President
Erica Lewis
Erica has been active in the women's movement since the early 1990s. She has served as National Policy and Research Officer at the YWCA Australia, during which time she was the foundation co-ordinator of the WomenSpeak Network , and a World YWCA intern at the United Nations. Erica has previously served on the YWCA of Canberra Board and YWCA Australia Board and in November 2009 was made a life member of the YWCA of Canberra. Erica was elected President of the YWCA of Canberra in October 2011.
Vice President
Jude Burger
Jude has a range of experience in both public and private organisations with an emphasis on change and information management. A graduate of the Board Trainee Program in 2006 and member of the Finance Committee for two years, Jude was elected to the position of Treasurer in October 2006 and Vice President in October 2008 and again in October 2011.
Vice President
Rachel Atkinson*
Rachel participated in the Board Traineeship Program in 2009-10 and was elected to the Board and the position of Vice President in October 2010. Rachel is employed in the Commonwealth Public Service and has a strong background in the area of organisational ethics and integrity. She is particularly interested in community work that addresses issues of disadvantage, social justice and women’s empowerment
Treasurer
Elizabeth McLardy
Elizabeth has participated in the Finance Committee as a member of the organisation since September 2011 and elected to the Board and Treasurer position in October 2011. Elizabeth is employed by the University of Canberra and has a strong background in finance and accounting. She has a keen interest in women in finance and leadership. Elizabeth has a Bachelor of Commerce and IT and Masters in HR.
Directors
Joanna Allebone
Jo commenced a Board Traineeship with the Y in 2011, and was co-opted to the Board in 2012 following a vacancy. She has a background in digital media and film production, and is particularly interested in the role of digital communications in the third sector. Jo is currently undertaking a Masters of Strategic Communications at the University of Canberra.
Jane Alver
Jane has a long-term commitment to the YWCA and has been involved in the YWCA Australia young women's development program, and has been on the YWCA NSW Board on a number of occasions. Jane was elected to the YWCA of Canberra Board in October 2008, and cherishes the fact she can immediately connect with the organisation in a new home. She has a strong interest in women and leadership.
Betty Ferguson
Betty was co-opted to the Board in late 2007 following a resignation, then elected to the Board and Treasurer position in October 2008. Prior to this, she had participated in the Finance Committee as a member of the organisation. Betty’s strong financial expertise has been a welcome addition to the Board, and her continuing involvement in the Finance Committee of great benefit.
Heather McAulay
Heather participated as a Board Trainee in 2010-11 and was elected to the Board in October 2011. She is also a member of the finance committee. Heather has a background in humanities and law and works as a community sector solicitor. She has a particular interest in promoting women's leadership and social justice.
Ruth Pitt*
Courtney Sloane*
Courtney participated in the Board TraineeshipProgram in 2009-10 and was elected to the Board in October 2010. She studies International Relations and Spanish at the ANU and in 2010 was the Women's Officer and Convenor of the Pamela Denoon Lecture Committee. Courtney has been an active member of the YWCA of Canberra for the past two years, including being a member of the Finance Comittee.
Jac Torres-Gomez*
Jac first became involved in the YWCA of Canberra as a board trainee in 2010–11. She attended YWCA World Council in 2011 and was a recipient of the 2011 Great Ydeas grants program. She has a deep passion for addressing barriers facing women and girls from achieving their true potential, both in Australia and abroad. Jac is currently studying her Masters in International and Community Development, as well as undertaking a 9-month program at the School of Social Entrepreneurs in Sydney for her project "Crimson Campaign".
Rebecca Vassarotti
Rebecca joined the YWCA of Canberra as the Executive Director in October 2003. Rebecca has previous experience in both the community and public sectors, including a number of senior roles within specialist projects. A key focus Rebecca takes is strengthening the role of the organisation as a key community service provider, as well as a leading women’s organisation. Rebecca has a personal and professional commitment to seeking out opportunities to support young women to develop their potential. Rebecca is involved in a number of sector roles, including involvement on the Australian Council of Social Services board, CIT Advisory Council and the ACT Portable Long Service Leave board.
National Board Representative
Roslyn Dundas
Roslyn has been a member of the YWCA of Canberra since 2000 and was elected to the Board and role of President in October 2006-07. During 2007, Roslyn attended World YWCA Council in Nairobi, Kenya as a member of the Australian delegation. She has been appointed to the YWCA of Australia National Board by the YWCA of Canberra twice – firstly in 2005, and then again in 2008, to fill casual vacancies in the position. As a previous member of the ACT Legislative Assembly and an active member of a number of community based organisations, Roslyn brings a wealth of experience to this role.
* denotes young woman (aged 30 years or under) at time of appointment. The YWCA maintains a commitment to ensuring that 30% of all leadership positions and decision-making bodies are held by young women.
With thanks to Hilary Wardhaugh Photography for our Board Member photos.
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