Meet the team

Amy Persson – Pro Vice-Chancellor (Social Justice and Inclusion)

Amy Persson is the Pro Vice-Chancellor (Social Justice and Inclusion) for the University of Technology Sydney (UTS) Centre for Social Justice and Inclusion.

Amy is a public policy specialist who has worked across the private, public and not for profit sectors and is/was Head of Government Affairs and External Engagement at UTS. 

Prior to this Amy spent eight years in various Director and Executive Director roles in the NSW Government, overseeing the concept development for the Greater Sydney Commission, heading up the Cities Branch to better integrate transport, planning and social infrastructure decisions, and running the Behavioural Insights Unit and Office of Social Impact.

Setting a national strategic agenda to ensure edtech meets the needs of Australian education priorities and settings, and helps to close the digital and learning divide. Supported by the Paul Ramsay Foundation.

Professor Leslie Loble AM
Industry Professor 

The social impact team works to create positive change through deep partnerships with community. Through social impact research, action, and engaged scholarship we champion innovation and the unique role that universities can play, grounded in partnership and reciprocity.

Our social impact research creates positive change. Rather than undertaking research on behalf of society, we strive for meaningful, equitable and impactful knowledge work, in collaboration with the communities that make up society.

The team grows students’ ability to be ethical leaders and citizens, through the SOUL volunteering and activism program and the long-running Shopfront program that drives community engaged scholarship at UTS – linking student learning with real world experience and impact at not-for-profits.

Team members

Lisa Aitken
Executive Manager, Community Engagement and Impact 

Ruby Wawn
Engaged Teaching and Learning Curricular Coordinator

Josefina Delas
Student Engagement Coordinator 

Dr. Boi Huyen Ngo
Program Coordinator, Carnegie

Dr. Kathleen Blair
Manager, Research and Evaluation

Amber Loomis
Social Impact Practitioner  

Anusha Muller
Social Impact Practitioner  

Maddy Langabeer
Engaged Teaching and Learning Curricular Coordinator

Dr. Margaret Malone
Executive Editor, Gateways Journal

Dr. Mehal Krayem
Manager, Community Engaged Teaching and Learning

Hannah Morgan
Research and Evaluation Officer

Dr. Zozan Balci
Senior Social Impact Practitioner

Brad Landy
Project Support Officer

Dr. Cale Bain
Learning Facilitator (Social Impact)

Nick Grinpukel 
Social Impact Practitioner 

Joey Shaw
Social Impact Practitioner 

Grace Duluwan 
Student Engagement Coordinator 

Dr. Gillian Smith 
Social Impact Officer (Grants and Content Producer)

Equity, diversity and inclusion underpins UTS’s operations and culture. CSJI equity practitioners uphold our institution’s strategies, policies, and cultural practices to create a welcoming environment for all.

The team also delivers a range of initiatives:

• The Athena SWAN international initiative to achieve gender equity in STEMM disciplines.
• Supporting the LGBTIQA+ community through the UTS Ally Program, the UTS LGBTIQA+ Staff Network, LGBTIQA+ Researchers Network, events, and more.
• Developing and delivering training for mental health first aid, unconscious bias, cultural diversity, and disability awareness.
• Grievance handling, including advice and assistance for matters relating to discrimination and harassment.
• Specialist advice and support on policy development and equity issues at UTS.

Team members

Jo Tilly
Director, Equity, Diversity and Inclusion

Dr. Kumi de Silva
Gender Equity Programs Manager

Dr. Elaine Laforteza
Cultural Diversity Project Officer

Rachel Gray
Athena SWAN Project Officer

Arif Ongu
Equity and Diversity Officer, Training Specialist 

Kat Frolov
LGBTIQA+ Project Officer

The Student Equity team works to deliberately remove systemic barriers that exclude and disadvantage some students from accessing higher education. The team takes a student-centered, strengths-based approach that values diversity and inclusion. Through positive, high-quality, and uplifting educational experiences, the team builds students’ confidence to access and thrive at university.

The student equity team advocates for change within the Australian higher education sector, and partners with education institutions across the country to improve student equity outcomes for all students.

The team delivers:

• U@Uni Academy Program
• First Year Success Program
• Humanitarian Scholarship Program
• Pasifika Program
• NSW Equity Consortium
• Eastern Australia Regional University Centre Partnership (EARUCP)  
• Scholars at Risk  
• UTS Financial Inclusion Action Plan  

The team's work is underpinned by the UTS Widening Participation Strategy – a comprehensive plan to increase access to and success in higher education for students from underrepresented groups.

Team members

Sonal Singh
Head of Equity Pathways

Sarah Ellis
Manager, Success and Strategy (Student Equity)

Bethany Ross
Manager, Partnerships (Student Equity)

Steffi Dourado
Student Equity Project Officer

Hamer Chen
Data Support Officer

Nema Madnani
Student Equity Project Officer

Mary Valentin
Student Equity Project Officer

Regan Gauci
Student Equity Content Lead

Joe Tedeschi
Student Equity Project Coordinator

Zoe Vassallo
Student Equity Project Officer

Christine Afoa
Student Equity Project Officer

Perpetua Everlyn Burt
Student Equity Project Officer

Bethlehem Mekonnen
Student Equity Project Officer

Moana Tago
Student Equity Project Officer

Kahlia Kim-Sheppard
Student Equity Project Officer

Yahya Alghamdi
Student Equity Project Support Officer

Joshua James
Research Officer

Jessica Hall
Student Equity Research Lead 

The Strategy & Operations team leads the delivery and implementation of CSJI’s and the Human Technology Institute’s strategic and operational plans.

The team supports the ongoing rollout, development, and evaluation of the UTS Social Impact Framework and its dashboards, as well as overseeing research and evaluation initiatives and developing and co-ordinating capability building programs. The team supports strategic partnerships with industry, government, and the community, and provides policy and strategic analysis and advice across a wide range of matters. The team also ensures the effective administration and operations for the Centre and its staff.

Team members

Stella Vasiliadis
Manager, Strategy and Operations

Ashley Longbottom
Centre Operations Coordinator

Amanda Campbell
Executive Assistant to Pro Vice-Chancellor (Social Justice & Inclusion)

Ben Manning
Social Impact Research and Evaluation Specialist 

John Tran
Evaluation Officer, Social Impact

Michelle Platcher
Research Officer, SIF Project

The Engagement team supports CSJI to be an advocate, critical voice, and thought leader in social justice and inclusion through a program of events and communications.

The team uplifts the work of practitioners and researchers to increase its reach and impact, and shares the stories of UTS’ public purpose.  

The Engagement team builds and supports public purpose partnerships between the university and the community, including government, industry, philanthropy and not-for-profit organisations – helping to the share the resources of the university with community. 

Team members

Fiona Versey
Manager, Strategic Partnerships and Advocacy

Amy Grady
Marketing and Communications Officer

Zain Warsi
Communications Coordinator

Leah Subijano
Senior Engagement & Events Officer

Impact Studios is an audio production house that makes academic research accessible through engaging storytelling. The team is passionate about using creative audio skills for social good, ultimately leaving their audiences feeling informed, inspired, and curious to find out more.

The team has worked with a wide range of partners, including academics, businesses, the community, educational organisations, non-profits, and cultural institutions.

Team members

Sarah Gilbert
Executive Producer

Alexandra Morris
Associate Producer

Jane Curtis 
Supervising Producer