Our leadership team
Biography
Melanie joined Justice Support Centre in March 2023 as our CEO. She has extensive experience as a CEO and director, spanning the not-for-profit, legal, corporate and banking sectors. Before joining us she was working in international development with women and girls in South Asia and Africa. Melanie's passionate belief in social justice has been a driving force in her work. She brings a positive, curious and constructive approach to leadership and has used this approach to grow and strengthen the organisations she has worked with.
Melanie Noden
Chief Executive Officer (CEO)
M Ag. (Ag Ec.) and B. Res Ec. (Hons).
Biography
Marc Haynes was appointed as the Chief Operations Officer at Justice Support Centre in July 2023. A seasoned Chartered Accountant with a wealth of experience spanning over two decades, Marc has a diverse background in higher education administration, consulting, teaching, and community service. In his current role, he plays a crucial role in guiding the organisation's operational and financial trajectory. This involves a wide range of responsibilities, from strategic planning and HR management to finance oversight, IT management, governance and compliance, contract management, and facilities supervision.
Marc Haynes
Chief Operating Officer (COO)
BSc., C.A., MPA, MSc.
Biography
Liz joined Justice Support Centre in 2024 as Principal Solicitor. Our legal service provides legal help and education to people living in South West Sydney on a broad range of legal issues including family, crime, victim services and employment. Liz has over twenty years legal experience particularly in the Community Legal Centre (CLC) sector providing access to justice for First Nations and CALD clients. She is passionate about working collaboratively and developing strategic projects to provide high-quality legal services to vulnerable clients in South West Sydney. She has a Bachelor of Arts/Law and a Masters in Sociology.
Liz Simpson
Principal Solicitor
BA/LLB Hons
Biography
Farah Assafiri joined Justice Support Centre in 2009 and manages the South West Sydney Women’s Domestic Violence Court Advocacy service, which supports women through court processes to secure an Apprehended Domestic Violence Order. Farah draws on her expertise in trauma-informed care to manage a team of Domestic and Family Violence Specialist Workers and provide needs-based support to clients. Farah has advanced degrees in legal studies and political science and also holds a Certificate in teaching community languages, and a Cert IV in government investigation.
Farah Assafiri
Manager South West Sydney WDVCAS
LL.B., Ph.D. International Arbitration
Biography
Janice Waring joined Justice Support Centre in 2018 and manages our Sydney Women’s Domestic Violence Court Advocacy Service (WDVCAS). Before this, she worked with the Family Advocacy and Support Service when it was first introduced to the Family Court. With 11 years working in the sector, she aims to ensure every client is supported to achieve the best possible outcome to suit their needs, with a focus on safety and empowerment. Janice has a Juris Doctor and has done extensive studies in mediation and negotiation, as well as psychology.
Janice Waring
Manager Sydney WDVCAS
BA Psych., M.Arts (Asian Studies), Juris Doctor
Biography
Nicole joined Justice Support Centre in August 2023 as the Manager, Domestic and Family Violence Casework Services and brings 15+ years’ of experience in not for profit organisations, within multiple roles, in particular within the scope of Domestic and Family Violence. Nicole brings to this organisation extensive management experience that will guide, mentor, and lead her team to bring social justice and change to the community. Nicole holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Social Science (Social Welfare).
Nicole Humphries
Manager Domestic and Family Violence (DFV) Casework Services
B.Soc.Sci.
Biography
Jay Luangtongplew brings extensive expertise in accounting and finance from the not-for-profit, government and private sectors. With a proven track record in financial management, reporting and assurance, he possesses a deep understanding of financial operations, budgeting, and compliance. Following his roles at KPMG and the Commonwealth Government, Jay is eager to streamline financial processes, guide strategic directions and foster excellence at JSC.
Jay Luangtongplew
Financial Controller
BEc / BAcc, GradCertBusAn, CPA
Juliane Scuteri joined JSC in July 2023, bringing over 25 years of HR experience. She excels in stakeholder management, working with boards, senior leaders, and key partners. Known for implementing HR strategies, managing payroll and talent systems, and driving change, Juliane is passionate about improving employee engagement and fostering a positive workplace culture.
Juliane Scuteri
HR Manager
Our board
Justice Support Centre is managed by an independent, volunteer management committee. The committee members come from the broader community and support the principles of social justice and equality. Their collective skills and experience are an invaluable resource to the centre.
Biography
Diana brings over 35 years’ experience as a commercial litigation lawyer and has been consistently recognised as a leading and recommended practitioner in that area in Australia. She has been a partner in commercial law firms including a founding partner of a leading corporate boutique law firm and Office Managing Partner and Practice Leader in the Sydney office of Clifford Chance, a global law firm. Throughout her career she has steered and actively contributed to social justice initiatives of the firms she has worked at. She was a Member of the NSW Law Society Diversity and Inclusion Committee for 2 years and was also a part-time member of the Australian Takeovers Panel for 6 years.
Diana Chang
President
BA LLB (Hons), GAICD
Biography
Joanna works as Senior Legal Counsel with Settlement Services International, a community organisation and social business that operates both nationally and internationally. Prior to this, Joanna was a Manager and Principal Lawyer with Justice Connect, overseeing a generalist legal practice. Joanna’s background is in not-for-profits, including extensive experience in legal and practice management roles in community legal centres. Joanna has also worked with the Australian Human Rights Commission, and has held positions on a range of human rights committees, including with the Australian Lawyers for Human Rights.
Joanna Abraham
Vice President
LLB, BSocSci, GradDipLegalPrac, GradCertMgt, LLM.
Biography
Nana works as Executive Director, Head of Business Monitoring and Controls, Financial Markets with Westpac Institutional Bank, supporting their global business. Prior to this, Nana was a Senior Manager at AMP Capital overseeing their global compliance team. Nana’s background is in risk and compliance, including extensive experience in financial crime, anti-money launder and counter terrorist financing, bribery, sanctions, regulatory compliance, corporate governance and accountability.
Nana Sylaprany
Secretary
B.Com. (Econ. & Fin.), LLB
Biography
Rakesh is the Finance Consultant of Flow Systems Pty Ltd Sydney. He started his career at Ernst & Young Chartered Accountants. He has been a Finance Director and Regional Controller of several Australian and multinational companies and a large independent not-for-profit college. Rakesh holds a Bachelor of Business in Accounting from the University of Technology Sydney. He is a member for CPA Australia, Fellow of the Institute of Public Accountants of Australia and a registered BAS agent.
Rakesh Raj
Treasurer
B.Bus, MBA, CPA, FIPA, JP
Biography
Wendy has 18 years’ experience in professional services and the public sector. She currently works for the ATO as Director of International Strategy and was a Senior Economist of ATO’s Economist Practice prior to that. Before joining the ATO, she was a Director of International Tax Advisory at KPMG. Wendy has extensive experience in leading cross-border tax structuring projects for multinational companies, policy and strategy development and implementation, economics, and teaching at universities and international tax forums. Wendy holds a Bachelor of Commerce from USYD, Master of Public Policy from Oxford University, and Juris Doctor from UNSW. She is a member of CA Australia & New Zealand and the Australian Institute of Company Directors.
Wendy Zhu
Member
B.Com. (Acct & Com Law), MPP, JD, CA, GAICD
Biography
Carmela is a Senior Lawyer in the Office of General Counsel, NDIS Quality and Safeguards Commission. Immediately prior to joining the Commission Carmela was the founder and Principal Director of CP Partnerships Legal & Consulting, a specialist legal and consulting practice. She has extensive human services experience having worked in legal and non-legal roles in government and non-government sectors. Carmela has expertise in litigation and legal policy and reform, particularly in relation to the safety and wellbeing of vulnerable children and young people.
Carmela Tassone
Member
BEd, LLB, MA
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