Staff

Gemma currently serves as the Interim CEO of ACTCOSS. Dr Killen joined ACTCOSS in early 2021 as a Senior Policy Officer and became Head of Policy in 2022. Their policy responsibilities include justice, drugs and alcohol, gender, families and young people, and education.

Gemma has a PhD in Sociology at the Australian National University, specialising in gender, sexuality and community making and has extensive experience in social advocacy in Canberra. They are also a freelance writer, educator and engagement consultant on issues relating to gender and sexuality.

Gabby joined ACTCOSS in July 2022 as a Policy Support Officer.

Gabby recently graduated from a Bachelor of Arts with a major in Sociology. Her career background is in Early Childhood Education, Inclusion and Early Intervention. She is very passionate about working to uphold the rights of children, families, people with disability and the wider ACT community in the spirit of social justice, inclusion and equity.

Rachelle is a proud Baakindji Noongku (Woman), on her mother’s side, however, she was raised, lives, works and studies on Ngunnawal/Ngambri Country. She is married, and a mother of two sons and four stepchildren. Rachelle is in her final year of completing a Bachelor of Law and hopes to be admitted as a solicitor in 2023.

Rachelle's previous roles have predominantly been in the public service working in justice and public administration, however, in 2020, she moved across to the community sector where she worked as a paralegal with a community legal service. She has been with the Gulanga Program since September 2021 and enjoys working in the advocacy space, as she is passionate about supporting Aboriginal people, sharing her knowledge, and building capacity within the sector.

Patrick joined ACTCOSS in early 2022 as the resident Communications and Events Support Officer. His responsibilities include liaising with media contacts on behalf of ACTCOSS, supporting the preparation of media releases and op-ed pieces relating to ACTCOSS advocacy, writing and scheduling content for ACTCOSS social media platforms, planning and managing events for ACTCOSS members and sector colleagues, and assisting with office reception and administration. He is passionate about fighting inequality through his work.

Patrick has completed a Bachelor of Politics and International Relations with University of Canberra. He is active in the Canberra music scene and enjoys supporting and promoting artists in his community.