My name is Joannie and I am the Refugee Leadership Officer at JRS Australia.

Prior to this role, I was the community organising lead at Democracy in Colour for 4 years, where I worked to build the leadership and community power with people on temporary visas so that they are treated with dignity and have the power to advocate for themselves and their communities as they navigate the migration system in Australia.

My own lived experience as a first generation migrant has made me passionate about human rights and challenging the systems that deliberately oppress and marginalise individuals and communities. This has led me to complete my Masters in Development Studies and I have been volunteering and working in the human rights and not for profit sector for the last 8 years.

I strongly believe that building the leadership and capacity of people who are most affected by their own issues and creating strong communities for people to stand together is the way to bring about lasting sustainable change. I am glad that I am able to work for an organisation that places that same belief in all aspects of the work with the people we serve. I am delighted to be coordinating the Refugee Leadership Program where I am able to work closely with our inspiring leaders from JRS to bring about positive change.