Who We Are
About this page
The VYMA has two paid staff, Sarah Johnson, Executive Officer and Lauren Holst, Metropolitan Coordination Project.
Sarah brings 12 years experience in volunteer management and mentoring to the role and was involved in the establishment of the Alliance in 2005.
Lauren has a broad range of experience in community development having previously worked for Western Australia’s peak body for community arts and cultural development.
Director positions are voluntary and are elected each year by our members. The current VYMA Directors include:
Chair: Brenda Mainland
Brenda was elected to the VYMA Board of Management in November 2009. She holds a Master of Management from Monash University, and has broad experience in general and project management, as well as business development, strategy and relationship growth. Her skills will be utilised to increase awareness of the VYMA, and deliver long-term sustainable funding to enhance the services offered to members. Brenda is passionate about Youth Mentoring, believing that prevention is better than cure. She is currently mentoring a young person.
Treasurer: Chris Nairn
Chris has been a mentor since 2005. He is passionate about the impact Youth Mentoring can have, not only on the young person’s life, but also family and friends of the young person. Chris became involved with the board in November 2009 to help spread the message of Youth Mentoring and its positive effects across the community. Chris is a financial planner and in his spare time is a keen swimmer and lifelong supporter of the Melbourne Football Club.
Director: Amanda Pagan
Amanda was elected to the VYMA Board of Management in November 2010. Amanda holds a Bachelor of Economics and a Bachelor or Social Science specialising in Emergency Management. Amanda’s strategic and business planning skills will be used to develop a sustainable approach to mentoring in Victoria.
Amanda currently works for Brotherhood of St Laurence in a business planning role. She is also a mentor and is hoping to take her ‘little sister’ on many bike rides in the future.
Director: Damien Collins
Damien is a Project Manager with Hickory Developments with 20 years experience working in the construction industry around the world. He has been a mentor since 2009 and, after seeing the difference one person can make to a young person’s life, was keen to get further involved.
Damien’s goal is to encourage fellow construction workers to become involved with youth mentoring. Damien also believes in encouraging youth to consider a career in construction and promoting the rewards of an outdoor work environment. He was elected to the VYMA Board in November 2010.
Director: Gillian Goller
Gillian has more than 15 years marketing communications experience, encompassing strategic direction, relationship and team building skills, along with change culture experience. She is currently the Chair of Marketing Women Vic where she also manages their mentoring program.
Gillian has a Bachelor of Business (Marketing) and a Graduate Diploma in Direct Marketing and was elected onto the Board in November 2010.
Director: Ili Pelletier
Ili joined the VYMA Board in November 2010 adding to her life long work in the area of youth education and training. She is currently working at Holmesglen Institute as the Manager of the Higher Education Support Unit. Her work as the head of a secondary girls’ school brought her in contact with mentoring groups and helped her develop a deep understanding of the importance of the work of the VYMA.
Through her work in the area of youth education and training she has developed a passion for equity, access and support for young people from all walks of life.
Director: John Hood
John is an investment specialist, working in the superannuation industry. He has been a mentor since 2007 and believes strongly in the benefits of mentoring.
John wishes that more people were prepared to give up their time to help young people. This desire has brought John to the VYMA to help continue raise the profile of youth mentoring. John was elected to the VYMA Board in November 2010
Director: Mick Murphy
Mick Murphy has over 30 years experience working with young people. He spent many years in the education sector, both as a teacher predominantly dealing with higher risk young people and in various administrative roles.
Mick’s passion for young people’s development led him to found a number of adolescent programs which re-engaged young people with formal learning pathways and created stronger links between employers and the community. Mick has also established youth mentoring programs in schools and communities across Gippsland. He is currently the Executive Officer for the Baw Baw Latrobe LLEN and the Convener of the Gippsland Mentoring Alliance.
Director: Sue Fowler
Sue has been Executive Officer of the Marybyrnong & Moonee Valley LLEN since 2001. Sue initiated the YMAP (Youth Mentoring Assisted Pathways) Program in 2002 which has grown from a trial of one school to nine schools.
Sue has worked in youth affairs at Victoria University and as a secondary maths teacher ande has over 20 years experience working with young people. Her work as a teacher helps to inform her practices now, “I consider the professional relationships that teachers and mentors have with their students is of highest priority in delivering best practice education – providing a sense of belonging for individuals forms the basis for classroom practice which in turn leads to positive outcomes and destinations for young people.”
