Our team

Our Board & Executive Team

The WRISC Organisation Chart shows just how much WRISC has grown from our beginnings in 1988 as the Central Highlands Women’s Collective.  We now run specialised family violence support programs via the Family Violence Outreach Program, Aboriginal Family Violence Program, Van Go Children’s Creative Therapy Program and WRISC Groups Program.  These programs are supported by the WRISC Board, the Executive Team, the Corporate Team and Volunteers.

 

The Board

  • Kesh MantonPresident

    In 2019, Kesh Manton was invited to join the WRISC Board by a previous member and, after first getting to know the organisation through voluntary work, felt that she could contribute to a real area of need by joining the board in 2020.

    Feeling very fortunate not to have experienced Family Violence herself, she has a strong sense of the affect of it from her father’s childhood experiences and her grandmother’s enduring trauma from it.

    On her professional background, Kesh Manton’s strong work ethic and passion for food was ignited growing up in the family catering business.

    After completing university, she undertook administrative roles with a large food business before enjoying a stint with a Federal Member of Parliament.

    Post Graduate studies in Hospitality and Tourism led to hotel management roles, firstly in Cairns then back to Melbourne.

    She moved to Ballarat to undertake Conferencing, Sales and Marketing roles at major venues before starting up her own business, MESH, as a Marketing and Events Specialist.  This opened up opportunities to work with local conferencing and event venues, large scale festivals and hotels.

    Kesh’s professional experience allows her to bring her marketing strategy, organizational skills and government knowledge to her role on the Board.

  • Dannielle JamesDeputy President

    Biography coming soon

  • Meegan DunneTreasurer

    Meegan is one of the directors of M & B Accountants, which officially commenced operating in April, 2016.  Prior to commencing her own business, she worked as a Senior Accountant with SFG Spencers for over 20 years.  Over this time she has built many long term business relationships with her clients and their families.  Meegan’s qualifications include Bachelor of Commerce (with Distinction) – University of Ballarat, CPA Public Practice – CPA Australia, and Tax Agents License – Tax Agents Board.

    Meegan has lived in the Ballarat region for most of her life, and outside of work Meegan enjoys spending time with her husband and two sons.  She loves heading to the beach on the weekends, and enjoys a relaxing coffee by the beach and eating out at the amazing places we have here in regional Victoria.

    Meegan joined the WRISC Board of Governance in 2021 and is very proud to be able to contribute to such a wonderful organisation that supports women and children against violence.  She was appointed as Treasurer in November 2021 and has served in that role since that date.  Meegan thoroughly enjoys being able to contribute to our community in a volunteer role.

  • Stephanie LannenSecretary

    Stephanie is a Family Law and Family Violence solicitor at Ballarat Lawyers. After relocating to Ballarat in 2022, Stephanie joined the WRISC Board in 2023, utilising her knowledge and experience in the family violence sector to work towards a society where women and children can live free from the fear of abuse and violence.

    Previously, Stephanie has worked with the Australian Catholic Anti-Slavery Network and is trained in modern slavery awareness and risk management.

    In her spare time, Stephanie enjoys travelling, hiking and camping, and uses her relocation as an opportunity to explore the Victorian Central Highlands.

  • Michelle HuntBoard Member

    Michelle is a social worker with experience in women’s health, domestic family violence and the prevention of violence against women. Her areas of expertise include project design and management, training development and delivery, and feminist and participatory research. Michelle is committed to contributing to collaborative community driven social change and is currently a Lecturer in Social Work at Deakin University.

     

  • Di CassidyBoard Member

    A retired CPA with extensive experience in both Financial and Management Accounting across a number of different industries as well as post graduate qualifications in HR and Corporate Governance.

    Having previously been a member of the WRISC board, Di is very honoured and considers it a privilege to be able to re-join the WRISC Team and support their work towards enhancing the safety, autonomy and wellbeing of women and children.

  • Lisa TricaricoBoard Member

    Lisa holds a Masters of Business Administration and brings over 20 years of experience in organisational development, culture, governance, risk and leadership, across the not-for-profit, government and commercial sectors. She specialises in initiatives that align internal culture with strategic objectives and is passionate about building values-driven workplaces where individuals feel empowered to thrive.

    Lisa is deeply committed to the prevention of family violence and believes that the work is not done until all women are safe.  Joining the WRISC Board, Lisa is proud to support the organisation’s vital work in empowering women and children.

  • Hee Young (Heeyoung) LimBoard Member

    Heeyoung Lim holds a Master of Social Work and brings over 30 years of experience in community capacity building, community engagement, training, counselling, journalist and broadcasting systems across Australia and Korea. She firmly believes in the power of collaboration to drive impactful and meaningful change.

    As a dedicated and open-minded professional, Heeyoung values respect for individuals, teamwork, and effective communication. A committed multicultural leader, her mission is to ensure that community members receive equitable and effective services without experiencing isolation or discrimination. She works tirelessly to support individuals and families in maintaining active lives and accessing the resources they need to thrive.

    Heeyoung currently serves as the Manager of Settlement Services and Family Violence Community Engagement at the Ballarat Regional Multicultural Council. She is also the Chairperson of the Ballarat Refugee and Asylum Seekers Support Network and a Regional Advisory Council Member of the Victorian Multicultural Commission. Heeyoung’ s participation in the Women of Colour Executive Leadership Program supported by the DFFH marks a significant step in her leadership journey, further enhancing her ability to support and advocate for those in need as an influential and skilled leader.

The Executive Team

  • Elizabeth JewsonChief Executive Officer

    Elizabeth (Libby) holds a Bachelor of Education, a Masters in Exercise Rehabilitation and a Graduate Diploma in Leadership and Management.  She is also an accredited Partnership Broker (Partnership Brokers Association).  Libby has had over 30 years’ experience in a broad range of professional settings in education, community rehabilitation, community health, primary health and service system reform through the primary care partnership sector.  She has held leadership and management positions for the last 16 years.

    Libby has published various journal articles and presented at a number of national conferences relating to chronic disease management.

    Libby began in the role of Executive Officer at WRISC family Violence Support Inc in August 2014.

    Libby brings to this role a thorough knowledge and expertise in multi sector and multi organisational partnerships. Libby is passionate about partnerships and this passion has been the common link throughout her broad professional career.  She believes that partnerships and working together is a key element to address inequity, support human rights and address gender-based violence against women.

    She is humbled by the opportunity to work with a team of very dedicated staff and volunteers in the specialist family violence sector in the Central Highlands region.

  • Ash MilneProgram Manager

    Ash grew up in a small country town just outside of Ballarat. Ash spent a few years in Melbourne after finishing school and then returned to complete her first degree Batchelor of Arts, Rural Social Welfare. Ash was fortunate enough to be placed at WRISC for her final placement in 2012.  Ash has been working in the Family Violence Sector ever since!

    Ash worked casually in the intake space before securing a Specialist Family Violence Practitioner working with Aboriginal families in the Aboriginal Program. It was in this space that Ash really cemented her passion for working with Aboriginal families, understanding history and culture and being strong advocate and ally. In 2016 Ash took a leap of faith and moved to Alice Springs and worked with a local Aboriginal Organisation supporting women and children impacted by Family Violence in remote communities of the NPY lands in the centre of Australia.

    It was in this time that Ash completed her Master of Social Work and returned to Ballarat a couple of years later and with perfect timing she was able to complete her final Masters Placement in the Van Go Pilot program.  She honed her therapeutic skills and rejoined WRISC within the Van Go Children’s Creative Therapy program as the Single Session Therapist once finishing her placement.  Ash then moved into the Van Go Team Leader role and then took some time out from WRISC to have her babies. It was in this break that Ash became an Accredited Mental Health Social Worker and engaged in private practice before returning to the Program Manager role. Ash’s drive and passion is to provide client led services and to provide the best practice and support for women and children.

  • Yvette GunnBusiness Operations Manager

    Yvette started at WRISC in 2021 as Board member and became the Business Operations Manager in 2024.

    She has qualifications in Human Resources, Governance and Change Management and has been in senior leadership roles for the last 18 years. Yvette has experience in executive management, leadership development, strategic and business planning, and organisational development.

    She has worked across the private and public sector, not for profit and community services, and is thrilled to have joined WRISC and to work alongside passionate, dedicated and inspiring women.

    She has a strong interest in equality and human rights, and helping people and businesses be the very best they can be.