About Our team Our team Comprised of a highly skilled, multi-disciplinary team across a range of different speciality areas, we work with the best in their field. By building a workforce of passionate change makers, we can provide the highest quality service to people experiencing disadvantage, with a strong focus on respect, client centred care and harm prevention. Board of Directors, our Mission Makers. Melanie Raymond OAM, Chairperson An experienced independent, non-executive director and Chairperson with multiple other board and committee positions including Chair of Connected Communities Melbourne, Director of the new Moreland Affordable Housing Association, Victorian Ice Taskforce and Taskforce on Rough Sleeping. In 2012, Melanie was named one of Australia’s Top 100 Most Influential Women and awarded an Order of Australia Medal in 2017. Melanie has a MA (Hons) and studied executive management at the Harvard Business School, bringing her extensive experience across policy, strategy, government, communications and media. Connect on LinkedIn The Hon Monica Gould, Deputy Chair Elected as the first female President of the Legislative Council of Victoria, Monica held a number of positions during the union movement, served on the Board of VicForests and is a Director of the LUCRF Community Partnership Trust. She brings extensive experience as former Minister for Industrial Relations, Youth Affairs and Education Services and experience in aged care, coupled with personal interests in human rights and emergency housing. In 2018, Monica was inducted into the Victorian Honour Roll of Women. Adam Rollnik, Director A prominent Barrister actively appearing in Victorian State Courts, the Federal Courts and VCAT in connection with various commercial disputes. Adam’s experience spans across arbitration, building and construction, corporations, employment law, bankruptcy and insolvency, retail tenancy, misleading conduct, Tort Law, contract and franchising disputes. Adam is a former lecturer in Torts Law at Monash University, Advocacy at the Leo Cussen Centre for Law and was a Senior Associate at King & Wood Mallesons and Ashurst in the UK. Mark van Miltenburg, Director A Senior Real Estate Investment and Development Executive with extensive experience in creating investor value in commercial real estate. Holding senior roles at leading funds management businesses including Charter Hall, Macquarie Bank, Mirvac and LendLease, Mark’s expertise includes real estate investment strategy, development management, transaction investment, partnerships and financial accountability. Srinath Sursala, Director Srinath works in Management Consulting in IT advisory after previously working in a variety of major government projects over the last 6+ years. Srinath is currently undertaking his MBA at Melbourne Business School and also keeps busy looking at all things 'blockchain'. Outside of work you'll find Srinath immersed in all things sport - especially the AFL, NBA and Formula1. Executive Leadership Team, our Change Makers. Ben Vasiliou, CEO Appointed as CEO of Youth Projects in 2017, Ben is an experienced CEO and community board director, who is leading the way in early intervention and prevention for young people, whilst delivering critical support to people experiencing homelessness. Ben was named as one of the top 25 most influential and inspiring people in the social economy in 2020 and was awarded the Judges Choice & Innovator of the Year Awards by Pro Bono Australia. As a passionate advocate for the most vulnerable Australians, Ben is committed to driving significant reform and change to ensure everyone has the opportunity to be the best they can be. Ben is well versed in building high performing organisations. The ability to combine DNA, purpose, sovereignty and strategy is critical to Youth Projects success and has been the driving force behind the recently launched strategic plan. Ben aims to modernise and sophisticate the non-profit way of thinking and has recently graduated from the Executive Education Program at Stanford University. Connect on LinkedIn Carl Roberts, Chief Financial Officer Carl manages a complex financial system with diverse sources of revenue, stringent compliance and reporting requirements as a key member of our executive team. Carl's leadership and 25 years of experience with the organisation has been instrumental in the sustainability and health across all areas of our work, sometimes over and above his formal role as our CFO. Wendy Caspar, Executive Manager Employment, Training & Social Enterprise From grassroots youth worker, leader, senior leader through to Executive Manager Employment, Training and Social Enterprise, Wendy's passion and extensive experience is centred around developing high performing operational teams and developing innovative models and programs designed to create impact and life-changing opportunities for the most vulnerable in the community. Wendy has over 17 years in the community sector, enabling and empowering young people to lead meaningful lives through employment and training pathways. Richie Goonan, Operations Manager Community Health With over 22 years experience in the housing and homelessness sector, Richie brings an authentic and adaptive leadership style, leading through positive decisions, driving high performance through motivation and inspirational leadership to achieve our goals and live our mission. In complex policy and operational environments, Richie finds creative and innovative solutions to achieve positive outcomes for our community health services. Underpinning our Executive Leadership Team is a workforce of strong and talented senior leaders who enable and guide our frontline warriors (workforce) to achieve positive outcomes for the people we exist to support. Do you find yourself wondering how you can use your skills and expertise to create social good? Have you ever wanted to be part of a real dream team? Then you may just be the next Change Maker or frontline warrior we are looking for. Check out our Careers page for opportunities.