Our people

Andrew is the Chief Executive Officer at YSAS and an Honorary Fellow at the University of Melbourne, Department of Psychiatry. Andrew has been active in the alcohol and other drug (AOD) and adolescent health fields as a manager, practitioner, researcher and educator since 1985. Andrew was a member of the YSAS implementation team and has been a Director, serving on that organisation’s Executive team since inception in 1998. Prior to his involvement with YSAS, Andrew was the joint managing-director of Task Force Community Agency, a drug and alcohol treatment service in Melbourne’s inner-south where he established programs for young people and families. Andrew has also worked in the dual diagnosis (Mental health and AOD) field with the Federal Government’s Community Rehabilitation Services and he established the first community youth outreach service for Victorian Department of Planning and Development housing estates in Melbourne’s Inner Northern Suburbs.

Pat is a mental health operations and service development professional with over three decades experience in the primary and specialist mental health sectors. Pat hold a Bachelor of Human Service and Masters of Public Policy & Management. Pat has previously worked extensively in service development roles beginning in the 1990’s with the decommissioning and rebuilding of the Victorian Mental Health system, for five years on building the National headspace network, and most recently with Beyond Blue on the National rollout of ‘The Way Back’, an aftercare service for people who have attempted suicide. Operationally, Pat has previously managed the Child and Youth Mental Health Service at Austin Health and the Community Mental Health Service at the RCH. Pat also had significant early career experience in the Youth Justice and Homeless service systems, and for three years managed the Community Infrastructure Group at Sport and Recreation Victoria.

Anne is an experienced financial executive with over 30 years’ experience specialising in private banking, financial reporting and leading diverse teams. Since leaving banking she has focused on For Benefit organisations by providing financial consulting services to NFPs and their Boards, leading corporate service teams and improving management reporting. As the Chief of Finance and Corporate Services she is responsible for leading the functional areas of finance, human resources, ICT, business planning and strategy, and legal and compliance. Anne holds a Bachelor of Business Accounting, a Grad Dip in Applied Finance and Investment, a Grad Dip in Psychology and is a Fellow of CPA Australia. She has been a Rotarian for over 20 years and is passionate about helping those experiencing disadvantage. She recognises that early access to appropriate services is the key to young people improving their long-term prospects.

Dom is the General Manager of Quality and Service Development at YSAS. He is responsible for the ongoing development of quality systems and operational processes that are crucial to optimal service delivery. This role works closely with the operational leaders to ensure the cycle of improvement is embedded across YSAS. He is an adaptable, sector leader with an extensive range of skills cultivated through diverse roles and experiences. He is an inclusive, values-based leader driven by a genuine service ethos and tries to inspire the same in others. He is also on the Board of Directors for VAADA, the Drug and Alcohol sector peak body. What Dom loves most about YSAS is that the organisation’s purpose is never far from any discussion, decision or initiative. He also loves the wonderful people he gets to work with.

David is an advocacy and communications specialist with 10 years’ experience in the youth non-profit sector, Victorian public service and politics. David has led national campaigns to elevate the voices of victim-survivors, renters and public housing residents, and people affected first and worst by the climate crisis. David is responsible for media, communications, public policy and advocacy, and fundraising including the annual event febfast. He studied a Bachelor of Arts at Monash University majoring in sociology and executive education in public narrative at Harvard Kennedy School with Marshall Ganz, strategist for the historic 2008 Obama for President campaign. Prior to starting at YSAS, David advised the Deputy Leader of the Victorian Greens and Supreme Court of Victoria on community engagement, media and strategic communications, and held leadership roles at the Australian Youth Climate Coalition and Y-Generation Against Poverty. David is a Board Director at national renters’ rights lobby Better Renting. What David loves most about YSAS is its integrity, and telling the shared story of an organisation that pioneered youth alcohol and other drugs outreach on the streets of Fitzroy in the late 1990’s that’s now an influential advocate for young Victorians and their families.

Aji’s career extends over 16 years in mental health having undertaken a range of clinical, managerial and policy development roles in metropolitan and specialist state-wide public mental health services. Over the past 7 years Aji has led and participated in numerous service level reviews and investigations following critical incidents. His interests include service development and redesign, service improvement and quality systems. He is a Registered Nurse and holds Bachelor of Nursing, Post Graduate Certificate in Psychiatric Nursing, Master of Health Management and a Master of Nursing Science.

Tracey has 30 years’ experience in the youth and family sector, with a background in case management, counselling and consultancy with over 10 years’ experience in management roles. As the General Manager of Community Programs, Tracey is responsible for the strategic leadership of service delivery in the region. The role is responsible for leading teams, program operations and stakeholder relationships. Tracey has a range of qualifications including Diploma of Youth Work, Bachelor of Social Work, and Diploma of Leadership and Management. Tracey has a particular passion for supporting young people connected to statutory systems (Justice and Child Protection) and is a strong advocate for youth work models that embed family inclusive practice.

Benaifer joined YSAS recently as the General Manager, Human Resources. She has extensive experience in complex and challenging environments, has held senior leadership roles in Health and Community Services, Education, Manufacturing industries across Private, Public, State Government and Not-For-Profit sectors. Benaifer brings contemporary strategic thinking, holding post graduate qualifications in Public Administration, Management Studies, Human Resources Management, Training, Commerce and Law. Benaifer is values-driven and outcome-focused professional, working with key stakeholders to drive organisational transformation, cultural change and people strategies. She is keen to actively contribute to YSAS’ strategic priorities, building its agility and capability. She believes that an organisation with a great culture will be a great place to work and learn, attracting and retaining talented staff to support the health and wellbeing of our young people. Benaifer says that the most enjoyable part at YSAS is its inclusive and collaborative culture, with friendly people having utmost dedication to client service.

Jason is passionate about working with funders, partners, operations and back office teams, to support front line services and ensure long term financial sustainability of YSAS. Jason comes from a corporate finance background, working in large listed companies with experience in financial planning and analysis, reporting, and business partnering. As the Finance Manager, Jason is responsible for overseeing the finance function, including financial reporting, budgeting and forecasting, audit and compliance. Jason holds a Bachelor of Commerce and Bachelor of Arts from the University of Melbourne, a Diploma of Leadership and Management, and is a CPA. One of the most inspiring things about YSAS and the sector is the people, passionate and engaged teams working together across our sites and support functions, engaging with young people and communities to advocate for good.

Andrea is the Strategy and Planning Manager at YSAS. Since starting at YSAS in 2012, she has had roles in project management, contract governance, business process and system implementation, and more lately, strategic and annual planning. Andrea has an MBA (Social Impact) from UNSW, and Bachelors of Arts and Commerce (Honours) including research on diversity and social inclusion. She has completed The Observership Program where she further developed skills in not-for-profit board governance and strategy. Andrea is also a Board Director and Treasurer at YWCA Hunter, and volunteers with other organisations in the sector. Andrea is committed to YSAS’ purpose through planning, reporting, and supporting teams to connect with the organisation’s strategic aims and to work cohesively towards positive outcomes for young people, families and communities.

Chris Chen is the ICT Manager at YSAS where he oversees YSAS’ strategic IT projects and operations. Before YSAS, Chris was the ICT Manager for AU & NZ at Chanel, Louis Vuitton, and Harley-Davison. He has a track record for building ICT teams committed to service excellence and delivering robust, secure, and cost-effective technical solutions. He has a Bachelor of Science in Computing Science degree from The University of Technology Sydney and holds industry certifications in project management and cyber security. Outside the office, Chris enjoys traveling, the arts, and sports; go, Chelsea!

Tienyi is an in-house lawyer with experience in the higher education, government and not-for-profit sectors. As Legal and Compliance Manager, Tienyi manages YSAS’ governance, compliance, integrity, contract management, business continuity and insurance functions. Tienyi graduated from Monash University with a Bachelor of Law and Bachelor of Arts majoring in Spanish and Latin American Studies. Tienyi is passionate about supporting young people, particularly from culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds.