• Nicholas Arcaro

    Nicholas Arcaro

    Director

    Joined Hope Street in 2025; Grad Dip (Occupational Health & Safety), Human rights and Psychosocial Risk Management professional.

    Role: As a Board Director and member of the Risk Management and Compliance Committee, I bring a people-centred governance lens grounded in psychological safety, psychosocial risk and inclusion. I focus on balancing compliance with care, bringing a contemporary understanding of human factors to inform decision-making, safeguard both people and organisation, and enable sustainable, values-led outcomes.

    “I believe every young person deserves a place to feel safe and call home. Through my work across risk management, wellbeing and inclusion, I’ve seen how housing insecurity shapes life outcomes, and Hope Street’s commitment to tackling both immediate need and systemic change deeply resonates with me. I’m excited and feel privileged on the Hope Street Board of Directors and as a member of the Risk Management and Compliance Committee to contribute to a more just and equitable future for young people.“ 

  • Margaret Novelin

    Margaret Novelin

    Director

    Joined Hope Street in 2025; B. Econ, MBA, Member of Chartered Accountants Australia and NZ, finance and accounting professional. 

    Role: To utilise my knowledge and experience in financial governance and to support Hope Street in meeting its long-term, strategic goals.  

    “Supporting youth homelessness is a cause close to my heart. I believe that having access to a safe accommodation and supporting environment is an important aspect for every young person to be able to achieve great things in the future. I am glad that I have got the opportunity to serve and contribute to the community through my role at Hope Street.” 

  • Neb Kocevski

    Neb Kocevski 

    Director

  • Elizabeth Young

    Elizabeth Young

    Director 

    Joined Hope Street in 2021; Significant experience in the health sector; Considerable knowledge and skills in public policy, program management, evaluation, strategic planning and advocacy 

    Role: To support the governance and strategic direction of the organisation. 

    “I have a passion for public health and prevention, and have worked across community and youth, hospital, academia, local and state governments.” 

  • Simon Jackson

    Simon Jackson

    Director 

    Joined Hope Street in 2021; BPsych(Hons), MPsychOrg; Human focussed, People, Technology and Projects professional 

    Role: To support governance and to help build on the unique strengths of the organisation through collaboration with the Board Directors and CEO. 

    “I believe all people have a right to a safe place to call home. I feel fortunate to work with an organisation that is taking an active, human-centred and innovative approach to address this goal. Through my Board Director role at Hope Street, it is a privilege to be part of the community of Hope Street management, staff, vol unteers and partners who are dedicated to supporting young people facing hardship to find a safe and supportive home.”

  • Riley Ellard 

    Riley Ellard 

    Director; Secretary

    Joined Hope Street in 2020; BA, LL.B, LL.M; Human rights, justice and social policy professional 

    Role: To support the governance of the organisation through evidence-based decision making and a focus on the needs, goals and experiences of young people. 

    “There is strong evidence that without access to safe, stable housing, young people are less able to engage with education, employment, health services and therapeutic supports. Housing is crucial to enabling young people to get their lives on track and thrive. I’m excited to be on the Board of Directors, highlighting Hope Street’s work supporting young people in times of crisis and working with them to achieve sustainable housing solutions.”

  • Anthony Goldsworthy

    Anthony Goldsworthy

    Director; Treasurer; Chair of Finance Committee

    Joined Hope Street in 2020; BComm (Finance & Accounting), Member of the Institute of Chartered Accountants Australia and New Zealand, CFO Advisory & Assurance Director

    Role: To utilise my expertise in continual improvement of financial governance and to assist the drive of sound commercial outcomes supporting the strategic direction of Hope Street.

    “Being raised in the Western Suburbs of Melbourne, the Hope Street mission to empower young people in the Western and Northern Suburbs to overcome disadvantage really resonates with me. Being able to contribute to the organisation through membership on the Board and Finance Committee is a privilege.”

  • Kat George

    Kat George

    Board Chair; Director

    Joined Hope Street in 2019; BA Arts (Media & Communications), LL.B, LL.M; Human rights and consumer policy professional

    Role: To support the governance of the organisation and help it to meet sustainable long term strategic goals.

    “I am a passionate advocate for human rights. Hope Street’s work with young people facing hardship is invaluable and inspiring. I am excited to support this work, and strive towards a future where everyone has equal opportunity, including a roof over their head.”

  • Donna Bennett

    Donna Bennett

    Chief Executive Officer

    Donna Bennett commenced her working life in youth homelessness while completing her Bachelor of Social Work (Honours), working in a young women’s refuge and a residential centre for young people in care in regional Victoria. This was the beginning of her passion and drive for a fairer system and service delivery response to young people and their children impacted by not having a safe home in which to thrive.

    Over her 40years in the sector, Donna has extensive experience as a practitioner and leader. Donna is respected for her leadership and genuine collaboration, engaging local communities to be pro-active participants of the solutions to the causes and impact of young people not having a safe home.

    Donna highly regards the strengths, compassion and drive of all stakeholders who, together with Hope Street, strive to influence social change. In addition to collaboratively creating new program models in youth homelessness and women-specific services with local communities, Donna has been leading and supporting the professional teams at Hope Street in providing its highly regarded specialist responses to youth homelessness.

    “Young people who access our services receive an individually designed wrap around response that includes immediate, short-term and long-term goals. Our approaches are centred on early intervention and prevention and focus on all aspects of each young person’s life. Young people determine and drive the achievement of their goals. I have seen hundreds of young people blossom and make significant meaningful changes in their lives.“

  • Sue Scott

    Sue Scott

    Operation Manager

    Sue commenced at Hope Street in March 2020 and has over 20 years’ experience in the homelessness sector. 

    Prior to joining Hope Street’s Program Leadership team, Sue held a variety of positions within SalvoCare Eastern including Case Manager, Team Leader and Acting Manager at Gateways crisis refuge. Sue has an extensive history working in the health and community services sector, particularly in the areas of disability, homelessness and youth.

    Sue has a strong interest in youth homelessness and played a key role in developing various programs and best-practice manuals for young people within the homelessness system. She has authored publications in Parity and presented at various sector conferences including the Victorian Homelessness Conference, Melbourne Chamber of Commerce, and the Centre for Excellence in Child and Family Welfare.

  • Trish O’Donohue

    Trish O’Donohue

    Capacity Building Operations Consultant and Reconciliation Action Plan Lead

    Trish’s main project is the Innovate Reconciliation Action Plan, with a two-year timeframe to implement the commitments laid out in the RAP. Trish has also undertaken Program Evaluations and Client Feedback, as part of Hope Street’s commitment to continuous improvement. Trish currently lives on Gimuy Wuluburra Yidingi Country/Cairns working remotely with trips to Melbourne to join her colleagues.

    Following a long and distinguished career, across homelessness and family violence services over thirty years, Trish established her boutique consultancy, Trish O’Donohue and Associates, providing support to female leaders across both sectors. Enabling leaders to take well deserved holidays, knowing their services were in great hands, filling in Executive Leadership positions during recruitment campaigns, leading accreditation reviews and managing projects, when ELT’s needed extra support.

    Trish has won many awards in her career, and last year, Trish was one of 50 National recipients of the Elsie, award. Named after Australia’s first women’s refuge, Elsie’s established in Glebe, 1974. The recipients were drawn from a large contingent of women who made a significant contribution to keeping women and children safe.

  • Rachel Evans

    Rachel Evans

    Business Development and Partnerships Manager  

    With more than 20 years experience spanning the Not For Profit, Local and State Government sectors, Rachel has focused on partnerships and collaboration with equitable outcomes, supporting marginalised communities to overcome barriers, participate fully in community and for individuals to achieve their goals and aspirations. Following her social policy studies, Rachel’s professional journey began in commercial business development across the UK at Data Connectivity, however she transitioned into the not for profit, and public service, applying her commercial acumen to addressing complex social and community challenges.

    Throughout her career, Rachel has led and influenced major initiatives across community development, social policy, grant management, and strategic planning within health and human services, volunteering and community sport and recreation sectors, and has been recognised through numerous Victorian Government awards. With an established extensive network spanning government, community services, academia, and corporate partners, her ability to bring diverse stakeholders together has resulted in successful funding outcomes, innovative partnership models, and programs that deliver measurable social impact.

    Rachel brings a deep understanding of homelessness, informed by years of working alongside organisations supporting vulnerable communities and advocating for equitable investment in prevention, early intervention, and long-term solutions. Through her work with Reclink Australia, and place-based programs, she has developed a holistic understanding of the drivers of homelessness, including family violence, disability, and mental ill-health, prevention of which is her passion.

  • Shola Kanu

    Shola Kanu

    Finance and Capital Assets Manager

    Shola is an accomplished finance executive with more than 10 years of senior leadership experience across the not-for-profit, community services and professional services sectors.

    As Finance & Capital Asset Manager at Hope Street Youth and Family Services, she leads the organisation’s financial management, capital asset stewardship, governance, compliance and strategic planning functions, supporting the delivery of services that empower young people and families experiencing disadvantage.

    Prior to joining Hope Street, Shola held senior finance leadership roles with several mission-driven organisations. Throughout her career, she has partnered closely with Boards, Chief Executive Officers and executive leadership teams to strengthen financial sustainability, enhance governance frameworks, manage complex funding environments, and support strategic decision-making. Her expertise spans financial reporting, budgeting and forecasting, risk management, capital planning, asset management, audit, compliance and organisational transformation.

    Shola began her professional career with Deloitte and has built extensive experience across finance, audit, governance and business advisory. She is recognised for her ability to translate complex financial information into meaningful insights that support organisational growth and long-term sustainability. She is also passionate about developing effective systems, strengthening internal controls, and ensuring organisations are well positioned to maximise their impact in the communities they serve.

    A Fellow of CPA Australia (FCPA) and Chartered Accountant (CA ANZ), Shola holds an Honours Bachelor of Accounting Science and a Bachelor of Commerce (Accounting).

    She brings a collaborative, values-driven leadership approach and is deeply committed to supporting organisations that create positive social outcomes. Her passion lies in ensuring that financial resources and capital investments are managed responsibly and strategically to help vulnerable young people, families and communities thrive.

  • Erin Ashmore

    Erin Ashmore has a Bachelor of Social Science – Youth Work and commenced at Hope Street in November 2024. Erin is the Program Manager Northwest and has more than 20 years’ experience working within the homelessness sector in Victoria.

    Erin has held positions in leadership at a number of Statewide Access Points and co-ordinated youth teams in community health. Erin has worked in both metropolitan and regional services and is a strong advocate for vulnerable and marginalised young people.

    Erin has a strong commitment to delivering high-quality youth services that reflect best practice.

  • Sue Watt

    With a strong background in community services, Sue brings a compassionate, client-centred approach to her practice and leadership. She is committed to creating safe, inclusive environments where young people can access the support, stability, and opportunities they need to thrive. Her practice focuses on early intervention, holistic care, and empowering individuals to build independence and resilience

    Sue is a committed community advocate with extensive experience supporting vulnerable young people and families. Sue has been a valued member of the Hope Street team for over 13 years contributing to initiatives addressing youth homelessness and family crisis.

    Sue is known for her collaborative approach and rights-based service delivery for young people empowering them to build stability and interdependence so they can thrive.

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