FOUNDER & CHAIRPERSON

Alice is a collaborative leader who aspires to protection, promotion and attainment of human rights globally. Through her studies and experiences to date, Alice has learned that the path to human rights requires both protectors and healers – the efforts of those who will affect the right laws and policies to enable global change and the efforts of those that will enact this through the healing of communities from human rights violations.

A Bachelors of Social Work and International Law graduate, Alice is currently studying her Masters of Transitional Justice, Human Rights and Rule of Law at the Geneva Academy of International Humanitarian Law and Human Rights in Geneva, Switzerland. Alice has dedicated her professional and academic career to the humanitarian, human rights and international development arenas with a particular focus on the rights of women and children.

Adept in human rights, social research, policy development and community action - Alice is driven to grow an alliance of passionate human rights advocates that will strengthen Voices of Influence Australia’s capacity for impact and social change.

CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER

Taylah is a tenacious and fiercely vocal young lawyer. In her role as Chief Executive Officer, Taylah helps run our organisation and coordinates policy-based projects and initiatives to educate young people and advance the rights of marginalised communities. Taylah is an active member of community with a range of volunteer experience behind her.

In 2020, Taylah graduated from UOW with a Bachelors of Laws and a Bachelor of Politics, Philosophy and Economics. In 2021, Taylah was admitted as a solicitor. Taylah is actively engaged in influencing the wider legal profession. Taylah is the Vice President of NSW Young Lawyers, as well as the Chair of their Communications, Entertainment and Technology Law Committee - all while working full-time at the largest legal partnership in Australia.

Taylah is a strong voice for women’s rights, where across all of her publications and grassroots activism, she agitates for policy development and law reform that will contribute to a more safe, fair and equal world. To this tune, Taylah also sits on the Board of Women Illawarra, a not-for-profit welfare organisation run by women for women.

In all of her work, Taylah strives for both sustainability and social impact. She is committed to the protection of human rights and amplifying diverse voices.

CHIEF COMMUNITIES OFFICER

Jacinta is a fiery feminist, adventure seeker and mother nature lover who is committed to an ethos of lifelong learning. As a non-Indigenous woman, Jacinta is a committed ally to First Nations communities in Australia and abroad, passionate about decolonising global systems to drive sustainable, community-led change.

Her love for Indigenous ways of learning, social justice, community-led development and education equity has brought Jacinta to work at Tranby, Australia’s first and longest-running Aboriginal-controlled adult education organisation. Since 2016 Jacinta has also collaborated with First Nations Achuar communities of the Amazon Rainforest (Ecuador) to develop, implement and lead a community-controlled empowerment program. Selva Kuserua focuses on Amazonian social justice, Indigenous self-determination and community capacity building through the promotion of education and cultural strength.

Graduating from UTS with a BA In Communications (Social Inquiry) and International Relations strengthened Jacinta’s resolve in promoting human rights. Along her career journey, she is motivated to empower young people and vulnerable communities to become active agents of change, promoting collective leadership frameworks that awaken sustainable, inclusive and innovative solutions.

CHIEF OPERATIONS OFFICER

In her role as Chief Operations Officer, Meg is excited to use her communication and stakeholder relations skills to build a strong network of allies for Voices of Influence.

Graduating from UNSW in 2020, with a Bachelor of Social Research and Policy majoring in International Relations, Meg is interested in the formation and success of public policy. She has a passion for undertaking people-focused research and using data to promote positive social change. Meg’s main focus is on the issues of Climate Change and Climate Justice, with a personal interest in sustainable and low-waste living.

Meg volunteers with climate activist organisations and brings with her a wealth of knowledge relating to grassroots campaigning. Meg is also a supporter of harm-reduction drug policy, always promoting a “people first” approach. She has worked with organisations to promote the use of pill testing, decriminalisation and an end to the “war on drugs”.

Meg is particularly interested in empowering young individuals with the knowledge and know-how of campaigning, to empower them to push for change. In the future, she hopes to assist and even lead campaigns that will result in policy change and have a lasting impact on her community.

NON-EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR

Zoe is a public servant, passionate youth advocate and dedicated volunteer with a diverse professional, academic and volunteering background. Zoe is a Bachelor of Justice (Honours) graduate whose thesis focused on far-right extremism and its link to social media and mainstream politicians. In addition, Zoe also holds undergraduate degrees in Justice (Criminology and Policing) and Behavioural Science (Psychology).

Zoe has a passion for young people and human rights, with a particular focus on human trafficking, modern slavery and exploitation. A strong advocate for education and awareness being the first step to change and prevention, Zoe is passionate about raising awareness and educating the masses on human trafficking, modern slavery and exploitation in Australia. She is very excited to be furthering this passion in her role as the Human Trafficking and Modern Slavery Chair with Voices of Influence Australia.

In addition, Zoe is also a strong advocate for young people, currently sitting on numerous youth advisory councils including with Bravehearts, Wear It Purple and the U.S. Consul General Sydney. She hopes to continue to advocate for young people and believe that a youth voice should be heard in all levels of decision-making to ensure that we are working towards a future that is guided by the voices of those who will inherit it.

NON-EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR

Sarah is a strong defender of human rights, and has continuously worked towards supporting and empowering vulnerable communities to safeguard and reclaim their rights in the face of injustice.

As someone who was always passionate about human rights and social justice from a young age, Sarah is committed to ensuring young people are at the forefront of change. She believes ever young person should be given the opportunity to equally and meaningfully participate in advocating for a better future.

As a Non-Executive Director, Sarah’s aim is to elevate the voices of young people and ensure they have every opportunity contribute as active and equal agents of change. She is also committed to raising greater awareness on key issues affecting the safety and security of young people both in Australia and abroad.

NON-EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR/LEGAL AND POLITICAL AFFAIRS DIRECTOR

Niamh strongly believes that youth deserve to have their voice heard and importantly, that their voices should have an influential impact. Niamh's extensive work with UN Youth NSW helped instill her strongly-held belief that youth have the right ideas, empathy and perseverance to bring about much needed structural change.

Niamh holds a Bachelors in International and Global Studies with a double Major in Government and International Relations and Political Economy from the University of Sydney. She is currently studying there again for a Masters in International Law. Niamh has worked within Commonwealth Departments since 2019 and has recently commenced a Graduate program with the Australian Trade and Investment Commission.

In 2021, Niamh was selected to be a Scholar with Global Voices, where she represented Australia as a Delegate for the Youth20 Working Group of the G20 and has since published a policy paper. She also undertook a fellowship with Young Australians in International Affairs, during which time she focused her work on a variety of topics relating to Europe and Eurasia. Niamh has written about the concepts of smart diplomacy and exploring international gender equality and empowerment.

NON-EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR

Kelly is a community-focused, diligent, and multi-faceted feminist, with a background in social justice, journalism, and media. Kelly works for Danjoo Koorliny Walking Together – a bold, long-term, large-scale, Aboriginal-led systems change project, which seeks to bring Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal individuals and organisations together, to co-create a future that centre First Nations knowlede, wisdom and care for country.

With a background in community news with The Fremantle Herald and Perth Voices Newspapers, Kelly’s portfolio of published articles documents housing and homelessness, women’s rights and where these intersect with the experiences of First Nations Australians. Kelly is a co-host on the IndyMedia Radio Show for RTRFM - which elevates on social justice news stories and documents the grassroots activism.

Kelly is unwavering in her determination to use her skills in research and writing, to seek out injustice and elevate the voices of people with lived experience, to drive social awareness and political action. Prior to her work in community news, Kelly was based in London, working in communications and fundraiser engagement with the girl-centred charity organisation, Plan International.

A strong advocate for the power of grassroots advocacy and community outreach, Kelly values the incredible potential for young people to be leaders and changemakers. She is striving for a future where she can use her creativity, research, writing and advocacy to empower young people to realise their capability to shape their global futures.