Behind every great start is a team that truly cares. These are the people making a difference every day.
President
Allan Elliott
Allan has served as President since 2012, and has been on the board of A Start in Life since 2006.
He delights in witnessing the difference to students, made possible by the support A Start in Life provides.
Allan brings significant charitable expertise, having previously been President of the Lions Club of Brookvale, and is currently President of NSW Freemasons’ Orphan Society Incorporated.
He was a founding Director of The Mailing House Pty Ltd, from 1986 through to its successful sale in 2016.
Chief Executive Officer
Kathleen Donohoe
Kathleen is a nationally recognised leader with a distinguished career across the education and not-for-profit sectors.
As CEO of A Start in Life, she brings a strong commitment to educational equity and empowering young Australians through access to quality education and holistic support.
With experience leading large-scale initiatives for government and independent organisations, Kathleen offers strategic vision, collaborative leadership and an evidence-based approach to driving sustainable change.
She holds degrees from the Australian Catholic University and the University of Ulster, with accreditations in coaching, learning environment planning and digital innovation.
She is focused on advancing A Start in Life’s mission and ensuring education remains a powerful force for lifelong success.
Vice President & Secretary
Dale Thomas-Berrier
Dale brings to A Start in Life, 25 years’ experience in the Financial Services Industry, specialising in Risk Management and Governance.
Dale has been a member of A Start in Life’s Executive Committee since 2007 and is drawn to the charity’s purpose due to his own childhood experiences.
Being raised by a single mother who struggled financially, Dale grew to understand the importance of education and the opportunities it presents.
Dale sees his work on A Start in Life’s Executive Committee as an opportunity to pay forward some assistance he was fortunate to receive in his youth.
Treasurer
Joe Hansell
Joe is a specialist in corporate recovery, restructuring, and turnaround management. For 20 years’ he has been advising corporates, lenders and capital providers.
Joe has industry expertise in retail, property, manufacturing, aviation, managed investment schemes and financial services and products.
A member of the Executive Committee since 2013, Joe is passionate about the work A Start in Life does to change the lives of kids “in our own backyard”, through giving them an opportunity to receive a well-rounded education.
Joe strongly believes in the power of education to transform the lives of youth who are living in disadvantage, allowing them to create their own successes in life.
Member
Richard Winckles
Richard has been involved in the private equity industry internationally for 25 years and was Co-Founder and Managing Partner of Balmoral Capital in London.
Prior to this, Richard worked as Co-Head of International Private Equity and Head of Europe for Credit Suisse First Boston.
He has extensive experience in operational, strategic, entrepreneurial and governance capacity in international industry and in investment, both at Board level.
Richard brought this experience to A Start in Life when joining in 2018. Richard is passionate about helping young people, particularly those in need, develop their full potential through education.
Member
John Carroll
John is a Senior Legal Editor in the Legal, Tax and Accounting subdivision at Thomson Reuters.
John also edits and writes for the “Australian Law Journal Reports”, the monthly account of judgments of the High Court of Australia and contributes to specialist serials such as the “Australian Succession & Trust Law Reports”, the “Banking & Finance Reports of Australia” and the “Land Titles (Australia) Reports”.
John has been an Executive Committee Member of A Start in Life since 2009.
Chief Executive Officer
Kathleen Donohoe
Kathleen is a nationally recognised leader with a distinguished career across the education and not-for-profit sectors.
As CEO of A Start in Life, she brings a strong commitment to educational equity and empowering young Australians through access to quality education and holistic support.
With experience leading large-scale initiatives for government and independent organisations, Kathleen offers strategic vision, collaborative leadership and an evidence-based approach to driving sustainable change.
She holds degrees from the Australian Catholic University and the University of Ulster, with accreditations in coaching, learning environment planning and digital innovation.
She is focused on advancing A Start in Life’s mission and ensuring education remains a powerful force for lifelong success.
Fundraising and Engagement Manager
Roana Bacelo
With over 20 years in direct marketing, she joins the education charity sector with a wealth of experience in partnerships, strategy, operations, and growth.
She has progressed from creative and production leadership into senior acquisition strategy, now leading growth marketing initiatives that optimise performance.
Her work is grounded in data and driven by story, connecting the right people, delivering measurable impact, and keeping student success at the centre of everything she does.
Marketing and Communications Specalist
Wade Davies
Wade is a strategic creative with a background spanning animation, branding, digital communities, campaigns and print. Across more than a decade, he has built and engaged communities globally through higher education and digital platforms, connecting people in ways that create lasting networks.
Alongside that, he has helped organisations reimagine how they present themselves to the world, building a parallel reputation as a branding expert through his own consultancy work.
At A Start in Life, he brings that same drive to revitalise and sharpen to a mission that matters deeply to him: making sure young Australians doing it tough get the start they deserve.
Student Assistance Program Manager
Brianna Ott
Brianna holds a Postgraduate Degree in Education from the University of Sunderland, a Certificate in Early Education Leadership from Harvard, and is a Certified University Admissions Counsellor.
With over a decade of experience supporting students across cultures, countries and curriculums, she specialises in inspiring young people uncover their strengths and reach their goals.
Passionate about the power of education to transform lives, Brianna brings both professional expertise and personal insight to every student she works with.
Student Assistance Officer
Lauren Keane
Since graduating Dublin City University in 2019 with a Bachelors Degree in Early Childhood Education, Lauren has been committed to supporting children and families in both Ireland and Australia.
In particular, she understands the profound impact that the home learning environment and early interactions have on children’s academic and personal success.
Passionate about addressing educational disadvantage, Lauren is committed to helping young Australians achieve positive educational and life outcomes.
Finance and Donor Manager
Michael Shillito
Michael joined the A Start In Life team as Finance and Donor Manager in October 2022.
With 25 years of experience in various accounting roles, including 15 years in the non-profit sector, Michael enjoys seeing the difference A Start In Life makes to the lives of the students we support.
Graduate Business and Systems Analyst
Tali Nemr
Tali is a recent graduate with a double degree in Finance and IT.
With strong attention to detail and a solutions-focused mindset, she has supported A Start in Life across administration, data management, maintaining investment income records and reporting for over two years.
Tali is passionate about improving systems, ensuring data accuracy and contributing to the charity’s operational efficiency.
Data and Processes
Ravi Vythilingam
Ravi brings over 30 years of experience in project management, specialising in IT infrastructure, application and content development.
His expertise spans various industries – including banking, insurance, telecommunications and education. Ravi also holds an MBA in IT Management and a Masters in Research of Ethics in AI.
Ravi is dedicated to effectively implementing solutions that benefit all stakeholders.
He began contributing to A Start in Life in 2022, applying his extensive knowledge to support the charity’s mission.
Ready to donate, apply or ask a question? It all starts with a simple step – and we’re here with you the whole way.
