Governance

Our Structure

Established in 1985, VWT operates through three entities, each with a distinct focus:

The Victorian Women’s Trust Ltd is a company limited by guarantee, established for charitable purposes beneficial to Victorian women. It serves as the overarching legal entity for the organisation.
The Victorian Women’s Benevolent Trust is our grant-making arm, funding grassroots organisations and projects across Victoria working to improve the lives of women and girls. Within VWBT, there are a number of named Sub-Funds, each with unique purposes.
The Dugdale Trust for Women and Girls focuses specifically on harm prevention, supporting initiatives that reduce abuse, violence and disadvantage in women’s and girls’ lives. It was launched by the late Joan Kirner AC in June 2013.

Together, these three entities allow VWT to work at every level: from the grassroots to the policy table, from early intervention to systemic change.

Our Leadership

Dr Kirsten Abernethy

Executive Director

Dr. Kirsten Abernethy is a social scientist, researcher and educator with over 20 years’ experience working with coastal and seafaring communities across Australia, the UK, and the Pacific. Her work is grounded in feminist values, and her research and advocacy has been centred upon worker’s rights, looking deeply at the experiences of women, a demographic often underrepresented. Kirsten has led major research and sector-wide programs focused on women’s leadership, workplace inclusion and systemic reform. In 2017, she won the VIC AgriFutures Rural Women’s Award. In 2025 was appointed Executive Director of the Victorian Women’s Trust.

Nicky Friedman

Chair

Nicky is the Director of Community Engagement at the law firm, Allens. Nicky is focused on leveraging the resources of the private legal profession to enable disadvantaged people to gain greater access to justice. Nicky has a background in social justice work and law. She has a long term association with the VWT, having been a volunteer and an employee before joining the board.

Leena van Deventer

Deputy Chair

Leena van Deventer is an award-winning writer, game developer, and educator. She has taught interactive storytelling at both RMIT and Swinburne University. In 2016, Leena published her first book Game Changers: From Minecraft to Misogyny, the fight for the future of video games with Dr Dan Golding (Affirm Press).

Leanne Miller AM

Board Member

Leanne is a woman of the Dhulanyagen Ulupna Clan, Yorta Yorta nation and Executive Director of Koorie Women Mean Business. She has an extensive advocacy background working in Indigenous, legal and women’s sectors, and has represented Australian Indigenous Women at the United Nations, New York, as well as undertaking a UN Fellowship in Geneva. She was selected as the community representative, Australian Government delegation to the 54th Session on the Commission on the Status of Women, United Nations, New York. In 2019, Leanne was elected as a member of the North East Region to the First People’s Assembly of Victoria. In 2023, Leanne was inducted to the Australia Day honours list for her “significant service to women’s affairs, and to the Indigenous community”.

Fleur Katsmartin

Board Member

Fleur is the Chief Legal Officer and Corporate Secretary at The Royal Melbourne Hospital (RMH). Innately understanding that legal services are essentially human services that need to be delivered with curiosity, humility, and empathy, Fleur has dedicated her career as an experienced governance and legal professional in the health law sector in order to make the greatest impact she can for her community. Fleur previously served as Chair and Board member of Sisters Housing Enterprises Inc in Wagga Wagga, is currently the Gender Equity Executive Sponsor at the RMH and has been a finalist as Corporate Counsel Healthcare Lawyer of the Year in 2023 and 2024.

Mudiwa Chipungu

Board Member

Mudiwa Chipungu leads supply chain strategy and transformation at a large retailer, overseeing major projects, automation, and AI integration. She played a pivotal role in sustaining Australia’s food supply during COVID-19 and launching its first fully automated distribution centres. With experience in consulting, manufacturing, and transport, Mudiwa excels in leading high-performing teams. She holds an MBA from Melbourne Business School and a Masters in Engineering from the University of Melbourne and is dedicated to advancing women in leadership through NAWO, Wayfinder, and board roles with Respect Victoria and Spectrum Victoria.

Neha Samar

Board Member

Neha Samar, graduate of the Australian Institute of Community Directors, is an experienced educator and leader in vocational education and training (VET). As a vocational specialist in youth mental health, she empowers young people to navigate the job market and achieve sustainable career goals. Her board director roles, with a focus on governance, risk, and strategy, have honed her strategic leadership skills. She also founded The Flamingo Project, a mentorship program fostering personal and professional growth for women in the Goulburn Valley.

Dr Emma McNicol

Board Member

Emma is a feminist philosopher and researcher at Monash University with expertise in intersectional feminist theory. Her recent work examines grassroots initiatives across Australia, including the radical roots of the family violence movement. She is currently a Research Fellow in the Indigenous Future Lives Stream at the ARC Centre for the Elimination of Violence Against Women (CEVAW), where she works alongside First Nations community leaders advocating for women affected by family violence and for those who are missing or murdered.

Feminist governance

“For us, feminist governance isn’t anything niche; it simply means good governance, and accounting for who holds power and who shapes decisions. Representation without influence is not enough. Ultimately, it’s about being accountable to our community, and being transparent about our decisions. And taking the time to reflect and evolve our governance practices over time.”

— Dr Kirsten Abernethy, Executive Director