Karen Bevan

Karen has 30 years’ experience working across government, research institutions and not for profit organisations in roles including executive leadership, strategy, operational leadership, policy analysis, research, training, service delivery and community development.

Through her experience she brings together a deep understanding of community services practice (particularly domestic and family violence, child protection, early childhood development, family support and out of home care), public policy, legislation and research to drive practice and strategy, systemic change and public policy development. She has deep experience working with all levels of government, community and NGO stakeholders to support strategy development and implementation. Karen has worked extensively in community engagement with diverse communities.

Karen has been a volunteer mentor with women who have experienced domestic and family violence seeking employment and is committed to improving the pathways and experiences of women and children fleeing domestic violence.

In addition to her Board role with Mary’s House Services, Karen is a member of the Youth Law Australia Board and a consultant and leadership coach for community services.

Lorrae Collins

Lorrae joins the Board with excellent shared services experience, an adaptable leadership style and ability to communicate at all levels providing expertise in a variety of not-for-profit organisations including community services, aged care, mission-based, member-based, emergency services, as well as commercial entities in financial services, professional services, research and development, advertising, property development, hotel management, manufacturing, and recruitment.

Richard Harpham

Richard has extensive experience in governance in the not-for-profit arena, including as Deputy Chair of St Vincent’s Health Australia and Chair of the Trustees of Mary Aikenhead Ministries.

He has held senior marketing and risk management roles in Australia and overseas with Citibank and Westpac Group.

Claire Cooper

Claire Cooper became involved with Mary’s House in March 2016, as part of the team recruiting and managing volunteers. She also headed a committee tasked with raising awareness of domestic violence among schools in the local community.

Claire has a degree in law from Southampton University, England and practised as a commercial property solicitor in London before moving to Sydney in 1991. She lived in Jakarta Indonesia for five years where she a founding member of Yayasan Balita Sehat, a Foundation for Mother and Child Health FMCH). Claire published a bi-lingual cookery book, the proceeds of which went to the FMCH. During this time she was also editor of the Grapevine magazine, a 54 page colour publication produced monthly for expatriates living in Jakarta.