Our People

Our CEO

Imogen Edeson

Chief Executive Officer

Imogen is a creative and collaborative leader with 20 years’ experience working in policy, advocacy, community development and reform across social service systems, always with a focus on elevating the rights and voices of people with lived experience. With expertise in designing and implementing complex social reforms, Imogen is deeply committed to listening to the voices of children and young people and translating those voices into real change, so the system can do better for kids with a care experience, and their families and communities.

Our Board

Jann Skinner, Chair and Treasurer

Jann was a partner at PricewaterhouseCoopers specialising in the financial services sector, particularly the insurance industry. She was the auditor of CREATE Foundation for a number of years. After nearly 30 years she retired from PricewaterhouseCoopers in 2004. Keen to maintain her involvement with CREATE Foundation, she volunteered to assist in the year-end financial reporting process and to help out with other financial reporting requirements during the year. Jann was the Treasurer and a Director of CREATE from 2006-2024 before being appointed Chair of the Board in July 2024.

Vanessa Knight, Company Secretary

Vanessa has over forty years working across a number of industries including financial and professional services, insurance and petroleum in senior marketing, change management and operational roles. She is married and she and her husband have been respite carers with Barnardos for the last sixteen years. Vanessa is strongly committed to the welfare of children and ensuring that they have the support to live their best lives no matter what their background and experience.

Adina Gunnis

Adina is a lawyer and social worker with experience in the child protection and criminal justice sectors. She was previously a Young Consultant for the CREATE Foundation for a number of years and participated in the Carmody Inquiry and the Out-of-Home Care Inquiry. Adina is also an Ambassador for Children’s Rights Queensland and a passionate believer that child protection is everyone’s responsibility.

Andy Parton

Andy is a Partner at Ernst and Young with over 23 years of experience in consulting, primarily in Financial Services with a focus on the General Insurance industry. Originally from the UK, Andy has worked to help transform many of the worlds leading Financial institutions in the UK, US, mainland Europe and Asia, before moving to Sydney in 2008 where he ran Accenture’s insurance business across Australia and New Zealand. Andy has two young sons and is passionate about helping disadvantaged children reach their potential. He joined the CREATE board in October 2016.

Emily Hikaiti Paul

Emily is a director with the International Foster Care Organisation, and Brand Ambassador with Adopt Change. A facilitator with Creating Chances, using sport as a driving tool for youth development in schools across NSW. Emily has been on the CREATE influencing committee previously, and prides herself in her volunteer efforts with CREATE over many years where she has worked on the MakeIt21 campaign, hosted many events including survey launches, and attended many CREATE national conferences where she has led panels, and facilitated conversations with other young people and carers. Emily is a passionate believer in advocacy for Youth in Care to attain permanency and her work reflects this.

Martin Greller

Martin is a values-driven, client-orientated, senior leader who draws on more than two decades of experience in the child and family well-being sector. Martin has worked in both statutory child protection and For-Purpose organisations. Martin’s experience encompasses a wide spectrum of child and family services including universal programs, counselling, family support and intervention, early years services, and family-based and non-family-based out of home care. Martin’s passion is working with Executives and senior leaders to support organisations to make a positive impact in the lives of children and their families. To enable this, Martin has a keen interest in how the voices of children, their families, and carers, are woven into the design and delivery of outcomes-driven services. Martin prioritises authentic leadership and innovative practices, emphasising genuine sector collaboration and partnerships. A father-of-two, Martin cherishes spending time with his family and enjoys leading an active lifestyle.

Rachael Trihey

Rachael Trihey is the Co-CEO and Co-Founder of YOUmanity with extensive leadership experience across sectors like education, health, and government. A seasoned Board Director and entrepreneur, she excels in executive search and organisational advisory, with a strong focus on building healthy workplaces. Rachael co-founded two charities aimed at safeguarding children and vulnerable adults, and developed personal safety technology, earning awards for her work. She’s also a foster carer, and alongside her husband, dedicates time to supporting children and managing a small farm, a passion close to her heart.

Leadership Team

Jill Chambers

National Finance Manager

Jill is a Finance Manager with over 30 years of experience in the not-for-profit sector. She’s skilled in managing finances and has a strong background in HR and governance. Jill has a background of helping organisations create strong, sustainable systems that support both their people and their mission. She’s passionate about inclusion and works to create diverse and fair environments where everyone’s voice is heard and valued. Jill makes sure that financial and governance practices match the organisation’s values and help support their long-term success.

Tameika Joy

Operations Manager

Tameika is an innovative and creative professional who is passionate about encouraging, uplifting, and building others. With a deep commitment to the wellbeing and rights of children and young people, Tameika joined CREATE in 2023, bringing over 24 years of experience in social and community services. Her expertise spans family early intervention, mental health, counselling and wellbeing, homelessness, specialist courts, drug and alcohol services, and the disability sector. Tameika is dedicated to embedding trauma-informed and integrated practices in her work, ensuring that the voices and needs of children and young people are always at the forefront.

Stef Coles

National Marketing and Communications Manager

Stef is a passionate marketer and brand strategist with over 18 years of experience across both the corporate and non-profit sectors, specialising in a wide range of products and services. Since joining CREATE Foundation in December 2012, she has successfully led the organisation’s comprehensive rebranding efforts, including the redesign of websites, social media, collateral, and digital marketing strategies. Stef’s strengths lie in brand development, effective communication strategies, and strong relationship management. She is also skilled in event management, leadership, and people management, consistently contributing to the strategic direction of the organisation. Stef is committed to building a brand that is true to its mission, creating impactful communication strategies, and nurturing teams that achieve outstanding results.

Hannah Kelly

Business Administration Manager

Hannah has always been driven by a deep passion for supporting children and young people, which led her to study Early Childhood and Human Services at university. In 2015, she joined CREATE Foundation as the Personal Assistant to the CEO, and in 2022, Hannah transitioned to the role of Business Administration Manager, where she continues to make significant contributions to CREATE’s mission. With a keen eye for detail and a talent for operational management, Hannah excels in improving systems and processes that enhance organisational efficiency. She oversees contract management, policy reviews, and ensures the highest standards in report writing. Hannah’s dedication to her work and commitment to supporting children and young people make her an invaluable member of the CREATE team.

What is Expected from CREATE Staff? CREATE Code of Conduct

What is expected from the CREATE staff and Volunteers

Working in a child safe manner is a shared responsibility between CREATE’s employees, and volunteers.

Everyone working at CREATE Foundation is responsible for the safety of children and young people and are required to report information about suspected child abuse. Refer to CREATE’s Child Protection Policy for further information.

According to CREATE’s Code of Conduct, all staff involved in the support of children on behalf of CREATE will:

Work towards the achievement of the aims and purposes of the organisation;
Be responsible for services, programs, and activities in their area of responsibility;
Maintain a duty of care outlined in Risk Assessments towards others involved in these programs and activities;
Establish and maintain a child-safe environment in the course of their work;
Treat children and young people with respect and value their ideas and opinions;
Act as positive role models in their conduct with children and young people;
Respect the privacy of children and young people, and their families, and only disclose information to people who need to know;
Operate within the policies and guidelines of CREATE.

CREATE Board, Management, staff, and volunteers will not:

Shame, humiliate, oppress, belittle or degrade children or young people;
Unlawfully discriminate against any child or young person;
Engage in any activity with a child or young person that is likely to physically or emotionally harm them;
Initiate unnecessary physical contact with a child or young person, or do things of a personal nature for them that they can do for themselves;
Be alone with a child or young person unnecessarily
Develop a “special” relationship with a specific child for example, showing favouritism
Show favouritism through the provision of gifts or inappropriate attention;
Arrange contact, including online contact, with children or young people outside of the organisation’s programs and activities;
Photograph or video a child or young person without the consent of the child and his/her parents or guardians;
Work with children or young people while under the influence of alcohol or illegal drugs;
Engage in open discussions of a mature or adult nature in the presence of children;
Use inappropriate language in the presence of children;

Those who breach the above Code of Conduct will face disciplinary action, including and up to termination of employment, or cessation of engagement with the organisation. If you are aware of a CREATE staff member, or volunteer who has breached the above, please email create@create.org.au or call 1800 655 105; you may want an adult to help you with this. If you don’t want to contact CREATE, you can talk to your carer or caseworker or contact the relevant government department in each state and territory, which you can find at the bottom of this document and discuss your concerns with them.