Our Team
Leadership Team
Ashleigh Streeter-Jones
Founder & CEO
Described by Forbes Magazine as a “youthful visionary”, Ashleigh has worked in youth advocacy and campaigns for 10 years. ACT Woman of the Year 2018 and a Forbes 30 Under 30 listee, Ashleigh has been recognised as an Australian Financial Review 100 Women of Influence, was a recipient of the Global Citizen Youth Leader award, and was a Victorian Young Australian of the Year finalist in 2024.
Ashleigh has advocated for young people, gender equality and young women and gender diverse people in politics and the public sector at home and abroad, having presented on the topic to both domestic and global organisations including the World Economic Forum and World YMCA. Ashleigh has attended the Commission on the Status of Women at the United Nations, and in 2023, she was selected as one of 50 young leaders to attend the World Economic Forum’s annual meeting at Davos.
In 2022 she joined former Prime Minister Julia Gillard on her Not Now Not Ever tour, and hosted an event with US Secretary of State Anthony Blinken. Ashleigh is an experienced policy practitioner, and holds a Bachelor of Arts (Hons) (Politics/ IR) from Monash University and a Masters in Diplomacy from the ANU.
Lauren Pollock
Deputy CEO
Lauren is a dynamic communicator with a knack for storytelling and stakeholder engagement. She is dedicated to amplifying the voices of young people, especially women and gender-diverse individuals, in policy and social change.
With a Bachelor's Degree in Communication, Lauren found her calling among creatives and chatterboxes. She thrives on driving strategic direction and forging partnerships that make a real difference.In her day job, Lauren curates content for the WhyNot Platform and leads impactful projects for the Y.
In her spare time, she champions women's achievements with Women in Technology through advocacy, professional development, and mentoring. She also serves on the Board of Play Therapy Practitioners Association, ensuring children have a space to share their voices.
Lauren's work is fuelled by her passion for innovation, inclusivity, and positive social change.
Anisha Gupta
Head of Impact Assessment
As a diversity and equality advocate, Anisha is dedicated to creating a campaign that amplifies the voices of young people.
After graduating from a Bachelor of Commerce (Economics) and Bachelor of Arts (International Relations), Anisha currently works in strategy consulting where she pursues her passion for problem solving. Anisha’s academic excellence and community impact was recognised by the Australian Government when she was awarded the New Colombo Scholarship which allowed her to travel for study and work to Singapore and India. Her previous volunteering and leadership experiences include the Centre for Multicultural Youth, UN Youth Australia, Australian Institute of International Affairs, She’s A Crowd, interning at the Victorian Parliament and various other involvements with student societies.
Community Engagement Team
Emmaline Monteith
Co-Head of Community
Emmaline Monteith (she/her) is passionate about gender equality and social justice, and she currently serves as Co-Head of Community at Raise Our Voice Australia. She is also a PhD candidate in Gender Studies at the Australian National University (ANU), where her research focuses on leveraging online testimonies about sexual assault and sex as powerful tools for social change.In addition to her doctoral studies, Emmaline works as a Research Assistant and Intern Coordinator at the Global Institute for Women's Leadership (GIWL) at ANU. Currently, she is investigating gendered tech-based abuse as part of the eSafety Commission's Preventing Tech-based Abuse of Women Grants Program. Previously, Emmaline was a Research Assistant at Curtin University, where she contributed to a project examining the factors influencing women's willingness to engage with news media interviews.These academic and professional experiences have equipped her with an understanding of various research methodologies and evidence-based strategies for advancing gender equality.
Alice Jackson
Co-Head of Community
Alice Jackson (they/them) is an undergraduate student currently undertaking a double degree at Monash University in Politics, Philosophy and Economics and Arts majoring in Political Governance and International Relations respectively.With a passion for a gendered perspective on Politics and International Relations, Alice came into their role as Co-Head of Community alongside Emmaline after completing the Raise Our Voice training in 2021. From there they have been able to expand on their passion for community building and political engagement by helping create (and sometimes facilitate) panels and social events.When they’re not juggling essays, Alice is passionate about analysing extremism from a feminist perspective and working towards getting into a Master’s degree. These passions, interest and experience has them with a keen excitement, hope and passion to help bring more young, gender diverse people into the realm of Politics and Policy and help others become educated, interested and excited about the power we all have to create change.
Training Team
Arleen Wilcox
Head of Training
Arleen is a communications professional with a passion for diversity and inclusion, and gender equity. She believes in the value of including young voices in all spheres of life but particularly when it comes to policy and politics that directly impact their futures.She has worked in diplomatic missions and Australian local government, as well as with organisations like United Nations Youth NSW, the International Federation of Journalists Asia-Pacific, Multicultural Youth Affairs Network and the Red Cross.
As a former ROVA training participant and facilitator, she is excited to step up as a Head of Training this year to strengthen the organisation's vision and reach.
Kira Todd
Facilitator
Kira is studying a Masters of International Relations at the University of Melbourne and is broadly interested in policy areas which invite opportunity to create a more equitable, sustainable and just society. Having participated in youth activism initiatives including Victorian Youth Parliament and Local and Vocal, she believes in the value of educating young people about politics and empowering them to be informed citizens and advocates of change.
Kira volunteers with the Asylum Seeker Resource Centre and has contributed to digital campaign analysis, as well as organising events and fundraisers. She currently works in a public-facing communications role with Rail Projects Victoria.
Janice Rodrigues
Deputy Head of Training
Janice is a racial and gender justice advocate. She is working as a Youth Specialist at the Western Sydney MRC, supporting newly arrived refugees and migrants. Janice is passionate about tackling the inequalities through community-driven approaches, and amplifying lived experience of political challenges.
Janice is the Democracy in Colour NSW state leader, where she has used her community organising skills and mobilising people of colour. She was part of Plan International's Youth Activist Series in 2022, Global Youth Reference Group in 2023, and facilitated the Learn2Lead pilot program with Tennis Australia. Janice has represented Western Sydney on the Greater Cities Commission Youth Panel and contributed to the Women's Safety Charter in NSW.
She has a Bachelor of Arts (Politics/ International Relations) from USyd.
Amber Anderson
Head of Training Content
Amber is a foreign policy practitioner with the Department of Defence and is passionate about including youth in decision making.
She holds a Bachelor of Philosophy from UWA, and completed her Honours dissertation in education policy, which examined young people’s perceptions of the teaching profession.
Amber is an advocate for improving policy processes, especially in education. She has had many opportunities to do just that through her work with multiple education start-ups, as a delegate to the Y20 and as a UNICEF Ambassador. Amber also undertakes research work, exploring how to better attract youth to careers in education.
Amber is excited to develop ROVA’s educational programs and empower more young people in policy processes.
People Team
Madison O’Brien
Head of People
Madison is a recognised leader in youth empowerment, community building, and driving positive impact through innovation. Over the past decade, she has worked with more than 10,000 leaders across government, non-profit, and private sectors to build values-driven teams and trusted communities.
In her roles at GiveBack, Teamgage, and the Global Shapers Community, Madison has led initiatives in employee engagement, people and culture, and building thriving in-person and virtual communities. Her work seamlessly integrates social impact into workplace culture, creating lasting change for organisations and their people.
In 2024, Madison was selected as one of 50 young leaders to attend the World Economic Forum’s Annual Meeting in Davos, recognising her contributions to global leadership and community development. With a background in psychology and human resources, she combines strategic insight with a deep understanding of human behaviour to create high-performing, purpose-driven teams.