Our People
Our Board
David Brine
Chair
David (he/him) has worked in professional services and as a consultant working on large business change programs, providing people-centred thinking to initiatives. David’s experience has spanned many industries and most recently within financial services at CBA and ASX. David was previously the Chief Operating Officer for the Technology division, Australia & NZ at the consulting business Accenture. David has been a Board member since 2019.
Frank Costigan
Board
Frank (he/him) is Managing Director of SafetyCulture Care, and formerly the CEO at QBE Insurance, based in Sydney. Prior to this, Frank held senior positions with Youi, Berkshire Hathaway and IAG Limited. Frank’s care started with Deloitte before moving into investment banking with UBS. Frank and his partner live in Paddington and have twin boys.
Sophia Frentz
Board
Dr Sophia Frentz (they/them) is originally from Tauranga New Zealand. They are currently a Senior Data Consultant at Eliiza, and a Councillor for the Royal Society of Victoria. They have a PhD in Medical Genetics from the University of Melbourne and have written for a range of publications. They are non-binary, bisexual, autistic, and disabled, and passionate about improving how we understand and describe gender, especially in a medical setting. They live and work on the unceded lands of the Kulin Nation. Sophia is really excited to build connections to the STEMM LGBTQIA+ community for OFA.
Rachel Mead
Board
Rachel (she/her) is People Lead Group Transformation Accelerators at Woolworths Group, working with brands such as Metro and Milkrun to develop and deliver on their people and culture strategies. Formerly Head of Diversity and Inclusion at Woolworths Group, Rachel’s contribution to progressing LGBTQ+ inclusion was recognised in 2020 when she was named one of the Outstanding 50 LGBTI+ Leaders by Deloitte. Rachel is passionate about creating a culture of inclusion and belonging, where people feel valued. She believes you can only unlock the value of diversity by fostering an environment where people are free to be themselves, have equitable access to opportunities and can contribute their best.
Harriet Cameron-Whyte
Board
Harriet (she/her) is an Executive Director with the NSW Government. Across several roles, she has worked with government agencies, political leaders and communities to improve the lives of all NSW residents. Harriet holds a Masters of Public Policy & Governance from UNSW and a Bachelor of International & Global Studies from the University of Sydney. She is also a board member of Women's Community Shelters, and cares deeply about contributing to a world where inclusion, dignity and safety in all its forms is secured for the vulnerable. Harriet lives in Newcastle, NSW with her wife and dog.
Maddison Harrington
Maddison (she/her) is an accomplished employment lawyer at Gilchrist Connell in Melbourne, with a strong background in governance. Maddison has spent over four years as the Head of Legal and Governance for Out for Australia (OFA) prior to her appointment to the Board. Maddison brings extensive expertise in promoting workplace equality to OFA's Board.
Beyond her role with OFA, Maddison wears multiple hats in the legal and LGBTIQ+ communities. She proudly serves as the Vice President of the Melbourne Argonauts, Australia's pioneering LGBTIQ+ rowing club, and holds a key position as an Executive Committee Member of Victorian Women Lawyers, the leading organisation for women lawyers in Victoria.
Ken Terado
Board
Board
Ken (he/him) is a Senior Associate in the Disputes team at Herbert Smith Freehills in Sydney. Prior to that, he was a lawyer at Clifford Chance in London and Clayton Utz in Sydney. Before relocating to London in 2019, he was involved with Out For Australia as the Chief Operating Officer and Company Secretary, having been involved since its founding as ‘Out for Sydney’ in 2013. While Ken’s practice is primarily focused on commercial litigation, he also has experience advising charities on their corporate governance and charity law obligations (both in Australia and the United Kingdom).
Senior Leadership
Lisa Harvey-Smith
CEO
Lisa (she/her) is a renowned academic and a passionate advocate for equity, diversity, and inclusion. She served as the Australian Government’s inaugural Women in STEM Ambassador from 2018-2024 and has advised governments and businesses on the role of equity and inclusion in national workforce development. Lisa is a Professor of Practice at UNSW Sydney and brings with her a wealth of experience and an unwavering commitment to empowering LGBTQIA+ young people.
Jack Schmidt
Chief Financial Officer
Jack is the CFO of Out for Australia, bringing experience across financial management, corporate governance, and strategic leadership. As a qualified FCPA and senior finance leader, Jack is passionate about driving financial sustainability and supporting organisations through transformative change. With a commitment to empowering the community, Jack combines professional expertise with a deep understanding of the NFP sector to ensure Out for Australia achieves its mission and long-term goals.
Polly Parker
Chief Marketing Officer
Polly (she/her) is a passionate advocate for equality, diversity, and championing the rights of marginalised communities. Focusing on LGBTQIA+ recognition in the workplace, she’s influenced diversity initiatives and established support structures for neurodivergent individuals. Combining strategic marketing expertise with driving positive change, Polly brings a results-driven approach to Out For Australia, aiming to use her skills in brand building, communications, and event management to advance the organisation's marketing objectives.
Shalimar Abago
Co-Chief People Officer
Shalimar (he/him) is a highly strategic and people-centric People and Culture leader with a wealth of experience in fostering high-performing cultures across a diverse range of sectors throughout his career. He currently serves as the National Manager - People and Culture at a high-performing not-for-profit organization in Australia, where he plays a pivotal role in shaping and driving organizational success. He actively seeks opportunities to share his knowledge and expertise, helping to nurture the next generation of leaders and professionals. His approach combines a deep understanding of human dynamics with a commitment to organizational excellence.
State Directors
Vacant - Apply Here
ACT
Kavita Kerwar
NSW
Vacant
NT
Jaxon Anderson
QLD
SA
Vacant - Apply Here
TAS
Tiffany James
VIC
Dan Petkov
WA
James Childs
National Directors
30 Under 30
Mitchell Bulley
Data
Marcus Cai
Governance, Risk and Administration
Maddy
Learning & Development
Nicole Hillyard
Mentoring
Pip Sealy
Partnerships
Cameron Howlett
Coordinators and Support
Grants Coordinator
Gabriel Filer
General Volunteers