Meet our board
We’re governed by an independent volunteer board, who promote and protect the interests and objectives of Justice Connect.
Each board member contributes a wide range of commercial and philanthropic expertise, as well as a commitment to social justice.
Board Chair
Brooke Massender
She/her
Meet Brooke
As Global Head of Pro Bono for Herbert Smith Freehills, Brooke leads the strategic direction of pro bono services across a global network.
Brooke’s practice focuses on leveraging her expertise in social impact to advocate for systemic change, bringing together cross-sector stakeholders to achieve tangible outcomes for communities in need.
Brooke has 20+ years’ experience in working with a diverse range of pro bono clients and is regularly sought out by non-profit, charities, social enterprises and corporate Boards and Executives for strategic and legal advice. Brooke is renowned for going above and beyond to maximise social impact through deploying skills and influence at a systemic level.
Brooke has particular expertise in access to justice and working with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander clients.
Deputy Chair
Tristan Cutcliffe
She/her
Meet Tristan
Tristan is a business advisor and lawyer with over 25 years of experience in financial services, management consulting, governance and the not for profit sector. Tristan has a strong history of pro bono practice with a focus on creating greater equity of access to justice and legal services.
Along with being a Director of Justice Connect, Tristan is an Ambassador of the Australian Indigenous Education Foundation, a Member of the Australian Institute of Company Directors and a Member of the Law Society of NSW. Tristan is a former Director of YWCA NSW, Gilbert + Tobin Foundation, The Humour Foundation, and a former Director and VP of YWCA Australia.
Board member
Vicki Jamieson
She/her
Meet Vicki
Vicki is a Partner in EY’s People Advisory Services practice and has over 19 years’ experience leading large scale transformation projects around the world. She is a recognised global thought leader and practitioner, and advises organisations on a broad range of workforce strategy, design and implementation issues. Vicki has worked with Boards, senior executives and management within large publicly-listed, public and private Australian-based companies to improve organisational and divisional performance through people strategy.
Board member
Laavanya Pari
She/her
Meet Laavanya
Laavanya is a Chartered Accountant and a graduate of the Australian Institute of Company Directors with over 20 years of experience across a broad range of industries. After completing her training at Grant Thornton as an auditor, she entered the commercial sector and has worked across the medical, marine service, campaigning and media industries.
Most recently, Laavanya completed 2 years of service as both Chief Financial Officer and Chief Operating Officer at GetUp Ltd. She has held board positions across both the profit and not for profit sectors.
Board member
Jon Goh
He/him
Meet Jon
With a career spanning over 25 years in a wide range of industries, Jon is a leading practitioner the use of Marketing and Customer technology and is a thought leader in Generative AI and the ethics of data privacy for experience personalisation.
Jon is currently employed at Medibank where he leads the Marketing Technology and Orchestration team who are tasked to deliver the new generation of personalised health experiences for all Australians. A highly experienced people leader and coach, Jon is passionate about career development and leading for impact.
In his spare time, Jon is the designated cook, travel planner and sports enthusiast for the home while also managing to keep the family pets fed and walked.
Board member
Michael Horin
He/him
Meet Michael
Michael is the Principal of Clarity Aged Care Advisors, an aged care advisory firm that helps families navigate the complexities of transitioning loved ones into aged care. Combining his background in finance, analytics, and strategy, he assists families in making informed decisions during one of life’s most challenging periods.
A financial analyst by training, Michael studied finance, economics, and econometrics at Monash University, where he was an active member of several academic boards. He began his career working for Afterpay in San Francisco, leading a global team of analysts and developing data-driven strategies for high-growth markets, before returning to Australia to work in venture capital.
As a Board Member of Justice Connect, Michael brings expertise in finance, investing and impact measurement to support the organisation’s work improving access to justice.
Meet our patrons
We offer a special thanks to our patrons whose support and commitment to our organisation has been vital to engaging new supporters and scaling our services to reach more individuals and not-forprofit organisations who need legal help.
Patron of Justice Connect
Emeritus Professor Gillian Triggs
Meet Gillian
Gillian Triggs is a long-term Patron of Justice Connect, and was our Chair from 2017-2019. Before joining us as Chair of Justice Connect, Gillian Triggs was the President of the Australian Human Rights Commission. Gillian has a wealth of experience in the legal, human rights and social justice sector. She is well known for her advocacy work, especially regarding rights for women and refugees.
Alongside her career in commercial law, Gillian Triggs has also had a vibrant academic career. Gillian was the Director of the British Institute of International and Comparative Law. She then went on to become Dean of the Faculty of Law and Challis Professor of International Law at the University of Sydney. She is also the author of many books and papers on human rights and international law.
As Chair of Justice Connect, Gillian Triggs has been awarded the Judge’s Choice Catalyst Award in the Pro Bono Impact 25 Awards. The award recognises her outstanding positive impact and commitment to social justice.
Gillian lives in Melbourne and has two children.
Patron of Justice Connect
Ruth McColl AO
Meet Ruth
Ruth McColl has been a long-standing champion for justice. Throughout her career, she has demonstrated exceptional dedication to using the law to help others, especially women and young Indigenous people.
Before being appointed to the Court of Appeal of the Supreme Court of New South Wales, Ruth dedicated her career to numerous philanthropic causes. She was a Member of Public Education Council (2002 – 2005), on the Board of the New South Wales Cancer Council, and a Member of the New South Wales Rhodes Scholarship selection committee (Chair 2007-2010).
From 1999 to 2002, Ruth served as President of the Board of the New South Wales Public Interest Law Clearing House – the NSW forerunner of Justice Connect. To have her join Justice Connect as a patron in retirement is testament to her commitment to justice, and making the law work for good.
“Justice Connect is an organisation that stands for something that I believe in very strongly – that the law can be used to make people’s lives better, and the community more connected and vibrant.” said Ms McColl.
In 2004, Ruth was awarded Officer in the Order of Australia for her service to the law, to continuing professional development and education, particularly for women, and to the community in matters affecting indigenous groups and youth. She was awarded the Centenary Medal in 2001, and was appointed a Judge of the Court of Appeal in 2003.
Ruth retired from the Court of Appeal in January 2019.
Patron of Justice Connect
Robert Fitzgerald AM
Meet Robert
Robert, a lawyer by background, was appointed the Ageing and Disability Commissioner NSW in July 2019. He brings a significant amount of knowledge and experience to his role as Patron of Justice Connect.
Previously appointed as Productivity Commissioner, the Community and Disability Services Commissioner and Deputy Ombudsman in NSW. Robert has also served as the convener of the Indigenous Disadvantage Working Group of the Steering Committee for the Review of Government Service Provision and Commissioner on the Royal Commission into Institutional Responses to Child Sexual Abuse. Robert was appointed to Chair the Australian Charities and Not-for-Profits Commission Advisory Board for three years from 2012 and was formerly President of the Australian Council of Social Services.
Robert was made a Member of the Order of Australia in 1994, is a recipient of the Centenary medal, and was awarded an honorary doctorate by the Australian Catholic University in 2001.
Mr Fitzgerald has stated, “I saw firsthand Justice Connect’s excellent work when serving as Chair of the Advisory Board of the Australian Charities and Not-for-profits Commission. Their commitment to building a strong, vibrant community sector, and their work in using the law to do so, is unique, and it is an organisation I am excited to represent publicly.”
Meet the rest of our team
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