WJN Board
WJN is governed and overseen by a Management Committee (The Board).
Georgina Smart (President) Georgie lives between Sydney and Summer Hill Creek, near Orange NSW. She has a background in financial and people management in a range of NFP businesses and currently works as an Quality & Operations Manager at the Women and Girls Emergency Centre, based in Redfern, NSW. Her educational qualifications range from Community Development, Child Studies, Business Administration and Professional Accounting and she holds accounting registration as a member of the Institute of Public Accountants (IPA). Georgie has held volunteer roles in a range of community sector organisations and strongly believes in community connection as the stable base we all need for success in moving forward.
Terri-Helen Gaynor (Vice President) As a senior international business leader Terri-Helen has 30 years of significant experience in providing operational management and strategic leadership in the government, corporate, NGO, B2B, B2C and B2G sectors globally and specifically in the Asia Pacific region including as a key advisor to governments and Ministers. Roles have included CEO for NGO’s; industry association’s and Asia Pacific’s number 1 communications agency. Terri-Helen is also a specialist in marketing and communications, stakeholder and community engagement, advocacy, fundraising, events, memberships and corporate partnerships to increase brand awareness and organisational reputation. Terri-Helen is extremely passionate about youth and diversity in the workplace and has worked for many years to ensure that the connection between government, community and industry is there to support the leaders of tomorrow.
Sumithira Thavapalan (Treasurer) Sumithira holds a Bachelor of Commerce (Honours) degree from the University of New South Wales and is a chartered accountant. She has extensive experience working in finance leadership roles across ASX listed companies, top four professional service firms, government and not-for-profit. She is stepping down as Treasurer of WJN, after serving 4 years in the role. She continues to bring her strong financial management skills to WJN. She is passionate about making a difference in the lives of vulnerable people.
Leigh Toomey (General Board Member) Leigh Toomey (Australia) is a human rights lawyer with 25 years of experience supporting the implementation of international and regional human rights standards in developing, conflict and post-conflict settings. She has conducted numerous factfinding and monitoring missions worldwide. Ms. Toomey has previously worked in South Sudan on a large program to strengthen the rule of law, as well as on human rights and justice programs in other African countries. Ms. Toomey provides advice to governments, civil society, national human rights institutions, UN agencies and field presences. Her expertise includes the monitoring of places of detention, fair trial standards and access to justice, building the capacity of key actors in the criminal justice system, and the rights of women and children. She has taught and provided training on international human rights law through the Queensland University of Technology and the Raoul Wallenberg Institute of Human Rights and Humanitarian Law. From 2015-2022, Ms. Toomey was a member of the UN Working Group on Arbitrary Detention, and its Chairperson in 2020. She served as a member of the Special Procedures Coordination Committee in 2019- 2021. She is qualified as a Solicitor in England and Wales and a Barrister in Australia, and is a member of several boards and committees that seek to advance the rights of women and children. Ms. Toomey holds Bachelor of Arts and Bachelor of Laws degrees from the University of Queensland, and a Master of Laws from Yale Law School which she completed as a Fulbright scholar.
Management
Gloria Larman is WJN’s Chief Executive Officer. Gloria has more than three decades experience working in the not-for-profit sector with particular focus on the criminal justice system and the impacts on women, children and families.
Gloria was previously the Chief Executive Officer of SHINE for Kids, which successfully expanded under her leadership and is now operating in four states across Australia. Gloria built up strong strategic partnerships and developed innovative research and programs, positioning SHINE for Kids as a respected service provider to children and families, and she brings that insight to WJN.
Gloria has authored papers detailing the issues faced by children whose parents receive prison sentences, and has made recommendations to government and government agencies regarding solutions to the complex issues involved. She has also presented at international conferences and seminars, as well as regularly appearing in the media.
Gloria holds a diploma in welfare, and degrees in community management and adult education, and brings her passion and commitment for the sector to WJN.
