No to Violence Board
Tim Lo Surdo
Board Chair
Tim Lo Surdo has 17 years’ governance experience across 10 different non-profit boards, including current service on the board of Plan International Australia, the Australian Marine Conservation Society, Flemington & Kensington Community Legal Centre and Environment Victoria.
Sarah Rainbird
Deputy Chair
Sarah is a lawyer and senior management professional with over 22 years’ experience, including philanthropy, program delivery, teaching, research, and corporate law. Sarah’s social services experience was gained at Save the Children Australia. As the National Manager for Individual and Family Philanthropy, Sarah’s was responsible for connecting donors to programs.
Luis Menezes
Board member
Luis Menezes is a qualified (FCPA) Finance professional with over 20 years’ experience in Senior Finance roles and governance policy. He has experience working with professionals in relationship counselling, education, dispute resolution and men’s behaviour change.
Luis’ background includes working in international NGOs delivering programs supporting climate, gender, economic and First People’s justice; and fighting human trafficking and slavery. Luis is the Chair of NTV’s Finance and Risk Committee.
Debra Filippin
Board member
Debra Filippin is a senior business development and marketing communications professional, with extensive experience working in global law firms in both Australia and Japan. Debra has been responsible for leading teams of business development and digital marketing professionals across the Asia Pacific region, as well as developing and advising on business development strategies targeting the Asia Pacific.
Jilly Charlwood
Board member
Jilly Charlwood is a marketing and communications specialist with extensive experience working for not-for-profit organisations. Jilly is the current Head of Brand and Marketing for Beyond Blue, where she is responsible for leading a marketing team to deliver Beyond Blue’s external brand and product marketing activities.
Troy Edwards
Board member
Troy Edwards has 20 years’ experience working in and around the public sector on diverse, community-focused projects, including Victorian local government, the Commonwealth public service and the private sector.
Natasha Foster
Board member
Natasha Foster is a governance, risk and compliance expert, working globally across financial services, telecommunications, technology and not-for-profit. Natasha has proven ability across these sectors in leading and delivering strategy to drive sustainable business performance and is passionate about governing for-purpose driven organisations.
Kristin Haynes
Board member
Kristin is a qualified CXPA (customer experience professional) with a background spanning 20 years in the telecommunications, banking, media, sports and entertainment sectors. In 2020, Kristin established her own business, Senyah Projects, where she now provides consultancy services to both government and private enterprise. Kristin is a Non-Executive Director with Crimestoppers Tasmania where she also serves as Chair of the Sponsorship Committee.
Claude Robinson
Board member
I am a passionate advocate for systemic change in the criminal justice space, especially its treatment of people with trauma, substance misuse, homelessness and First Nations peoples, with a focus on the over incarceration of these cohorts.
I have lived experience of homelessness, substance misuse and engagement in the criminal justice systems in NSW and Victoria over a 20 year period, including over 7 years of incarceration.
Over the last 18 years I have built a career in the community services sector, starting as a casual youth worker with City of Sydney. I have worked extensively in Homelessness, Mental Health, and the Criminal Justices’ areas of the sector in both adult and youth spaces. For the last 10 years I have been in senior management, again in both adult and youth services. I have been lucky to work extensively with First Nations people throughout my career, due to their overrepresentation in these areas.
I have board experience with the Judge Rainbow Memorial Fund Inc, where I was a board member for 6 years.
I currently manage the Rainbow Lodge Program which celebrates 60 years of operations in 2024 and is the longest running post release accommodation service in Australia and the third longest running in the world. Rainbow Lodge was featured in the ABC Four Corners documentary “Breaking Free” in 2024.
Rainbow Lodge supports men exiting a term of incarnation to heal from their trauma and reintegrate back into the community, we are strongly focused on supporting First Nations men. Rainbow Lodge works with high risk offenders, many with violent histories including domestic violence related offences.
I have appeared on podcasts including ABC conversations with Sarah Kanowshi, I catch Killers with Gay Jubelin twice, once by myself and recently with Dr Vincent Hurley speaking on men’s use of violence. I am regularly engaged by media and government for comment on men’s use of violence and justice related issues.
I was a NSW finalist in the 2025 Australian of the Year awards, Local hero category
Executive Management Team
Phillip Ripper
Chief Executive Officer
Phillip is a highly experienced CEO spanning almost 30 years as an executive leader of multiple community organisations.
He is a passionate advocate for social justice and has dedicated his career to leading organisations that contribute to building strong, healthy, and connected communities.
Phillip is recognised as a visionary, transformational and ethical leader and has extensive policy, government and media relations experience.
Previous positions include, CEO of Sunbury, and later, Sunbury and Cobaw Community Health as well as executive roles with Plenty Valley Community Health where he oversaw innovative family violence interventions services including Men’s Behaviour Change Programs as well prevention and community awareness initiatives.
Phillip holds a Bachelor of Behavioural Science, and MBA with Deans Commendation and is a Graduate of the Australian Institute of Company Directors.
Megan Batsakis
Chief Operating Officer / Company Secretary
Megan is a results-driven executive with a proven track record in leading high-performing teams and achieving operational excellence. With extensive experience in strategic planning, risk management, and regulatory compliance, Megan excels in optimising organisational performance and meeting business objectives.
As a skilled collaborator with Boards of Directors, Megan has successfully streamlined operations and implemented robust governance practices, ensuring accountability and effective decision-making processes. Her expertise in human resources, systems/process design, and quality assurance fosters harmonious work environments and drives continuous improvement at all levels.
Known for her values-driven and collaborative leadership style, Megan motivates teams with an innovative “can do” attitude, fostering a culture of performance and continuous improvement. She prioritises transparency, effective communication, and stakeholder engagement, ensuring that all team members are aligned with the organisation’s vision and objectives. Her commitment to compliance and risk management ensures that the organisation adheres to the highest standards of legal and regulatory requirements
Megan holds an Batchelor of Business Majoring in Human Resources and Marketing.
Chris Lacey
General Manager, Advocacy and Sector Impact
Chris Lacey is an experienced community sector executive with more than 20 years’ leadership experience across community services, public policy and social reform.
He has held senior leadership roles across the not-for-profit and government sectors, including with the Les Twentyman Foundation, VicHealth and Reclink Australia. His experience spans justice, homelessness, social inclusion, youth services and early intervention, with a strong focus on strengthening systems, influencing policy and improving outcomes for people experiencing disadvantage.
Chris is passionate about social justice and has worked extensively with governments, community organisations and sector partners to drive reform and support lasting change in communities.
As General Manager, Advocacy and Sector Impact, Chris leads No to Violence’s advocacy, policy and sector engagement work to help end men’s use of family violence and strengthen the systems and communities that support lasting change.
Chris holds an Executive MBA from RMIT University.
Leadership Team
Minh Tran
Head of Finance
Minh is a results driven Senior Accountant with extensive experience in both not for profit and corporate organisations. Minh holds Bachelor of Accountancy and a full member of CPA and has previously held senior leadership roles.
Prior to working for No to Violence, Minh has worked across a range of industries including Community Services, Education, Hospitality, Real Estate and Retail. Minh has over 20 years’ experience in providing financial advice and analysis reports to Executive Management, Finance Committee and Board. His expertise includes structuring and succession planning for the organisations, growth and expansion advice, and compliances.
Minh’s personalised approach to working with key stakeholders of the organisation allows him to understand each of the key stakeholder requirements, goals, and future needs while also building strong relationship with colleagues and senior members of the organisation.
Providing decisive leadership, Minh values accountability, embraces change and enjoy professional challenge. He is naturally collaborative and is energised by working with teams to develop and implement great solutions for No to Violence.
Meegan Stanley
National Head of Services
Meegan started her professional career twenty years ago building her skills in the recruitment and business development industry. Meegan has been working in the not-for-profit sector for the past twelve years with a focus on vulnerable cohorts.
Meegan has vast managerial experience, leading therapeutic teams and being part of executive management groups creating a solid foundation to add value in areas of innovation, growth, strategy and sustainable partnerships.
Meegan has committed a large part of her career working alongside people who have experienced complex trauma, specifically gendered based violence. She sits on the Board of a Family Violence Organisation and works in a therapeutic capacity supporting victim/survivors in crisis.
Meegan values education and ongoing opportunities for learning having completed two psychology degrees, a master’s degree in clinical family therapy and a certificate in clinical supervision. Meegan has trained in numerous trauma informed interventions and most recently has completed a Directors course with the Austrian Institute of Company Directors (AICD) and Advanced Leadership with the Institute of Community Directors Australia (ICDA).
Meegan is motivated to influence systemic change in the gendered violence sector and is committed to leading skilled teams that provide quality services that meet the needs of the person using violence to protect, and always keep in view, the victim/survivors of that abuse.
Leigh Craig
Head of Quality, Risk and Compliance
Leigh has extensive experience in the not-for-profit sector, with a background in governance, quality, risk, and compliance across complex service environments. She brings strong expertise in systems development and improvement, with a logical and structured approach to implementing frameworks that support safe and effective service delivery.
As Head of Quality, Risk and Compliance, Leigh leads the organisation’s QRC function, overseeing risk management, compliance, accreditation, incidents and complaints management, assurance activities, and reporting to senior leadership and governance committees, including the Board. She works closely with operational and clinical leaders to strengthen governance, support continuous improvement, and enable informed decision-making.
Leigh is known for her collaborative and pragmatic approach, translating regulatory and governance requirements into practical systems that support frontline practice. Leigh values accountability and transparency and is committed to fostering a positive quality and safety culture that supports both people and organisational purpose.
Dr Rebecca Buys
Head of Advocacy, Policy and Research
Dr Rebecca Buys has extensive experience working in government, NGOs and research institutes in Australia, the UK, and Aotearoa/New Zealand advocating against social violence. Her work has centred on family violence, poverty, inter and intra-state conflict and global migration, as well as practice in conflict mediation.
Her related research work focuses on developing more complex understandings of forms of violence and practices of care through inclusive, relational knowledge building methodologies.
Bernard Schembri
Head of ICT and Data
Bernard is a technology professional with over 25 years of experience, working with a diverse range of organisations ranging from small businesses to global enterprises. With industry experience spanning medical and scientific publishing, tourism, marketing and communication, automotive, and community health, he brings a wealth of varied expertise to his role.
Notably, Bernard has developed a strong interest in the community health sector in recent years, working with numerous nationwide non-profit organisations either directly or through collaboration. These organisations provide a wide range of support services, including those addressing mental health, financial hardship, domestic violence, and depression.
Bernard is a customer-focused professional who consistently demonstrates the ability to overcome business challenges through effective problem-solving and critical thinking. He utilises data-driven decision-making and forward-thinking approaches to achieve positive outcomes. He is skilled in collaboration, leadership, and stakeholder management within fast-paced, agile environments, and excels at bringing people and teams together to deliver effective business solutions.
