Our Board
Haidi Badawi - Co-Chair
BSc (Hons), DipEd, PhDcand , MEd, MAICD, DLI
Appointed to the Board in November 2024. Executive and Governance Committee member.
Haidi (she/her) is a woman from a cultural and linguistically diverse (CaLD) background with lived experience of disabilities based in Melbourne, Victoria. She is committed to furthering the human rights and the best outcomes for all people with disability across Australia and specifically Women from underrepresented groups in the spirit of “Nothing about us without us”.
Haidi, a molecular biologist by profession, possesses a Bachelor of Science degree with Honors. Furthermore, she holds a Master of Education degree in Educational Leadership and is currently a PhD candidate in Phylogenetics. In addition to these academic accomplishments, Haidi is in a dual program, pursuing a Master of Public Health and a Master of Health Administration. Her dedication to education is further exemplified by her membership in the Australian Institute of Company Directors (AICD) and the Disability Leadership Institute Australia. Moreover, Haidi’s innovative contributions to the field of science and health advances are evident through her ownership of four registered patents.
With 22 years of experience in leadership and learning, she was a PWDA Board director , convenor of strategic direction advisory group, she has been a founding member and Ambassador of WomenH2H, Chair of STEM Australia I Women economic forum and previously an active member with a number of boards and forums including ), the United Nation Australian Association (Victorian Division), and an Advisory Board member of the Gene Technology Access Centre (GTAC) affiliated with the University of Melbourne.
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.
Helena Jordan - Vice Chair
M.A. Public Policy, B.A. Arts and Global Studies
Appointed to the Board in October 2021 and reappointed in November 2024. Executive and Brenda Gabe Leadership Award Committee member.
Helena (she/her) is a public servant, currently working as a Policy Officer at the Department of Premier and Cabinet. She has experience in both not-for-profit and private sectors domestically and internationally. Her previous experiences have led her to support organisations working within areas of impact investing, consultancy, women’s financial empowerment, gender-based violence, refugee family services and affordable housing.
Alex Holland - Board Secretary
Appointed to the Board in October 2021 and reappointed in November 2024. Executive and Governance Committee member.
Alex (she/her) is a young woman living with disability in regional Victoria. Alex has had the opportunity to work in various roles and organisations, including the Centre for Workplace Leadership, the Melbourne Disability Institute, the National Disability Insurance Agency and the Specialist Disability Accommodation Alliance. Alex is currently practicing as a lawyer at the Transport Accident Commission.
Zoi Jahau - Director
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.
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.
Carly-Anne Myers OAM Director
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.
Talitha Travers - Director
Appointed to the Board in November 2023. Governance Committee Chair and Finance & Risk Committee member.
Talitha (she/her) is a queer, disabled woman living in regional Victoria. She has 10+ years of lived and professional experience in Advocacy, Family Services, NDIS, reforms and violence against women.
Talitha currently works as the Family Violence Disability Practice Leader for Centre for Non Violence. Talitha is passionate about creating awareness and capability of all workforces to understand the intersect of Family Violence and Disability, and create change at both a practice level and systemically, to reduce barriers and system gaps for women with disabilities to receive and engage in family violence services. Talitha also supported the disabled community to make submissions to the Disability Royal Commission and is driven to be part of the much needed reform for people with disabilities.
Talitha champions providing a disability lens to all contexts and spaces that she works within, primarily in the violence prevention space. She strives for a world that is inclusive and free of gender based violence so we can enjoy environments that are welcoming and safe for all women.
Talitha is a strong disability advocate that works to create spaces, challenge attitudes and barriers to empower and celebrate the disabled community, with a strong emphasis on elevating disability pride for women.
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.