WEL Australia - National Co-ordinating Committee 2024-2025
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Kay Anastassiadis With growing social, political and economic inequality in Australia and internationally, Kay is concerned about the fact that we have failed to effectively address problematic issues that continue to adversely affect women's lives, their wellbeing and social status such as domestic and family violence, access to affordable and acceptable housing, the continuing responsibility for the care of others, access to affordable childcare, income inequality, the capacity to choose to become a mother and be a parent in a society that does not see reproduction as a social benefit and necessity. A union member, Kay holds great concern for the state of human and indigenous people's rights, democracy. the state of the environment, the need to prevent and mitigate biodiversity loss, and effectively deal with the existential threat posed by the climate change crisis. These issues affect women and other disadvantaged groups disproportionately and threaten to reverse the advances that have been achieved socially and politically as evidenced by, for example, changes to abortion laws in both the US and elsewhere. Kay is active in a number of ways to try to advance better social outcomes and equality for everyone. Chair of Open Space Contemporary Arts (OSCA) as well as a member of other community boards. Kay campaigned for the Indigenous Voice to Parliament, and supports others in their work to advance a fair and just world. |
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Brianna Delahunty
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Deb Poulton Deborah Poulton has been involved with the Women's Electoral Lobby Australia, as a member of the National Coordinating Committee and Treasurer for over 20 years. Deborah has worked in accountancy and tax agent sector for over 40 years. A Chartered Accountant since April 1983. Fellow since February 2013. She has worked for Ernst & Young and predecessor firms for over 20 years before going into private practise in 2000. |
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Dr Jane Bullen Jane’s background includes research, evaluation, policy and program work in academic, government and non-government contexts. Her primary areas of focus include homelessness, in particular women’s homelessness, domestic violence and disability. Jane joined the WEL NSW Executive in 2015, continuing her past work in feminist and other organisations to promote women’s human rights, increase fairness and reduce inequality and disadvantage. She has led WEL NSW’s work on women’s housing and homelessness. Most recently she was Deputy Convenor of WEL NSW. |
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Madeleine Clark Madeleine Clark is an independent activist and policy analyst. Her previous roles have included Deputy CEO of Wesnet (the Women’s Services Network), and Acting Convenor and Senior Policy Officer of Equality Rights Alliance. She has Masters degrees in Political Science and Art Theory from the Australian National University, and a diploma in International Relations from Monash University. Her research into domestic violence in contemporary art has been published in ‘Dystopian and Utopian Impulses in Art Making’ (ed. McQuilton & Palmer, 2023). She is passionate about human rights, and advancing the right of women and girls to live free from violence. |
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Josefa Green Josefa began as a WEL activist in the 1970’s, involved particularly in equal pay and abortion rights campaigns – issues that still need addressing! She has been on the WEL NSW Executive since 2005. She worked for many years in policy and management areas of the Federal Public Service, including the Special Broadcasting Service, and subsequently as a management consultant working in the areas of planning and organisational change. She has a BA (History Hons), an MBA and a Graduate Diploma in Asian Art. |
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Morgane Mallet Morgane Mallet (she/her) is a senior fundraising leader with more than twelve years’ experience implementing campaigns and fundraising strategies in Australia and internationally. She has held leadership roles at Children’s Cancer Institute and Communicare, and previously worked in international humanitarian and advocacy programs across Europe, Africa and Latin America for Caritas, UNICEF and grassroots organisations. Originally from Réunion Island (France), Morgane is a proud Creole woman and bilingual in French and English. She brings a diverse international perspective to feminist advocacy, with a strong commitment to gender equality and preventing violence against women. Morgane lives on Gadigal Land. |
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Meghan Malone Meghan previously worked with the Women's Legal Service focusing on First Nations women, women from culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds and women in custody experiencing gender-based violence and discrimination. She has also taught and researched in constitutional law and worked with organisations tackling social justice issues such as the Australian Conservation Foundation and the Harvard Prison Legal Assistance Program.
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Jennifer Muir With over twenty years’ experience as a strategic adviser, advocate, and leader, I have worked across government, not-for-profits, media, and civil society, specialising in communication and engagement for human rights, social issues, and public health. As CEO of She Advocates and Board Member of the Global Alliance for Public Relations and Communication Managers, I am recognised for building trusted relationships, leading high-profile programmes, and delivering innovative strategies in complex environments.
I believe in the strength and centring of lived experiences, ensuring that our approaches are inclusive, person-centred, and grounded in practical realism. Building strong coalitions for advocacy is central to my work, fostering communities and partnerships to drive meaningful change. It’s an honour to return for a second term on the Women’s Electoral Lobby’s national committee, continuing my commitment to advancing gender equality and supporting WEL’s legacy as a fearless, influential voice for equity in Australia
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Dr Mary O'Sullivan Mary has worked in a range of communications, policy advisory, program management and teaching roles. She has served as an elected Councillor. Mary has a long record of activism on behalf of women in the context of trade unions, and in many other political and policy contexts. Her interests range from public education, women in work, through to reproductive health and the role and status of women in Australian politics, culture and society. Since 2013 Mary has led preparation of many WEL submissions and managed campaigns, together with WEL allies. Most recently she was Convenor of WEL NSW. |
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Lorraine Slade Lorraine has been a member of WEL since 1986 and has served on the WEL NSW Executive for a number of years since 2006. She has also volunteered in the WEL office during that time. Lorraine is strongly committed to the WEL vision of a society ‘where women’s participation and their ability to fulfil their potential are unrestricted, acknowledged and respected, and where women and men share equally in society’s responsibilities and rewards. |
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Jozefa Sobski AM Jozefa has been active in feminist, women’s and community organisations for many years. She started her activism in Sydney Women’s Liberation in the 1970’s. She was the Chair of the Board of Jessie Street National Women’s Library for 17 years and is Vice President of the Haberfield Association. |
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Priscilla Todd (Secretary) Priscilla joined WEL VIC in 1975, and served as Secretary from 1978-1981. Priscilla previously held a position on the WEL National Committee from 1980 to 2018. WEL was admitted as an affiliate member of International Alliance of Women (IAW) in 1982. Priscilla served on the IAW board from 1992, as Secretary-General from 1992-2002, and Journal Editor 2002-2023. WEL hosted in Melbourne 1989 IAW Congress (with League of Women Voters) and 2012 International/Board (with LWVV and Union of Australian Women). Priscilla attended annual meetings with Pat Giles (WELWA) Board, President 1996-2004, Pat Richardson (WELNSW) Board, Membership 1996-2018 and Pat Goble (LWVV). In 1963, Priscilla created Todd Secretariat managing temp and permanent jobs for women; lobbied clients on career paths and jobs for older women. Priscilla is currently minute writer with two associates. In 1994 Priscilla was awarded the Order of Australia Medal for services to women, especially through Women’s Electoral Lobby. |
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Akrti Tyagi Akrti Tyagi is a practitioner in humanitarian affairs and international security, with a strong commitment to youth empowerment and gender equality. Her work focuses on policy communication, strategic engagement, and translating complex international issues into accessible and impactful narratives. She is the Co-Founder of The Persephone Network, a youth-led initiative dedicated to enhancing the role of young people in diplomacy, leadership, and policymaking. In this capacity, Ms. Tyagi has led global advocacy campaigns, coordinated multilateral engagements, and developed strategic communications to advance gender equality and inclusive governance. In 2024, she represented Girls Run The World (Australia) at the Asia-Pacific Regional Review of the 30th Anniversary of the Beijing Declaration and Platform for Action (Beijing+30 Review), where she delivered a collective statement urging Member States to strengthen women’s political participation and leadership within national and global frameworks. Following this, she attended the Sixty-Ninth Session of the Commission on the Status of Women (CSW69), engaging in dialogues around gender equality and the future of the global women’s rights agenda. Ms. Tyagi has worked extensively with national and international institutions, including collaborations with ministries and commissions for women and children in India. Her contributions span gender advocacy, child rights protection, and the development of legal frameworks supporting women’s empowerment. Her international fieldwork includes engagements in the Democratic Republic of Congo with Search for Common Ground (SFCG) and HEAL Africa, focusing on gender-based violence prevention, refugee support, and policy evaluation in conflict-affected settings. |
WEL Staff |
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Amanda Keeling Amanda has worked with elected representatives, governments, legal professionals, NGO’s, civil society, advocates and not-for-profits, to provide strategic advice on advocacy, policy, lobbying and building momentum for legislation change. She has also served on the Boards of several not-for-profit organisations. Past experience includes working with State and Federal elected representatives/parliamentarians (cross party, opposition and government), as well as with the NSW Gay and Lesbian Rights Lobby, NSW Council for Civil Liberties, the Museum of Futures, the Aurora Group - A Ruby Foundation and Women for Election Australia. Amanda's skill set covers executive leadership, campaigning, advocacy, digital and social media communications, community building, stakeholder engagement and consultation, research and policy development, and campaigning for law reform. From 2023-4, Amanda was the Program Manager with Women for Election Australia, executing the $5million Women in Public Office grant from the Department of Prime Minister and Cabinet/The Office for Women. This grant was targeted to train and equip women from underrepresented cohorts across the country, to nominate for public office. In 2025, Amanda was selected for the QLD Rural, Regional and Remote Women’s Network’s Future Queensland: Rural Women’s Leadership Program focused on renewable energy leadership. Amanda holds a BA (Gender Studies/Social Analysis, Hons), a Masters in Communications, Diploma of Project Management, certifications in Business and Human Rights, and a Human Rights-Based Approach to AI (Global Campus of Human Rights), and a certificate from Australian National University's Summer School in Political Analysis. Amanda also worked with WEL NSW from 2015-2019 as the Membership, Fundraising and Community Engagement Coordinator.
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