NCWA Executive Members
2024-2027
Fiona Dorman
President
Fiona holds a Bachelor Science (Hons) and has worked in research in the areas of haematology, adult stem cell research and pre-clinical research in oncology drug development and orthopaedics.
I am passionate about serving the community and advocating for women in all our diversity. I believe in giving back and using your knowledge and skills for the benefit of your community. I believe that belonging matters and giving what you can matters. I believe that we can achieve great things if we work together. I believe in giving a voice to issues and causes and the power of advocacy.
As a member of the Asian Women’s Consultative Council SA, I joined the National Council of Women SA as the AWCC delegate (2006) and have been a member of NCWSA and active since this time. In the past I have served various South Australian organisations such as the Australia Day Council of SA as Deputy Chair and at RPH Adelaide 1197am (Vision Australia) as a newsreader and as a member of the Torrens University Human Research Ethics Committee.
In July 2021, I was appointed as Chair of the Premier’s Council for Women. Our remit is to provide independent advice to the Premier and the Minister for Human Services. As Chair, it is my role to facilitate the utilisation of our voices and diverse skills, networks, and perspectives to enhance policy development across government and the private sector.
Fiona is a Governor of St Peter’s College and Co-Founder of the South Australian Women’s Fund; a philanthropic fund focussed on providing grants to organisations that benefit women and girls in South Australia. Across these roles, her pillars of focus are impact and outcomes through collaboration and partnerships, determining best evidence-based practice, social and community policy reform and change through advocacy. She holds interests in a broad range of businesses and relish the opportunity to champion the great businesses in South Australia.
Within the National Council of Women SA and Australia, I have been an active member since 2006; holding the following roles. Position/s held in Council: National Council of Women SA Member, 2006 to 2024 NCW SA President, November 2018 to present NCW Australia Board, November 2018 to present NCW SA Convenor Ruth Gibson Memorial Award Committee, November 2018 to present NCW SA Vice President, November 2017 to November 2018 NCW SA Newsletter Editor April 2018 to present NCW SA Mass Media Adviser 2006 to 2008, 2016 to November 2018 NCW SA Executive Committee Member 2006 –2008, 2017 to present.
Yvette Kinkade
Vice President
Yvette’s strategic, financial and operational background has spearheaded governance and operational initiatives across both commercial and non-profit sectors, driving impactful partnerships and business enhancement. Yvette has led start-up development overseas, identified new markets, established business processes, developed policy framework, and designing accounting and finance systems to deliver commercial and business improvement.
Yvette’s advocacy is deeply rooted in fostering equity and empowerment through systemic change. Her work emphasises creating opportunities for personal and collective growth, with a strong focus on gender equity and representation. Whether through her leadership as President with the National Council of Women of NSW, initiatives like the Women’s PACE Project, or her dedication to building confidence from childhood in projects like her children’s book – Georgio and the Bee Party. Yvette is committed to breaking down barriers—structural, societal, and personal.
A pioneer. The founder of a motorsport company in Australia championing women’s participation in motorsport shifting industry goalposts and delivering accessible motorsport events for all. Yvette is the creator of the PACE Project and the Educate, Inform & Inspire (EII) Experience, a Race Team Manager, motorsport competitor, official and volunteer.
Yvette’s board experience includes a property investment company and an organisation that fosters and preserves the history, culture and traditions of people of Greek origin in Australia.
Chiou See Anderson
Treasurer
Chiou See was Vice President of NCWQ from 2010-2012 and is the current President of the NCWQ. She is a FCPA, a Graduate of the AICD Programme and has a Master of Business Administration. She currently chairs Conpago (a technology platform servicing seniors) and owns and manages two retirement villages in Brisbane with a total of 250 residents.
Chiou See cut her teeth in her early twenties managing a diverse range of businesses including a motor dealership, a coal mining firm and a top 5 Qld legal practice before helping the Qld government establish the first construction skills centre in 1994. At the age of 30, she was managing a flying school with a fleet of 20 aircraft at Archerfield. In 2003, applying her learnings from her MBA, she purchased a block of land to tap into the projected growth of the ageing population. It took a total of 15 years to design and build her dream retirement community in the Daisy State Hill Forest at Springwood. In 2022, Chiou See added another Brisbane retirement village to her portfolio.
As an NCW member and advocate, Chiou See believes strongly that education is paramount to success, and she would also like to see working parents supported through equitable tax policies with men encouraged to play a more active role in parenting in order to stem the loss of female talent in the workplace.
Chiou See and Brendan have a total of 6 children plus in-laws and 1 grand-daughter scattered between Jervis Bay and the Sunshine Coast and splits her time between Brisbane and Sydney. A jazz and blues tragic, Chiou See volunteers with Brendan at the Brisbane Jazz Club as a glassy on their spare weekends.
Laura Ives Hicks
Secretary
Laura has experience in a variety of different management and advocacy groups through Girl Guides, at a Local, State and National level. She was the executive of NCWWA from 2019 till 2022, where she was the Young Women’s Representative.
Currently Laura is studying her Master’s in Public Policy and Management, previously studying history and criminal behaviour. This study has led her to begin her career within Government. During her undergrad Laura ran the university magazine and was an active member of the student body advocating for greater opportunities for women entering and being part of the university decision making process.
As a young women Laura is passionate about empowering those around her to achieve their goals and help them in realising their own passion. She is an educated advocate for young women’s advancements in leadership and decision making. Creating more opportunities for girls and young women to create positive effective change for the coming generations to give them the opportunities she didn’t have, allowing for a more inclusive world.
Laura wants to see a future world where girls and women are able to reach their full potential and have the opportunity to speak up without fear of discrimination or being ostracised by society.
NCWA Board Members
Sandy Smith
Board Member & NCWQ President
Sandy currently serves on the NCWA Board as she is the President of the NCWQ having been involved in the NCWQ Management Committee since 2019 as one of the delegates for Affiliate Organisation, the Quota Club of Brisbane.
Sandy has a long history of working to support the community as a volunteer and through her working life as a Guidance Officer, Primary School teacher, Learning Support Teacher, Acting Senior Guidance Officer, Statewide Verifier and Acting Statewide Senior Guidance Officer. Now retired from her career within Education which spanned thirty-five years Sandy is able to devote more time to her passion for helping others.
This passion has led to Sandy taking up leadership roles within Quota having joined Quota in Kingaroy in 1996. Some of those roles include Student of the Year Coordinator, President, Secretary, Governor of District 30, Treasurer of Region 13 and Listening to Learn Program Coordinator. As immediate past President of the Quota Brisbane Sandy was happy to coordinate the development of the club’s new website and still administers the Facebook page which she established some years ago. Sandy is currently serving as Secretary.
A lateral thinker, Sandy is known for her organisation and thinking outside of the square. She enjoys swimming in her pool, kayaking and walking her fur baby Muffin, a feisty Maltese X. Sandy enjoys visits from her two children James and Ebonney and her two Grandchildren Indy and Lorreli.
Sandy has a Masters in Education – Guidance and Counselling, Post Grad in Special Education and Diploma in Teaching- Primary. She also has certificates in Emotional Release Counselling, Mentoring and Mediation.
Elida Brereton
Board Member & NCWV President
Margaret Findlater - Smith OAM
Board Member
Bridget Mather PSM
International Co-ordinator /
Co-ordinator of Convenors of Standing Committee
Claire Newland
Board Member & NCWSA President
Claire is deeply committed to community engagement, having been actively involved with various organisations in South Australia, including the National Council of Women South Australia (NCWSA) and local community sports group. She has been a member of NCWSA since 2019, serving as a General Executive Member and Vice President before assuming the role of President in 2024. For her further education, she received the Ruth Gibson Memorial Award in 2021.
Professionally, Claire specialises in governance, process improvement and helping not-for-profits and commercial organisations improve their operations. Her experience spans across professional services firms and government roles.
Claire is passionate above advancing women’s outcomes, particularly in education, financial security, economic participation and advocacy for women’s sports. In her spare time, Claire actively participates in women’s softball. Claire holds a Graduate Diploma of Legal Studies, A Bachelor of Laws and a Bachelor of International Studies.
Caterina Sullivan
Board Member & NCWACT President
Chantelle Stratford PSM
Board Member
Dorothy Kelly
Board Member & NCWT President
Dorothy has a background in Industrial Relations.
Her early roles included Office Administration in the Industrial Relations area in both full and part–time positions, retiring completely in 2010.
She has been involved with NCWT since 2000 in several honorary roles including President and Treasurer and is at present President.
Dorothy has been involved with a Women’s Shelter in Hobart for over 30 years and is at present Honorary Secretary on the Board of Caroline House Inc. which is a long term home for women with mental conditions.
Dorothy is the Mother of four children and Grandmother of four.
