Our Staff

Nicky is committed to working to build a fair and inclusive community where are all people are valued and enabled to live rewarding lives. She is the CEO of Community Industry Group and has extensive experience across the community services industry. Her diverse work history also includes local government, marketing, the tertiary sector, the finance sector, and owning and running small businesses. She has extensive governance experience and is currently an Independent Non-Executive Director of Warrigal, a substantial not-for-profit specialising in the provision of services for older people and Chair of the Board of Wollongong Conservatorium of Music.

Nicky has degrees in Dementia Care, Community and Environment, Marketing, and Project Management. She is a Graduate of the Australian Institute of Company Directors and an Honorary Fellow of the University of Wollongong.

Tina has extensive Financial, Administration and Community work experience in the community services sector, within the Illawarra area.

She has Advanced Certificates in Accounting, Community Services, Counselling and Financial Counselling.

Christine has extensive experience in the aged and community sectors including roles in training, Work Health & Safety, quality systems, social housing, health promotion and injury management. She also served as Chair of the South Australian OHS Aged Care Consultative Committee for over 10 years.

Christine is an accredited and enthusiastic trainer with a wealth of practical industry knowledge.

Donna is the Policy and Project Officer at Community Industry Group and provides support for TEI providers.

Donna has extensive experience working in NGOs and NFPs in the Illawarra/Shoalhaven and Southern Highlands region. She has worked in education, child protection, housing, and homelessness and has managed programs and services.

Melissa has a background in financial services, retail, small business and office management.

With a diverse knowledge of administration principles Melissa is tasked to manage our Mental Health Brokerage Program, Membership program and Eventbrite bookings.

After a long career in the development and management of child and family services in the Illawarra, Tessa joined the Community Industry Group  in January 2014 as a Casual Project Officer to organise the “Stand Up, Stand Out” conference.

The experience was so enjoyable she has stayed on to assist Nicky and the team with further training and seminar events. As a transition to retirement activity this allows her lots of flexibility yet still utilises her experience and networks.

Judy is a qualified early childhood teacher with a Bachelor of Education in Early Childhood and she is currently completing a Masters of Educational Leadership.

For the past 35 years, Judy has been employed in positions predominately associated with the education and care of young children and their families in the early childhood education sector, and in the broader child and family service sector. Her most recent professional roles have been in the adult education sector as the coordinator of a tertiary education program and mentoring program.

Judy has also served on NGO Boards and management committees, and has a very strong commitment to social justice and building social capital within our community.

Over the past 30 years, Eliza has accrued extensive experience in childcare and family support services, actively participating in roles within Australia’s community service sector. Her contributions have spanned critical areas such as child protection, family preservation, family referral services, youth drug and alcohol rehabilitation, and mental health support.

Originally from California, Eliza’s academic achievements include a Bachelor of Arts in Sociology from Yale University, a Master of Arts in Counseling Psychology from JFK University, and an Advanced Diploma in Community Sector Management from Upskilled.

Eliza has a commitment to ensuring older people have the best access to care and support. She is well-equipped to provide support, training, and advocacy to community service organizations in the Southern Region.

Tanya is passionate about the value of community services, the brilliant people who work in the sector, and building connections that enable everyone in our community to flourish and bounce back. She is a Project and Policy Officer for the Community Industry Group and coordinates the STARS Volunteer Program – a group of dedicated volunteers supporting older people so they can access the aged care services they need.

Tanya has extensive experience in workforce development and a work history that includes retail, telecommunications, local government, mental health, aged care, and the tertiary sector. Committed to her local community, Tanya is the secretary of her local community garden and a supporter of the local men’s shed.

Tanya’s qualifications are a testament to her knowledge and expertise. She holds a degree in Adult Education and Human Resources Management from UTS and a master’s degree in Strategic Organisational Development from UNE.

As Project and Policy Officer Aboriginal Initiatives with a focus on Aboriginal communities access to services, it is Joni’s role to work with the service provider network (both Aboriginal and generalist) and with Aboriginal communities in the Illawarra, Shellharbour, Kiama and Shoalhaven LGA’s, primarily on disability and ageing policy initiatives.

Joni has a Master of Arts in Social Policy and a Master of Arts in Women’s Studies. She has a Bachelor of Arts in Philosophy and Legal Studies, has worked as a legal educator and is a qualified teacher. Joni comes to the Community Industry Group with over 15 years’ experience in federal, state and local government community services and education. In her previous 25 year teaching career Joni worked with the then Human Rights Commission to develop a teaching for human rights curriculum for primary schools and was involved in the ACT gender equity in schools strategy. In recent years Joni has worked in the policy unit of the NSW Aboriginal Education Unit, and in ADHC/FACS in ageing and disability policy, contract, planning and reform units.

Joni is passionate about community development, social capital, social justice and fairness particularly in relation to issues for women and Aboriginal people, the elderly and for people with a disability.

Katelin is a policy project officer with the Aged Care team. Her background is in journalism, communications, campaigns and advocacy. She graduated the University of Wollongong with a Bachelor of Arts (Honours), worked with the Illawarra Mercury, served as the Director of journalists’ section of the Media Entertainment and Arts Alliance (MEAA) and is a passionate community advocate.

Therese brings a wealth of experience and a deep-rooted commitment to creativity and excellence to her new role at CI Group. With a 20-year career in advertising, including global engagements with prestigious agencies like Saatchi & Saatchi, she has honed her skills in producing beautiful work that resonates with audiences across cultures and contexts.

Having grown up in the Illawarra, Therese also brings a local perspective and understanding to her work. Her enthusiasm for working with CI Group., with its focus on social justice, reflects her desire to use her talents for a purpose beyond just commercial success. Therese will bring not only her expertise but also her passion for making a positive impact to her new role.