Co-Founder and Chair of Her Place Mary has high level experience in Media, Government and the NFP sectors. A Gold Walkley award winner journalist Mary was an international reporter for the ABC and Channel 10, Presenter of Four Corners, News and Current Affairs anchor and interviewer, the first woman to present solo prime-time News in Australia.

In Government Mary was the first female Victorian Planning Minister and the longest serving Arts Minister. Mary also served in Cabinet as Education and Women’s Minister. Mary and her brother Hugh were the first siblings to serve in the same Parliament on the other side of the dispatch box. In 2002 she received the Centenary Medal for Services to Government.

Her third career is in the Not for Profit sector. Mary chairs Her Place and is a former chair of McClelland Sculpture Park and Gallery and Orchestra Victoria, former Director of the National Library of Australia and Emeritus advisor to the Harold Mitchell Foundation. Currently she serves on the boards of the Melbourne Recital Centre Ltd, Central Highlands Rural Health and the Centre for Advancing Journalism at Melbourne University. Mary is a graduate and currently mentors in governance at the Australian Institute of Company Directors.

Mary is a published author and has a red rose bred for, and named after her.

A critic of the gender gaps in Australia’s history Mary is a leader in ensuing that women’s voices are heard in the great debates of our time.

Tanja is a writer and director at communications, leadership and justice consultancy, Kovac & Co.

Tanja commenced work as a solicitor at Slater & Gordon, working in the firm’s Public Interest Unit, where she was responsible for a number of high profile human rights cases, including the Richmond Secondary College police “baton charge” and for Amnesty International in the case concerning refugees aboard the MV Tampa. Tanja also volunteered in community legal centres providing legal support to victims of the Black Saturday Bushfires.

Tanja has managed several small non-profit organisations in the faith, women’s and human rights sectors, where she was responsible for all aspects of strategic and operational leadership, managing fundraising and advocacy, cause-related marginal seat campaigns and volunteer engagement.

But her research, policy, writing and advocacy passion is gender equality. Most recently Tanja was CEO of Gender Equity Victoria, a former Chief of Staff to the late Fiona Richardson MP, Australia’s first family violence prevention minister where she was responsible for overseeing Victoria’s strategic family violence prevention and gender equality agenda, including creating the Victoria’s first Gender Equality Strategy.

She spent 10 years as Director and National-Convenor of EMILY’s List Australia, where she has been instrumental in developing gender based campaign strategies and policy change within the ALP, including setting the affirmative action target for women – 50/50 by 2025.

Tanja has extensive experience with print, radio, TV and online media. Her writing has featured in The Age, Daily Telegraph, Crikey, MammaMia, New Matilda.

Tina is a senior strategic leader with over 15 years’ experience across the public service, politics, government relations, advocacy and commercial law.
Tina is the first-born child of migrant parents and the first in her family to complete university. She has dedicated her professional career to understanding the economy and how to make it work for people and is particularly focused on economic equality and civic participation for women and people from migrant backgrounds.

With uniquely strong expertise in both law and economics, Tina has held senior positions in premier Australian economic policy institutions (Victorian Department of Treasury and Finance, Productivity Commission and Australian Government Department of Finance) and has practised law in a top tier commercial law firm.

Her extensive experience in public policy extends to politics and government relations as mayor and councillor in local government, adviser to a federal parliamentarian, and economic adviser driving advocacy campaigns in the superannuation industry. Tina is thrilled to be joining Her Place as board member and treasurer.

Maree was elected to the Parliament of Victoria in 1996 and served until 2002. During her tenure, Maree was appointed as Parliamentary Secretary for Health, Housing, Community Services and Aged Care. Her responsibilities extended further, as she served as both Member and Deputy Chair of the Joint All-Party Scrutiny of Acts and Regulations Committee. Maree also held the positions of Chair for the Redundant Legislation and Regulation Review SARC Committees, in addition to several other senior policy roles.

Following her parliamentary service, Maree established Regs and Corporate Advisory Pty Ltd. Her business specialises in regulatory review, mediation, advocacy, gender equity, and leadership mentoring. Maree has undertaken numerous executive, CEO and C-suite roles.

Maree holds qualifications in governance and risk from the Governance Institute of Australia (GIA), is a member of the Australian Institute of Company Directors (G & M AICD). She also earned a Master of Leadership, specialising in gender equality, in addition to qualifications in property and communication.

Maree is accredited as a Multidisciplinary and Online Mediator accredited through AMDRAS and is an appointed Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR) practitioner with the Australian Small Business and Family Enterprise Ombudsman (ASBFEO). She is a professional member of the Mediation and Resolution Institutes. She has been appointed as a Judge in the Australian Disputes Centre – International Chamber of Commerce Asia-Pacific Commercial Mediation Competition 2025 and 2026.

Maree contributes her expertise as a Board member of the St Vincent’s Institute of Medical Research Foundation. She is also a Member of Chief Executive Women (CEW) and has been an Ambassador for the Carlton Football Club since 2013. Maree was appointed as Ambassador for the Housing Industry Association (HIA) Building Women and is a member of the National Association of Women in Construction (NAWIC), Women in Public Health, Women on Boards, and the Victorian Women’s Trust.

Maree is the author of The Australian Guide to Living Well with Endometriosis, published by Wiley in March 2025.

For seven years, Maree chaired the Victorian Minister for Planning’s Building Advisory Council, and she was a Member of the Victorian Building Authority Building Appeals Board (BAB).

Andrea is a Planning & Environment Partner at Gadens, a leading Australian commercial law firm.

Andrea has extensive experience in running large and complex planning and environment litigation relating to development and regulatory approvals, the rezoning of land and compulsory acquisition. Her advisory experience includes planning and environment due diligence in connection with large scale property and corporate transactions and renewables projects, including providing advice on contaminated land, heritage issues, native vegetation offsets and development contributions. Her unique skill sets means she is often involved in the entire lifecycle of a development project – as part of the broader project team.

Andrea is currently the Chair of the Property Council of Australia’s Planning & Infill Development Committee and was also a previous participant in the PCA’s Women in Property Program, which identifies emerging female talent in the property industry.

Given her experience in the development industry, Andrea would like to see gender equality in place naming. Place names help us to identify important historic and culturally significant locations and features. As such, it is critical that place names recognise the achievements of Australian women.

Janine is a cultural historian specialising in the performing arts and popular culture and is an advocate for promoting the contribution of women in the music sector. Most recently Janine was the Director of the Australian Performing Arts Collection at Arts Centre Melbourne.

Through her role at Her Place Janine will be focussing on diverse and inclusive exhibitions and programs to increase engagement and visitation onsite and online.

Liz Lor is a leadership consultant, facilitator and MC with a strong focus on female Leadership.

She has a background in business and marketing, having held general management positions both in the private and public sectors.

Liz originally trained in languages and remains deeply fascinated by the way words and verbal communication impact perception and relationships between people, teams and Cultures.

Liz is excited by helping others and in elevating the cause of those who need a voice. Currently contracted to Women and Leadership Australia and the Victorian Chamber of Commerce, Liz is delighted to join the board of Her Place.

Nayomi Kannangara is the CEO of the International Women’s Development Agency, Australia’s only development agency focused exclusively on gender equality. As the first woman of colour to lead IWDA in its 40-year history, Nayomi brings a unique perspective and a deep commitment to feminist and decolonial principles and systemic change.

Born in Sri Lanka, Nayomi moved to Australia as a young adult on a prestigious AusAid scholarship for academic excellence. She holds a Bachelor of Arts degree from Monash University and a Master’s in International Development from Deakin University. As a first-generation migrant woman, her lived experiences inform her leadership and drive for inclusivity in the development sector.

With over two decades of experience, Nayomi has held key technical and leadership roles within organisations such as Oxfam, Childfund US, Plan, and Save the Children International- with her most recent role being Head of Global Programs at Save the Children Australia, where she demonstrated strategic acumen and a commitment to fostering gender equity and cultural diversity.

Nayomi now leads IWDA and their bold ten-year organisational strategy that is grounded in a feminist and decolonial approach to international development.

Penelope is a museum professional, cultural producer, arts manager and artist who has worked across Melbourne’s cultural sector for over 25 years with a focus on developing and managing community-engaged, interdisciplinary and inclusive arts, education and cultural programming.

Penelope has previously been the General Manager of Her Place Women’s Museum Australia, Education and Outreach Manager at the ARC, Centre of Excellence for the History of Emotions, and Education and Public Programs Manager, Development Manager and researcher at The Dax Centre. In these roles, Penelope has led interdisciplinary teams and external partnerships, project-managed and co-curated local and touring exhibitions, and strategic development.

Over her career, Penelope has been recipient to numerous state and national grants and awards, public art commissions and oversea residencies, and a Churchill Fellowship.

Sophie brings over two decades of executive leadership in major Australian cultural institutions to the Her Place Board.

Her expertise spans organisational strategy, innovative programming, placemaking, audience development, and strategic partnerships. As an independent consultant to cultural and purpose-driven sectors, Sophie specialises in innovation and transformational leadership. She has held senior executive roles at the Australian Centre for the Moving Image (ACMI), Sydney Living Museums, and the Australian Museum.

Her deep understanding of museums operations, experience and engagement, partnerships and cultural tourism strengthens Her Place’s strategic objectives around programming, partnerships, and sustainable growth. Sophie holds PhD in History and is a graduate of the Australian Institute of Company Directors and Adaptive Leadership Australia.