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Appointed as Chair of LanguageLoop in November 2020, Professor Kathy Laster is thrilled to lead such an important organisation which provides such vital services to Australia’s diverse communities. Currently the Director of Victoria University’s Sir Zelman Cowen Centre, Professor Laster has successfully gained funding for the Centre’s Courts and Tribunals Academy which specialises in ‘law and cultural diversity’.
With more than a decade experience in various leadership roles throughout the public sector, Professor Laster has published an extensive range of peer-reviewed articles and book chapters in the field of criminology, legal history and gender and multiculturalism in relation to the law. Many of these contributions have been highly influential in both the public and legal sectors, as has her work on improving access to justice. She has also recently co-authored Interpreters and the Legal System, a key text used in interpreter education in Australia and overseas.
Professor Laster completed her LLB and Master of Arts at the University of Melbourne and went on to postgraduate study in New York obtaining her Doctorate of Juridical Sciences degree from Columbia University.
Michael currently works as the Business Development Manager for Hanlon Industries, a National steel manufacturer. With over 20 years’ experience working on major projects, Michael is also the principal consultant for Diversity Consultancy.
Previously the CEO at Diversitat, the Geelong Ethnic Communities Council representing over 60 ethnic communities, Michael managed a portfolio of interests including immigration and settlement services, RTO, aged support along with various social enterprises.
Having a Bachelor in Politics and History from Monash University and a Diploma in Business (specialising in Governance), Michael is also the founder of “Los Locos” a Latin group which performs in regional Victoria at events and private functions.
Cr Joseph Haweil’s professional background is in the design, delivery and management of government services, with significant experience in contract and grant management, strategic and social planning, community development, advocacy and local government. Since 2016, he has served on Hume City Council, one of Victoria’s largest and most diverse growth municipalities. In 2020, he was elected to a second term and elected Mayor.
His community and peak body experience includes roles with the Victorian Council of Churches, the National Council of Churches in Australia, the Victorian Multicultural Commission’s Regional Advisory Council and the Community Advisory Committee of the Greater Metropolitan Cemeteries Trust. He has participated in numerous intercultural delegations and forums and is an alumnus of the prestigious Australian-India Youth Dialogue.
He sits on a wide range of local government Boards, task forces and advisory committees covering jobs and skills, regional growth and redevelopment. His Ministerial appointments include the Local Government Mayoral Advisory Panel and the Broadmeadows Revitalisation Board 4.0. He also sits on the Board of the Municipal Association of Victoria, the peak representative and advocacy body for Victoria’s 79 councils.
With extensive experience within the Victorian public sector, including 14 years as a senior executive in a large government department, Noble has a track record of achievements in leading policy development, service design, service operations, and the implementation of key government initiatives in the disability and human services sectors such as the transition to the National Disability Insurance Scheme. Noble currently works within a large not-for-profit organisation which provides services for people with disability, foster and out-of-home care, mental health, aged care, and services for refugee and asylum seekers across Australia.
As a former international student from Hong Kong shaped by her experiences in overcoming cultural and language barriers, Noble is driven by a strong commitment to valuing diversity and creating opportunities for people to overcome barriers and disadvantages.
Noble completed her Master of Special Education in 1986 and Executive Master of Public Administration at the Australian and New Zealand School of Government in 2006. Noble is also a graduate of the Australian Institute of Company Directors.
Dr Eva Tsahuridu is a board director and advisor who has been researching, educating and advising on governance, culture, leadership, ethics and professional standards for over two decades. She has executive experience in public, private and not for profit organisations in Australia and abroad, including academic roles as director of undergraduate and postgraduate programs. She also has extensive accounting policy and professional standards development experience. Her academic bibliography is extensive including edited books, journal articles, book chapters and conference papers and she is a member of academic journal editorial boards. From Edith Cowan University, she was awarded a Doctorate of Philosophy for her thesis on Moral Autonomy in Organisational Decisions and a Master of Business Administration; and from Curtin University, a Bachelor of Business (Accounting).
Eva commenced on the Board in April 2021 and is the Chair of the Audit and Risk Committee.
Raymond Ngo is an accomplished professional with a strong background in business transformation and corporate strategy. With 14 years of leadership and executive experience in the community and not-for-profit sectors, he has gained a wealth of knowledge and expertise. Until recently, he served as the General Manager of Strategy and Engagement at Melbourne City Mission. Currently, he holds the position of General Manager, Strategy and Impact at WAYSS. He has extensive experience in government business enterprises and has held leadership roles in finance and corporate strategy at Australia Post.
Raymond commenced on the Board in 2023.
Diana Nestorovska, a former Australian diplomat, is an experienced legal professional. Currently, she serves as Director of Legal Services at the University of Melbourne for all STEM-related disciplines.
Diana commenced on the board in 2023
With our network of over 3,600 professional interpreters, in 190+ languages (including Indigenous languages) we enable you to connect with your customers in any language, anywhere, anytime.
LanguageLoop acknowledges the Traditional Custodians of Country throughout Australia and their connections to land, sea, and community. We pay our respect to their Elders, past and present and extend that respect to all Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples today.
We work on the lands of the Kulin Nation in Naarm.