Our board are passionate and committed individuals from different cultural and professional backgrounds determined to put a full stop to sexual, domestic and family violence.
Our board
The board of Full Stop Australia seeks to build a collective sense of purpose and direction to enable our organisation to identify and meet its philosophy, goals and priorities.
In doing this the board draws on the diversity of the community it serves and seeks members who have the skills needed to provide effective governance.
Members of the current board are passionate and committed individuals from different cultural and professional backgrounds.
Chair: Georgina Smart
Georgina (George) has a background in early childhood, finance/accounting, workplace planning and operations management. Currently employed at the Womens and Girls Emergency Centre as their Quality and Operations Manager, George is really passionate about creating effective systems for efficient, relatable, compliant and relevant NGO governance. As a board member of Full Stop Australia since 2019, George has seen significant organisational change and is very excited about what lies ahead for Full Stop Australia.
Board member: Charity Danquah
Charity Danquah is senior project officer at the NSW Department of Communities and Justice. Charity has worked in diverse roles providing advisory, training and policy analysis in the areas of domestic and family violence, sexual assault, and sexual misconduct. Charity has worked in caseworker roles supporting immigrant and refugee women experiencing domestic and family violence.
Charity also has extensive experience within the trade union movement organising and advocating on behalf of a variety of workers in the private and public sectors.
Charity has an Arts/Science degree from UNSW.
Board member: Carol Gutierrez
Carol Gutierrez is a registered Psychologist, living and working on Gundungurra country. Carol has 20 years experience working in the trauma space in government & non-government roles such as child protection caseworker, placement & carer assessor, therapeutic group facilitator, training facilitator & consultant. Carol also worked at Full Stop Foundation (previously known as RDVSA) from 2011-2017 in various roles, starting as a telephone & online counsellor and completing her time there as the Training Manager, where she was developing & delivering programs, & presenting at conferences around Australia on behalf of the organisation.
Carol currently works in private practice in Bowral NSW, offering a tailored service to groups & individuals which guides people through their concerns using a trauma specialist and evidence-based approach.
Carol is passionate about advocating for people impacted by trauma, as well as educating & supporting professionals who work in the trauma field. Carol brings a lens from a regional perspective & hopes to increase specialist support & services to areas outside of the major cities.
Board Member: Yatungka Gordon
Executive Officer – Breaking Silent Codes
Yatungka Gordon is a Goreng Goreng Kabi Kabi Munanjali woman, with a background in education and human services. She holds a Bachelor of Education, Post Graduate Degree in Human Services and Advanced Diploma in Trauma Specialist Counselling. Yatungka has an extensive history working in the trauma sector and is the current Executive Officer of the national campaign – Breaking Silent Codes (a campaign across Australia and the Pacific against sexual abuse and domestic violence for First Nations women).
Board Member: Kowana Welsh
Senior Project Manager – WAGEC
Kowana is a proud Dharawal, Gumbaynggirr and Gamilaroi women. She has grown up in and is an active member of the Redfern and Waterloo communities, she is a mother of 5 and victim-survivor of domestic violence. Kowana currently works in the primary prevention of gender-based violence. Kowana is a co-founder of Breaking Silent Codes (a campaign across Australia and the Pacific against sexual abuse and domestic violence for First Nations women), a member of the Domestic Violence NSW Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Steering Committee and is a Voices for Change Advocate. Kowana has delivered primary prevention and domestic and family violence education across NSW and has an Early childhood education background and is passionate about gender justice for First Nations women and girls.
Board member: Jo Scard
Jo Scard is the founder and CEO of Fifty Acres, Australia's leading impact communications and engagement agency. With over 25 years of experience, Jo has built a reputation for delivering intelligent and impactful strategies, campaigns, and creative solutions for clients across purpose and impact companies, NGOs, social enterprises, industry associations, not-for-profits, and government.
Jo's passion for innovation stems from her background as a political adviser and journalist, working in the UK and Australia with various media outlets, political parties, and government agencies. She also holds a Masters in Creative Writing from the University of Hull, and has a Certificate in Nutrition from the Institute for Integrative Nutrition in New York. Jo is an award-winning entrepreneur, a co-author of a bestselling book, and a board member of several organisations that support women, justice, and sports.