Our Board
Mirjana Wilson
Board Chair
Mirjana was the Chief Executive Officer of the Domestic Violence Crisis Service (DVCS) for seven years, stepping down in December 2019 to pursue other interests and career challenges. DVCS is a not-for-profit Organisation that provides 24/7 direct crisis intervention and case management supports to the ACT Community and under Mirjana’s leadership the organisation evolved to provide a holistic suite of offerings for all members of a family that have been impacted by domestic and family violence.
Mirjana has a long term personal and professional commitment to social justice and inclusion within a feminist framework. She has worked in both the government and community sectors for 30 years including over 15 years at DVCS and has a high level of understanding around the complex issues associated with domestic and family violence and its impact on those who experience it.
Prior to coming to DVCS, Mirjana worked in a number of educational settings, designing and implementing programs for children, young people and adults. Mirjana holds Bachelor and Post Graduate qualifications in Education and Counselling and a Masters in Business Administration.
Mirjana comes from a proud Croatian heritage with her parents migrating to Australia in the 1960s. She is bilingual and continues to be an active member within the Croatian community volunteering within the aged care facility and various women’s groups.
Narelle Sargent
Deputy Chair
Narelle is passionate about championing “things that don’t have a voice”, making positive changes, connecting and collaborating. She has over 20 years’ experience as a pro-bono Board Director coupled with diverse and extensive executive experience in NSW and ACT government, private and the not-for-profit sector.
A career highlight is the innovative use of legislation and policies to use funds for environmental restoration projects to improve the health of the environment in lieu of a fine.
Narelle has served on the Boards of sporting and community organisations such as the ACT Waterski Association, Campbell Street Daycare Centre and the Podmore Foundation. She is currently a Board Director for Playability Inc, Bega and a member of the Country Women’s Association of NSW.
Genevieve Jacobs
Director
Genevieve has been a journalist for 30 years, working in print and radio. She is the former Mornings presenter for ABC Canberra reporting on everything from federal and local politics to human interest stories, and drawing on a deep understanding of her community. She works with a wide range of organisations including the Tara Costigan foundation, and Gift of Life ACT, sits on the ACT’s advisory committee for historic places and the boards of the National Folk Festival and Canberra International Music Festival.
She has an enduring interest in building and strengthening community engagement.
Jane Diedricks
Director
Yushi Zhang
Treasurer
Yushi is currently a Director in the Management Consulting practice at KPMG and brings extensive experience working with both public and private sector organisations. He has strong knowledge, skills, and experience in financial management, cost estimation, public sector procurement, project management, stakeholder engagement, leadership and coaching, and strategy development and implementation.
Since joining KPMG in 2011, Yushi has led and contributed to many transformational projects and initiatives. This includes leading the establishment of financial management functions for large-scale projects, performing the lead financial advisor role for complex procurements, and leading the development of service offerings. Yushi also has a strong understanding and appreciation of in-house finance functions which was gained from his experiences working in the private sector prior to KPMG.
Yushi is a Certified Practising Accountant, Contract and Commercial Management Practitioner, and a Fellow member of the Governance Institute of Australia.
Yushi is passionate about contributing to the community through volunteering. He currently serves as a member of the ACT Public Sector Committee at CPA Australia and provides mentorship to university students. Yushi is inspired by the projects delivered by CRS and the enduring and positive impact made on our community. He was elected as the Treasurer on the Board for CRS in December 2022.
Torrien Lau
Director
Torrien is an experienced CEO having successfully led small and large Not for profits for 10 years. As a person centred and strategic minded leader, Torrien has navigated systemic change, the impacts of the global pandemic and organisational transformation. Currently Torrien manages his own consultancy business providing strategic advice and Executive coaching.
While being a Graduate of the AICD and having a Graduate Diploma of Management, people and strategy are at the heart of all his decisions. Torrien has a personal connection with CRS as a graduate of the mediation course and knows firsthand what this qualification can do in terms of personal and professional benefits.