BYS is governed by a Board of community members who volunteer their time, and provide strategic direction and guidance to ensure BYS delivers high quality services to young people.
Strategy
Our Vision
New futures for young people.
Our Purpose
To enable vulnerable young people and families to navigate life challenges and thrive in the community.
Our Commitment
To promote a just society for young people.
Our Values
Respect - Optimism - Accountability - Resilience
| Theme | Goal |
|---|---|
| Outcomes | We will measure outcomes for young people and demonstrate the value of our services. |
| Sustainability | We will continuously improve our practice, systems and processes to optimise outcomes for clients. |
| Growth | We will adapt, diversify our funding and grow to respond to the emerging needs of young people and families. |
| Partnering | We will be a trusted and respected partner for all stakeholders. |
| Capability | We will invest in our people to build a learning organisation that values and creates knowledge. |
| Reputation | We will grow our profile and be recognised in the community as a provider of choice. |
Our Team: BYS values our staff and volunteers who are core to our ability to support young people and their families.
Our Story
Brisbane Youth Service (BYS) was formally constituted in 1976 and commenced operation in February 1977 as a youth service, providing assistance to young people experiencing homelessness or at risk of becoming homeless.
In 2011 Othila’s young women’s housing and support service was merged into Brisbane Youth Service. These services are now provided through the BYS Young Women and Young Families team.
In November 2015, Brisbane Youth Service amalgamated with Youth Emergency Services and Carina Youth Agency. This enabled BYS to significantly expand the range of housing options available to young people and young families.
Today, BYS is a multidisciplinary, medium sized incorporated association providing holistic community services to vulnerable young people (aged 12 – 25) and their children in Brisbane.
As one organisation, we are stronger together, with new opportunities, more resources and better outcomes for young people. To find out more about the programs we provide, click here.
Board Members
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Dr Nikola Stepanov
President
Dr Nikola Stepanov has dedicated much of her career in service to the public sector and community and has a background in professional ethics and governance, research, mediation, dispute resolution and board governance. She has particular expertise in resolving complex and contentious ethical issues and conflicts. Nikola holds five degrees including a Juris Doctor (JD), and a Doctor of Philosophy (PhD, Melbourne) which explored the boundaries to parental consent to non-therapeutic interventions involving children. She is also a Fellow member of the Governance Institute of Australia, an accredited mediator under the National Mediator Accreditation System, and an accredited Family Dispute Resolution Practitioner under the Federal Attorney General’s Department.
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In her ‘day job’ she is the Queensland Integrity Commissioner. -
Anna Spencer
Vice President
Anna is a Field Education Coordinator - School of Social Sciences at USC Sunshine Coast. She has over 30 years’ experience in working in the human services sector across of State Government, Local Government and the not for profit sectors and private consulting. The roles have ranged from front line practice to management and now teaching.
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Shelley Sorrenson
Secretary
Shelley is Head of Legal and Company Secretary at LGIAsuper and specialises in Banking and Financial Services, Superannuation and Corporate Governance. She holds tertiary qualifications in law, justice, fitness and not-for-profit leadership and holds memberships with the Australian Institute of Company Directors and the Queensland Law Society.
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Kelly Moore
Treasurer
Kelly is an experienced CFO with broad industry experience. Some areas of specialisation include leadership, strategy, continuous improvement, process optimisation and integration and change management.
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Dr Alexander Robinson
Board Member
Alex is a junior doctor based at the Cairns Hospital with an interest in clinical and corporate governance. He holds tertiary qualifications in science, medicine, public health, and business leadership; holds membership with the Australian Institute of Company Directors; and is an Associate Lecturer at the University of Queensland Medical School.
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Christian Callisen
Board Member
Christian has a background in retail banking and public service, and is currently a senior executive at the Department of Social Services. Christian brings to BYS specialist knowledge in financial services, government procurement and health policy, and a passion for leading and inspiring teams and organisations that make a positive difference to the communities they serve.
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Jake Arden
Board Member
Jake has a background in retail and private banking and is currently an Associate Private Banker for Westpac. Jake’s specialisations include financial services, strategy and leadership.
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Ben Paris
Board Member
Ben is a Registered Debt Agreement Administrator at DCS Group Aust and has over 12 years of experience in personal insolvency. He has tertiary degrees in Accounting, Business and Health Science and currently serves on the board of the Personal Insolvency Professionals Association. His areas of interest are financial literacy, family business, entrepreneurship and marketing.
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Michelle Wade
Board Member
Michelle is a strategic marketing and communications specialist, with 20 years’ experience working in the health, government, education and employment sectors. Michelle is the founder of Wade Marketing and has held senior executive positions with government health and not-for-profit organisations. She brings specialist knowledge in marketing, brand and communications strategy, multichannel marketing campaigns, multichannel service delivery and customer engagement strategy.
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BYS Patron - Steve Renouf
BYS Management
Brisbane Youth Service (BYS) is led by a strong management team made up of experienced professionals passionate about the work they do and committed to creating new futures for young people. The Management Team is responsible for implementing the strategic priorities set by the Board and managing the day-to-day operations of the organisation.
- Annemaree Callander – Chief Executive Officer
- Sarah Page – Corporate Services Director
- Di Mahoney – Service Delivery Director
- Adam Barnes – Housing Services Senior Manager
- Laura Christie – Housing and Tenancy Support Manager
- Neti Read – Young Women and Young Families Manager
- Erin Field – Hub Intake and Intervention Manager
- Phil Smith – Health Services Manager
- Rhianon Vichta – Research and Evaluation Coordinator
- Simone Gott – Quality and Practice Development Coordinator