Our Staff
Read more about the WCHM staff and the projects they are working on.
Marcia Williams - Executive Director
Marcia’s job as the Executive Director of WCHM is to manage WCHM’s day-to-day operations; make sure we are implementing WCHM’s Strategic Plan; develop and maintain relationships with funding bodies, senior bureaucrats and other organisation heads; take care of the organisation’s finances; supervise staff and students; provide timely advice to the Board; and generally make sure everything is running smoothly! Before joining WCHM, Marcia had various roles as a senior manager in the private and Government sectors, most recently at a Senior Executive level in the Commonwealth public service. She worked in advocacy, policy development, implementing human services delivery, and working closely with community organisations and peak bodies to oversee the delivery of Centrelink’s services. Marcia was a finalist in the Community and Government category of the Telstra ACT Business Women’s Awards in 2011.
You can contact Marcia by email at ed@wchm.org.au or by phoning WCHM on (02) 6290 2166.
Jillian Emerson - Administration Officer
Jillian's job is to provide support to the WCHM Board and Executive Director and to oversee the smooth running of the office. She maintains the office systems, supports staff and keeps WCHM’s website up to date. Arriving from NZ with her family back in July 2010, Jillian is a keen hockey player and with her family has been participating in many outdoor adventures in Australia.
If you have any general inquiries about WCHM you can contact Jillian by emailing admin@wchm.org.au or phoning WCHM on (02) 6290 2166.
Angela Carnovale - Social Research Officer
As the Social Research Officer Angela is responsible for informing the Centre’s broader research agenda by sourcing relevant research on women’s health and wellbeing, identifying best practice and new and emerging issues in the area of women’s health and wellbeing, identifying possible options/solutions to respond to ACT gaps and developing partnerships with like-minded organisations for research initiatives. While a social researcher by title, Angela also contributes to the Centre’s health promotion work by hosting and facilitating information or educational seminars and overseeing the development of WCHM’s online Women’s Health and Wellbeing Hub.
In 2008 Angela graduated from ANU with a Bachelor of Arts/Asian Studies, where she pursued her passion for South Asian religions and politics and anthropology. Outside of work she is painstakingly slowly attempting to record her family history!
If you want more information about Angela’s work you can email her at a.carnovale@wchm.org.au or phone WCHM on (02) 6290 2166.
Laura Pound - Project Worker (Mental Health)
In the position of Project Worker (Mental Health) Laura is responsible for liaising with the mental health community sector peak bodies to co-ordinate in the planning, provision and evaluation of women’s mental health services, networking with other key stakeholders to develop processes for seeking input from women living with a mental health issue and ensuring that women’s mental health issues are raised in existing networks, organisations and current and future government processes. Laura also undertakes advocacy and research projects focusing on the needs and experiences of women living with mental health issues and promotes understanding of the health impact of gender through health promotion activities.
Laura is a Social Worker who has most recently worked at The Canberra Hospital, and has completed a Sociology thesis on the topic of whether using the Internet empowers women. She brings her passion for issues affecting women to her work at the WCHM.
You can contact Laura by email at l.pound@wchm.org.au or by phoning WCHM on (02) 6290 2166.
Annelise Roberts - Community Development Worker
As the Community Development Worker Annelise works with groups of women—particularly those who may be experiencing disadvantage—to improve their health and wellbeing outcomes through assisting them to: identify their needs, participate in decision making processes and develop initiatives which will assist in meeting those needs. She is also responsible for networking and identifying partnerships with like minded organisations and for running joint health promotion initiatives such as pilot programs, groups and one-off events. At the moment she is working with several different community groups, including those that represent women ex-prisoners, women from culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds, and women with disabilities.
Annelise most recently worked as a research and project officer at Reconciliation Australia, and earlier this year completed a volunteer stint in Delhi, India, with an organisation that advocates for sexuality rights. She has a Bachelor of Arts with Honours in Gender, Sexuality and Culture Studies from ANU, and spends her spare time watering her succulents.
If you want more information about Annelise’s work you can email her at a.roberts@wchm.org.au or phone WCHM on (02) 6290 2166.
Nicole O'Callaghan - Policy/Administration Officer for Women with Disabilities ACT
Nicole is a young woman with a disability (Sensory Motor Neuropathy) and is a part time Research Assistant in the office of Senator Sue Boyce (when Parliament sits), and a Board Member of the ACT Council of Social Services.
Having completed her Bachelor of Arts with a major in Political Science at the University of New England in 2008, Nicole looked for new challenges and transferred to Canberra during 2009. She has a wealth of experience in the community and government in both the policy and administration areas, and wants to develop a stronger, more effective voice for women with disabilities in the ACT.
If you want more information about Nicole’s work, you can contact her at wwdact@wchm.org.au or phone WCHM on (02) 6290 2166.
Emilia Della Torre—Policy/Project Officer for Women with Disabilities ACT
Emilia’s job as the part-time Policy/Project Officer of WWDACT is to work with the WCHM team, the WWDACT Management Committee, Disability ACT and women with disabilities in the ACT to make sure the issues for women with disabilities in the ACT are identified and represented! Her activities will also focus on enabling women with disabilities to increase control over, and to improve, their health, and to be empowered to realise their aspirations
Before joining WWDACT, Emilia worked as a human rights lawyer in both the government and non-government sectors. Most recently, Emilia has worked as a legal academic and consultant specialising in discrimination law and international human rights law and policy issues.
You can contact Emilia by email at e.dellatorre@wchm.org.au or by phoning WCHM on (02) 6290 2166.