People

Mary Ann’s career is a testament to her leadership and advocacy in the not-for-profit sector, particularly in evidence-based policy and systems thinking, focusing on communities in Australia and East and Southeast Asia. At FECCA, in her former role as Director of Policy for Health and Ageing, she championed equitable access for culturally diverse communities during the pandemic, in primary healthcare, and aged care reforms. Her contributions extend beyond FECCA, having spearheaded projects enhancing community-based care and women’s financial security across six countries in East and Southeast Asia for a decade, including founding the “Regional Learning Network on Women’s Financial Security”. Mary Ann’s early NGO work involved leading a post-conflict reconstruction program in the Southern Philippines and fostering partnerships for UN Millennium Development Goals. Her management expertise includes navigating financial crises, public policy shifts, implementing cultural changes, and building sustainable strategies. An accomplished scholar, she has co-authored works on ethnography, ageing, and multicultural public health communications, notably a cross-country study on older women’s financial security in Southeast Asia. Mary Ann’s academic credentials were honed as a Lee Kuan Yew Scholar at the National University of Singapore, where she completed her master’s in public policy and administration.

As Executive Director of the Australian Multicultural Women’s Alliance (AMWA), Malini brings over two decades of experience spanning financial services, strategy, diversity and inclusion, and community engagement. She has held senior leadership roles at the Commonwealth Bank, including as Head of Community Engagement and Head of Strategy for Multicultural Community Banking, where she focused on improving financial inclusion and outcomes for vulnerable and culturally diverse communities. A dedicated advocate for migrant and refugee women, she serves on multiple boards including the Settlement Council of Australia, The Parenthood, Entertainment for Change, and the Australian Pituitary Foundation, where she is currently Chair. Malini is widely recognised for her leadership on equity, cultural diversity, and inclusive policy reform.

Priyanka Rai brings more than 15 years of experience across healthcare, advocacy, and non-profit leadership. She most recently served at Breakthrough T1D (formerly JDRF), leading global programs to improve healthcare access in underserved regions. Previously, at Painaustralia, she played a central role in developing the National Strategic Action Plan for Pain Management. Her tenure at Dementia Australia demonstrated her strong commitment to community-focused advocacy, where she contributed to national policy reform and led initiatives supporting individuals with complex neurodegenerative conditions. Priyanka holds a Master of Science in International Business and Management and a Bachelor of Business Management.

Riccardo Armillei is a social policy and human rights researcher with a PhD in Social Sciences and more than 30 years of experience across government, academia and the community sector. He designs and delivers mixed-methods research that includes surveys, qualitative fieldwork and participatory or co-design approaches on migration, disability, ageing, health equity and social inclusion. He has led more than 40 projects and is skilled at translating evidence into practical policy, submissions and ministerial briefings that advance equal opportunity and reduce systemic disadvantage for CALD communities. His work supports rights-based frameworks such as Victoria’s Equal Opportunity Act and the Charter of Human Rights. At FECCA, he contributes to initiatives that strengthen multicultural policy, data standards and inclusive service design in partnership with communities, services and government.

Carol is a dynamic professional with over 15 years of experience in leadership across operations, design, and retail management.

She began her career in Singapore’s design industry, where she developed strong skills in creative problem-solving, project coordination, and attention to detail. These strengths now shape her thoughtful approach to managing people and processes.

In recent years, Carol has held senior roles overseeing operations, leading teams, managing budgets, and using data to improve organisational performance and team effectiveness. She builds systems that support productivity, staff wellbeing, and stakeholder satisfaction.

Carol brings both international and local experience across culturally diverse environments. She has a deep commitment to inclusion, equity, and cultural responsiveness, which align closely with FECCA’s mission.

She is passionate about strengthening organisational systems to support multicultural communities and deliver practical, community-focused outcomes.

Hellen’s arrival at FECCA in 2021 marks the continuation of a career dedicated to making a tangible difference in the world. With a robust background in international program management, particularly in challenging settings, she has significantly contributed to projects that aim to provide hope and a sense of value to individuals. Her prior roles include working on the RID-TB program at the Burnet Institute, aimed at combating drug-resistant tuberculosis in Papua New Guinea, and supporting the institute’s efforts during the COVID-19 pandemic. Before joining FECCA, Hellen was deeply involved in promoting Sexual Reproductive Health and Rights through the Ipas Africa Alliance in Kenya, focusing on policy, advocacy, health education, and community empowerment. Holding a Master’s degree in International Development and a Bachelor’s in Anthropology, complemented by extensive training in Project Management, Hellen combines her professional expertise with personal passions like cooking, travelling, and dancing, bridging her commitment to social impact with a vibrant life outside work.

Carlo brings over 20 years of experience spanning government, not-for-profit leadership, and the private sector. He began his career working in Federal Government on transnational crime and human rights policy, contributing to Australia’s ratification of various United Nations Conventions. This early work shaped his commitment to ensuring that international and national frameworks translate into meaningful protections for communities.

Carlo has built a strong track record in health consumer advocacy, holding senior roles with Alzheimer’s Australia (now Dementia Australia), PainAustralia, and the Consumers Health Forum of Australia.

In addition to his advocacy and policy expertise, he has worked in the private sector and run his own businesses, giving him a deep understanding of organisational sustainability, partnerships, and practical service delivery. As both a professional and patient advocate, he brings an equity-driven approach and a strong belief in the power of consumer voices to shape better health and social outcomes.

Deva brings a diverse background across corporate services, human resources, international development, public diplomacy, and communications, with experience spanning Australia, Indonesia, and regional Southeast Asia. She has managed policy and program initiatives with the Australian Mission to ASEAN, contributing to efforts to counter human trafficking and strengthen labour migration governance frameworks across the region. Deva holds an Honours degree in Psychology from the Australian National University and brings a strong analytical and cross-cultural perspective to her work at FECCA.

Sam brings expertise in public health, policy research, and cross-sector collaboration to her role as Projects and Policy Officer, Aged Care at FECCA. Her diverse background spans three continents, with experience working on projects and policy alongside Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities, designing health programs for marginalised communities in rural South India, and coordinating virtual healthcare education in the US. Sam holds a Master of Culture, Health and Medicine from the Australian National University and a Master of Public Health from the University of Colorado and combines her professional expertise with personal passions for learning new languages and her love for dogs.

Heba Al-Adawy brings to FECCA a deep understanding of the complexities facing migrant and diaspora communities, informed by her culturally diverse background as a Pakistani with Egyptian heritage and her lived experience across the United States, the United Kingdom, Pakistan, and Australia. Her insights are grounded in a strong academic foundation in political and cultural studies, with particular focus on how state systems engage with ethnic and religious diversity. Heba holds a PhD from the Australian National University, an MPhil from the University of Oxford, and a BA with high honours from Mount Holyoke College in Massachusetts.

Amanda is a public health professional specialising in health equity, cultural inclusion, and community engagement. With qualifications in Nutrition Science and Public Health from QUT, she brings a strong foundation in health promotion and systems thinking.

Originally from Singapore, Amanda draws on her multicultural background to inform a culturally responsive approach to policy and practice. She has worked in rural Queensland supporting community integration and later contributed to national Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander health initiatives through project roles in Canberra.

She is committed to community-led change, long-term collaboration, and improving access to health and wellbeing for all. Outside work, Amanda enjoys cooking, travelling, and exploring diverse food cultures.