Living Proud Board of Management

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Board of Management

The Living Proud Board of Management is elected at the AGM. The Board is responsible for the ongoing strategic direction and day-to-day management of Living Proud. The Board consists of volunteers dedicated to upholding the objectives and mission of Living Proud. To contact the Chairperson of the Living Proud Board directly, please email chairperson@livingproud.org.au, for all other enquiries please see our contact page.

Board Members

Meaghan Holden – Co-Vice Chair
Erin Leahy – Co-Vice Chair
Daniel Smith – Secretary
Sam Gibbings – Treasurer
Grace Cayley – Ordinary Member
Laurene Collier – Ordinary Member
Barry Cosker – Ordinary Member
Tony Lee – Ordinary Member
Ben Nowrojee – Ordinary Member
Sarah Turner – Ordinary Member
Sarah Turner – Ordinary Member

Board Member Bios

Barry Cosker (he/him)

Barry joined the Living Proud Board in January 2021 and was elected Chairperson in December 2022. Barry has extensive experience in senior leadership roles in banking & finance, consultancy, and the community / non-profit sector. He relocated from the UK to Perth in 2016 with his dog Jasper and they are both proud to now be Australian citizens. Barry balances the corporate world with a long-standing commitment to community and charitable causes, particularly in the areas of mental health and disadvantaged youth. Prior to Living Proud he has had the privilege to lead non-profit organisations both large and small from 100% volunteer-run community enterprises to large regional organisations with complex funding and service delivery commitments. He has a strong desire to see better outcomes for the LGBTIQ+ community, is passionate about improving health & wellbeing for everyone, and is very excited for the future of Living Proud.

Erin Leahy (she/her)

Kaya! Erin is Balladong/ Whadjuk Noongar, pansexual yorga. She joined the Living Proud board as a Committee member in 2022 until elected as Vice Chairperson in 2023. Outside of Living Proud, Erin has worked in State and Federal Government across a number of agencies with a particular interest in Land Activation and Divestment and Business Development for First Nations people to assist in social, cultural, environmental and sustainable economic growth. She has been involved in multiple Reconciliation Action Plans, LGBTIQA+ Networks and Diversity and Inclusion Committees in the Public Sector. Erin has considerable experience in the Insurance and Broking sector and is a mixed media, hobby visual artist. She enjoys Community engagement at grass roots level and working towards contributing to positive social change. She is a strong advocate for Diversity, Equality, Inclusion, Social Justice, Emotional and Mental Health. Erin loves 80s music, being on Country, yum cha, conceptual art, musicals and spending time with her wife and two fur babies.

Lena Van Hale (she/they)

Lena is a Perth-based transgender woman, trans health advocate, sex worker activist, and consultant. Passionate about social inclusion, health policy, gender theory and philosophy, she is always up for an argument, and has said she would debate herself if it were possible. Lena formerly held the Chair role in Living Proud up until 2022 before stepping into the Secretary position.

Sam Gibbings (she/her)

Sam joined the Living Proud Board in 2020 and was elected to Treasurer in 2021. Sam has a background in Health Promotion, Public Health and Procurement and Contract Management with over 15 years of experience working across government and non-government organisations in the Sexual Health and blood-borne viruses’ sector. Sam lives with her partner of 7 years along with their two very naughty cats Kinako and Jack.

Grace Cayley (she/her)

Joining the board in 2024, Gracie is passionate about community advisory processes and participant consultation, particularly in research settings. She holds a Bachelor of Arts (Honours) in Anthropology and Sociology from Curtin University, specialising in sex, sexuality and sex education. Gracie has experience in research and administration with a history of working in public health research and higher education. She is excited to have joined the Living Proud board, a role that combines her passion for community representation, consultation and involvement with her interests social justice and LGBTQI+ equality.

Laurene Coller (she/her they/them)

Laurene has more than 10 years experience in communications, primarily in the education, community and health sectors. Laurene currently works at the Western Australian Council of Social Service, advocating for an inclusive and equitable society. Laurene is excited to be part of the Living Proud Board, in a role that intersects with her personal and professional interests, and fuels her passion for social justice for her community.

Meaghan Holden (she/they)

Meaghan joined the Living Proud board in 2022, bringing with them 30 years experience working in the community services sector. Meaghan has a Masters in Applied Positive Psychology and, over the years, has held a range of positions including direct service delivery, volunteer management, training, quality improvement and executive roles across sectors. As a member of the LGBTIQ+ Health and Wellbeing Working Group, Meaghan has worked with the Victorian state government on improving services and outcomes for the Victorian LGBTIQA+ community. They are excited about the future of Living Proud and hope to be able to contribute to improving the health and wellbeing of the LGBTIQA+ community in WA. Meaghan relocated from Melbourne to Perth in 2021 to be with their partner. They have two incredible children who are now grown up and married, a beautiful grandchild and a loving and crazy dog called Sadie who travelled with them to Perth! Meaghan is now very happy calling Perth home and taking in the beaches and sunsets WA has to offer!

Tony Lee (he/him)

Tony joined the Living Proud WA Board in 2023. Tony is an out and proud Yawuru wamba of mixed Asian heritage and lives in Broome. He is actively involved with many community organisations nationally, state and locally as a volunteer and board director.

He has extensive work experience in Aboriginal affairs as a sole trader business and in senior management in both the State Public Service and Aboriginal community organisations.

Prior to the COVID Pandemic, Tony spent several years as a volunteer for a Malaysian not for profit which provides HIV and STI community services and outreach to vulnerable and priority populations in Kuala Lumpur.

Tony was a volunteer on the Sydney WorldPride 2023 First Nations Advisory Committee. He continues to be actively involved in our SBLGBTIQA+ Rainbow organisations, volunteering as a director of GRAI Rights in Ageing and the Founder of Kimberley Blak Pride.

Tony is a keen iPhone photographer and keeps himself mentally and physically healthy and active with regular gym sessions and a daily meditation. He has an unhealthy passion for hand line fishing.

Ben Nowrojee (he/him)

Ben’s wide-ranging experience specifically concentrates on policy and youth-centric discourse. Being a proud queer person, Ben’s culturally diverse background and personal experiences with physical and mental health challenges have given him a unique perspective on the myriad issues impacting the LGBTIQA+ community. Ben is passionate about creating preventative strategies aimed at youth, including an emphasis on community outreach. This dedication has propelled Ben into pivotal roles within numerous youth-centred organisations and programs. Moreover, it’s led to his influential positions on policy advisory boards, where he has made tangible change. At Living Proud, Ben continually applies his unique expertise in understanding and addressing the complexities of young LGBTIQA+ individuals and their intersecting identities.

Daniel Smith (he/him)

Daniel is a qualified health, safety and wellbeing professional with over 10 years’ experience cultivating safe, inclusive and resilient cultures. He currently works for a leading health and in-home care provider, and is recognised as a Certified OHS Practitioner and a Registered Health Promotion Practitioner. Daniel joined the Living Proud Board in 2023, driven by his commitment to social justice. He has a strong history of community involvement and was awarded a Pride of Australia medal in 2017 for his efforts. In his spare time, you’ll find Daniel keeping active with his persistently energetic dog, or spending time with his partner and family.

Sarah Turner (she/her)

Sarah joined the Living Proud Board in 2023 bringing a wealth of skills and experience in systems change and community development. She holds an MBA (Social Impact) and Graduate Certificate in Human Rights supporting her to fuse theory and philosophy to contemporary practice throughout her career. Sarah is excited to apply these skills in support of the LGBTIQ+ community in WA. Outside of Living Proud, Sarah works in the public sector and loves to spend quality time with her wife and their wildly curious toddler.

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