Driving Change
It all begins with an exceptional team
Meet Ishar's Board and leadership team steering our mission, empowering women, and fostering transformative change in diverse communities.
Guiding Ishar's Vision
Ishar's Board of Directors, an all-female team, is pivotal in shaping our governance and strategy.
Their leadership ensures women's voices are at the heart of decision-making processes for services directly impacting women. By championing gender equity through increased female representation, our board creates a stronger foundation for empowerment and inclusivity. With diverse expertise, they guide Ishar's mission to uplift women from all walks of life.
Our All-Female Board Members
Chair
Simmone Sharp
Simmone is the Manager, Philanthropy Major Gifts at Telethon Kids Institute and has over 18 years’ experience working in marketing and communications roles in the not for profit, health and media sectors.
She has extensive experience in communications, public relations, brand management and traditional and digital marketing. Simmone is passionate about using her expertise and skills to make a real difference and is committed to reducing health inequities in disadvantaged communities.
Skilled Leaders
Ishar's exceptional Board
Meet Ishar's exceptional Board and skilled leaders. Their expertise drives our mission, ensuring impactful services and empowerment for women and families.
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Jolene Ellat
Jolene Ellat is a domestic family violence (DFV) and sexual violence specialist, founder and Director of the Domestic Abuse Resource and Training Group (DART Group). Jolene has worked in specialist FDV and sexual violence services for over 15 years working across Not-for-profit community services, government bodies and peak bodies in WA.
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Carina Hoang
Carina is a leading advocate for the rights of refugees and asylum seekers. She is the Special Representative of Australia for UNHCR. Carina’s has extensive experience in management positions in the semiconductor, biotechnology, and healthcare industries in the areas of marketing, human resources, and administrative management.
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Nivedita Kelkar
Nivedita is a seasoned finance professional with over 20 years of experience in senior finance roles across corporate and not-for-profit organisations. Nivedita serves as the Financial Controller for Amana Living, a prominent aged care service provider, where she leads the Finance team. She is deeply passionate about women's empowerment and strives to enable women to become the best versions of themselves.
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Zainab Zaki
Zainab is the Senior Policy Officer at the Aboriginal Health Council of WA. She is a public health professional with experience working across community services, government health agencies and research institutes in designing, implementing, and evaluating projects and working collaboratively and strategically with stakeholders and diverse communities. Zainab is committed to improving health inequities through effective community-led research and advocacy.
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Joanne Ende
Joanne is the CEO of Explorability Inc., a non-profit disability advocacy organisation. Joanne started her career as an Occupational Therapist and has more than 20 years of experience across various sectors, including disability, health and aged care. She has successfully led several services and teams in government and not-for-profit organisations, achieving positive outcomes. Joanne has also contributed to the work and governance of several national and state committees and has lived experience caring for family members with disability and health issues.
Ishar's Leadership Team
At the helm of Ishar's impactful journey stands our dynamic leadership team. Comprising our dedicated CEO and managers, they collaboratively steer our mission forward. Their collective expertise and vision create a harmonious synergy that drives our commitment to empowerment, diversity, and holistic support for women.
Empowering Unity
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Andrea Creado
CEO
With extensive experience and a Master's in Human Development, Andrea leads Ishar's visionary journey. From volunteer to CEO since 2006, she's adept at strategic leadership, community health, and policy development. Her commitment to empowering CaLD communities resonates with her work's impact and her role as a mother.
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Rehab Ahmed
Operations Manager
Rehab's career is dedicated to enhancing women's lives. She oversees the operations at Ishar and is responsible for maintaining and improving the efficiency of our organisation. As a multilingual advocate, she fosters cultural responsiveness. Rehab's contributions strengthen Ishar's transformative impact.
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Kim Duong
Client Services Delivery Manager
Kim is a registered Pharmacist with over 18 years of experience in the health industry. Beyond pharmacy, Kim has excelled in diverse capacities including clinical facilitation, health promotion and project management. As a second generation migrant with parents of refugee background, Kim is committed to advancing health equity for people from migrant and refugee communities.
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Sally Bower
Family Support Manager
Serving Ishar since 2006, Sally offers 33 years of social welfare and interpreting excellence. Her dedication extends to migrant families facing challenges, providing support, resources, and skills development. Her cultural fluency and empathy foster positive outcomes, while her personal interests embrace family, cooking, and exploration.
Partnerships
Ishar thrives through dynamic partnerships with service providers, funders, and pro bono contributors. Together, we amplify our impact, empowering women and enriching communities.
