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The PCA Families Board is governed by a of dedicated group of people who bring a wide range of not-for-profit, public sector and business skills, expertise and knowledge to the leadership of our organisation.
The responsibilities of the Board include setting and reviewing our strategic direction, monitoring organisational performance, the appointment of the CEO and deciding on key policy positions to take on behalf of members. The Board is also responsible for the organisation’s compliance with relevant laws including the Associations Incorporation Reform Act 2012 (Vic) and the Australian Charities and Not-for-profit Commission Act. Board members themselves comply with the Code of Conduct, Board Charter and Conflicts of Interest policy.
The procedure for Board appointments can be found in our Constitution and our Board Composition Policy. PCA Families maintains a Board Skills Matrix, reviewed annually to ensure that the Board continues to have the right mix of skills and experience. Board member positions are voluntary with expenses reimbursed.
You are encouraged to talk to the PCA Families Chair () if you are interested in joining the Board. You can also email any questions to Secretary Julie Kreiger at . To view Julie's proifle https://www.linkedin.com/in/julie-krieger-gaicd-1b262145/
Please review the position description and nomination form.
Chair - Elected October 2019
Naomi brings with her a diversity of experiences including corporate recruitment, leadership roles at a disability employment agency and migrant support services, and even a stint as site manager for Cirque Du Soleil. Most recently, Naomi was the Executive Assistant for a statutory authority’s board of management. Now an ‘at-home’ parent of two children, one with various diagnoses and special needs who came through permanent care... and one ‘rainbow baby’. The days are busy as President of the Specialist School’s Board and Secretary of the other school’s Advisory Committee. With other various community governance roles, Naomi is a passionate advocate for regional and rural families with additional needs facing the challenges and complexities of poor service provision and support. Naomi hopes to bring a perspective representative of the unique challenges faced by marginalised and at times, isolated families.
Deputy Chair - Elected fifth term October 2021
Chris Lockwood has over 20 years’ experience working across the Mental Health, Construction and Finance sectors. He has specific knowledge of mental health, safety and suicide prevention in the construction industry, and expertise in managing strategic growth, sustainable funding and partnership development. Chris is currently the National CEO of MATES in Construction, the leader in suicide prevention in workplaces and across industry in Australia, as well as being the proud father of two children adopted from China and Korea.
Secretary - Elected October 2019
Kris is an experienced Anglicare respite carer and appreciates the challenges and opportunities facing permanent care and adoptive families. She has strong financial and strategic skills, developed during her 5.5 years as Chair and CEO of the Australian Accounting Standards Board (AASB), 28 years with KPMG as a technical accounting expert, Director of Goulburn Murray Rural Water Corporation and genU as well as an independent member of the Victorian Department of Families, Fairness and Housing. As AASB CEO, Open Gardens Australia Board member and Audit Committee Chair, YHA Bushwalking Victoria President and Hawthorn Tennis Committee member she has extensive experience in developing and implementing strategies, policies and processes for small organisations, including managing risk, corporate governance and compliance.
Member - Elected third term October 2021
Meredith Carter brings to PCA Families her lived experience of fostering and permanent care. She is also the author of The Potential of Permanent Care (2015). A Graduate of the Australian Institute of Company Directors, Meredith has a strong commitment to community participation, effective advocacy and strategy. This complements her extensive governance and leadership experience on many tribunals and boards including as Chair, as a CEO of two not for profit organisations, and as a consultant.
Member - Elected fifth term October 2021
Dan Barron is a father of three, and for many years was a full time carer for two of his children, who joined the family via permanent care. His children’s challenges have given him direct lived experience in navigating the family service and youth justice systems in Victoria. He has also worked for over 30 years in providing direct care and support to people in community and residential settings, for a range of social service providers. He came to Australia from the UK in 1995, and currently works as a Case Manager in a homelessness support service and facilitating a Social Support Group in a large housing estate. He loves the game of soccer and enjoyed (mostly!) coaching his daughter for many years. He also has a passion for growing Australian native trees, as a volunteer grower with ‘Tree Project’.
Member - Appointed October 2020
Judy has over 20 years experience working in the field of human resources. During the last 10 years she has held roles with a variety of not-for-profit organisations, in particular, volunteer organisations. Her current role provides Executive Officer support to a health promotion charity. She is well versed on issues of governance and strategy and skilled in building strategic partnerships. Judy has been a member of the PCA Families Finance, Audit and Risk Committee since January 2020. Judy was adopted at birth and now enjoys strong relationships with both her adopted and birth families. Judy has been a volunteer with Ozchild’s family/mentor support program and holds a Bachelor of Business and a Diploma in Frontline Management.
Member - Elected 1st term September 2022
Patricia is an energetic and innovative global leader with over 15 years management experience in senior executive roles. She has strong technical, managerial, and financial skills, with diverse organisational responsibilities from small to large organizations worldwide. She is currently the General Manager Corporate Services for Community Housing Limited (CHL), a national and international NFP in Housing. Over the last 12 years she has been strongly supporting the organisation to achieve its vision and mission by growing stakeholders’ relationships, developing strong partnerships, and improving the effectiveness and efficiency of their service delivery to local communities across Australia and overseas.
Patricia is half Brazilian and half ‘Aussie’ bringing diversity to the Board and a proud Mum to two boys.
Member - Elected 1st term November 2022
Kellie is a Registered Nurse, Midwife and Maternal and Child Health Nurse with 20 years’ experience across a variety of health care settings. Her career highlights include working in Burns and Trauma at the Royal Childrens Hospital, caring for Women as Team Leader of the Specialised Maternity Service at Eastern Health and volunteer Team Nurse and Manager for Wheelchair Sports Victoria (now Disability Sport and Recreation) for 10 years, where she supported and cared for many of our current Paralympic Athletes. She currently specialises working with vulnerable families and has a special interest in Parent Infant Mental Health, including running therapeutic support groups for women struggling with the transition to parenthood. Kellie is the 5th generation of her family to live and work on the family farming property in the Yarra Valley and as a result has a long family history of community involvement including Kindergarten and School committees. Kellie is a mother of 2 daughters, who joined her family via local infant adoption and feels proud and privileged to be part of the Adoption and Permanent Care community. With her family, Kellie loves exploring Outback Australia by caravan and visiting some of our most remote areas.