Housing & Homelessness
Alcohol & Other drugs
Domestic & Family Violence
Mental Health & Wellbeing
Our team
At Toora, our strength lies in the people who show up every day with care, courage, and compassion. Our team is a diverse group of women who bring professional expertise, lived experience and a deep commitment to supporting others through life’s toughest challenges.
Our people, our strength
Our leadership, staff, and volunteers form a community of women dedicated to walking alongside others in a spirit of respect and inclusion. Many of us have first-hand understanding of the issues our clients face—whether through lived experience, sector expertise, or both.
This unique mix of perspectives allows us to provide support that is not only skilled, but also deeply human. We work collaboratively, share knowledge freely, and hold each other to high standards of integrity. In every interaction, we aim to create safety, empower choice, and build trust.
A culture of care and collaboration
Working at Toora is about more than a job—it’s about being part of a values-driven community where every voice matters. Our culture is grounded in empathy, respect, and the belief that change happens when people feel supported and understood. We celebrate diversity and the different strengths each team member brings.
Professional development is encouraged, and staff are supported to grow in ways that align with both their role and their passions. We’re proud to say that many staff choose to stay and grow their careers here, because they feel connected to our mission and to each other.
Toora is governed by a Constitution and an independent board, who sets the organisation’s strategic direction and ensures its continued financial and legal stability. Our board is committed to strong governance, community engagement, advocacy and empowerment for those in our community who require support.
Our Board
Robyn Bicket
Chair
Rachel Saffron
Deputy Chair
Annie Ryan FCPA
Secretary
Kellie Friend
Chief Executive Officer
Danielle Young
Community Board Member
Janelle Rowswell
Community Board Member
Aletana Ajulo
Community Board Member
Cathi Moore AM
Community Board Member
Sarah Elphick
Community Board Member
Nicole Quince
Community Board Member
Robyn joined the Board in November 2020 and became the Chair in November 2024. She is a former Commonwealth Government Senior Executive and Chief Counsel at Human Services and Immigration and Citizenship.
Her public service career in law, policy and service delivery included representing Australia in the UK and Geneva (Australian Mission to the UN).
She led Australia’s Refugee and Humanitarian Resettlement Program from 2002 to 2005. Now retired Robyn provides legal policy consulting, training and coaching services on topics of specific interest including disability justice, domestic violence, administrative law, leadership and resilience (particularly for lawyers).
Robyn was among the many women lawyers interviewed for the Trailblazing Women in the Law oral History project.
Rachel has deep expertise in corporate governance, with extensive experience as Company Secretary at various Australian financial institutions. Over the course of her career, she has also worked across a range of legal, strategy and operations roles.
Rachel has degrees in Law and Political Science from the Australian National University and professional qualifications from the Governance Institute of Australia and the Australian Institute of Company Directors.
Annie has a breadth of senior leadership experience across key Federal Government agencies in executive roles such as COO, CFO and General Manager, and is now the Managing Director of Synaptex.
With deep expertise in financial management frameworks, Annie is a recognised leader of transformational business and ICT change, specialising in CFO advisory and ICT strategy and delivery.
She has been a member of the APS Disability Employment Strategy Steering Committee and the Australian Disability Network’s Accessible Procurement Taskforce, and drove the delivery of Accessibility Action Plans in various departments.
Annie has postgraduate qualifications in IT, Tax Law and Financial Technology, is a member of the Digital Economy Council of Australia Digital Asset Working Group, a member of CPA Australia’s ACT Divisional Council, and chairs the CPA ACT Women in Business Committee.
Kellie is a passionate leader dedicated to influencing system level social change.
With over 20 years experience spanning across public, commercial and not for profit sector environments, Kellie has expertise in leadership and organisational transformation and growth.
A recipient of an Australia Day commendation for innovation and improvement, Kellie has lead enterprise wide initiatives resulting in sustained business viability and evidenced based services and programs supporting people health and wellbeing.
A for purpose leader with the objective of listening to and elevating the voices of those with lived experiences to inform better social outcomes and alleviate disadvantage.
Danielle is a highly experienced board director with a successful track record in supporting women’s organisations in the not-for-profit sector.
With over 10 years’ board experience, she has a strong background in organisational governance and has a demonstrated commitment to the specific needs of women. Professionally, Danielle works to deliver large scale change management programs and is known for her collaborative style and her outcomes focused approach for finding solutions. In addition to her professional accomplishments, she has been highly involved in advocating for women who have suffered sexual exploitation, human trafficking, slavery and slavery-like practices.
Danielle is looking forward to bring her skills and experience to the role of deputy chair and looks forward to contributing to the success of Toora Women.
Janelle is a proud Gamilaroi and Yuwaalaraay woman and has a passion for Indigenous and women’s rights. She is an experienced professional with a diverse skill set, including people management, leading complex investigations and engaging with diverse stakeholders. Recently retired, her successful career in law enforcement ensures strong integrity, working within rigid compliance and utilising best practice frameworks to deliver successful outcomes.
Janelle holds a Bachelor of Business Management, Bachelor of Arts (majoring in Aboriginal & Torres Strait Islander Studies) and Advanced Diploma in Police Investigations.
Aletana is incredibly passionate about cultural integration, gender security and holistic care for marginalised communities in Australia. She studied a double degree at the Australian National University in a Bachelor of International Security Studies and a Bachelor of Psychology (2023).
Within her international security studies degree, her passion for health, gender, development and diplomacy led her to complete a minor in peace and conflict studies. Her passion for accessible mental health care led her to study several cross-cultural and wellbeing psychology courses.
Aletana has experience in non-profit organisations such as Oaktree, Headspace and Young Australians in International Affairs where she is currently the Canberra Events lead. She is now employed in a graduate position at the ANU National Security College. She believes that her studies and volunteering experiences have equipped her to be involved with and learn from the work that is done at Toora.
Cathi has had extensive experience at senior executive level in public administration, both in social policy and program management areas. She has substantial expertise in housing policy and programs, women’s services and purchasing and contracting. Cathi has worked at Local, State and Commonwealth levels and in the not for profit sector.
Cathi also has had extensive board and volunteer experience in the government non-government sector at Community Housing Canberra, former ACTION, ACOSS, ACTCOSS, National Shelter and the YWCA’s of Australia, Canberra and Darwin. Cathi has for many years been an activist in women’s services and policy issues.
Cathi has a BA in Social Science.
Sarah is a born and bred Canberran who is passionate about empowering women and has over 20 years of experience specialising in complex program delivery and organisational transformation.
She has qualifications in Commerce, Accounting and Public Policy and deep experience working in the Human Services sector, contributing to a number of significant government reforms, and supporting both government and non-government organisations with services transition. This has included the National Disability Insurance Scheme, and Child Protection and Out of Home Care reforms across many states across Australia, assisting government and the broader eco-system with the design, development and implementation of complex policy.
Sarah joined the Toora Board in November 2024.
Nicole is a seasoned human resources leader with over 25 years of experience across private, public, and not-for-profit sectors. As Managing Director of Everything HR, a human resources consultancy firm, she partners with organisations of all sizes to provide tailored HR solutions.
Nicole holds multiple business and HR qualifications, including a Bachelor of Law and Psychology and the AICD Company Directors qualification. She serves on several other Boards alongside Toora.
Nicole joined the Toora Board in November 2024.
Pernille is a senior marketing strategist and communications expert with a Master’s degree in Communication Management from UTS. She brings extensive experience across marketing, partnerships and stakeholder engagement, having held leadership roles and delivered impactful projects across the public, private and non-profit sectors.
Known for her ability to spearhead new initiatives and drive growth, Pernille fosters a culture of creativity, collaboration and results. Passionate about creating positive societal change, she excels in leveraging strategic marketing and partnerships to strengthen relationships, amplify impact and deliver measurable outcomes.
Pernille joined the Toora Board in November 2024.