WJN Board
WJN is governed and overseen by a Management Committee (The Board).
Helen Campbell (President) is the Executive Officer of Women’s Legal Services NSW, a statewide specialist community legal centre for women. She is a lawyer with over 20 years’ experience in the community and public sectors. In addition to her legal qualifications she is a Master of Women’s Studies and holds a Diploma in Frontline Management. Previously Helen managed Redfern Legal Centre, and has also held a wide range of voluntary appointments including Chair of Community Legal Centres NSW, Director of NCOSS and consumer representative on the Council of the Energy and Water Ombudsman. In 2011 Helen was awarded a medal in the Order of Australia for services to the law and to the community of Redfern. Helen has been the President of WJN for the previous two years.
Dr Helen Dunstan (Vice President) – Helen has been Vice-President of WJN for the last two years and, before that, Secretary for four years. She was a WJN mentor when she joined the Board and used to visit Silverwater Women’s and Parklea as a volunteer with Prison Fellowship and Vinnies. More recently, she has joined the voluntary Custody Support Team at the local cop-shop, so she gets to be there for young people when they’re waiting in the cells. She’s motivated to give time to WJN because it supports women and girls to move on and never go back to those dark days. Helen has administrative skills that she uses as a volunteer with an Aboriginal organisation in Outer Western Sydney and is an active member of the Greens. Helen has a Master’s in Counselling and a PhD in History, is a Fellow of the Australian Academy of the Humanities and has published two books and several lengthy research articles.
Larissa Daniel ( Board Member) – has worked in the Community Services sector for over 20 years in both not for profit and government organisations delivering services in the youth and criminal justice areas. Her passion is creating opportunities for people to thrive, focusing on those that are often not given a chance. For the past eight years Larissa has worked in executive roles including CEO of a community based organisation & currently in the role of Chief Strategy Officer for national criminal justice organisation ACSO. Larissa has held governance roles on boards and committees both in the local community and nationally for over 15 years. She has a Master’s in Business Administration & Diplomas in the Community Services field and an appetite for continuous learning!
Meaghan Ford (Board Member) –Megan brings to the board the critical aspects of having both lived experience of detention and of the support WJN provides to women. In Megan words: “My main reason for wanting to be an active member of the WJN is simple. I can’t begin to tell you how much WJN assisted me whilst in custody and it is time to give back. I would not have been able to enrol (let alone complete) my tertiary preparation program if it wasn’t for the team at WJN. Not to mention the emotional support provided by WJN staff and WJN mentors”. Megan has many years of experience in customer relations, marketing and business development with success in increasing sales in each of her roles.
Dr Kath Hall (Board Member) –Kath is an honorary Associate Professor of Law at ANU College of Law, researching non-traditional career pathways. She also facilitates and presents courses on diversity, governance and ethics to MBA students and Women on Boards members. Kath founded, and continues to run, Law School Success which provides support to Australian law students via free online courses and mentoring.
Kath has been the chief investigator for a large research project by the Australian Research Council on whistleblowers in the public, private and NFP sectors; an expert advisor to Sports Integrity Australia; and an expert advisor with the Joint Inspections Unit of the United Nations in Geneva, reviewing the UN’s whistleblower policies and practices. Kath is also a mediation teacher and Reiki practitioner.
Dixie Link-Gordon (Board Member) – Dixie is a proud and resourceful Gurang Gurang woman from south east Queensland. Having moved to the inner city of Redfern in 1980, Dixie has earned the respect of the local and broader Indigenous community through her work as a domestic violence community educator and advocate across New South Wales. Dixie is a strong advocate for Indigenous women and families and was the Founding CEO Member of the Mudgin-gal Aboriginal Women’s Corporation. Until recently, Dixie worked at Women’s Legal Service NSW as the Senior Community Access Officer, Indigenous Women’s Legal Program. A recognised leader in the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Community, Dixie has received awards and accolades for work to deliver culturally appropriate services and improve outcomes for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander People.
Sumithira Thavapalan (Board Member) – Sumithira holds a Bachelor of Commerce (Honours) degree from the University of New South Wales and is a chartered accountant. She has extensive experience working in finance leadership roles across ASX listed companies, top four professional service firms, government and not-for-profit. She is stepping down as Treasurer of WJN, after serving 4 years in the role. She continues to bring her strong financial management skills to WJN. She is passionate about making a difference in the lives of vulnerable people.
Leigh Toomey (Board Member) – Leigh completed a Masters of Law in Human Rights Law, from Yale Law School, with a Fulbright scholarship and Yale Law School fellowship grant. Leigh has spent her career in international human rights, including in senior roles with the United Nations Human Rights Council in investigating arbitrary detention in the USA, Sri Lanka, Bhutan, Qatar, Greece and the Maldives. Leigh was also a Justice and Human Rights Specialist for Asia Pacific International Development in Papua New Guinea, where she designed the next phase of Australian Federal Police support, including a program of support to address gender-based violence and improve performance across the justice and policing sectors. Having been the student editor of the Yale Human Rights and Development Law Journal, Leigh has since published many journal articles on detention and human rights.
Management
Gloria Larman is WJN’s Chief Executive Officer. Gloria has more than three decades experience working in the not-for-profit sector with particular focus on the criminal justice system and the impacts on women, children and families.
Gloria was previously the Chief Executive Officer of SHINE for Kids, which successfully expanded under her leadership and is now operating in four states across Australia. Gloria built up strong strategic partnerships and developed innovative research and programs, positioning SHINE for Kids as a respected service provider to children and families, and she brings that insight to WJN.
Gloria has authored papers detailing the issues faced by children whose parents receive prison sentences, and has made recommendations to government and government agencies regarding solutions to the complex issues involved. She has also presented at international conferences and seminars, as well as regularly appearing in the media.
Gloria holds a diploma in welfare, and degrees in community management and adult education, and brings her passion and commitment for the sector to WJN.
