Our people

From our Board to our committed team, meet the people behind the work we do. Together, we ensure we are effective and efficient as we strive toward creating just and sustainable change with women, children and communities. 

Meet the board

Sr Wendy Hildebrand

IBVM
Board Chair
I am a Loreto Sister and currently the Interim Board Chair of Mary Ward International. Prior to this appointment, I served as Province Leader for Australia and South East Asia from 2017 to 2023.

My ministry began in education, where I worked as a secondary teacher and Director of Boarding at various Loreto schools. After earning my Bachelor of Social Work degree from Melbourne University in 1989, I spent 17 years in frontline and senior management roles within social service organizations, directing programs that addressed the needs marginalized and disadvantaged young people and families.

I have had a long-standing association with Mary Ward International, beginning with my initial Board membership in 2015 and I remain deeply committed to its mission and enjoy being part of a committed and energised MWIA Board and staff team working in partnership with women, children and communities to create just and sustainable change.

I am particularly interested in and committed to social and ecological justice. I believe that each of us has a vital role to play in listening and responding to the cry of the earth and the cry of those forced to live in poverty.

Kelly Morrison

BEHons(Civil) (Syd), MBA (AGSM, UNSW)
Director
I was honoured to join the Board and the Audit Risk and Finance Committee of MWIA in 2018. I believe in the mission of MWIA and the work it does with communities to empower women and children through education, development initiatives, sanitation and medical care.

I have a background in engineering and finance, which I am glad to utilise in assisting MWIA and their project partners in their efforts to help improve outcomes for people living in disadvantaged communities.

I have previous board experience with Stella Maris College Manly, where I was also Chair of the Building and Resources Committee.

Mary Cook

Director
I am the Director of Advancement and Community at Kincoppal-Rose Bay School, focusing on raising funds in major gifts, bequests and annual giving for the school’s Bursary Fund and capital developments.

I have worked in fundraising and community relations for over 20 years, initially as Director of Development at Loreto Normanhurst, then at the University of Sydney and finally at Kincoppal-Rose Bay.

I have also been a member of the Victor Chang Cardiac Research Fundraising Committee, the Catholic Health Care Committee and the Joan Sutherland Richard Bonynge Foundation.

Chris Dureau

Director
I live on the traditional lands of the Wadawurrun people in Ballarat. I am an adult educator, community development worker and cross-cultural social psychologist.

I have managed international development programs in many countries in Asia, Africa and the Pacific. With a conviction that everyone has insights and gifts to enhance our collective lives, I nurture and celebrate biodiversity, gender equity and social inclusion.

I have board experience with similar international agencies to MWIA, including Jesuit Mission. I enjoy lecturing and communicating about the importance of taking a strengths-based approach in all that we do and how we live our lives.

Soulla Nicodimou

Director
A brief period as MWIA’s interim Director, Finance & Business and Company Secretary introduced me to the world of Mary Ward and I have been drawn the five core values or Freedom, Justice, Sincerity, Verity and Felicity and the work undertaken ever since.

My finance, technology and transformation background has allowed me to work in Africa, Asia, UK and New Zealand for a broad range of companies ranging from a feminist social enterprise dedicated to empowering women, start-ups government and multi-national organisations.

I am a graduate of the AICD and currently on the Board, Finance & Risk and Clinical Governance Committees of Alexandra District Health, a rural Victorian hospital.

Alzira Reis

Director
I am a parent of 3 children (2 girls and 1 boys) and have been working to advance the rights of women in children in Timor-Leste through a range of roles in local non-government organization, bilateral program, government for 19 years and just joining ChildFund Timor-Leste as a Country Director.

I also serve on the board of several other non-government organizations and government institutions in Timor-Leste to provide expertise and insight.

Being involved with MWIA is one of my ambitions to reinforce networking between international development partners in supporting women and children in Timor-Leste and the relevant target country of MWIA.

Breda Linge

Director
As a past pupil and past parent of Loreto, I am familiar with and greatly admire the work & achievements of Mary Ward and the Loreto sisters.

Professionally, I have applied my legal and commercial qualifications in a variety of industries and different businesses. I have held various volunteer roles locally and in South East Asia, both on boards and in operations.

As a Board member of MWIA, I enjoy the opportunity to contribute to the development and implementation of projects to help women and girls gain skills and tools to help them provide for themselves and their families.

Felicity Knobel

Director
I am currently Assistant Principal: Faith and Identity at Loreto College Ballarat. My background is as a Secondary teacher in which I have focused on Theology, English and History.  Continued study has involved educational leadership.

The values of Felicity, Freedom, Justice, Sincerity and Verity, the work of Mary Ward in establishing the order, the influence of Mother Gonzaga Barry here in Australia have all spoken to me and touched the very centre of what I believe in and live in my life. Working with students in the classroom and also in the Social Justice and Sustainability space, it was only natural to continue my work with Mary Ward International Australia in various roles that I have held and now as a Board Director.

Genevieve Walker

Director
Achieving gender equality and embedding the principles of diversity, equity and inclusion are at the centre of Genevieve’s passions and career journey. Genevieve is an experienced and impactful gender equality specialist, partnerships builder, project manager, and strategic thinker. Genevieve successfully partners with diverse teams, organisations, government and non-government agencies, research institutions, academics and stakeholders in Australia, Asia and the Pacific to achieve transformative outcomes in intersectional gender justice.

Our team

Kirstin Del Beato

Acting Executive Officer
With broad experience working in the not-for-profit sector, my background includes roles in international development, education and employment services programming. I joined MWIA as the Programs Manager in 2015, having worked in Loreto Education since early 2011.

My current role as the Project and Partnerships Manager sees me supporting the diverse work of MWIA’s in-country partners across nine countries to create just and sustainable change with women, children and communities.

Kaithlyn McNab

Administration Officer
I am thrilled to have joined the MWIA team in 2022, allowing me to contribute to sustainable change. After travelling the globe, living overseas, and working in the travel industry for a decade, I decided to change career trajectories to not-for-profit international development to follow my passions; to make a difference by pursuing equal opportunities for all and gender equity.

My time abroad has allowed me to experience first-hand the global diversity and injustices of the world. I am currently completing a Bachelor of International Studies at Deakin University.

Gavian Chan

Fundraising & Community Engagement Manager
I am thrilled to have joined MWIA in 2023 as Fundraising and Community Engagement Manager.

With over a decade of dedicated experience in cause-driven marketing across renowned international aid and development organisations, I am eager to leverage my skills at MWIA.

My goal is to utilise my expertise in fundraising to create a meaningful impact in the lives of people who have less around the world.
Mary Ward International Australia respectfully acknowledges all Traditional Custodians of the land and waters of Australia. We pay respect to their Elders, past and present, and young leaders of today and the future. Mary Ward International Australia commits itself to the ongoing work of reconciliation with our First Nations families and communities.
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