Our people

Deborah de Rossi

Chief Executive Officer

Deborah has spent her career in the for purpose space where she has held various executive positions and joined You Matter in January 2024 following the role of Chief Operating Officer with Community Spirit Foundation (previously the Cathy Freeman Foundation).

With an MBA and Bachelor of Social Science, Deborah is deeply passionate about the need for a collective, whole of community response to family violence recovery, and the inherent right of all women and children to feel empowered to thrive and move forward in their lives with dignity. 

Deborah is honoured to be leading You Matter into a new era of growth, building on the strong foundation that was established by the organisation’s founder, Maxine Gross, and guided by a five-year strategy, with a key focus on building capacity, consolidating strategic partnerships, and ensuring a sustainable future.

Sarah Ricardo

Warehouse Manager

Sarah is a seasoned professional with extensive experience in driving successful social enterprises  within women’s support and mental health sectors. Throughout her career, Sarah has had the pleasure of collaborating with exceptional businesses and individuals who share her values and vision.

Sarah’s adaptability and strong communication skills have been instrumental in her success across diverse settings. With a keen awareness of current trends, she brings a creative eye to everything she does, always mindful of sustainability and integrity. Her expertise extends to operational and warehouse management, where she excels in optimising processes and ensuring efficient workflows. Beyond her professional endeavours, Sarah embodies kindness and acceptance, always seeking to bring out the best in others. She finds fulfilment in managing and developing individuals, nurturing their strengths and uncovering new skill sets.  Sarah joined You Matter in October 2023.

At You Matter, Sarah manages all logistics and processes relating to sourcing, collecting, organising and managing our donated goods and warehouse. She works with teams of volunteers to collect, sort and maintain the warehouse, as well as assisting in the staging and readiness of items to be deployed into Havens.

Jen McMahon

Service Coordinator

Jen has worked in Community Services for 40+ years, beginning her career in Children’s Services, including working at Berry Street.  After completing an Associate Diploma in Welfare studies, and then a Graduate Diploma in Women’s Studies, she worked at a number of community services organisations including Foster Care, Women’s Homelessness, Interchange (for people with a disability), Pines Learning, a large Community Neighbourhood Centre as the Community Development Manager, Doncare (Doncaster Community Care and Counselling Centre), Odyssey House (drug and alcohol rehabilitation) with families and children.  Jen joined You Matter in August 2022.

At You Matter, Jen receives referrals from family violence organisations, assisting their clients by organising full set ups of their new homes.  Her role is the central point of connection between the family violence organisation, clients, our warehouse manager and the volunteers who set up the Havens.

Kelsey Smith

Volunteer Coordinator

Previously a Customer Service Manager in the communications and aromatherapy industries as well as currently part of her family flooring business. Kelsey has volunteered her skills and time over many years with many other charitable organisations.  Kelsey has been with You Matter since its formation.

As Volunteer Coordinator, she is responsible for recruiting and inducting new volunteers, with intakes of new volunteers happening every six weeks or so. She is the linchpin between our volunteers and the team, assisting with scheduling tasks, communicating with volunteers and managing our volunteer management system. She helps ensure we have volunteers to cover a broad range of roles including Haven establishment, goods collection and working bees.

Taara Olorenshaw

Treasurer

Taara is an experienced public service executive, small business owner and a Certified Practicing Accountant. Taara is known for creative and adaptive problem solving, particularly through times of change or challenge, and a passion for facilitating collaboration across multidisciplinary/multiagency teams. She is very excited to be a part of such an important organisation.

Jacqui Kalwig

Secretary

Jacqui is a senior IT executive with extensive experience in leadership and technical roles. Working for many of Australia’s top 100 companies, Jacqui has gained deep experience in IT strategy, service management, vendor management, operational management and service optimisation.

Jacqui has led teams through complex change programs — coaching and mentoring staff to deliver their best. She brings her positive attitude and structured approach to deliver effective outcomes for You Matter.

Hannah Linossier

Director

Hannah is an award-winning workplace relations lawyer with over a decade’s experience at leading Australian law firms providing advice and representation to businesses across all industries. Hannah helps employers navigate both the human and legal complexities of workplace issues, balancing risk with commercial solutions. She is also an Adjunct Lecturer with The College of Law.

With a strong commitment to social justice, Hannah has been involved in extensive volunteer and pro-bono work throughout her career and is dedicated to supporting You Matter through its exciting next chapter.

Qualifications: LLB/BA, GDLP, MEmpLabRelLaw

Taimur Siddiqi

Director

An experienced impact measurement and evaluation professional, Taimur is passionate about providing an evidence base for organisations to maximise the impact they have for communities and the environment.

Taimur is the Evaluation Lead at the Victorian Legal Services Board and Commissioner and active member of the Social Impact Hub’s Professional Impact Network, he sits on the Australian Evaluation Society Board’s Pathways Committee.

After two years volunteering with You Matter’s donations collection team, he now helps the Board better demonstrate and increase the impact he’s seen first hand.

Jackie Cook

Chair

Jackie is an accomplished strategist, technologist and leader of change with over 25 years experience across the transport, IT, professional services and telecommunications industries.

Having held CEO, General Management, Management Consulting and Project positions in both start up, divestments and mature businesses, Jackie is known for her ability to lead change and engage with stakeholders to ensure the sustainable success of the entity in which she is engaged. Jackie is currently Regional Vice President, Customer Transformation with Salesforce.

Qualifications: BEng (Ind), Grad Dip (Risk), GAICD

Catherine Easton

Director

Catherine is a highly experienced senior service delivery executive with strong skills in strategic planning, business operations, shared services, organisational culture development, stakeholder management and program delivery. She has worked in both the commercial and for-purpose sectors and has over 15 years’ board experience.

Catherine is a previous Chair of Linden New Art & Arts Project Australia and currently Deputy Chair of First Step, a member of the Policy & Planning Committee at Arts Project, the Palais Theatre Community Fund Committee and a mentor at Fitted for Work.

Qualifications: BBus, DipTeach(Prim), GAICD

Sheree Limbrick

Director

Passionate about social justice, community connection, human rights and equality, Sheree has 25+ years’ senior executive experience in community services, including as inaugural CEO of Australian Catholic Safeguarding Ltd.

In 2021 Sheree established SLK Advisory, working with for-purpose and educational organisations to improve their governance, safeguarding, strategy and operational systems for better service outcomes. Sheree also lectures in safeguarding at Catholic Theological College, University of Divinity.

Sheree brings to You Matter a combination of big-picture and innovative thinking with strong attention to detail matching strategy with operational imperatives.

Qualifications: Grad Dip Law (Human Rights), BSocSc (Family Studies), Dip Management, Dip Project Management