Staff Biography’s
Andrew Simmons
Executive Officer
Andrew has been working with children and young adults in education and service settings since 1992. He holds a Post Graduate in Mathematics and a Bachelor of Education. Andrew’s background includes extensive work with at risk youths in Indigenous and cross cultural settings.
Louise Stewart
Office Manager
Louise has had over 15 years of experience in various industries working as an Office Manager/Administrator as well as taking on roles as an Executive Assistant and Account management. Louise joined the South East LLEN in March 2006 and is currently studying for a double Diploma in Management and HR.
Jess Jonker
Administration Officer
Jess joined the South East LLEN in 2009 as a trainee completing a Certificate IV in Business Administration. Previously Jess had worked with the South East LLEN one day a week completing a Structured Work Placement (SWL) for her Senior VCAL Certificate successfully attained in 2008. Jess has successfully completed her Diploma in Business Administration and is currently undertaking a Certificate III in Financial Services. She looks forward to the challenges ahead!
Kerry Jenkins
Partnership Broker
Kerry joined the South East LLEN in March 2009. Prior to joining the organisation Kerry had been at university studying towards a double degree in International Relations and Law. She has been a volunteer at a community legal centre and is currently a member of the Youth Affairs Council of Victoria’s Youth Reference Group. Kerry holds a Certificate IV in Community Development.
Katrina Peach
Partnership Broker
Katrina Peach joined the South East LLEN in 2010 after four years working on international development projects in Cambodia, Vietnam and Indonesia. A former journalist, she has a diverse background that includes working with the University of Melbourne’s Asialink Centre, helping establish the Australian Youth Ambassadors for Development Program, developing women’s leadership programs and volunteering with the International Tracing, Refugee and Asylum Seeker Services Department of the Australian Red Cross. She has more than 10 years experience in program and project management, is conversational in several Asian languages and has a Bachelor of Asian Studies and a Masters degree in International Development.
Clorinda Siemienowicz
Partnership Broker
Clorinda joins the South East LLEN with a wealth of knowledge and passion for disengaged young people. She started her career as a Client Relationship Manager for a National Sales and Marketing organisation . Bringing over 6 years experience within the Job Network as a employment consultant, Clorinda realised her passion for young people and diverted her career to Community VCAL within our region. In 2010 Clorinda was awarded a TCD scholarship to return to study. Whilst working as a Community VCAL facilitator Clorinda choose to use the scholarship money to retrain in the youth industry doing ample courses in youth and adolescent development, along with successfully completing a Diploma in Youth Work. Clorinda’s hard work and dedication to Young People has been recognised in winning the Student of the Year 2010 (Vocational Category) from Chisholm Institute.
Damien Kearney
Partnership Broker
Damien Kearney joined SELLEN in 2011. He has worked with disengaged youth in educational settings for the last 10 years and most recently was a Ministerial Advisor on Aboriginal Education in Tasmania. Damien holds a Certificate IV in Youth Work and Training and Assessment. He has been involved with programs that have been recognised with winning the Vice-Chancellor’s Industry Engagement Award and runner up with the Global Best Awards in Building Learning Communities Category.
Mandy Stevens
Workplace Learning Program Coordinator
Mandy joined the South East LLEN team in 2006 on a casual basis to do industry placements. Since 2007 she has worked for the LLEN full time in administration and Project Officer roles sourcing and coordinating Industry Placements and organising several events. Mandy’s background includes working with people with disabilities and coaching students in sport & recreation. Mandy holds a Certificate VI in Business Administration & Cert IV in Training and Assessment.
Charmaine D’Souza
Workplace Learning Project Officer
Charmaine joined the South East LLEN in March 2006. Prior to 2006, she worked with South East LLEN on a casual basis assisting with work experience placements. She has over 15 year experience working in multinational companies some of which are the German Business Group, Dubai Port Authorities, South African Consulate, & the Thyssen Group. She holds a Bachelor of Commerce degree, Work Cert III in Frontline Management & Cert IV in Community Services. Charmaine is presently doing a Graduate Certificate in Career Education & Development from RMIT.
Emily Learmonth
Workplace Learning Project Officer
Emily joined the South East LLEN in March 2011after completing studies at Deakin University. She attained a Bachelor in Public Health and Health Promotion majoring in Family, Society and Health and then completed a postgraduate of Public Health and Health Promotion Honours. Emily has a passion for community development and improving the inequality within the Australian population.
Ellouise Hickleton
Workplace Learning Project Officer
Ellouise is the most recent recruit having joined the South East LLEN team part time in August 2011. Previous to this she completed a degree in Public Health and Health Promotion at Deakin University, majoring in Family, Society and Health, in 2009. She has a keen interest in working with youth and culturally diverse communities.
