Gavin Ackerly, Chief Executive Officer

Gavin is the founder of the Symbiotic Innovation model of social assistance. He is a Churchill Fellow who has worked for over a decade in empowerment services with new and emerging community members. He was the Director of Empowerment and Innovation Hub at the Asylum Seeker Resource Centre for 9 years. He later served as the Executive Manager of the Western Bulldogs Community Foundation, and most recently, as a strategic consultant to several community led organisations, including the Islamic Council of Victoria.

Sheryl Taylor, Projects Manager

Sheryl has worked as a classroom and specialist teacher for over 20 years with the Department of Education and Training. She is also the founder of the charity Loose Change, which provides education to orphaned and vulnerable children and young adults in a Tanzanian Children’s Home. In her role as Projects Manager with Community Four, she is combining her knowledge of curriculum planning and her passion for social justice to develop an innovative English curriculum for newly arrived Hazara refugee women living in the Casey area.

Chanelle Burns, Director

Chanelle is an accomplished and innovative Social Worker with 10 years experience. She has held casework positions with the Asylum Seeker Resource Centre (ASRC), Anglicare and DHS. She worked in leadership at the ASRC as the Justice Director and as acting GM and CEO.

Chanelle currently works at Foundation House as a Counsellor Advocate with children and families from refugee backgrounds and is also on the board of 100 Story Building. Whether direct or governance level practice, Chanelle is committed to finding collaborative and respectful ways of working alongside people. She brings integrity, transparency and a passion to her role as Chair.

Sophie Dutertre, Chairperson

Sophie is a program and project manager with 20 years’ experience working with communities in Africa, the Pacific and Australia. Initially a journalist, she has managed programs across public health, employment, education and disability for newly-arrived refugees and people seeking asylum. She holds degrees in Law, Journalism and Counselling. Sophie currently works for the Centre for Culture, Ethnicity and Health, providing training to the disability sector and language services and developing resources to support the roll-out of the NDIS with migrant communities. Having worked alongside the CEO of Community Four for many years, she brings to her role as Interim Chair an understanding of his vision and strong networks in the community sector.

Dr Arthur Shelley, Director

Dr Arthur Shelley is a capability development and knowledge strategy consultant with over 30 years professional experience. He held a variety of professional roles including managing international projects in Australia, Europe, Asia and USA.  He has facilitated courses in Masters programs on Executive Consulting, Leadership, Knowledge Management, Research Practice and Entrepreneurship. Arthur is the author of three books and a regular speaker at international professional development events. He has worked with a wide range of organisations including NASA, Cirque du Soleil, World Bank, Cadbury, Singapore government, education and research centres in several countries and not-for-profits.

Gina Haebich, Director

Gina is a Social worker with 10 years of experience working across mental health, housing and refugee and asylum seeker sectors. She has worked as a counsellor, case manager and outreach worker across Cohealth, Red Cross, Neami National and HomeGround Services. Gina has been actively engaged in volunteer work within her local community over a 15-year period, which has also included an overseas stint on the Thai-Burma border. Gina is currently employed at the Asylum Seeker Resource Centre in the Learning and Development team. She brings her passion for social justice, collaboration and creativity to this role.

 Ash Nugent, Treasurer

Ash has a played a key role in the establishment of two social enterprises: ASRC Cleaning and CareerSeekers. Outside of paid work, much of his time is spent on a personal project, Schoolgoers, establishing a primary school in rural Bihar, India. He has a passion for Australian Football and was recognised as the 2018 AFL Community Ambassador of the Year for his work developing linkages between recent arrivals to Australia and the broader community.

Redeer Omer, Board Member

Redeer is an experienced tiler and small business owner. He is also a community leader and the former President of Australian Kurdish Community Inc. He is qualified in Community Services and has run several sport and social programs for young people in his community. Redeer brings a lived understanding of the refugee experience and a strong commitment to support the self-determination of newly arrived people and their communities.