New Zealand for a broad range of companies ranging from a feminist social enterprise dedicated to empowering women, start-ups government and multi-national organisations.

I am a graduate of the AICD and currently on the Board, Finance & Risk and Clinical Governance Committees of Alexandra District Health, a rural Victorian hospital.

Alzira Reis

Director
I am a parent of 3 children (2 girls and 1 boys) and have been working to advance the rights of women in children in Timor-Leste through a range of roles in local non-government organization, bilateral program, government for 19 years and just joining ChildFund Timor-Leste as a Country Director.

I also serve on the board of several other non-government organizations and government institutions in Timor-Leste to provide expertise and insight.

Being involved with MWIA is one of my ambitions to reinforce networking between international development partners in supporting women and children in Timor-Leste and the relevant target country of MWIA.

Our team

Hannah George

Executive Officer
I joined MWIA in 2020 after over ten years of leadership roles at Amnesty International Australia; the majority spent heading its international and women’s rights campaigns.

I have extensive hands-on experience in international development and human rights, having lived and worked in South East Asia, the Pacific and the US. I now live on the land of the Boon Wurrung people.

I am a passionate advocate for social justice and equity, both in Australia and overseas, and currently chair the Council for Single Mothers and Their Children Board.

Kirstin Del Beato

Projects and Partnerships Manager
With broad experience working in the not-for-profit sector, my background includes roles in international development, education and employment services programming. I joined MWIA as the Programs Manager in 2015, having worked in Loreto Education since early 2011.

My current role as the Project and Partnerships Manager sees me supporting the diverse work of MWIA’s in-country partners across nine countries to create just and sustainable change with women, children and communities.

Kaithlyn McNab

Administration Officer
I am thrilled to have joined the MWIA team in 2022, allowing me to contribute to sustainable change. After travelling the globe, living overseas, and working in the travel industry for a decade, I decided to change career trajectories to not-for-profit international development to follow my passions; to make a difference by pursuing equal opportunities for all and gender equity.

My time abroad has allowed me to experience first-hand the global diversity and injustices of the world. I am currently completing a Bachelor of International Studies at Deakin University.

Gavian Chan

Fundraising & Community Engagement Manager
I am thrilled to have joined MWIA in 2023 as Fundraising and Community Engagement Manager.

With over a decade of dedicated experience in cause-driven marketing across renowned international aid and development organisations, I am eager to leverage my skills at MWIA.

My goal is to utilise my expertise in fundraising to create a meaningful impact in the lives of people who have less around the world.
Mary Ward International Australia respectfully acknowledges all Traditional Custodians of the land and waters of Australia. We pay respect to their Elders, past and present, and young leaders of today and the future. Mary Ward International Australia commits itself to the ongoing work of reconciliation with our First Nations families and communities.
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