Our People

Mel has dedicated her 25-year legal career to advancing access to justice and is passionate about creating positive and inclusive workplaces where people thrive. Mel has been the CEO of Southside Justice since 2020 and completed an MBA at UNSW in 2024, majoring in Social Impact.

Jess is a lawyer who has worked in the community and legal assistance sector in practice, policy and research roles for 15 years. Jess has dedicated her career to promoting access to justice for criminalised people, and for people who encounter multiple intersecting barriers to fair treatment and legal equality. Jess has a Masters in Public International Law and has worked for Southside Justice since 2019 as a community lawyer and on establishing the Sex Worker Legal Program.

Maie is a lawyer with over 14 years of experience improving access to justice in the community legal assistance sector. She is passionate about working in partnership with non-legal organisations to break down the complex barriers that prevent people from accessing the legal help they need. Since 2021, Maie has led a team of lawyers at Southside Justice, where she continues to drive innovative, community-centred approaches to legal service delivery.

Bree has spent her career working in for-purpose, community-based organisations, most recently contributing to systemic reform in Victoria’s mental health system. Bree's approach is grounded in a deep commitment to social justice and integrity, with a strong focus on impact measurement to ensure meaningful outcomes. Bree holds graduate qualifications in Social Impact from UNSW and joined Southside Justice in 2024.

Brendan has extensive experience in the community legal sector and governance of both for-profit and not-for-profit organisations. He is the Social Impact Initiatives Lead at ANZ and an independent consultant providing advice to not-for-profits on service design and technology. Brendan has previously held the roles of Head of Community Programs and Head of Pro Bono Partnerships at Justice Connect, Principal of the Moonee Valley Legal Service and was the 2020 Vice President of the Law Institute of Victoria and Chair of the LIV Finance and Investments Committee. Brendan has championed the adoption of human centred design in the development of legal services. Brendan has been a member of the Southside Justice board since 2018 Board Secretary since 2021.

Amanda is a Barrister at the Victorian Bar. Amanda was shortlisted for Barrister of the Year in the 2022 Women in Law Awards. Prior to joining the Bar, Amanda practiced as a solicitor for 13 years and held the position of the Director of Legal Practice for the Consumer Action Law Centre from 2016 to 2021. While at the Consumer Action Law Centre, Amanda was a co-covenor of the Professional Standards and Support Committee as part of the Federation of Community Legal Centres. Amanda is familiar with the governance required under the Risk Management Guide for community legal centres and data reporting mandates. In 2012, Amanda was the President of the Young Lawyers Section of the Law Institute of Victoria. Amanda volunteered with the St Kilda Legal Service in 2010. Amanda has been a member of the Southside Justice board since 2021.

Hayley is Director of the McCabe Centre for Law & Cancer, a joint initiative of Cancer Council Victoria, the Union for International Cancer Control and Cancer Council Australia. Hayley is Director of the WHO Collaborating Centre for Law and Noncommunicable Disease, hosted by the McCabe Centre. Dual-qualified as a lawyer in Australia and England, Hayley’s background includes legal initiatives supporting access to justice, health and education for children, migrants and people living in poverty, focused on ensuring no one is left behind. Hayley previously worked as part of the pro bono team at Allen & Overy in the UK and Clayton Utz in Australia, and returned to live in the City of Port Phillip 7 years ago. Hayley has been a member of the Southside Justice board since 2023.

Peter is an experienced Finance Executive with a strong track record of financial management in information technology, properties and management of procurement processes within the telecommunication and banking industries. Peter is currently working within the Victorian Government in the Department of Health as the Shared Service Manager for Financial Operations. In addition to Southside Justice, Peter volunteers as a Council Member on the Victorian Regional Council with Chartered Accountants Australia and New Zealand, and recently was a member of the Accounting Advisory Committee at LaTrobe University Business School. Peter enjoys volunteering and giving back to the profession by being a mentor to up-and-coming accountants and a facilitator for the Chartered Accountants Program. Peter has been a member of the Southside Justice board since 2021.

Jeevi is a senior HR and legal professional with extensive experience in governance, risk, and compliance across global organisations. Currently Senior HR Business Partner at Movember, she leads strategic workforce planning and complex industrial relations across APAC, North America, and Europe. Her previous roles at the Victorian Institute of Teaching combined legal practice with policy and organisational leadership. Jeevi is deeply committed to social justice, having volunteered with the Asylum Seeker Resource Centre, Footscray Community Legal Centre, Whittlesea Community Connections, and St Vincent de Paul. She brings a values-driven approach and a strong foundation in legal and HR strategy to her role on the Southside Justice Board. Jeevi has been a member of the Southside Justice board since 2025.

Olivia is Director of Engagement & Advisory at Australian Communities Foundation, where she leads foundation growth and designs bespoke philanthropic solutions for businesses, trusts, and foundations. With over 30 years of diverse experience across sectors - including advertising, health, aged care, ministry, and consultancy - she brings deep insight and strategic leadership to her role. Olivia holds degrees in Science, Theology, and Ministry, and is a graduate of the Arrow Leadership Program, Melbourne Business School, and AICD. Passionate about Australia’s future, she advocates for a sustainable, inclusive nation that honours Indigenous wisdom and welcomes global contributions. She is also committed to inspiring younger generations to discover the joy of giving. Olivia has been a member of the Southside Justice board since 2025.

Emily is a Port Phillip resident, lawyer, and policy specialist with deep expertise in corporate governance and regulatory systems. She holds a PhD from ANU and is a Senior Fellow at Melbourne Law School, where she teaches superannuation law and policy. Emily has led advocacy for the legal aid sector, including contributing to Justice on the Brink (2024), and brings strong financial, risk, and compliance expertise from senior roles across government, business, and academia. Her broad network spans politics, public agencies, and the community justice sector, all of which she leverages to support Southside Justice’s mission. Emily has been a member of the Southside Justice board since 2025.

Alexander is an experienced M&A and venture capital lawyer, where he is currently a Senior Lawyer at LUNA Startup Studio and previously worked in the M&A team at Allens Linklaters. Prior to becoming a lawyer, Alexander worked in banking and financial services for many years. He is currently a board member of Minus18 Foundation and previously held board roles at Liberty Victoria and the Rights Advocacy Project. Alexander resides in the City of Port Phillip. Alexander has been a member of the Southside Justice board since 2025.

Miriam is a communications and fundraising specialist with a passion for storytelling that inspires philanthropic giving. With a background in journalism, she crafts creative campaigns that drive engagement, deepen connection, and deliver results across individual giving, gifts in Wills, and major donor programs. Miriam is currently the Head of Communications for the Royal Melbourne Hospital Foundation. Miriam has been a member of the Southside Justice board since 2025.