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. Melanie was named one of Australia’s Top 100 Most Influential Women in 2012, awarded an Order of Australia Medal in 2017, and was awarded Third Sector's 'Board Director of the Year' in 2022. 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.
	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, Chief Executive Officer As the proud Chief Executive of Youth Projects, Ben has been leading us on our incredible journey for more than 4 years. He is an experienced CEO and Board Director with a genuine passion for breaking the cycle of disadvantage and creating equal access to social and economic participation for all people. Ben is a social entrepreneur who seeks to add value through strategy, good governance, and modern leadership and recently graduated from the Executive Education in Social Entrepreneurship Program at Stanford University (USA). He was recognised in the Top 5 CEO’s of 2021 by Third Sector, and by Pro Bono Australia as Innovator of the Year and one of the Top 25 most influential and inspiring people in the social economy in 2020. Connect on LinkedIn
	Natascha Tjendana, Executive Manager Corporate Services BAppFin, MCom, CPA Natascha is our most recently appointed executive leader who heads up Corporate Services at Youth Projects. As a CPA qualified executive with a Bachelor of Applied Finance and Master of Commerce, Natascha brings extensive experience and knowledge across financial performance management and modelling, risk management and compliance, continuous systems improvement, cross-function team management, planning and IT. She understands the lean environments nonprofits work within, but that we must also be financially progressive and sophisticated across our operations. With over 15 years’ experience in the nonprofit, Disability and Aged Care sectors and commercial industries, Natascha brings a unique set of skills and cross-sector understanding of business operations that she is eager to use at Youth Projects and support us through the next phase of significant growth and modernisation.
	Trent Miller, Executive Manager Employment, Training & Social Enterprise Trent is an experienced leader with a depth of experience in social impact, leading the way on inclusive leadership, and empowering teams to deliver significant social & economic impact. Prior to joining Youth Projects, Trent was Senior Project Manager at Social Ventures Australia. He has held senior roles with Uniting Vic/Tas and SkillsPlus & BRACE. After being appointed Head of Major Projects & Transformation at Youth Projects earlier in 2022, he has recently been appointed as the Executive Manager leading the organisations growing portfolio of employment, training & social enterprise offerings. Trent is passionate about leading Youth Projects' largest ever scale-up across his portfolio. Trent was awarded a scholarship for Melbourne Business School's Emerging Leaders Development Program and will complete his MBA with Monash Business School in 2022. Trent will use his Bachelor of Commerce (Business Analytics) to continue to elevate Youth Projects data driven decision making culture.
	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.

Latest

Young voices amplified and pathways opened after visit to Parliament House

In an exclusive meeting at Parliament House of Victoria, members of our Youth Advisory Group (YAG) were invited to sit down over a hot chocolate and discuss issues affecting young people, the importance of youth advocacy, and why young people need a seat at the table.
Let's Talk About Sex | Life Skills Training

In a half-day workshop, we hope you will walk away with the empowerment to make informed decisions and be able to have healthy sexual relationships. This workshop is part of Youth Advisory Group's life skills series #ThingsYoungPeopleNeedToKnow helping young people better transition to adult life.
Job Searching 101 | Job Skills Training

In a quick 2-hour masterclass, explore all things job searching and how to make yourself stand out in a pool of applicants. This workshop is part of Youth Advisory Group's life skills series #ThingsYoungPeopleNeedToKnow helping young people better transition to adult life.
Life and Job Skills Training

Youth Project's Youth Advisory Group (YAG) are launching a series of Life and Job Skills workshops focused on "things young people need to know." All workshops will be delivered by young people for young people and focus on developing the physical, mental, and social health of young people, to support them in transitioning and adapting to adult life.