Our Board

CHAIR OF THE BOARD

Heather Oxenham is an accomplished producer with a string of screen credits to her name. Working alongside award-winning directors including; Rolf de Heer; Bill Bennet; Clara Law and Scott Hicks, Oxenham has had success in both commercial and independent spheres.

She has supervised over hundred hours of programming for SBS TV, including work on the flagship programs; Living with the Enemy; First Contact; Go Back to Where You Come From; Once Upon A time; Tall Man and Who Do You Think You Are. She has also worked on popular comedy programs Housos and Wilfred for the SBS. Her drama background includes line producing for All Saints for over 400 Episodes, playing an instrumental role in making vital changes to the program.

Her international recognition includes short film SEXY THING, officially selected for competition at Cannes Film Festival and winning a creative excellence award at the Melbourne Film Festival.

Heather Oxenham holds an BA, MBA and master’s degree.

LEGAL ADVISOR

Zita Adut Deng Ngor is the CEO of Women’ Legal Service (SA), a specialist not-for profit providing legal and support services to women across the state of South Australia. She is a legal practitioner by profession and has worked for many years in the community service sector for over 20 years.

Zita Ngor has an active interest in working with and advocating on behalf of disadvantaged groups within society. In 2001 she received a Centenary Medal for service to the community and in 2013 she was selected to one of three NGO delegates to the Australian Government Delegation to the Commission on the Status of Women 57. She was selected due to her expertise on violence against women, in particular with regards to women from culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds. In 2017, she was a finalist for Australian of the Year (South Australia) and in 2019 was selected as one of the 40 under 40 young business entrepreneurs in South Australia.

MULTICULTORIAL ENGAGEMENT

Enaam is the Practice Manager, Multicultural Engagement at Relationships Australia SA, provides intercultural consultancy services and training inside and outside the organisation. Enaam established multiple culturally appropriate services to address highly stigmatised issues including specific services for women affected by DV, HIV and gambling problems.

SECRETARY

Adele Caon’s career journey reflects her versatility. A longtime marketing professional, Adele has led teams, launched digital solutions and driven success across diverse industries in Sydney, London and Adelaide. Adele is also a qualified and experienced lawyer, where she initially developed her keen sense of rigor, attention to detail and appetite for governance. Nowadays Adele’s particular passion is fine wine, and she is currently a Brand Manager for a large family-owned Australian wine producer exporting to over 50 countries.  

TREASURER

Lisa Tsoulakis is a Chartered Accountant and pioneering partner at Pitcher Partners Adelaide, as the first female Principal in the firm’s history. With a focus on helping medium-sized businesses thrive, Lisa provides comprehensive accounting, compliance and advisory services, including business structuring, tax planning, finance applications, and strategic tax advice. Her in-depth understanding of each client’s unique needs and challenges positions her as a highly trusted advisor.

Lisa is also deeply dedicated to the not-for-profit sector, offering her expertise to help these organisations manage their finances effectively and reach their goals.

VOLUNTEER ADMINISTRATOR

Athena is a legal practitioner, who graduated from the University of Adelaide with a Bachelor of Laws and Health and Medical Sciences majoring in Neuroscience. She currently works in a top tier corporate and commercial law firm, where she practices in various areas to develop her skills.

Athena has an interest in advocating for those who have suffered due to family and domestic violence, which encouraged her to join Spirit of Woman as a general volunteer in 2021. Following various volunteering roles, she now is undertaking the role of Induction Coordinator. Athena conducts an induction for all new volunteers, detailing Spirit of Woman's key policies and procedures to ensure our volunteers understand our values, expectations and their obligations as volunteers.

FUNDRAISING, Davis DBA, FRSA, MFIA

A trailblazer unafraid to forge new paths in the pursuit of impactful change. With over two decades of unique and unconventional commercial and not-for-profit experience Dr Erica has walked the road less travelled – across Australia-Pacific, UK, Caribbean and Africa; within mental health, veterans, environment, art & culture, health, science, international development.

One of Australia’s foremost fundraising experts in working with micro, small to medium not-for-profits. Dr Erica is celebrated for her innovative ability to develop leftfield solutions to the perennial problem “how do we raise money when we have no donors and no-one knows who we are?”

 Since 2015, at Xponential, her multifaceted role encompasses funder and donor research, strategic development, governance, and the meticulous preparation of complex funding proposals and submissions.  Beyond fundraising, Dr. Erica's expertise extends to assisting startup charities in securing their ACNC registrations and tax deductibility.

STAKEHOLDER ENGAGEMENT

Nancy Penna has strategic and operational oversight of AnglicareSA’s community services portfolio, which includes over 285 staff and 100 services across out-of-home care, homelessness, community development and emergency relief. With more than 30 years’ experience in South Australian community services, Nancy has a unique understanding of the political and social landscape and the issues and opportunities facing South Australia. She has held executive roles in government within child protection and disability, with her executive experience underpinned by her earlier career as a social worker in child protection and youth justice.

Nancy is a director on the Board of the South Australian Council of Social Services (SACOSS), Chair of the Child and Family Focus South Australia (CAFFSA) Board and was recently on the Housing Security for Older Women Taskforce with report to government recently submitted.