Executive Manager, Diversity and Capability Development
Country: Australia
Elleni is an experienced senior executive, board member and community leader whose work with migrants and refugees including Africans has been recognised with many awards including an AM for services to the community in 2019. She has also been recognised in the Westpac AFR award as one of 100 Women of Influence in Australia.
Elleni has deep expertise in strengthening education, training and employment opportunities and access to services for culturally and linguistically diverse communities, particularly migrant and refugee communities. She has extensive skills at creating strategies and programs to help people access and participate in society. She also builds advocacy for diversity initiatives and uses her deep networks to build collaboration with diverse stakeholders.
Currently, Elleni is the Executive Manager Diversity and Capability Development with Australian Unity. She provides though leadership and subject matter expertise on diversity and inclusion related issues in to our diverse community of senior Australians.
Elleni has served on many committees and boards, including the SBS Board. Elleni was the first of two Directors ever appointed based on merit to the SBS board. She was the first-generation migrant/refugee who served on the board. Elleni was the National Chair of SBS Community Advisory Committee over four years before she joined as board member. Elleni also served on the Royal Women’s Hospital Board and chair of the Community Advisory Committee and the Western Health Board and Chair of the Cultural Diversity and Community Advisory Committee. Elleni was inaugural member of the Australian Social Inclusion Board and was the first African Australian Commissioner on the Victorian Multicultural Commission. In 2008 Elleni won Diversity@Work individual Champion Award for Diversity and Inclusion. Elleni was presented with her award by Sir Bob Geldof and her name is included on the Victorian Honour Roll of Women.
Currently Elleni is Board member of Royal Children Hospital and a member of the advisory board of the Western Metropolitan Partnerships, a significant Victorian State Government initiative set up to listen to the voices of the West to inform policy and service. She is a proud Westie who says she will never leave. “I love the diversity. It’s a big family. The West is an untold story.”