Our Executive Team and Board

Meet some of the team

Our board and executive team are made up of dedicated, enthusiastic individuals who are passionate about a fairer world for children.

 

Our board is responsible for guiding our strategic direction, and is accountable for our actions and the impact of our activities.

Our Executive Team

Our Executive and Board

Susanne Legena, CEO
BA, MA (Professional Communication)

Susanne joined Plan International Australia in 2011. Prior to this appointment, Susanne had extensive senior management experience across a wide range of public policy, public sector management and communications areas.

Her previous roles include the Chief of Staff for the Victorian Minister for Energy & Resources and the Arts.

Susanne is a keen gardener and keeps bees that produce delicious, locally-sourced honey.

Our Executive and Board

Hayley Cull, Deputy CEO, Engagement

Hayley joined Plan International Australia in 2017.

She has led major national and global campaigns on child rights, international development and gender equality, working with UNICEF, Plan International and various other NGOs in Australia, the UK and internationally.

With a background in journalism, campaigning and communications strategy, she is passionate about working with young people to create change.

Our Executive and Board

Ruth Kestermann, Chief Operating Officer
BEng (Hons) MA (Development Studies & Culture Change)

Ruth joined Plan International Australia in 2021. Prior to joining she held leadership roles in the community care sector, as well as consulting in the not-for-profit, private and government sectors.

Ruth is passionate about building the resilience and sustainability of communities both in Australia and overseas.

In her spare time Ruth loves ocean swimming and walking in the bush.

 

OUR BOARD OF DIRECTORS

Our Executive and Board

Patricia Faulkner AO, Chair

Patricia was awarded an Order of Australia in 2008 for service to the community through the development and implementation of public policy relating to health, aged care, children’s services, disability services and housing.

Patricia has held a diverse range of senior leadership positions, including serving as a Deputy Commissioner to the 2016 Victorian Royal Commission into Family Violence, Director of Consumer Affairs Victoria, Director of Occupational Health and Safety, and Secretary of the Department of Human Services. She previously held senior health leadership roles at KPMG, and is a Fellow of the Australian College of Health Services Executives and a National Fellow of IPAA.

Patricia serves on Plan International’s Member’s Assembly.

Our Executive and Board

Marsha Beck
BA (Hons), LL.B (Hons), M.AppFin, CIMA®, GAICD

Marsha is an accomplished executive leader, driven by passion, purpose and results.

Over 20 years, Marsha has held senior roles across the financial services sector, leading change and driving innovation across product, marketing, sales and services initiatives.

Our Executive and Board

Jason Chuck
B.App Sci (Computer Engineering), MBA (Hons. List)

Jason Chuck is the Chief Commercial Officer at Hireup, a profit for purpose business focused on improving care in the disability sector. Prior to that, Jason was the Chief Consumer Officer at Domain Group and also co-founded and was Chief Executive Officer of LJ Hooker Avnu.

Jason has spent over 15 years growing and scaling international technology businesses, with a focus on strategy, sales and marketing with Houzz (as their Asia Pacific MD and AU founder), Etsy (as their MD ANZ), eHarmony (as AU founder and VP of International) and Google (as head of marketing for Australia and New Zealand).

Our Executive and Board

Tim Lo Surdo
Bachelor of Laws (LLB)

Tim is the Founder and National Director of Democracy in Colour,  Australia’s first racial and economic justice organisation led by people of colour.

Before starting Democracy in Colour, he worked with low-paid workers to set up Hospo Voice – a new union in hospitality. Previously, Tim was the Head of Campaigns at Oaktree, a senior adviser to two Senators, the Campaigns Director at Jhatkaa, the National Communications Director at UN Youth Australia, and co-founded Open Sky.

Tim is currently a Director of Plan International, No to Violence, the Australian Marine Conservation Society, Environment Victoria, the Alliance for Gambling Reform, Inner Melbourne Community Legal, and the Victorian Government’s Sustainability Fund. For his work, Tim was appointed in 2020 as one of 17 UN Young Leaders for the Sustainable Development Goals.

Our Executive and Board

Vanessa Ng
B.Comm. CA

Vanessa Ng is an experienced finance professional who has worked in the banking and professional services industry with a focus on leadership, strategy and change management.

Vanessa is a Chartered Accountant and holds a Bachelor of Commerce (Accounting and Finance) from the University of Melbourne.
Vanessa is passionate about social impact, equality and education.

Our Executive and Board

Belinda Howell
BA (Hons), MBA, GAICD

Belinda Howell is an experienced director of not-for-profit boards with a deep interest in international development, mental health and education.

Belinda’s career as a senior executive has spanned higher education, financial and professional services, travel and government. She is adept at working across cultures and building successful multicultural teams.

She is a Deputy Chair of Dunmore Lang College (Macquarie University), a director of Bolong River Produce (horticulture business) and consults to education technology start-ups. Belinda is also an executive coach.

Our Executive and Board

Natasha de Silva
Master of Global Law, BA (International Development), BComm (Economics)

Natasha de Silva is a human rights and gender equality professional with over 20 years’ experience in national and international policy development and law reform.

Natasha specialises in the rights of women and girls and has led major policy projects such as the Respect@Work: National Inquiry into Sexual Harassment in Australian Workplace at the Australian Human Rights Commission. Natasha is presently the Principal of Intersection, a consulting firm that assists organisations to be safe, respectful and inclusive.

Natasha is on the Board of Full Stop Australia and Monte Sant’ Angelo Mercy College.

Our Executive and Board

Sally Moyle

Sally Moyle is an Honorary Associate Professor at the Australian National University (ANU), associated with the Gender Institute. Sally has had extensive experience in international development policy and practice, and almost thirty years’ experience addressing gender issues both domestically and internationally.

Sally was the Chief Executive Officer at CARE Australia until 2019, and, between 2013 and 2016, was the Principal Gender Specialist and Assistant Secretary with the Australian Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade. Sally has been in senior executive roles in the Australian Government since 2008, including DFAT, the Office for Women, and working on Indigenous Affairs and in Disability Care in the Department of Families, Housing, Community Services and Indigenous Affairs. Sally was the Gender Adviser in AusAID between 2006 and 2008.

Prior to joining AusAID in 2006, Sally had senior roles at the Australian Human Rights Commission, the Australian Law Reform Commission and practised as a lawyer.

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