Meet the Team
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EXECUTIVE DIRECTORGeraldine brings over 30 years of experience in early childhood leadership and management of place-based approaches, integrated service provision both in Australia and in England. In her roles of championing children’s social and emotional wellbeing has gained experience from Government, NGO and private sector organisations.
Geraldine has authored the neuro-informed Foundations for Families a Birth to Three Framework of Effective Practice, written book chapters on Transpirational leadership focussed on place-based approaches of collective action and on the emerging field of Playwork leadership.
A social cartographer, her PhD in place-based leadership made visible the relationality that exists between the ecological, social and individual conditions ; and how these conditions impact children’s development, partnership health and leadership wellbeing within movements of collective action. As the Executive Director of the Pathways to Resilience, Geraldine combines her passion as an advocate for children’s rights, together with a neuro-informed approach to understanding child development & children’s wellbeing; and her belief that a collective approach is required, to enhance children’s wellbeing.
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EDUCATION AND ENGAGEMENT CONSULTANTTammy is deeply passionate about children's development and believes that through foundational movements and an understanding of the brain, educators have the power to transform young lives. Tammy's favourite part of her role is "spending time with the children coaching and mentoring because they bring so much wonder and awe to the things we find mundane. It really changes your view of the world, we can learn a lot from our little humans.
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FINANCE, MARKETING AND COMMUNICATIONS OFFICERCassandra leads finance, marketing and communications at Pathways to Resilience, bringing a wealth of experience from her extensive career in small business, with a deep passion for eCommerce, marketing, and communications. Known for her creative vision and exceptional interpersonal skills, Cassandra excels at transforming ideas into impactful campaigns.
What drives her most in her role is the opportunity to advocate for Pathways to Resilience - a mission-driven organization with unwavering integrity. She takes pride in sharing the organisation's transformative work with a wider audience and helping it make a lasting impact.
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EDUCATION AND ENGAGEMENT CONSULTANTJo-Anna is an education specialist with over 27 years of experience across a range of sectors. For the past 15 years Jo-Anna’s focus of work has been in the education aid and development field. Major contributions have been to education and curriculum reform projects around the Pacific including work in Papua New Guinea, Tonga, Fiji, Nauru, Kiribati, Vanuatu and Indonesia. Jo-Anna’s areas of expertise include curriculum and materials development, teacher training and professional development, development of minimum service standards, leadership and institutional strengthening.
Prior to her work internationally, Jo-Anna worked as founding Principal of the Griffith University and Toohey Forest Eco-Centre and held senior executive positions in the Department of Education, Queensland. Prior to this work Jo-Anna worked at the Queensland Curriculum Council on the development of the Queensland SOSE syllabus; as a classroom teacher in a range of Qld schools and a sessional lecturer at Griffith University.
Jo-Anna’s has a passion for environmental education and her research has focussed on this specific field.
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PROJECT LEAD - PARTNERSHIPS & OPERATIONS
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EDUCATION AND ENGAGEMENT CONSULTANTAlicia brings a warm, passionate approach to her work with children, educators, and teachers. With nearly a decade of hands-on experience, she blends practical insight with a strong foundation in psychology and neuroscience. Alicia has worked with children from diverse backgrounds—including those from culturally and linguistically diverse communities, children in out-of-home care, and those with trauma or additional diagnoses—giving her a deep understanding of the unique needs of each child. This experience has not only deepened her understanding of children’s developmental and emotional needs, but also helped her relate to the real-world challenges and perspectives of educators and parents alike.
Holding an undergraduate degree in psychology and postgraduate qualifications in parenting and neuroscience, Alicia stays at the forefront of research and practice. She has contributed to multiple research projects and published articles that seek to amplify the voices of children, families, and educators. She remains active within the research sector to ensure continued advocacy for useful, evidence-informed approaches. Alicia is committed to supporting those who work with children by building their confidence, and strengthening their practice and skills. Her goal is to help create inclusive, responsive, and meaningful programs that truly make a difference and enable educators to share their insights and innovations.
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PROJECT SUPPORT OFFICEAlex is part of the Project Team at Pathways to Resilience, bringing his experience with team and asset management to a place he believes truly serves the good of the community. He has an inquiring mind that's found a comfortable place learning the ins-and-outs of project management in the child-care space, and a brain geared for developing systems to make things run as smoothly and efficiently as possible in a sector that (he now knows) can change at a moment's notice.
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EDUCATION AND ENGAGEMENT CONSULTANTI’m a passionate advocate for children, and I love seeing the incredible impact caring adults can have on and in their lives. I believe early childhood is a vital time, when each child’s unique abilities, interests, and learning styles start to shine. That’s why I’m committed to creating inclusive spaces that respect every child’s uniqueness, dignity and potential—because when we nurture them early, we set them up for a lifetime of growth and success. Above all I love the magic that happens when we genuinely listen to children and follow their lead.
I have worked in the early childhood community for 30 years fulfilling different roles and responsibilities; including Educator in day care settings, Child Development Specialist for community-based family and child programs, Educational Leader and Nominated Supervisor/Centre Director of an Early Education and Care service. I was drawn to my role as an Education and Engagement Consultant at Pathways to Resilience to support communities in understanding behaviour and emotions through a neuroscience lens. Fostering strong relationships, developing essential social and emotional skills, building resilience and wellbeing - I am doing this for children everywhere. Yet, along the way the adults participating in conversation are also learning about themselves. I hope that after our workshops they are kinder to themselves as they discover how their childhoods have shaped them and influence everything they do, think and say about themselves. The best part of my job is coaching and mentoring, alongside educators and early childhood communities. This truly fills my cup; I love seeing the positive impact of our work firsthand and get as excited as the educators as they notice changes for the children and themselves.
When I’m not working, you’ll likely find me out in nature wondering with the natural world, the beach restores me, and the bush connects me to my surroundings. I am always looking for ways to keep learning and growing. I love to read, cook (and eat) and play and always have things at hand for a fabulous tea party. My purpose in life is to sprinkle positivity and hopefulness and search for the glimmers for in life as these things have seen me through the most challenging times in my life. Fun fact – flamingos are my spirit animal, long legged, elegant yet awkward and many shades of pink.
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EDUCATION AND ENGAGEMENT CONSULTANTSonya is an Education and Engagement Consultant at Pathways to Resilience who hold a Bachelor Degree in Primary Education and enjoyed a career as a Primary Teacher for almost 14 years. Sonya is also a qualified Early Years Teacher with a specialism in Birth to 5 Education. She is passionate about the importance of children’s emotional wellbeing and the positive impact which educators and caregivers can have on children’s brain development. Pathways to Resilience allows Sonya to explore how she can positively impact the lives of young children and their families though supporting the amazing people who work with them every day.
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EDUCATION AND ENGAGEMENT CONSULTANT
Our Board
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Lee brings a wealth of knowledge, skill and expertise to the conversation drawn from over three decades of working across the sector. Lee is a passionate advocate for the Early Childhood Education and Care profession and a champion for educators and children. With a deep understanding of the operational and practical complexities of the sector within the wider economic and social environment.
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Louise has a Bachelor of Business (Comms) from the Queensland University of Technology and a Bachelor of Arts from Macquarie University, and is skilled in Strategy Development and Implementation; Crisis Management; Stakeholder Engagement; Corporate Social Responsibility; and Government and Media Relations.
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Dr Francis Bobongie-Harris is an Australian South Sea and Torres Strait Islander woman from Yuwi Country. She is Senior Lecturer and researcher with the School of Early Childhood and Inclusive Education at Queensland University of Technology. She is an Early Childhood Educator with experience working in New Zealand and Australia.
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Daniella is a corporate lawyer and company secretary who works in an executive position for a private corporation in the resources industry. She has over 15 years experience advising across various areas of law and has particular interest in mergers and acquisitions, corporate governance, risk and regulatory compliance.
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Dr. Michael Daubney is a Child, Adolescent and Adult Psychiatrist with clinical interests in psychotherapy, trauma, infant mental health and adolescent inpatient and outpatient treatment. Currently, he is the Medical Director of Specialist Teams CYMHS, Children & Health Queensland Hospital and Health Service and State-wide Medical Director of the Assertive Mobile Youth Outreach Teams (AMYOS).
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Jennifer Ribarovski is an accomplished early childhood education leader, consultant, author and presenter with more than 40 years’ experience across the education and care sector. As Managing Director of JR Education Consulting Services Pty Ltd, she provides professional learning, mentoring and consultancy nationally and internationally. Jennifer’s career spans teaching, leadership, regulatory and policy roles, including executive positions with NSW Regulatory Authority and ACECQA. Co-author of Professional Communication for Early Childhood Educators, she is recognised for her expertise in leadership, communication, pedagogy and quality improvement, and is passionate about empowering educators to strengthen practice, confidence and outcomes for children.