The Lady Musgrave Trust 18th Annual Forum on Women and Homelessness
Stronger Together or Smarter Apart
Collaboration, competition and the choices that shape our sector
- Thursday, 6 August, 9am-4pm
- Room Three Sixty QUT Gardens Point Campus
The Lady Musgrave Trust 18th Annual Forum on Women and Homelessness
Stronger together or smarter apart
Collaboration, Competition and the Choices that Shape Our Sector
- Thursday, 6 August, 9am-4pm
- Room Three Sixty, QUT Gardens Point Campus
Dr Ingrid Burkett
Co-Director, The Good Shift
Dr Ingrid Burkett works with communities, governments, industry and systems innovation collectives to grow the capabilities, conditions and infrastructure needed to support better futures for people, places and the planet.
Ingrid is the Co-Director of The Good Shift, a women-led for-purpose enterprise supporting systems innovation work that contributes to green and just futures. Until November 2024, she was Professor and Director of the Griffith Centre for Systems Innovation at Griffith Business School, where she led work focused on accelerating transitions to regenerative and distributive futures. She remains an Adjunct Professor with Griffith Business School.
With qualifications in design, social work, economics and business, Ingrid has worked across Australia and internationally on complex challenges including place-based inequity, social procurement, impact finance, impact investment and local economic development. She has built five social businesses, contributed to policy and practice models across a range of sectors, and led the design of major place-based initiatives, including GROW, the Geelong Regional Opportunities for Work initiative.
Aimee McVeigh
Chief Executive Officer, QCOSS
Aimee McVeigh is a strong champion for equality, opportunity and wellbeing for all Queenslanders. A CEO, community lawyer and human rights advocate, Aimee led the successful campaign for a Human Rights Act for Queensland.
Aimee has qualifications in communications and law, including a Master of Laws in International and Public Law from the University of Melbourne. Her legal work has focused on human rights and discrimination, guardianship, estate planning, child protection, and domestic and family violence.
Before becoming Chief Executive Officer at QCOSS, Aimee held senior and advisory roles with organisations including the Disability Royal Commission, Disability Law Queensland and the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Women’s Legal and Advocacy Service. She has also worked with a range of non-profit organisations across child protection, domestic and family violence, family and relationship services, and disability services.
Aimee was a state finalist in the 2017 Australian of the Year Awards and a finalist for the 2019 Australian Human Rights Commission Human Rights Medal.
Amanda Park
Team Leader, Safer Lives Mobile Service
Amanda Park has more than 10 years’ experience working alongside vulnerable women, children, youth and individuals. She is committed to breaking the cycle of intergenerational violence through providing safety, stability and long-term housing outcomes for those facing complex challenges.
As Team Leader of the Safer Lives Mobile Service and the pilot program Brisbane DFV Housing Connectors, Amanda leads innovative, participant-led responses to support people experiencing domestic and family violence (DFV) and housing insecurity.
Amanda has a strong understanding of the intersection between gendered violence and homelessness, particularly the barriers women face when seeking safe and sustainable housing. Her leadership focuses on building collaborative partnerships across the housing, homelessness and DFV sectors to create integrated pathways that support individuals and families to rebuild their lives.
Amanda is passionate about trauma-informed practice, early intervention and system reform that addresses the root causes of homelessness and housing instability. She is dedicated to advocating for practical solutions that enhance service accessibility and improve outcomes for women, children and families at risk.
Caitlyn Wheatley
Youth Ambassador
Drawing on both her lived and professional experience, Caitlyn Wheatley advocates for improved outcomes for young people experiencing homelessness and related challenges.
She is a former resident of the Logan Youth Foyer, a Youth Ambassador with the Foyer Foundation, and previously worked as a youth worker.
Caitlyn is committed to using her experience to influence positive change and help shape a better future for young people.
Dr Ellenah Mackie
General Manager, Sector Services, Department of Housing and Public Works
Dr Ellenah Mackie is an accomplished executive leader recognised for advancing social and economic outcomes through reform, innovation and strategic leadership.
Currently serving as General Manager, Sector Services at the Department of Housing and Public Works, Ellenah has extensive senior leadership experience across government. She has led major projects, shaped policy and driven reform across complex systems, and is the founder of the Women in Government Network.
Ellenah holds qualifications in behavioural science, arts and education, a Master of Business and a PhD in social and economic policy.
Fabian Webber
Program Development Manager, Roseberry Queensland Community Lead, Central Queensland Zero Initiative
Fabian Webber is a community-sector leader focused on driving systemic change across housing, health and homelessness in Central Queensland.
As Program Development Manager at Roseberry Queensland and Community Lead for the Central Queensland Zero Initiative, Fabian champions data-driven, person-centred approaches to ending homelessness, combining Advance to Zero methodology with strong place-based collaboration.
He also serves as Chair of the Central Queensland Housing & Homelessness Alliance, working with local councils, health services, and government partners to strengthen coordination, influence policy and expand regional housing solutions.
Fabian brings extensive frontline and operational experience, including leading the ongoing operation of Jack’s House youth shelter, a crisis and transitional accommodation service for young people experiencing homelessness. His work combines on-the-ground insight and strategic leadership with a focus on lived experience, cross-sector innovation and better systems for safer, more connected communities.
Kirby Cook
General Manager Frontline Services, Department of Housing and Public Works
Kirby Cook is an accomplished executive leader with more than 15 years’ experience spanning government, private and not-for-profit settings, including senior leadership roles with Australia Zoo and Logan City Council.
As General Manager Frontline Services at the Department of Housing and Public Works, Kirby leads a workforce of more than 900 staff operating across 21 Housing Service Centres and multiple housing hubs statewide, including Queensland’s homelessness outreach response.
Kirby has significant experience working in large and complex organisations, guiding dispersed teams through reform and service improvement. She sets the strategic direction for frontline housing service delivery, ensuring organisational priorities align with customer needs and expectations. Her leadership is informed by customer research and frontline insights, enabling evidence-based decision making and continuous service improvement.
Kirby led the delivery of the Queensland Government’s Strengthening Tenancy Management approach, driving improvements in tenancy sustainment, early intervention and consistent service across the state.
Having grown up in regional and remote communities across North and Far North Queensland, Kirby brings a strong commitment to regional and rural affairs. Her upbringing and early career in journalism and public relations shaped her focus on communication, community engagement and social impact. She is currently continuing her studies in criminology.
Madeleine Belfrage
Senior Consultant, ARTD Consultants
Madeleine Belfrage has worked in evaluation, policy and strategy in Australia and Mexico, and across sectors including housing, reproductive health, human rights, social services and refugee settlement.
Currently, she is a senior consultant at ARTD Consultants and a Visiting Fellow at the Sydney Social Sciences and Humanities Advanced Research Centre at the University of Sydney. She is also working on a three-year evaluation of The Lady Musgrave Trust’s housing and support programs across Brisbane, Logan and Ipswich.
Her book on Mexican feminist abortion care is scheduled for release this year.
Maria Leebeek
Chief Executive Officer, Gold Coast Youth Service
Maria Leebeek focuses on leading impactful initiatives in the non-profit sector. With over six years of experience as Chief Executive Officer at Gold Coast Youth Service, she is driven by a commitment to community development, fostering effective collaborations, and enhancing service delivery for youth and vulnerable populations.
Maria’s expertise has been developed over 30 years in non-profits, community engagement, and community development. With a strong emphasis on collaborative planning and policy analysis, she works with diverse stakeholders to address systemic challenges and create sustainable solutions.
Maria is dedicated to advancing the role of non-profits in delivering meaningful change and fostering innovative partnerships.
Matthew Cox
Executive Director, The Bryan Foundation
Matthew Cox leads and supports a range of projects, initiatives and committees focused on social and economic development in Australian communities.
Matthew is the Executive Director of The Bryan Foundation, a Queensland-based philanthropic foundation dedicated to improving opportunities for children and families. He is also the Co-Chair of the Early Years Partnership in WA, a member of the Commonwealth Government’s Economic Inclusion Advisory Committee, a member of the Executive for the Investment Dialogue for Australia’s Children (IDAC), and a Director of blue-collar mental health charity, This is A Conversation Starter Ltd (TIACS).
Matthew was the founding Executive Director at Logan Together, and before that, led Red Cross’s human services program in Queensland.
Rebecca Hinton
Practice Lead, QShelter
Rebecca Hinton has more than 10 years’ experience in the mental health sector, with a strong understanding of the intersections between housing, homelessness and wellbeing.
She is Practice Lead at Q Shelter, the peak body for the housing and homelessness sector in Queensland. Working as part of the Service Integration initiative, she supports organisations to provide integrated systems responses for people experiencing homelessness.
Sara Parrott
Chief Executive Officer, Hand Heart Pocket
Sara Parrott has more than 30 years of experience in social and environmental impact, stakeholder engagement, and strategic communications. She is known for bringing a systems perspective to complex challenges and building partnerships that align diverse stakeholders around shared outcomes.
Sara is the Chief Executive Officer of the independent philanthropic foundation Hand Heart Pocket, a member of the Investment Committee of the NAB Foundation Impact Investment Fund, and Co-Chair of the FoyerInvest Working Group in Queensland.
Sara has also held senior executive roles in sustainability, corporate affairs and marketing across the banking, insurance, mining, early childhood, and international development sectors, working with ASX-listed companies as well as community sector organisations.
Tamika Bennett
Youth Worker, Youth Advocacy Centre
Tamika Bennett is a young person with lived experience of the housing system. This has given her an understanding of the challenges faced by young people and families when accessing housing, and the places where support is needed.
Tamika is now working in the sector as a Youth Worker with the Youth Advocacy Centre. She is passionate about sharing her experiences and helping families and young people to be heard, supported and presented with real opportunities for change.
Victoria Parker
Chief Executive Officer, The Lady Musgrave Trust
Before joining The Lady Musgrave Trust, Victoria led her own consultancy focused on social impact and community engagement, particularly in community, family and housing projects. She played a key role in Logan Together, one of Australia’s largest child and family development initiatives.
Victoria’s diverse background includes founding and selling two successful businesses and working across various sectors, from mining to fashion. Her national recognition includes multiple awards for her impactful work.
Known for her creative enthusiasm and strategic partnerships, Victoria brings for-profit expertise into the non-profit realm. As CEO of The Lady Musgrave Trust, she sees this role as a dream opportunity to combat homelessness among young Queensland women and their children, facilitating safe and fulfilling lives.
Willow Lees
Youth Specialist, Fearless Towards Success and Youth Ambassador, Hand Heart Pocket Youth Ambassadors Program
Combining professional practice with lived experience, Willow Lees is passionate about advocating for young people in the child protection and youth justice systems.
She is a Youth Specialist at Fearless Towards Success, an organisation focused on the needs of young people who’ve been in youth detention, and a Youth Ambassador with the Hand Heart Pocket Youth Ambassadors Program through the Youth Advocacy Centre.
Willow believes every young person deserves the opportunity to thrive when given the right support.
