Our purpose is to support newly arrived communities and individuals, empowering them to participate actively in all aspects of life in Australia.
We achieve our purpose by delivering high quality services in collaboration with communities, stakeholders, volunteers and professionals.

David McGlennon
Chairperson

Kathryn Kingston
Deputy Chairperson
Kathy joined the ARA Board in 2018 and served as Chairperson from 2019 to 2021. Now retired, she brings over 30 years’ experience as a Business Manager and Accountant in addition to extensive experience as a Board member. Kathy has broad experience in finance, administration and management within small to medium organisations and considerable Board experience in not-for-profit organisations and public companies. She has a strong commitment to human rights and social justice and has been actively involved in voluntary roles with several not-for-profit organisations for more than 40 years. Kathy was on the Board of Amnesty International Australia for 9 years, including 4 years as Chairperson followed by 6 years on the International Membership Appeals Committee. During that time she represented the Australian Section at several international meetings and gained extensive experience in corporate governance, strategic planning and budgeting, policy development, campaigning and fundraising.

Chelsea Thomas
Treasurer

Chris Kwong
Board Member

Andrew Mills
Board Member
Shelley Collins
Board Member
Shelley has a broad professional background, having spent the most recent 14 years working in the international development sector in various locations around the world including Europe, Africa, Asia and the Middle East, and the previous 14 years working in business development, marketing and strategy roles in the private sector.
In the last 8 years Shelley has been developing and managing humanitarian programs for refugees living in refugee camps and transit countries who have been displaced through various global crises. This has given her a critical insight into key issues facing refugees during their journey, as well as a good understanding of the contexts and cultures from which they originate.
She also has experience in domestic refugee issues, being an ARA homework club volunteer since February 2020 and having worked as a volunteer English Language teacher at the Refugee Council UK for 3 years. She hopes to become an even stronger and more visible advocate for refugees through her appointment to the ARA Board in June 2021.
Luciana Quaddoumi
Board Member
Luciana has expertise in the disability, community and employment sector working in public, private and not for profit organisations in several industries and countries. Originally from Brazil, Luciana moved to Australia 10 years ago after living and working in the United Arab Emirates for several years. Her lived experience and diverse work background within different cultures and communities brings an additional diversity to the ARA Board.
Luciana was motivated to join the Board where she can give back to the community and apply her transferable skills towards a cause and organisation where she can make a difference in people’s lives.
Shadan Doyle
Board Member
Shadan Doyle has joined the Board of the Australian Refugee Association in June 2022. She is from the CALD community herself and is very familiar with the challenges of navigating life in Australia as a member of a minority group.
She is exceptionally passionate about Human Rights and has previously served as a Peace Ambassador for Humanitarian Affairs Asia. She is an advocate for inclusion and fights discrimination to ensure everybody, including the most vulnerable members of our community, have fair access to the essential services and adequate opportunities they need to thrive in life.
She has over 12 years of management experience both in the private and not-for-profit sector. She is currently a Human Resources Manager working for SHINE SA Limited. Her qualifications include a Bachelor of Laws, a Graduate Diploma in Legal Practice, a Master’s Degree in Human Resources Management and a Bachelor of Engineering majoring in Agriculture and Economics.
She is very experienced in strategic planning, business analytics interpretation and implementation, budget management, policy and procedure development and management of Industrial relations.