Mark Pearce
Chief Executive Officer
Mark draws on his extensive experience in the social purpose and commercial sectors to lead Volunteering Australia to build a stronger, more connected, and resilient Australian community through volunteering.
Prior to joining Volunteering Australia, Mark was a senior executive at the National Congress of Australia’s First Peoples and held senior investment banking and institutional funds management roles with Goldman Sachs, JBWere, nab, and Macquarie Bank.
Mark holds a Bachelor of Science (Politics and International Relations (Hons.)) from the London School of Economics and Political Science, a Graduate Diploma in Human Rights from the School of Advanced Studies at the University of London and is currently studying for a Master of Public Policy at the Australian National University.
Driven by a strong belief in the transformative power of compassion, Mark applies his skills and expertise as a Non-Executive Director of Community Council for Australia, a member of the Emergency Relief National Coordination Group, and sustainable food company, Growrs Ltd. In addition to a passion for human rights, Mark is active in fighting for animal rights and is Deputy Chair of Australia’s leading animal protection organisation, Animals Australia.
Dr Sue Regan
Deputy CEO, Policy Director
Sue is Volunteering Australia’s Deputy CEO and Policy Director as well as a Visiting Fellow at the Crawford School of Public Policy, at the Australian National University. Sue is Vice President of the Australian Social Policy Association.
Formerly, Sue was Program Director at the Institute of Public Administration Australia and Program Lead (Social Policy) at the HC Coombs Policy Forum. Prior to her move to Australia in 2010, Sue undertook roles in the non-profit, thinktank and government sectors in the UK, specialising in social policy. This included as Chief Executive Officer of the Resolution Foundation, Associate Director of the Institute for Public Policy Research and Policy Director of Shelter.
Sue has an MA in Economics and a PhD in Public Policy.
Sarah Wilson
National Strategy Director
Sarah is an expert in volunteer involvement and not-for-profit strategy and governance. She holds degrees in Arts, Psychology, and Law and is currently completing her Honours in Psychology at the University of Canberra. Before joining Volunteering Australia as National Strategy Director, Sarah served as Policy Manager for VolunteeringACT for nearly a decade. Sarah is a passionate volunteer as a Board Director of Animals Australia, Telephone Crisis Supporter for Lifeline Canberra, and Research and Policy Volunteer for the Coalition for the Protection of Greyhounds. In her spare time, Sarah is a full-time carer to her rescue greyhound George, a tragic LA Lakers fan, and likes to dedicate her weekends to diving with sharks.
Jack McDermott
Policy Officer
Jack is a Policy Officer at Volunteering Australia. In this role, he contributes to Volunteering Australia’s current policy and advocacy work on mental health, disability, emergency management, rural volunteering, and youth volunteering.
Jack graduated from the Australian National University in 2020 with a Bachelor of International Relations (Honours) and a Bachelor of Arts, majoring in Political Science.
Heba Al Adawy
Policy Officer
Heba is a Policy Officer (part-time) at Volunteering Australia. She is also a PhD candidate at the Coral Bell School of Asia & the Pacific at Australian National University. Her previous degrees are from Mount Holyoke College (USA) and the University of Oxford (UK) respectively. Her research and policy portfolio at VA includes: volunteering in the aged care sector; informal volunteering within culturally and linguistically diverse communities, and indigenous forms of volunteering in Australia.
Carla Albrighton
Governance and Operations Manager
With an extensive background in Human Resource Management (HRM), both in the private and public sectors, and a wealth of knowledge in corporate management, Carla ensures Volunteering Australia is the best version of itself it can be, both in terms of its people practices, as well as its governance and best-practice operational procedures and policies.
Carla is an alumna of the University of Canberra and Griffith University and holds a Bachelor of Arts majoring in HRM, Communications and International Relations, as well as a Masters in International Relations. She is also a long-standing professional member of the Australian Human Resources Institute.
Carla has been an active volunteer herself, having worked in orphanages in both Peru and the Philippines.
Maddison Tickner
HR and Operations Officer
Maddie is currently studying HR Management and is passionate about business operations; specifically ensuring that staff have the correct frameworks and support networks in place to be the most efficient, motivated, and to feel the safest that they possibly can.
Formerly, Maddie worked for VolunteeringACT and prior to working in volunteering peak body organisations, Maddie worked in retail finance and bank management. During adolescence, she was involved in volunteering at a zoo, prior to being employed there.
Kylie Hughes
Communications Manager
As Communications Manager, Kylie leads Volunteering Australia’s communications team to advance volunteering in the Australian community.
Kylie has extensive experience working in communications and marketing roles in the for-purpose sector as well as local government. Throughout her career, she has developed a strong interest in policy, advocacy and research, and enjoys the challenge of presenting technical information in a concise, accurate and user-friendly manner. Kylie holds a Bachelor of Arts majoring in journalism and public relations at Deakin University.
Anna Lee
Communications Officer
Anna has an extensive background in Digital Media Production and a passion for social media for social change and social awareness documentary making.
Anna holds a Bachelor of Media Arts and Production from the University of Canberra and provides us with media knowledge, video production, and creative expertise for our social media platforms.
Anna is an advocate for women and children and spent several years volunteering as a president for a non for profit women’s group in Canberra, providing well-being support to women through connection and creative initiatives.
Volunteer Team
Currently, Volunteering Australia’s volunteer team consists of the following roles:
- Research and Policy Analyst
- Evidence Bank Curator
- Researchers
