The ACTCOSS Staff Team
Ara Cresswell
Director
Ara Cresswell has been the ACTCOSS Director since April 2004. She came to us from the Australian Federation of Homelessness Organisations where she was the Executive Officer. Ara has spent over twenty years in the ACT community sector, working towards effective policy and service delivery in the areas of homelessness, poverty, mental illness, problematic drug and alcohol use, domestic and family violence, and inter-related issues. Ara was a commissioner with the ACT Legal Aid Commission, an Advisory Fellow with the Regulatory Institutions Network, and currently sits on numerous committees and advisory groups aimed at creating a fair and accessible ACT.
Besides being passionate about access, justice and liberation, Ara likes to play mah jong, dive into the ocean any time of year, enjoy a leisurely Sunday morning breakfast and walk in the ACT bush land.
Ara Cresswell has been the ACTCOSS Director since April 2004. She came to us from the Australian Federation of Homelessness Organisations where she was the Executive Officer. Ara has spent over twenty years in the ACT community sector, working towards effective policy and service delivery in the areas of homelessness, poverty, mental illness, problematic drug and alcohol use, domestic and family violence, and inter-related issues. Ara was a commissioner with the ACT Legal Aid Commission, an Advisory Fellow with the Regulatory Institutions Network, and currently sits on numerous committees and advisory groups aimed at creating a fair and accessible ACT.
Besides being passionate about access, justice and liberation, Ara likes to play mah jong, dive into the ocean any time of year, enjoy a leisurely Sunday morning breakfast and walk in the ACT bush land.
Llewellyn Reynders
Deputy Director
Llewellyn joined ACTCOSS as a Policy Officer in February 2005. Llewellyn is particularly interested in using economic analysis to promote social justice, and has interests in issues of human rights, governance, income support, taxation, housing, demography, planning, transport, public infrastructure and the environment.
Llewellyn currently holds a Bachelor of Economic and Bachelor of Science in psychology and environmental science. Llewellyn worked previously as a Policy Adviser in the ACT Legislative Assembly for 3 years, and was the Chair of the ANU Union in 2002.
In his spare time, Llewellyn plays volleyball, goes swimming as often as possible and belts out poor renditions of Chopin on the piano.
Llewellyn joined ACTCOSS as a Policy Officer in February 2005. Llewellyn is particularly interested in using economic analysis to promote social justice, and has interests in issues of human rights, governance, income support, taxation, housing, demography, planning, transport, public infrastructure and the environment.
Llewellyn currently holds a Bachelor of Economic and Bachelor of Science in psychology and environmental science. Llewellyn worked previously as a Policy Adviser in the ACT Legislative Assembly for 3 years, and was the Chair of the ANU Union in 2002.
In his spare time, Llewellyn plays volleyball, goes swimming as often as possible and belts out poor renditions of Chopin on the piano.
Brooke McKail
Policy and Development Officer
Brooke joined ACTCOSS in April 2008 after completing her Arts/Law degree in 2007. Before arriving at ACTCOSS, Brooke worked in a Canberra law firm. She is particularly interested in human rights and justice and is looking forward to using her legal skills to promote social justice and get involved with the ACT community.
Brooke spends her time reading, watching AFL and avoiding the gym.
Brooke joined ACTCOSS in April 2008 after completing her Arts/Law degree in 2007. Before arriving at ACTCOSS, Brooke worked in a Canberra law firm. She is particularly interested in human rights and justice and is looking forward to using her legal skills to promote social justice and get involved with the ACT community.
Brooke spends her time reading, watching AFL and avoiding the gym.
Maria Jenkins
Policy and Development Officer
Maria joined ACTCOSS as a policy officer in May 2007. Prior to that she had worked in the Office for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Health in the Commonwealth Department of Health, following a period with ATSIC and the Commonwealth Education portfolio. After working at the national level for most of her career, Maria is happy to be working in the community sector, focussing on the ACT. She has a keen interest in social justice, and is pleased to be able to work on a wide range of issues that affect the ACT community. Maria has a Bachelor of Arts and a Diploma in Education.
Outside ACTCOSS, Maria indulges her love of teaching by teaching international folk dancing and is trying to learn the Greek language – with a dream of getting to Greece one day!
Maria joined ACTCOSS as a policy officer in May 2007. Prior to that she had worked in the Office for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Health in the Commonwealth Department of Health, following a period with ATSIC and the Commonwealth Education portfolio. After working at the national level for most of her career, Maria is happy to be working in the community sector, focussing on the ACT. She has a keen interest in social justice, and is pleased to be able to work on a wide range of issues that affect the ACT community. Maria has a Bachelor of Arts and a Diploma in Education.
Outside ACTCOSS, Maria indulges her love of teaching by teaching international folk dancing and is trying to learn the Greek language – with a dream of getting to Greece one day!
Caterina Giorgi
Policy and Development Officer
Caterina joined ACTCOSS as a policy and development officer in January 2008. She previously worked at the Department of Veteran Affairs, Illawarra Ethnic Community Council and the Centre for Health Initiatives at the University of Wollongong. She has a keen interest in all aspects of health and ageing and is excited about becoming involved with a greater range of issues affecting the ACT. Caterina has a Bachelor of Science (Honours) majoring in Population Health.
Outside ACTCOSS, Caterina enjoys being out in the sun, trying new foods, and catching up with friends and family.
Caterina joined ACTCOSS as a policy and development officer in January 2008. She previously worked at the Department of Veteran Affairs, Illawarra Ethnic Community Council and the Centre for Health Initiatives at the University of Wollongong. She has a keen interest in all aspects of health and ageing and is excited about becoming involved with a greater range of issues affecting the ACT. Caterina has a Bachelor of Science (Honours) majoring in Population Health.Outside ACTCOSS, Caterina enjoys being out in the sun, trying new foods, and catching up with friends and family.
Susan Abbott
Policy and Development Officer
Susan Abbott has in the community sector in both rural and urban areas for over twenty years. She started by volunteering and then, realising she could get paid for the fun she was having, returned to study as a mature aged student. Susan has been involved in a variety of issues within the sector and really appreciates the diversity and wealth of talent that exists in this sector.
She has a degree in Applied Science, Health Education, a diploma in Business and Cert IV in Training and Assessing and believes she is on a life long journey to have fun, learn and remain curious.
Susan Abbott has in the community sector in both rural and urban areas for over twenty years. She started by volunteering and then, realising she could get paid for the fun she was having, returned to study as a mature aged student. Susan has been involved in a variety of issues within the sector and really appreciates the diversity and wealth of talent that exists in this sector. She has a degree in Applied Science, Health Education, a diploma in Business and Cert IV in Training and Assessing and believes she is on a life long journey to have fun, learn and remain curious.
Suzanne Lawson
Project Officer
Suzanne joined ACTCOSS in January 2008 to work on a community sector viability project. Suzanne has worked in social policy for over 20 years in Commonwealth, State and Local Governments and the community sector in Queensland. Prior to joining ACTCOSS Suzanne worked on developing the Brisbane City Council’s Response to Homelessness Strategy. She has a Masters in Social Welfare, Administration and Planning and is currently completing a PHD on State Government programs addressing urban disadvantage in Australia.
Suzanne enjoys gardening, sewing and going for bike rides with her family.
Suzanne joined ACTCOSS in January 2008 to work on a community sector viability project. Suzanne has worked in social policy for over 20 years in Commonwealth, State and Local Governments and the community sector in Queensland. Prior to joining ACTCOSS Suzanne worked on developing the Brisbane City Council’s Response to Homelessness Strategy. She has a Masters in Social Welfare, Administration and Planning and is currently completing a PHD on State Government programs addressing urban disadvantage in Australia.Suzanne enjoys gardening, sewing and going for bike rides with her family.
Julie Butler
Indigenous Sector Development Officer
Julie has worked part-time with ACTCOSS since February 2007. Julie moved to Canberra over 20 years ago to increase her employment opportunities and to see new places. She has worked in education, youth, domestic violence, housing, health, aged care and local and federal government. Julie likes to visit the South Coast for its beauty and relaxed lifestyle. Her family are from North Queensland (Bandjin) and North Western Queensland (Kalkadoon).
Julie has worked part-time with ACTCOSS since February 2007. Julie moved to Canberra over 20 years ago to increase her employment opportunities and to see new places. She has worked in education, youth, domestic violence, housing, health, aged care and local and federal government. Julie likes to visit the South Coast for its beauty and relaxed lifestyle. Her family are from North Queensland (Bandjin) and North Western Queensland (Kalkadoon).
Les Coe
Indigenous Sector Development Officer
Les first joined ACTCOSS in 2004, and has worked on range of initiatives to address Indigenous disadvantage in the ACT.
Les first joined ACTCOSS in 2004, and has worked on range of initiatives to address Indigenous disadvantage in the ACT.
Suzanne Richardson
Communications and Membership Officer
Suzanne Richardson joined ACTCOSS in January 2008 as the Communications and Membership Officer. This is her first foray into the world of community services, and she is looking forward to using her skills to help people. She has a Bachelor of Creative Arts, majoring in Graphic Design and New Media, as well as a Certificate II in IT.
In her spare time, Suzanne enjoys playing video games and doing other equally nerdy activities.
Suzanne Richardson joined ACTCOSS in January 2008 as the Communications and Membership Officer. This is her first foray into the world of community services, and she is looking forward to using her skills to help people. She has a Bachelor of Creative Arts, majoring in Graphic Design and New Media, as well as a Certificate II in IT.
In her spare time, Suzanne enjoys playing video games and doing other equally nerdy activities.
Lisa Wells
Office Co-ordinator
Lisa started work with ACTCOSS in April 2006 as Office Coordinator.
Prior to joining ACTCOSS Lisa worked for six years at Nican, the last three years as Office Manager.

Lisa started work with ACTCOSS in April 2006 as Office Coordinator.
Prior to joining ACTCOSS Lisa worked for six years at Nican, the last three years as Office Manager.
