Our people – 

Mandy is a strategic and values-driven leader with over 16 years of executive and senior leadership experience in the health and community services sector. She is passionate about advancing gender equity and improving the health and wellbeing of women and gender-diverse people, particularly in regional communities Known for her authentic leadership style and strong stakeholder engagement, Mandy brings a feminist and intersectional lens to her work. She is committed to inclusive service design, collaborative governance, and driving sustainable change through trusted partnerships and community-led advocacy.

Kirsten is an experienced leader with a strong background in organisational systems, finance, and people management. She is passionate about creating the structures and support that allow WHGNE to grow its impact and improve outcomes for women and gender-diverse people across the Goulburn Valley and North East Victoria. She brings experience in governance, analysis and executive leadership, with a focus on building inclusive workplaces, strengthening partnerships and securing resources to support long-term change. Guided by feminist values, Kirsten is committed to advancing gender equity through sustainable systems and community-centred leadership

Tracey (she/her) is an experienced community development and health promotion leader with more than 20 years working across local government, disaster recovery, and the health sector. In her current role, she leads organisation-wide approaches that strengthen health promotion and community engagement. Passionate about rural community sustainability, she is committed to amplifying lived experience and championing equity and justice in regional areas. Tracey brings a mix of professional expertise, empathy, and humour, along with the hard-earned wisdom she brings from years of walking alongside communities through both challenges and opportunities. Away from work, she enjoys time in her garden, exploring the countryside in her van, and connecting with family and friends.

Dani (she/they) is an Instructional Designer with a passion for women’s rights, especially in the LGBTQIA+ space.
Dani worked in the Vocational Education and Training (VET) Sector in customer service and compliance-based roles before moving into the Instructional Design space. Dani has a Graduate Certificate in Education, specialising in Innovative Learning Design. When they’re not busy designing our online courses, Dani is dinosaur mad (especially for the Triceratops) and enjoys spending time with their fiancée, their two cats, family and friends.

Katherine (she/her) has a background in academic history, researching the development of women’s politicisation through class-based activism in Australia. She holds a PhD in Australian labour history and has published work on the impact of women’s advocacy on the mid-century equal pay campaign. Wanting to contribute outside of the archives, Katherine now applies herself to advocating for social equity and gender equality in regional Victoria. When she’s not rabble-rousing or crafting the perfect communique, you’ll find Katherine hiking with friends, reading something dark and thrilling or enjoying time with her family.  

Mary (she/her) is a recent graduate with an advanced Master’s degree in Public Health and a background in medicine, with substantial international experience in healthcare. She is committed to improving all facets of health through promoting systemic change towards gender and cultural equity within service delivery. She is passionate about reforming sexual and reproductive health services for rural and regional women and gender-diverse people to bring optimal health and well-being to their lives. When she is not at work, she enjoys spending time with her family and friends, hiking in the mountains, and stargazing under a clear night sky. 

Bhakti (she/her) has extensive knowledge of working with women whose native tongue is not English. With experience in community development and refugee health, Bhakti is competent in four distinct languages.  Bhakti has worked as an interpreter and translator for thirteen years, primarily in the fields of health, education, law, and employment.  Bhakti additionally spent nine years working at a refugee medical clinic, educating refugee women about women’s health and the healthcare systems in Australia.  Bhakti holds a bachelor’s degree in social work and community development. Bhakti likes going out and socialising with women.

Chris (She/Her) works at Primary Care Connect as the Executive Manager Family Violence in Shepparton and lives in the Mitchell shire.  She has a Bachelor of Social work, Master’s in Social Work, Graduate Diploma in Community Mental Health, and Graduate Certificate in Family Violence/Mens Group Work. Chris is a feminist who is passionate about gender equity.

Trish works as coordinator for the Upper Murray Regional Neighbourhood House Network, supporting the community development work of 16 neighbourhood houses. She has qualifications in adult education and facilitation and is a member of the Hume Adult Community and Further Education Regional Council. She wants to live in a world where women feel enabled to be and do whatever they want.

Cindy works in government, leading teams and projects with significant budgets.  She subscribes to the compassionate leadership model which is doing hard things in a human way. She has a Master of Arts in Health and Social Wellbeing and is applying her knowledge and skills in the area of food insecurity and the challenges faced by women and children.  When she is not working, you will find her riding her bike or cooking.  

Katherine Allsop served as the Acting Treasurer on the Women’s Health Goulburn North East Board, for the 2022-2023 period. Katherine continued as part of the WHGNE team as a Board member in 2023-24 and now serves in the role of Secretary of the WHGNE Board.

Carlene (she/her) currently works at Gateway Health as Program Manager Child and Family Health.  Carlene has worked in local government supporting community led projects and social change initiatives in the North East over the past 9 years. She is passionate about women’s equal access to services, health care and leadership opportunities. She brings qualifications in Social Science, International Development and Law to WHGNE’s Board.  When not in the office, Carlene is in the outdoors enjoying nature with her family. 

Like many who come into the helping field Karina comes with lived experiences that enlighten the way she sees the world. As a mental health practitioner and leader, Karina is committed to Trauma-Informed principles of safety, trust, choice, collaboration, empowerment and respect for diversity. Karina holds a Masters in Social and Organisational Leadership and a Graduate certificate in Family Dispute Resolution. With an extensive professional background in the homelessness and mental health sector, Karina currently works as a therapist and manages regional student success in an academic setting.