Our People

Robyn Batten AM

Director and Board Chair

Title: Director and Board Chair

Qualifications: Bachelor of Social Work, Master of Social Work, Master of Business Administration and Graduate and Fellow of the AICD

Experience and expertise: Robyn joined the Windana Board in 2024 to work with fellow Board Directors overseeing Windana’s continued success.

In addition to her role on Windana’s Board, Robyn is the Deputy Board Chair of the Eastern Melbourne PHN, the Executive Chair of Leap in! and the Vice-Chair of MIM China Pty Ltd.

Initially training as a nurse, Robyn has held CEO and executive director positions in health, local government, community and aged care in Victoria, South Australia, Queensland and the Northern Territory. Robyn served as the Chair of Western Health and as a non-executive director of Uniting Victoria and Tasmania.

Anthony Boffa

Director

Title: Director and Public Officer

Qualifications: Master of Business Management, Member of CPA Australia

Anthony is currently the Chief Operating Officer for Dementia Australia having joined the organisation in 2019. Anthony’s roles before this cover over 20 years’ experience in the not-for-profit sector – having worked for organisations providing services in the disability, home nursing, home aged care support and residential aged care sectors. Prior to his involvement in the not-for-profit space Anthony had a number of roles in the commercial sector covering transport, service industries and travel.

Anthony is also a Board member of Palliative Care South-East.

Anthony joined the Windana Board in August 2022.

Special responsibilities: Chair Finance Risk and Audit Subcommittee

Deborah Dobbie

Director

Title: Director

Qualifications: Bachelor of Arts, Graduate Diploma in Business Administration, Diploma of Education, Graduate Diploma in Applied Psychology

Experience and expertise: As a dedicated organisational development professional, Deborah brings more than 25 years of expertise in steering and implementing transformative people initiatives across diverse organisations in the commercial, government and not-for-profit sectors.

Deborah works with organisations to create vibrant work cultures that unlocks and amplifies individual potential, inspiring them to be their best both personally and professionally. She has a proven ability to collaborate with organisations to bridge the gap between personal development and tangible business outcomes by creating development strategies that align with business objectives. Deborah has specialist skills in creating career pathways and fostering a culture of formal and informal knowledge exchange to engage and develop aspiring and experienced leaders.

Deborah’s pro bono work includes 14 years on the board of TaskForce, a not-for-profit community agency supporting clients with substance misuse.

Special responsibilities: Member Remuneration & Nominations Subcommittee

Minh Nguyen

Director

Title: Director

Qualifications: Master of Social Work, Bachelor of Laws, Bachelor of Arts

Experience and expertise: Minh has experience in governance, risk and strategic leadership through board membership of community and membership-based organisations.

Minh has worked in diverse sectors with roles in senior management, research and evaluation and systemic advocacy.

Minh is passionate about social justice, representation and respecting people as experts in their own lives.

Jen Riley

Director

Title: Director

Qualifications: Bachelor of Arts, Master of Development Studies, Diploma in Governance

Experience and expertise: Jen has over 20 years social sector experience having worked for government agencies and a range of large not-for-profits in Australia and overseas. Jen has worked in Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander health, youth transitions, early years education, mental health, family violence, homelessness and drug and alcohol. For the past 10 years Jen’s focus has been on the measurement and evaluation of social impact and as consultant has provided support to range of organisations including (in the past) Windana. Currently, the Chief Impact Officer at Our Community, Jen provides evaluation and outcome support to a government and non-government grantmakers. Jen has a lived experience of mental illness, and lives in Bayside with her wife and two young children.

Jen joined the Windana Board in May 2021.

Special responsibilities: Member of Remuneration & Nominations Subcommittee

Marita Scott

Director

Title: Director

Qualifications: Registered Nurse Division 1, Graduate Diploma Health Management

Experience and expertise: Marita has extensive executive experience working in health and human services including for purpose, public and private. Operational experience across diverse sectors including primary health, aged care, child, youth and family, mental health, drug and alcohol, disability and asylum seeker/refugee sectors provides a clear understanding of the social model of health. Marita is passionate about good governance which provides the foundations for a thriving culture and the provision of quality human services. A values driven professional who is committed to social justice in which human rights and equality are demonstrated in the everyday lives of people. Marita is committed to help building a society in which individuals are empowered to achieve their dreams and goals within an inclusive community. Her pro bono work includes membership of Sisters of Mercy Safeguarding Advisory Committee.

Marita joined with Windana Board in November 2021.

Special responsibilities: Chair Quality & Safety Subcommittee

Kent Burgess

Chief Executive Officer

Kent Burgess joined Windana as CEO in May 2025. He brings over 15 years of leadership experience in community health, alcohol and drug services, mental health, HIV and LGBTIQ+ health.

Most recently, Kent was CEO of Your Community Health and previously held executive roles at Better Health Network and Thorne Harbour Health. Kent also serves on the Board of the Victorian Alcohol and Drug Association (VAADA).

Kent is committed to community partnership, equity and quality in healthcare. He holds a Master of Public Health, is a Graduate of the Australian Institute of Company Directors, and has a clinical background in occupational therapy and mental health, including dual diagnosis. In 2023, Kent was named a Harvard Club of Victoria Not-for-Profit Fellow.

Kent’s connection to Windana began early in his career supporting clients in St Kilda. He values the powerful work of Windana’s staff and volunteers and looks forward to leading the organisation in collaboration with the team and community.

Joanne Caruso

Chief People Officer

Joanne Caruso CPHR has led strategic people functions in NFP Sector for over 10 years. Prior to commencing at Windana in April 2021, Joanne was Head of HR at Beyond Blue and Head of People & Culture at Good Shepherd Microfinance, where she worked closely with Executives and Board directors.

She has extensive and varied experience in community organisations, including early-career roles in the fields of Social Work and Quality. As well as a Bachelor of Social Work, Joanne has a post graduate qualification in HR management including registration as a Certified Practitioner in HR.

Joanne has been a State Councillor with Australian HR Institute as well as a convenor of their NFP HR Network.

Adam Miller

Chief Communications Officer

Adam believes in work that supports communities and those who live in them – particularly people who are disadvantaged, marginalised or at-risk. He is a strong advocate for ensuring diversity and inclusion aren’t just buzz words, especially for the LGBTIQ+ community which he is proud to be a part of.

He joined the team in August 2020 and is focused on strengthening Windana’s strategic, internal, and external communications capacity and positioning the organisation as an advocate for positive change.

Born and raised in the Latrobe Valley, Adam has over 10 years’ experience working in Communications roles in the health and environmental sectors for not-for-profit and government organisations including the VicHealth, the Victorian Environmental Water Holder and Latrobe Community Health Service.

Di Nally

Chief Impact Officer

Di joined Windana in late 2023 following the merger with TaskForce.

Di is an experienced senior manager with over 30 years of extensive knowledge across various sectors – including mental health, housing and homelessness.

Alongside her eduction and training, which includes a Bachelor of Social Work, Di’s work at our merged organisation is enriched by her extensive experience in cross-sectorial partnership establishment and innovative service model design.

Mel Thomson

Acting Chief Operating Officer

With over 15 years of experience in a range of client-facing and strategic roles, Mel is a recognised expert in Victoria’s alcohol and other drug sector.

Mel currently leads multidisciplinary teams at Windana, delivering programs and services across alcohol and other drugs, family violence, and broader social disadvantage – supporting both adult and youth clients.

She is deeply committed to ensuring that clients receive the most effective and relevant services to support healthy lives, strong relationships, and connected communities.

Her leadership is grounded in trust and clear communication. She prioritises building resilience, focus, and engagement within her teams – empowering each team member to deliver services that create meaningful, life-changing outcomes.

Through strong partnerships and tireless advocacy, Mel works to drive systemic change that supports and uplifts the most marginalised members of our community.

Substantive role: Head of Adult Community Services