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Meet the team

Meet The Team

NCJWA Vic is the spirited, successful organisation it is today – thanks to our dedicated and diversely-talented Board, CEO and staff members.

Board

Lesley Ber

Lesley Ber - Treasurer

With many years in investment banking, Lesley’s expertise spans general banking, internal auditing and specialist treasury bank auditing. She’s even had the chance to work internationally on several occasions. Lesley’s interests fall in women’s issues and the advancement of girls and women in society – particularly in the domains of education and welfare.

Sally Davis

Sally Davis - Secretary

Sally is a lawyer by profession, a trained mediator and brings extensive financial services experience to the NCJWA Vic Board. She is currently the General Manager and CEO of committees that monitor codes of practice in the financial services sector. Sally is passionate about providing community assurance and committed to continuous improvement and brings these passions to her role as chair of the Governance Committee and a member of the Finance Committee.
 

Judy Hacker

Judy Hacker – President

Judy joined the Board in 2017 and is a senior marketing executive with over thirty years’ experience in management, marketing and strategic planning. She is an experienced Board member, having served on many not-for-profit boards before joining NCJWA Vic and is currently also on the board of Women’s Health Victoria. Judy led the rebranding of the organisation in 2020 which provided us with a new profile that is strong, professional and contemporary. She is a member of our Development Committee.

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Anna Serry – Vice President

Anna was previously on the Board of NCJWA Vic from 2016-2022. In addition to her role as a Board Member she served on the Governance, Development and Events Committees as well as creating our first dedicated Advocacy Committee. Anna led the development and launch of the #MakeSpaceForHer Campaign and formed the Young Circle of Women and former Next Gen group. Anna rejoins our Board in 2023 with an ongoing interest and passion for our advocacy work and an excitement about the growth across all our programs.

Helen Lewin

Helen Lewin – Board Member

Holding over 25 years’ experience in law, privacy practice and corporate compliance, Helen brings a wealth of knowledge in privacy protection and information governance issues to her role as President of NCJWA Vic. Helen was formerly a Deputy Privacy Commissioner (Victoria) and used to chair NCJWA Vic’s Governance Committee. She now chairs the Development Committee and is on the Finance Committee. She is passionate about the advancement of women and girls in the Jewish and broader communities.
 

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Suzi Finkelstein - Board Member

Suzi is an experienced Executive Advisor and Coach and has held various senior leadership roles with the Australian School of Applied Management, and Nesli (National Excellence in Schools Leadership Institute) most recently as CEO. With over twenty years of leadership development experience and working alongside Australia’s highest-achieving women, Suzi has developed a deep understanding of, and appreciation for, the challenges faced in the workforce today for women. 

 

Marlo Newton

Marlo Newton - Board Member 

Marlo has worked as a Jewish communal professional for most of her life, currently serving as head of the philanthropy team at The Alfred Foundation. Her career in philanthropy includes tenure with the Mount Scopus College Foundation, JNF and UJEB. Marlo has a Masters Degree in History and is the author of several publications. She is looking forward to supporting NCJWA Vic to model excellence in leadership and the advancement of gender equity.

Romy Grace

Romy Grace - Board Member

Romy Grace, is a qualified Solicitor, and works as Legal Counsel and most recently Investor Relations Manager, for the Maxcap Group and the Investment Impact Group. She is passionate about responsible investment. Romy’s greatest passion is her family, and she has 2 sons that she is devoted to. She is actively involved in community and industry organisations and is currently on the Advisory Board of the ACJC. She has also completed Jewish Care’s Yesod program and is a graduate of the Social Impact Fellowship from Stand Up Australia. She has completed certificates in corporate governance for directors from both the AICD and the Australian Governance Institute. 

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Keren Lewinsohn - Board Member

Keren is a Qualified Chartered Accountant and a Registered BAS Agent. Throughout her career in finance, Keren has embarked on a dynamic journey marked by diverse experiences across various facets of financial management. Her tenure in different roles has provided her with invaluable insights into finance departments, enabling her to develop a comprehensive understanding of the financial landscape. Keren is dedicated to advancing the mission of NCJWA VIC and making valuable contributions to the organisation's goals and initiatives. 

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Dr Zivit Inbar - Board Member

Zivit is an experienced board member and executive, specialising in governance, people, culture, leadership and ethical decision-making. She is the author of “The Ethical Kaleidoscope: Values, Ethics, and Corporate Governance” (with Doug Long), 2017, Routledge Publishing, UK. Zivit is passionate about empowering female entrepreneurs and leaders and actively contributes by facilitating various female leadership programs and initiatives.

Observership Program

We are pleased to be part of The Observership Program and welcome Tahlee Smorgon to the board this year. 

Staff

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Lisa Ezekiel, CEO

Lisa has a collaborative leadership style and a modern approach to stakeholder engagement which makes her highly successful at developing important partnerships and relationships. In a previous role as Head Community Relations & Fundraising at Community Security Group (CSG) she established a new donor wing and exceeded the annual appeal target 3 years running. Working at NCJWA Vic allows Lisa to combine two of her greatest passions: the Jewish community and the advancement of women.

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Naomi Feutrill, Head of Marketing

Naomi is an experienced and driven marketing lead with 10+ years experience across advertising and brand development. She is incredibly excited to now be working in the NFP sector and joining the NCJWA Vic team. She has a genuine passion for creating a world where women have all the opportunities & support to be successful in all aspects of life. Naomi is a proud Jewish Melbournian and plans to seize the opportunity to utilise her marketing skills to increase the reach and impact of the NCJWA Vic message.

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Tanya Cawthorne, Caring Mums Program Manager

Tanya is a Lamaze Certified Childbirth Educator (LCCE), doula, and Fellow of the Academy of Certified Childbirth Educators (FACCE). She founded Birthwell Birthright, offering birth and early parenting education. Passionate about evidence-based, woman-centered healthcare, Tanya is also a prolific writer on birth and early parenting topics. 

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Tammy Tisher, Caring Mums Program Officer

Tammy is a Clinical Psychologist and Family Therapist. She has worked for over 20 years in private practice with special interests in women's mental health, adjustment to parenthood and relationships, especially as they evolve with young children. She feels honoured that her clients have trusted her with their stories and she hopes to continue her journey with Caring Mums to support mothers' emotional wellbeing during their transition into parenthood.

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Pam Buchanek, Programs Administrative Assistance

Pam graduated with a Bachelor of Arts before she began her career in Human Resources in the corporate sector. During the past few years, she has gained experience within a broad range of Jewish community organisations. She feels she can bring her passion, skills and motivation to Caring Mums and NCJWA Vic working alongside an incredible dynamic team. Outside of work, she loves spending time with her inspiring and growing family.  

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Hannah Fayman, The Jam Project Coordinator

Hannah volunteered as a Mentor for the Jam Project in its pilot year in 2017. She loved it so much that she decided to return this year as a Mentor to the Mentors. She is now very excited to be coordinating the program.

When she is not coordinating the Jam Project, Hannah works as a psychologist providing support for adolescents and young adults. Hannah strongly believes in the power of women supporting women and the amazing benefits of mentorship.

Nellie Khoroshina, Golden Age Club Coordinator

Nellie Khoroshina, Connect Program Manager

Nellie has a Bachelor of Civil Engineering and a Graduate Diploma in IT. Before joining NCJWA Vic in 2004, she owned a small business and worked as a Facilitator in the Aged and Community Care sector.  She brings her vast expertise and organisational skills, together with her passion and Yiddishkite to theConnect program and GAC. Nellie provides the CALD community, Holocaust survivors and World War II veterans with social support and an important connection to the local Jewish community.

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Michele Slatem, Finance Officer

Michele was born in South Africa and immigrated to Australia in 2007. After living in Western Australia she relocated to Melbourne to give her son a stronger Jewish identity. She holds a Bachelor of Commerce degree from the University of South Africa and a certificate of bookkeeping from Pitman Institute in London. In Michele’s spare time she enjoys reading, drawing and learning new skills.

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Lisa Strunin, Office Administrator and Events Coordinator 

Lisa has nearly three decades of professional expertise spanning corporate and non-profit sectors across Australia and abroad, Lisa brings a wealth of experience to NCJWA Vic. Inspired by her passion for organisational excellence, she is dedicated to applying her robust skills in operational support to our mission.