Youth Affairs Council Victoria

Katherine Ellis

Chief Executive Officer

Katherine joined YACVic in May 2019 and has over 25 years’ diverse experience in senior positions across the private, public and not-for-profit sectors, with extensive expertise in youth development policy and practice, organisational leadership and change management, and cross-sectoral collaboration.

Katherine previously worked for six years in London as Director of Youth Affairs at the Commonwealth of Nations, working on youth empowerment policy and programming across 53 countries with governments, youth leaders and other stakeholders. Her career also includes five years leading and transforming the Reach Foundation, as well as periods consulting to other organisations such as Teach for Australia and the Foundation for Young Australians. Earlier, she spent over a decade in the private sector, working both in Australia and internationally in a variety of analysis, strategy and corporate social responsibility roles.

Katherine holds a Master in Public Administration from the Harvard Kennedy School, a Master in e-Business, a Bachelor of Commerce, and a Diploma of Youth Work. She is also a Non-Executive Director of TRY Australia, a Mentor with Women on Boards, and a Fellow of Leadership Victoria’s Williamson Community Leadership Program.

Shaye Chalmers

Chief Operating Officer

Shaye has an outstanding range of skills and operational experience. She joined YACVic from the aged care sector, where she was overseeing Home Care Packages, as well as disability, mental health and Aboriginal community programs across Victoria. Prior to this, Shaye held several senior roles in the Department of Health and Human Services, which included housing, disability client services, disability partnerships and service planning.

Shaye’s career is also solidly grounded in youth work – she has managed multidisciplinary youth services, council youth services, and regional programs. Originally from New Zealand, Shaye has managed alternative education, peer support programs and student advocacy. She holds a Graduate Certificate in public sector management, a Master of Health Sciences, a Post Graduate Diploma and a Bachelor of Arts in education.