Our team

Sarah leads Good Shepherd’s research, policy analysis, public advocacy and program innovation to end cycles of disadvantage, especially for women and girls. Sarah has worked in senior management and policy roles within federal and state governments in areas such as employment, women’s leadership, and family violence. With her background in human rights and public policy, Sarah brings great professional experience and knowledge to Good Shepherd’s research, advocacy and policy agenda. Sarah has also worked in mental health promotion, and led beyondblue’s landmark Stop. Think. Respect campaign addressing the impact of discrimination on the mental health and social and emotional wellbeing of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people. Sarah holds a PhD in Women’s Studies from La Trobe University.

Yvonne is a specialist in family violence policy analysis, advocacy and service delivery. With experience in service delivery, program development and advocacy, Yvonne brings both practical experience and theory to her work at Good Shepherd. In 2017 Yvonne was seconded to Our Watch as the Senior Policy Advisor, Intersectionality, where she continues to work on a part-time basis , examining how intersecting forms of discrimination and oppression impact and influence all forms of violence against women, and how to prevent such violence. In 2014, Yvonne was part of a research team that undertook primary research in Timor-Leste exploring community attitudes about family violence and ideas for prevention. Among her many roles, Yvonne has served on the boards of Domestic Violence Victoria and Alola Australia, as well as holding leadership roles at the Women’s Domestic Violence Crisis Service (now known as SafeSteps) and inTouch Multicultural Centre against Family Violence. Yvonne holds a Bachelor of Arts (Honours) and Diploma of Management.

Laura is a passionate advocate for women and girls, having spent ten years supporting and advocating for those impacted by human trafficking, slavery and slavery-like practices including early and forced marriage. With a background in case management and project coordination Laura had led and delivered services to asylum seekers and refugees, women experiencing homelessness and individuals impacted by human trafficking and slavery. Laura brings her experiences of service delivery to her policy and advocacy work with Good Shepherd.  Laura is one of Australia’s leading experts in understanding and responding to early and forced Marriage. In 2016, Laura received a Winston Churchill Memorial Trust Fellowship, which took her on a study-tour of six countries to develop innovative and best practice solutions to early and forced marriage. She holds a Master’s Degree in Human Rights Law and Policy and a Bachelor’s Degree with Honours in Social Work.

Susan is a specialist in education research, advocacy and policy analysis, focusing on educational disadvantage and policy impacts on women and other disadvantaged groups. Susan draws on over twenty years’ international development experience, including as a Director of Program, Design and Innovation (Africa and the Middle East) at Habitat for Humanity, to support innovative program design. Her critical policy analysis, understanding of human behaviour and psychology, as well as engaging writing style have made her a popular ‘Policy Whisperer’ for the Power to Persuade blog. Susan also manages the Women’s Policy Action Tank, which analyses government policy using a gendered lens. Susan holds a Bachelor of Arts (English/writing concentration) from Western Washington University and a Master’s of Science (Organisational Behaviour) from the University of London. She is currently completing a PhD in Psychology at Monash University.

Helen is an experienced researcher and educator, who applies a critical feminist lens to her work to help research unmet meets and better advocate for those in a position of disadvantage. She is responsible for developing the centre’s research, policy and advocacy agenda for emerging focus areas. At present, Helen is focusing on the topic of women and young people impacted by the justice system, to which she brings her expertise in legal studies and criminology. Prior to joining Good Shepherd, Helen held research and education roles at La Trobe University and The University of Melbourne. Helen has a Bachelor of Arts (majoring in Psychology and English) and a Graduate Diploma in Arts (Criminology) from The University of Melbourne.