Australia Advisory Council

Sarya is a software engineer and Syrian refugee who moved to Australia for work in 2022, with the help of Talent Beyond Boundaries. Sarya is passionate about writing code that makes people’s lives easier, and says “my experience in software engineering gave me wings and moved me to Adelaide, Australia after living ten years as a refugee in Jordan”. Sarya is driven by helping others find their way, and supporting them to achieve their dreams. She says “I really enjoy learning new things and working with brilliant people from different cultures, everything in life for me is a new adventure”.

Fiona is a globally renowned executive, board member and thought leader in the field of systemic change and social policy reform. Currently CEO of Fair Futures, a consulting firm with a mission to achieve lasting social change, she is working with IOM to create safer migration pathways from Lebanon, and acting as Alternate for Nicola Forrest in her role as Governor for the Forrest Research Foundation. Fiona is an active member of Chief Executive Women and holds a number of board and advisory roles including Trustee/Director of The Coolaroo Foundation.

Michael is Patron of Australia for UNHCR after 22 years as a Director. He is also Chair of NSW TCorp, Chair of Bennelong Funds Management, Director of Iress Limited and the Sydney Financial Forum, and a member of the ASIC Consultative Panel. Michael has more than 30 years' experience in the superannuation and Investment sectors. He was CEO of First State Super for 14 years, and GM of ASSET Super for 10 years. He is a former Director and now Life Member of the Association of Super Funds of Australia and a founding Director and Life Member of Fund Executive Association.

Sandra is the CEO of the Settlement Council of Australia, the peak body representing Australia’s migrant and refugee services. Sandra is a second-generation migrant, whose parents came to Australia from Egypt. Her experience growing up in a migrant family significantly influences her work. Prior to joining SCOA, Sandra worked in frontline roles supporting migrants and refugees, and managed the delivery of the Humanitarian Settlement Program in the ACT. Sanda has worked in government, where she progressed law reform in the areas of sexual assault and family violence, and is currently conducting a PhD on domestic and family violence in Australian Muslim communities.

Nicola is an accomplished philanthropist and serves on several NFP boards including The Australian Ballet Foundation Board and the National Justice Project Advisory Board. Nicola is passionate about creating opportunities for engagement between refugees and children from privileged backgrounds. Her work aims to deliver bespoke programs embedded into the curriculum to develop deeper understanding and connection with refugee communities. Nicola's aim is to create greater empathy and promote a better understanding in the younger generations of the challenges faced by refugees.

American by birth, Australian by choice, Ursula is a partner at KPMG. She has extensive experience as a strategic global mobility tax expert and was awarded Global Mobility Champion of the Year in 2023 for her commitment to the movement of talent across borders through tax. Ursula is passionate about creating communities where people thrive, and co-chairs the Cultural Diversity pillar within one of KPMG’s Inclusion and Diversity committees. Ursula enjoys sharing her knowledge and is a frequent guest on podcasts speaking about leadership and tax. Ursula serves on the board of Multicultural Arts Victoria.

Teresa leads Fragomen’s Australia & New Zealand practice. She also serves as Co-Chair of Fragomen’s Global Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Committee. A solicitor, Teresa has practiced exclusively in the field of immigration law since 1998. She advises some of the world's largest multinational corporations, as well as small and medium-size enterprises, start-ups and individuals. Teresa is a continuing author of immigration publications, including LexisNexis Practical Guidance Immigration Law Module and Halsbury Law, and is a regular speaker and contributor to legal and industry forums.

Ross manages government relations and political strategy for a national climate advocacy organisation. Prior to this his career included service in the Australian Defence Force, the Department of Immigration and Citizenship, and as a Senior Adviser to successive Immigration Ministers. Ross’ experience in Government included advising on the design and management of the Skilled, Family and Humanitarian programs. In addition, Ross was involved in the Australian campaign for marriage equality, working to bring together politicians and advocacy groups.

Kate is the Senior Policy Advisor to UNHCR Multi-Country Representation in Canberra. Prior to this she held two global UNHCR roles. In 2018 she was Senior Consultant on Resettlement Partnerships engaged in promoting third-country solutions for refugees to advance the Global Compact on Refugees, and from 2015-2017, she led UNHCR’s Resettlement Service as Deputy Director in the Division of International Protection in its Geneva Headquarters. Kate spent more than 20 years in the Australian Government working in migration and foreign affairs portfolios, and was Minister-Counsellor Migration at the Australian Permanent Mission to the United Nations in Geneva between 2012-2015.

Anna Robson is a social entrepreneur who, after working in the Nauru detention centre for Save the Children, met Nirary Dacho - a Syrian refugee with tech skills - and co-founded Refugee Talent in 2015. As CEO, Anna grew Refugee Talent into a social enterprise developing Australia’s first skilled international refugee recruitment program with Talent Beyond Boundaries over six years. Anna is also on the Australian board of directors of Global Citizen an international advocacy organisation dedicated to ending world poverty.

Naomi is a NFP leader with a background in international relations , governance, financial services and philanthropy . She has been a lifetime advocate for human rights, gender equity and social justice. In 2000 Naomi founded Australia for UNHCR, the National Partner for the UN Refugee Agency which she led until 2022. She is currently the advisor to UNHCR’s global Private Sector National Partners. She is also the Chair of the Sydney Financial Forum. Naomi has an LLB,BA (Hons) from the University of NSW, Australia and an MSc in Security, Conflict and International Development from Leicester University .

Sharon Taylor is the Chief Operating Officer of Animal Logic, one of the world's leading independent creative digital studios. An important part of Sharon’s role is the attraction and engagement of talent, as well as advising on strategic and educational development within the industry. Part of this is encouraging the industry to embrace non-traditional recruiting pathways. Working with Talent Beyond Boundaries, Sharon has led the hiring and relocation of several skilled refugees and their families to Australia. Sharon sits on multiple Boards, committees, panels, and groups globally including the City of Sydney’s Business, Economic Development & COVID Recovery Advisory Panel.

Andrew led Iress Limited, an ASX-listed company, and its 2300 people, for more than 13 years. Andrew personally initiated Iress’ partnership with TBB in 2017, which led to hiring and relocating six skilled refugees and their families to Australia and the UK, as well as financial support for TBB to enable people in more locations to access skilled migration pathways. In 2022, the Iress and TBB partnership was expanded to involve a financial agreement over five years, in addition to pro-bono volunteering in multiple disciplines to further promote the benefits of TBB’s skilled migration program in Australia and around the world. 

David has held multiple senior roles in the Commonwealth Public Service. Most recently he was the First Assistant Secretary of the Refugee, Humanitarian and Settlement Division in the Department of Home Affairs. David previously led the International Policy Division, and prior to this led the Immigration and Citizenship Policy Division. David is currently a Fellow of the Centre for Policy Development, is on the Board of Management for Interplast. David has a Graduate Certificate in Public Administration and a Masters of Business Administration.