2022-23 Diversity Webinar Series

Kwabena Ansah

Head of Communities & Research, LOTE Agency

Kwabena Ansah is responsible for the LOTE Agency’s broader community engagement and research programs. He is a qualified IAP2 Public Participation Specialist and has worked with culturally and linguistically diverse communities across Australia since 2008. Kwabena has worked with the Department of Home Affairs, Melton City Council, and within the NSW Police and Emergency Services portfolio for a NSW Minister.

Bec Rohan-Jones

Bec has been a senior public servant for Australian government, ACT and Victorian Governments, where she worked with the Premier's office and Minister for Employment as part of the pandemic response. In Europe, Bec worked as a media adviser and human rights expert for the Department of Prime Minister and Cabinet for the French Government, as well as teaching at the University of Strasbourg, European Commission, The British Council and Harvard Kennedy School of Government in France and Spain.

Peter Mousaferiadis

CEO, Cultural Infusion

Peter Mousaferiadis is the CEO of Cultural Infusion. Peter has spent over three decades working in the cultural and creative industries. In 2002, he founded the internationally recognised organisation Cultural Infusion, which builds global harmony through intercultural action within education, information and communications technology and the arts. Peter’s career spans conducting, directing and producing large scale international and intercultural productions for a range of clients including the Parliament of World Religions and the United Nations. He has also directed nine Australia Day Concerts.

Rezza Moieni

Chief Technology Officer, Cultural Infusion

Rezza Moieni is the Chief Technology Officer at Cultural Infusion. Rezza has a bachelor’s degree in Electronic Engineering and a master’s in Computer Science (Information Security). Rezza was a project manager of many national level projects in the broadcasting industry in Iran.

Margaret Teuma

Diversity & Inclusion Specialist, Uniting NSW/ACT

Margaret Teuma is the Diversity & Inclusion Specialist at Uniting NSW/ACT. She is responsible for the provision of expertise in embedding of diversity and inclusion principles in Uniting. Her role includes challenging existing structures and supporting progressive change through influencing system improvement and coordinating special projects that build diversity and inclusion capability. Margaret comes with a wide-ranging career in public sector and NGO leadership positions and has extensive experience in developing strategies, policy development and program evaluation.

Melinda Leake

Head of Aged Care Data Improvement Unit and Australian Institute of Health and Welfare

Melinda Leake heads up the Aged Care Data Improvement Unit and has over 25 years experience at the Australian Institute of Health and Welfare. She has significant experience working with data from a range of areas, including aged care. She also has expertise in leading analysis and reporting of the health and wellbeing status of population groups.

James Houstone

Director, BNG NGO Services Online

James Houstone is a director of Breaking New Ground (BNG), which is a leading provider of online solutions for Australian community services and health service providers, in the areas of quality and service standards, quality management systems and organisational capacity building. BNG partners with the Centre for Cultural Diversity in Ageing to provide the Inclusive Service Standards Portal, which supports aged care providers to self-assess against the Inclusive Service Standards, and to identify any gaps or areas for improvement.

Lisa Tribuzio

Manager, Centre for Cultural Diversity in Ageing

Lisa Tribuzio has 22 years experience in a range of sectors including: Assistant Director for Inclusion Strategies at the NDIA, Diversity Advisor for the Hume Whittlesea Primary Care Partnership working with aged care providers, Projects Manager for the Victorian Arabic Social Services, Refugee and Asylum Seeker Partnership Coordinator at Spectrum, and as a researcher at the Institute for Citizenship and Globalisation at Deakin University in Melbourne. She has also undertaken cross-cultural research in Egypt for the Centre for Intercultural Dialogue in Cairo. Lisa holds a Bachelor of Science (Psychology), Bachelor of Social Work, Master of Islamic Studies and Graduate Diploma in Creative Arts Therapy. Lisa is also the founder of Lotus Consulting which aims to assist organisations in developing deep understandings of diverse perspectives and practices.

Lisa Tribuzio

Manager, Centre for Cultural Diversity in Ageing

Lisa Tribuzio has 22 years experience in a range of sectors including: Assistant Director for Inclusion Strategies at the NDIA, Diversity Advisor for the Hume Whittlesea Primary Care Partnership working with aged care providers, Projects Manager for the Victorian Arabic Social Services, Refugee and Asylum Seeker Partnership Coordinator at Spectrum, and as a researcher at the Institute for Citizenship and Globalisation at Deakin University in Melbourne. She has also undertaken cross-cultural research in Egypt for the Centre for Intercultural Dialogue in Cairo. Lisa holds a Bachelor of Science (Psychology), Bachelor of Social Work, Master of Islamic Studies and Graduate Diploma in Creative Arts Therapy. Lisa is also the founder of Lotus Consulting which aims to assist organisations in developing deep understandings of diverse perspectives and practices.

Margaret Teuma

Diversity & Inclusion Specialist, Uniting NSW/ACT

Margaret Teuma is the Diversity & Inclusion Specialist at Uniting NSW/ACT. She is responsible for the provision of expertise in embedding of diversity and inclusion principles in Uniting. Her role includes challenging existing structures and supporting progressive change through influencing system improvement and coordinating special projects that build diversity and inclusion capability. Margaret comes with a wide-ranging career in public sector and NGO leadership positions and has extensive experience in developing strategies, policy development and program evaluation.

Mich Thornton

Lecturer in Audiology at Charles Darwin University

Mich is a Lecturer in Audiology at Charles Darwin University. Their interests include equity and diversity in hearing health, hearing rehabilitation and clinical education. They are currently completing a PhD at the University of Queensland investigating experiences of hearing impairment and accessing hearing services among culturally and linguistically diverse adults in Australia. Mich also has many years experience as a clinical educator, audiologist and clinical program designer.

Lourdes Zamanillo

Policy and Project Officer, Soundfair

Lourdes Zamanillo is Soundfair’s Policy and Project Officer. A Doctor in Sociology from Monash University, she specialises in social inclusion, communication, and community building strategies. In her PhD, she used social network analysis to assess the role of social networking sites as a tool for integration for recent migrants. At Soundfair, she is researching barriers and facilitators to hearing healthcare access for culturally and linguistically diverse communities. With more than ten years experience in the fields of communications and social change, Lourdes is passionate about social equity, social capital, and fostering positive social change.

Caroline Lucas

General Manager – Hotel Services at Bolton Clarke

Caroline Lucas is the General Manager – Hotel Services at Bolton Clarke, Australia’s largest independent not-for-profit aged care provider, where she leads the hotel services team in delivering food innovation, preparing nutritious meals and creating an inviting and inclusive dining experience for residents at 70 residential homes across Australia. After emigrating to Australia, Caroline started her career with Delaware North Australia, and spent 10 years as General Manager overseeing hospitality services in NSW, Vic and Qld including Parliament House in Canberra and various large sporting venues. She joined TriCare in 1998, managing their production kitchen where she worked closely with residential aged care providers, Queensland Health and Meals on Wheels. Caroline joined RSL Care (now Bolton Clarke) as Food Services Manager in 2015 and was appointed General Manager Hotel Services Bolton in 2020. She has been actively involved in creating great outcomes for residents within Bolton Clarke residential homes, retirement living and At Home Support.

Kiarra Martindale

Lead Dietitian (APD) & Allied Health Manager, OSCAR Care Group

Kiarra Martindale is an Accredited Practising Dietitian having completed her Bachelor of Biomedical Science and Master of Dietetics at Deakin University. Kiarra has a background in Aged Care, Anthropometry, Gut Health and FODMAPs. Kiarra regularly presents,lectures, and educates in the field of Dietetics and Nutrition. Kiarra has experience in policies and procedures, menus, recipes, product development and implementing IDDSI and food fortification strategies as a Senior Dietitian while managing contracting Dietitians and Speech Pathology organisations nationally. In addition, Kiarra has experience providing medical nutrition therapy and dietetic support within a variety of sectors such as corporate, clinical, community, sports, private practice and hospitals, providing excellent patient-centred care.

Nadereh Edwards

Federation Coordinator, Spectrum

Nadereh Edwards is a specialist in engaging and building the capacity of seniors and senior clubs' leaders. She has over 25 years experience working in Australia and the UK's community and not-for-profit sectors. Nadereh currently works at Spectrum coordinating the Northern Federation of Ethnic Seniors Clubs in Melbourne. This initiative provides a platform for older people from culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds to have a stronger voice in matters that affect them. Nadereh was born in Iran. She migrated to England to study and completed a Postgraduate Diploma in Social Housing Studies. She worked in the housing and homelessness sector, met her husband and had two children. She moved to Melbourne in 1999 to enjoy the great outdoors and warmer weather. Experiencing different languages, cultures, aspects of migration and working with CALD communities has given her exceptional insight and understanding of migration and its influences on shaping individuals and the community.

Rabbi Gabi Kaltmann

Rabbi of the Ark Centre

Rabbi Gabi Kaltmann leads the Ark Centre based in Hawthorn East. Through his openness and inclusive approach to Judaism, Rabbi Gabi has redefined the 21st Century synagogue within the context of Modern Orthodoxy with a greater focus on song and spirituality. Rabbi Gabi is part of the Victorian Government's Anti-Racism Taskforce and President of The Jewish Christian Muslim Association. He also holds a Master of Social Work and is Chairman of Melbourne Fight Back Against Parkinsons Group Inc, a not-for-profit charity that assists people with Parkinson's disease.

Sherene Hassan

Director, Education and Community Engagement, Islamic Museum of Australia

Sherene served as Vice President and Executive Committee Member of the Islamic Council of Victoria for eight years.Formerly a chemistry and physics teacher, Sherene has taught in many states across Australia with over 20 years of experience in the sector. To date, she has conducted over 1,000 information sessions on Islam to diverse audiences ranging from the Flying Fruit Fly Circus School to the Australian Federal Police. Sherene has been involved in intercultural dialogue since 2001 and is passionate about building bridges with the wider community. In December 2007, Sherene was selected by The Age newspaper as one of Melbourne’s 100 Most Influential people. In 2016, Sherene was selected as ‘Muslim Woman of the Year’ at the Australian Muslim Achievement Awards (AMAA).In January 2018, Sherene was awarded a Medal of the Order of Australia (OAM). Sherene has worked closely with educators to align IMA’s education programs to the National and Victorian Curriculum. She is often called upon to conduct incursions at schools for student audiences as well as professional development for teachers across Victoria and other states.

Jasbir Singh Suropada

Chairperson of the Sikh Interfaith Council of Victoria

Jasbir Singh Suropada is Chairperson of the Sikh Interfaith Council of Victoria. He is also a member of the Multifaith Advisory Group; Spiritual Health Association; Faith Communities Council of Victoria; Victoria Police Multi-Faith Council; Victorian Council of Churches Emergencies Ministry; Casey, Cardinia and Dandenong Interfaith Network; and the Victorian Sikh Gurduaras Council. Jasbir is Founding Director of the Sikh Australian Support for Family Violence Inc.

Hōjun Futen, Senior Chaplain

Health & Prison Spiritual Care Coordinator,Buddhist Council of Victoria

Hōjun has been a Buddhist monk for over 10 years and is the current Senior Chaplain for Prisons and Healthcare for the Buddhist Council of Victoria. He brings his years of experience as a chaplain in challenging circumstances to his presentations.

Pearl Proud

Senior Practitioner, Culturally Diverse Psychological Service

Pearl Proud has a 25-year long clinical career. She has held roles as a consulting psychologist working with clients across the life span, clinical lead, and AHPRA accredited clinical supervisor. Pearl is currently overseeing a dedicated CALD mental health program across metropolitan Perth. She has also consulted in policy and recruitment within the public service, delivered programs on mental wellbeing and diversity and inclusion to a variety of organisations. Pearl is an executive coach and mentor to professionals across a range of sectors.

Phil Peladarinos

Team Leader, Social Support Programs Aged & Primary Care Merri Health

Phil Peladarinos is the Team Leader of the Social Support Program Team at Merri Health in Melbourne’s Northern region. Phil has a background in Aged Care, Mental Health, Local Government and Tertiary Education with over 30 years experience in working with culturally diverse communities. He is passionate about continuous quality improvement, growth, development, service innovation and a holistic approach in service delivery. Phil’s strong commitment towards wellness, reablement and client-centred care underpin his professional vision, ethic, and leadership style. Phil’s team’s achievement include becoming finalists for the LASA, 2021 Excellence in Age Services Awards in recognition of their achievements and innovation in service delivery during the pandemic. In 2003, Phil received the Prime Minister’s Award for the successful partnership between the Mental Illness Fellowship and Telstra in providing employment opportunities for young people experiencing mental health issues.

Uncle Shane Charles

Cultural Integrity Lead, Initiatives of Change and Co-Chair of Reconciliation Victoria

Born and bred in Shepparton, Victoria, Shane Charles has worked in the education, justice and cultural heritage sectors, most recently with the City of Melbourne. Shane co-chairs the Aboriginal Studies and Indigenous Strategies Committee at La Trobe University. He’s known for his work in cultural intelligence, teaching about the traditional wisdom and diversity of Australia’s First Peoples.