Our Board
Marlena Raymond - Co-Chair
Admitted to practice (2020), Juris Doctor (2018), Bachelor of Arts (2012)
Appointed to the Board in November 2022. Governance and Executive Committee member. Appointed as Co-Chair from March 2023.
Marlena’s (she/her) professional experience includes disability research at The University of Melbourne and Office for the Public Advocate, legal practice in mental health and disability law at Victoria Legal Aid, and diversity and inclusion strategic policy for the Victorian Government.
Marlena is passionate about dignity and respect for all people, in all areas of life, all of the time.
Zoi Jahau - Vice Chair
Bachelor of Arts
Appointed to the Board in November 2024. Governance and Finance & Risk Committee member.
Zoi Jahau (she/they) is a queer, multicultural person with disabilities living in Victoria. They bring a unique and intersectional perspective to their work as the Senior Advisor for Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion at Melba Support Services, a disability support organisation committed to upholding the rights and dignity of people with disabilities. Zoi’s role focuses on embedding human rights principles into organisational practices, ensuring a more equitable and inclusive approach to disability support.
Zoi is passionate about social justice, their lived experience as a person navigating multiple identities fuels their drive to challenge inequities and foster understanding.
With a diverse career background that includes events, marketing, project management, and user experience design, Zoi is adept at blending creativity with strategic thinking. These skills enable them to approach challenges holistically and develop innovative solutions that empower others.
Carly-Anne Myers OAM - Secretary
Appointed to the Board in November 2024. Governance and Finance & Risk Committee member.
Carly Myers has 23 years of experience working in the disability and women’s health sector. Carly is currently the Gender and Disability Advisor at Women’s Health Grampians. She contributes to the development and delivery of projects that seek to address the gendered and ableist drivers of violence against women with disabilities. As well as greater access to sexual and reproductive healthcare for women with disabilities.
As a passionate gender and disability practitioner, Carly uses her lived experience of disability to advocate for the voices of women with disabilities to be prioritised when decisions are being made on issues directly affecting them. She sees this as fundamental to respecting their human rights.
Carly has successfully developed local and regional partnerships within women’s health organisations, local government, disability organisations and the community sector.
She has a breadth of experience in project delivery of co-designed inclusive and accessible resources, training materials, community engagement events and campaigns focusing on the prevention of violence against women with disabilities, sexual and reproductive health and advocating for inclusive and accessible health services for women with disabilities.
Carly has more than 23 years of experience volunteering on boards and committees in the not-for-profit sector, honing her extensive skills in Governance and Funding. Carly is a member of the Victorian Government, Our Equal State Reference Group.
In 2024, Carly was appointed the Order of Australia Medal in community service for her volunteer work and disability advocacy.
Sam Lilly - Director
Bachelor of Food Science and Nutrition, Master of Disability and Inclusion
Appointed to the Board in November 2019 and re-appointed in November 2022. Governance and Finance & Risk Committee member.
Sam (she/her) is a PhD candidate at Deakin University where she is researching the lived experience of people with intellectual disability and obesity including their access to support and autonomy. Samantha is on the Victorian Disability and Advisory Council and reports to the Minister for Disability.
Sam is passionate about understanding and learning from the lived experience of people who are underrepresented in all areas of life as well as advocating for women and girls with disability in sports settings.
Sarah Waters - Director
Master of Advanced Social Work; Bachelor of Social Work; Bachelor of Arts; Advanced Diploma Yoga Teacher Training
Appointed to the Board in November 2024. Governance and Finance & Risk Committee member.
Sarah (she/her) brings over 25 years of experience as a social worker in the not for profit sector in clinical, management and senior management roles. Sarah has worked in advocacy, project management, policy development and clinical leadership roles, embracing and enacting feminist, social justice and trauma informed principles.
Sarah currently works as a Clinical Lead at the South East Centre for Sexual Assault and Family Violence. She lives on Bunurong land and is inspired by nature, sustained by family and friends and loves nothing more than to hang out with her adored Cavoodle, Eli.