Hang was appointed as Chair of the Victorian Pride Centre in May 2021 having served as a director for two years prior. She is also currently a board director of Respect Victoria, a statutory agency focused on family violence prevention. Previously, Hang was Vice-President of Australian Council of Social Services and director at South-east Community Links, a grassroots organisation supporting newly arrived migrants and refugees.

Hang has over 20 years’ experience in the not-for-profit sector leading national and international programs. She has been the CEO of Whitelion Youth since August 2018. Prior to this, she held various leadership roles at Australian Red Cross and EACH Social and Community Health.  Her qualifications include executive education at Harvard Business School; Executive MBA; Graduate of Australian Institute of Company Directors; and degrees in Social Work and Arts.

Having come to Australia as a part of the Vietnamese refugee ‘boat people’ seeking asylum in the late 1970s and being a member of the LGBTIQ+ community, Hang has first-hand experience of dislocation and exclusion which drives her deep commitment to creating a more just, inclusive, and equitable society.

Stephen (He/Him) is Assistant Secretary, People, Performance and Culture, at the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT).  Immediately prior to this, he was Executive Director (Partner) of People and Change at KPMG.

His long-term career has been within Financial Services.  He was at NAB for many years, where he held a number of senior People, Change and Communications roles at the Bank.  His final position was Executive General Manager, People, Culture and Capability across the NAB Group.

Stephen relocated to Australia in 2007, originally from the UK, he has also lived in Hong Kong and Dubai.  Stephen worked for the Hong Kong and Shanghai Bank (HSBC), based first in Hong Kong, and then in London during which time he had a truly global role, working extensively in the US, Canada, South America and in Europe.

‘Stephen is the only remaining inaugural Director on the Board of the Victorian Pride Centre (VPC), and now also serves as a Director on The Pride Fund.  He will retire from the VPC Board at the AGM in 2022.  Stephen also serves as a Director on the Board of the Diversity Council Australia and on the Advisory Board of the University of Sydney Business School, Work and Organisational Studies.’

He has been an openly gay man since the age of 16, and is passionate about inclusion and diversity issues, and how we create workplaces that allow people to feel safe, perform to their best, and to realise aspiration and potential.

Stephen holds a BSc. (Hons) in Management Science, and a Masters in Organisational Psychology.  He is married to Lawrence and has two young daughters.

He is Chair of the HR and Nominations Committee.

Scott is Head of Internal Audit for Save the Children Australia.  He is a Chartered Accountant and Fellow of CPA Australia.  He previously led Grant Thornton Australia’s Public-Sector practice and industry focus.  In addition to his role with the Victorian Pride Centre, he volunteers as a Board Member for the Good Samaritan Inn.  Scott is also a Director and chairs the Finance and Resource Management Committee for Wellways Australia.  He is a strong supporter of diversity in the workplace and advocate of LGBTIQ+ issues.

Kris has worked on strategic planning for future occupancy within companies such as NAB and MLC Life Insurance.  He is currently contracted to BHP and working with a global team on the management/future strategic plans for their commercial offices.  He is experienced in strategic office portfolio planning, relocating staff to new offices, working on office fit outs to suit flexible co-working spaces, and managing a team of Concierge, Facilities Managers, and Analysts.

Kris studied Architecture and Business Management at the University of Minnesota in the USA as well as a semester in Copenhagen, Denmark.  He worked at an architecture firm in Mexico City and completed his Masters Degree in Architecture at the University of Melbourne in 2013 and has now found a great place to settle here.  He has also had experience in volunteering with Habitat for Humanity in Botswana and Cambodia, and has worked with other volunteer organisations in South Africa and Mexico.

Kris is also the Co-Lead for the LGBTI+ Employee Network at Cushman & Wakefield (UNITY) and is honoured to have this opportunity of the Board of Directors for the Victorian Pride Centre and is looking forward to giving back to the LGBTIQ+ community within Australia.

Vanessa Murphy is a corporate and commercial lawyer, and the company secretary of VPC.  Her experience extends across a number of areas in Hall & Wilcox’s corporate and commercial practice, transcending both transactional and advisory work for a range of clients. Specifically, Vanessa’s practice involves mergers & acquisitions and equity capital markets transactions, with a particular focus on corporate governance. Vanessa has acted for a diverse range of clients across various industries including publicly listed entities, private organisations and AFS licensees.  Vanessa has also had leadership positions at an organisation supporting the education of youth in prison.   

Melinda is currently Executive General Manager, Corporate Services for RACV. Accountable for business functions encompassing safety, people and culture; risk and legal; property and capital works; procurement; corporate communications; and social impact. She is also Chair of the RACV Community Foundation, and sits on the board of Nationwide Group.

Her commercial experience spans leadership positions in the services, transport, agribusiness, manufacturing and resource sectors and she holds Bachelor Degrees in Engineering (Mechanical) and Arts (Politics/Philosophy), and a Master of Business Administration.

Melinda has served the VPC Audit & Risk Committee since February 2020.

Justine Dalla Riva is a passionate professional whose career spans both the commercial and not-for-profit sector. She is the CEO of the Pride Centre since late 2019, and has led the development of the Centre and organisation under the stewardship of Jude Munro AO (former chair) and Hang Vo (current chair). She holds a Diploma of Governance, Masters in Marketing, Graduate Diploma in Graphic Design, BA with Hons.

Bree came on board at the Victorian Pride Centre in August 2019. With a background in arts, media and community development she has three decades of experience in seeking funding support for community and creative ventures.

A City of Port Phillip resident since the early 1990’s, she’s thrilled to see Australia’s first purpose-built LGBTIQ+ Centre be built in beautiful St Kilda and even more thrilled to be supporting the sustainability of such an important beacon for equality and inclusion in Australia.

Her passions are social justice, art, eco building, her partner Sherif and queer family of friends, exes and allies.

Thomas has a background in ticketing and hospitality management, alongside his creative career in comedy and podcasting. He oversees bookable spaces throughout the Pride Centre and manages the calendar of special events.

Anna oversees the general administration of the Centre. Anna is a proud Kiwi from Auckland who loves music, cooking laksa, sitcoms, and their cat Loki. They have a Bachelor of Psychology and Computer Science and have previously worked in administration roles within migration and education.

Max is originally from the hills of Gippsland in Victoria’s east (Gunai/Kurnai land). His professional background encompasses arts marketing and events programming, and is passionate about urban planning, environmental sustainability, film and food. He has previously worked at Classic Lido Cameo Cinemas, Melbourne International Comedy Festival and Queen Victoria Market in various capacities. He has a Diploma of Professional Writing & Editing, Bachelor of Arts (Creative Writing) and is currently undertaking a Master of Urban Planning & Environment.

“The thing I love most about the Pride Centre is the feeling of possibility and potential this place has!”

Subhashani, our new Administration & EA Officer, has a professional background in events and the non-profit sector. Originally from London, Subhashani moved to Melbourne in 2011 and is now mum to a six year old boy. She is an avid crafter who loves sewing! Welcome to the team, Subhashani!

“I love the sense of community here. The impact of the centre transcends the building to the broader community, including allies.”