Governance

We are a not-profit, non-government organisation and operate under a board of directors.

Our Board

The members of our Board work with great passion and dedication to support The Zahra Foundation in achieving its mission.

Josie Kitch is a senior health and disability leader with more than 40 years’ experience across clinical practice, executive leadership and governance. A Speech Pathologist by training, with a Master of Applied Science, an MBA and GAICD, Josie has led large, geographically spread teams through complex transformation.
Her roles include Director of Allied and Community Services at Flinders Medical Centre, CEO of scosa and Director of Disability Services at The Benevolent Society. Her leadership has delivered strong financial and quality results, with the highest possible NDIS certification audit scores in Governance and Behaviour Support. She is currently Director and Principal Consultant of Align Advisory Group and Principal of Align Network, a registered NDIS provider.
Josie is a Board Director of the Sliding Doors Foundation and was a Board Director of L’Arche Australia from 2014 to 2023. She is passionate about trauma-informed, person-centred practice and the great work that the Zahra Foundation does to support women everyday.

Patrick joined the board in 2021. He was attracted to the Zahra foundation after having his eyes opened to scale of domestic violence and the severity of the impact on victims. He is driven by a desire to build a better world for his daughters.
Patrick has had a diverse executive career across public, private and government institutions in a diverse range of sectors from manufacturing to consumer goods to education. He currently consults to a broad client base offering strategy and analytical services as well as filling short term executive roles.

Sofi has built her career in service delivery across both public and private sectors, with a strong focus on improving customer experiences in complex multi-stakeholder environments. Sofi is an experienced leader in the social finance sector, having led contact centre teams across several different states.
Sofi’s career experience includes executive roles at Suncorp, Wesfarmers and WorkCover SA, and she is currently a member of the WorkCover Tasmania Board. Previous board roles include the Self-insurers Association of South Australia and the not-for-profit arts organisation Cirkidz.
In her board and committee roles for both the not for profit and government sectors she developed skills in governance, risk management, policy development, building strategic relationships and stakeholder management.

Emma Cavaggion is a Chartered Accountant and Company Director with extensive experience in governance, risk, assurance, financial management and major project delivery. Her career spans senior leadership roles across the South Australian Government, private sector and consulting, as well as Board and committee positions. She brings a pragmatic, collaborative approach to strengthening oversight and supporting thoughtful, risk-based decision-making.
Emma feels a personal connection to the Zahra Foundation’s commitment to helping women build safe, independent futures, shaped by experiences that have deepened her appreciation of the difference the right support can make at pivotal moments. She values the opportunity to contribute her experience to meaningful, lasting change.

Our Team

The Zahra Foundation Financial Counsellors & Program Facilitators are accredited domestic abuse specialists, who are ‘trauma and violence-informed’ and work within a specialist domestic abuse and violence framework. The Zahra Foundation Specialist Financial Counsellors are qualified and are registered, accredited and audited by Financial Counselling Australia (FCA).

The volunteers at Zahra are an integral part of our team. With a myriad of expertise, our volunteers can be seen analysing our data, providing administrative support, facilitating groups, actively engaging in fundraising activities and being the face of The Zahra Foundation through reception and community activities. The wealth of diversity in our volunteers reflects the diversity of women accessing our programs. Volunteers working alongside our staff add a richness to our services that benefits our participants.

Josie Kitch - Interim Chief Executive Officer

Amanda Martin - National Head of Business Services

Buffy Kerekes - National Head of Financial Counselling Services

Rebecca Miller- National Head of Philanthropy and Engagement

Lauren House - South Australia Wyatt Linker

Tracy Kavanagh - Volunteer Coordinator

Pathways to Empowerment Team SA - Operates across South Australia metropolitan South, North, West Central and regional and remote SA

Pathways to Empowerment Team QLD - Operates in Brisbane in conjunction with Peggy’s Place.

Financial Counselling Team - Operates in South Australia, Newcastle (NSW) and Illawarra (NSW) via telephone, online and face to face appointments where possible.