Kirsty is a strategist, and advocate with over two decades’ experience in justice, cultural change, leadership, and community development. She co-founded The Be There Group to empower people and workplaces to prevent harm and build safer, more respectful environments. With a background spanning government, corporate, and grassroots sectors, Kirsty is known for her ability to connect with people at every level and bring complex conversations to life through practical, strengths-based approaches. She is passionate about creating real change by equipping individuals and organisations with the tools to lead with respect, equity, and courage.

Shaan is a psychologist, mediator, and culture change specialist with more than 25 years’ experience in the response to and prevention of violence. As co-founder of The Be There Group, she brings deep expertise in behaviour change, leadership, and psychosocial safety. Shaan has worked across corporate, government, education, and community sectors, helping organisations and individuals build safer, more respectful environments. Known for her practical, compassionate approach, Shaan is committed to empowering people with the tools to prevent harm, support others, and create lasting cultural change.

Hayden is an Engineer by trade who now brings his skills to The Be There Group as our Business and Strategic Manager. With a background in leadership, performance, and behaviour change, he combines technical precision with a people-focused approach to culture change. Hayden is passionate about empowering individuals and organisations to understand their influence, take positive action, and create safer, more respectful environments. Known for his energy, insight, and ability to spark real conversations, Hayden is an amazing facilitator and strategist who ensures our work is impactful and sustainable.

Jesse is both a creative director and an experienced facilitator, known for bringing high energy, deep compassion, and powerful lived experience to her work. She is the creative force behind The Be There Group’s visual identity, shaping resources, campaigns, and events that carry impact and authenticity. With a background in branding, fashion, and creative direction, Jesse combines design with facilitation to spark conversations, shift perspectives, and inspire action. Her unique blend of creativity, empathy, and real-world insight makes her an invaluable part of the Be There team.

Ben is a Lecturer of Music, a performing musician in a rock band, and an incredible facilitator of critical self-reflection and discussion. He brings creativity, authenticity, and depth to his sessions, using his background in music and performance to connect with people in unique and powerful ways. At The Be There Group, Ben is known for guiding participants to think differently, challenge assumptions, and engage in conversations that spark real change.

Deb is an experienced facilitator, professional supervisor, and author with a diverse background in health, education, and leadership. At The Be There Group, she is known for creating safe and reflective spaces that invite honest self-awareness and growth. With over six years of training experience, Deb brings compassion, wisdom, and a practical approach that helps individuals and teams connect more deeply and create meaningful change. She holds a Graduate Certificate in Professional Supervision, a Master’s in Theology & Leadership, dual Diplomas in Business Leadership & Management, and advanced qualifications in Applied Science, Oral Health Education, and Child Clinical Dentistry.

Nadima is a certified professional counsellor (PACFA) with a Bachelor of Psychological Science and Counselling. She specialises in supporting women and couples on their journey to emotional well-being, personal growth, and healing. With over 22 years’ experience as a business owner and strong commitment to diversity, inclusion, and community safety, Nadima brings warmth, cultural sensitivity, and deep insight to her facilitation work. Her approach is evidence-based, compassionate, and grounded in her own lived experiences.

Adam is an Aboriginal Elder, facilitator, and mentor who brings cultural wisdom, professional expertise, and lived experience to his work with The Be There Group. With a background in law, governance, and leadership, he is known for creating safe and respectful spaces where people can reflect deeply, challenge assumptions, and engage in meaningful dialogue. Adam combines his legal training with his cultural knowledge to help individuals and organisations navigate complex issues with integrity and courage. He is passionate about truth-telling, reconciliation, and equipping people with the skills to build safer, more inclusive communities.

Tennille brings a rich background in Human Resources, Learning & Development, Employee Engagement with over ten years of experience across industry, talent strategies, and culture-building. Known for her ability to connect deeply, guide teams through change, and elevate trust and inclusion, she creates spaces where people feel heard, empowered, and ready to act. Tennille is passionate about designing learning that’s practical, relevant, and anchored in both lived experience and evidence.

Bernadette is a trauma-informed, strength- and solution-based facilitator who brings deep experience across corporate, non-profit, health, and education sectors. She has delivered wellbeing mentoring workshops and respectful workplace bystander training, driven by her innate interest in human behaviour and her passion for empowering individuals through awareness, education, and action. With qualifications in both Behavioural Science (Psychology & Counselling) and Business Marketing, Bernadette is skilled at engaging people, building trust, and creating safe, positive spaces for learning. She prides herself on fostering respectful relationships and inspiring participants to be effective bystanders in workplaces, families, and the broader community.

Mitch is a preventative mental health and transformational facilitator with 10 years of experience across the not-for-profit and corporate sectors. He specialises in transformational program design and facilitation training and development, and has worked with organisations including The Man Cave, Monash University, Movember, The Rites of Passage Institute and The Be There Group

Much of Mitch’s work has focused on teenage boys, helping them navigate the challenges, responsibilities, and opportunities of growing into whole-hearted, engaged adults. He brings those insights into workplaces and adult groups, promoting empathy, intergenerational understanding, and authenticity. Mitch is known for leading with warm curiosity, sincerity, and creating spaces where people feel safe, seen, and heard, inviting courageous conversations.

Cate Darcy is a dedicated Diversity & Inclusion practitioner & Be There facilitator who is passionate about the benefits an inclusive culture can bring to individuals, organisations, and society. It was through Cate’s work in Diversity & Inclusion in the mining sector, that she recognised the important role that everyone can contribute to be effective bystanders, not only in the workplace but also in the broader community.

Cate has more than 20 years’ experience in leading cross-functional teams in the delivery of initiatives including Diversity and Inclusion, Partnerships, Events, Regulatory Affairs and Stakeholder Engagement programs. She has worked for blue-chip national and global organisations across a range of industries including Mining & Resources, Financial Services and FMCG.

Mark is a passionate advocate for positive masculinity, gender equality, and inclusive leadership. With over 20 years of leadership and management experience in both the public and private sectors, he specialises in People & Culture, strategy development, change management, and executive coaching. An accredited executive leadership coach, Mark enjoys working with leaders and teams to tailor strategies that are both inclusive and high performing. He’s also deeply involved in community settings – volunteering at his kids’ school and local football club – and believes strongly in setting up equity and inclusion early, particularly in schools and early childhood, to shape healthier cultures and reduce gender-based harms downstream. Mark loves a long black, is passionate about running (and running shoes), and is reconnecting with gardening in his downtime.

Tess is a passionate advocate for equity, diversity, and the prevention of gendered violence, including violence against women. She believes that education and training are essential for building safer workplaces, homes, and communities. With extensive experience facilitating workshops and training programs, Tess empowers individuals to create meaningful change in their lives and the lives of others.

With many years of experience leading diversity and inclusion portfolios along with domestic violence and gender equity programs in large government departments, Tess is regarded as a highly knowledgeable program manager. Her expertise is widely recognized, particularly in managing complex programs in collaboration with government agencies, NGOs, and corporate partners across the social services sector.

Tess has also developed comprehensive workplace training programs, focusing on key areas such as responding to disclosures, preventing gendered violence, and fostering respectful, inclusive workplaces. Tess has a particular interest in the prevention of and response to coercive control and as such, has been involved in advocating for changes to the justice system.

Andrea has been a company director in a family business for over 30 years, providing many skills towards a healthy workplace culture; promoting open communication, inclusion, equity and respect. With a strong commitment to enhancing workplace interpersonal relationships, Andrea completed a social science degree and found her passion in coaching and education. She has since spent many years working with families in the foster care and kinship realm empowering individuals to cultivate relationships built on respect, empathy, and active communication. Andrea’s proficiencies have been educating families in violence prevention by recognizing when a problematic situation is occurring that they have the skills and choices required to address any conflict. Additionally, Andrea facilitates workshops in primary and secondary schools teaching respectful relationships, fostering healthy connections and promoting a culture of respect. Andrea’s mission is simple, by raising awareness with the Be there Group, we can all play a role in preventing violence by developing effective participants who have the tools to action change within their workplace, families and communities. Andrea is dedicated to addressing systemic barriers, fostering a culture where every voice is heard and valued.

Sheldon began his career in South Africa, where he focused on creating pathways to education for marginalised communities. Since relocating to Australia in 2010, he has applied these skills to supporting First Nations peoples, CALD communities, women in STEM, neurodivergent people, and LGBTQIA+ Australians. Sheldon is Curtin University’s Senior Diversity & Inclusion Advisor, specialising in inclusive practice, cultural change, and gender and LGBTQIA+ inclusion. He chairs Curtin’s ALLY Network, co-leads the Creating Respectful Workplaces Framework, and contributes to national projects on building safe and respectful workplaces. In 2024, Sheldon was recognised as the inaugural Individual Changemaker by the Chamber of Commerce and Industry for his leadership in diversity and inclusion.

Robyn Westgate is a powerful voice in domestic violence prevention. As Program Manager of the Curtin Bystander Project and a domestic violence consultant, she brings lived experience, academic rigour, and deep empathy to her work. Robyn was formerly incarcerated, and since her release, has dedicated herself to research, advocacy, and training aimed at helping others break cycles of abuse. 

Robyn holds qualifications in criminology, sociology, education, and forensic psychology, and is a key member of Curtin University’s Domestic Violence Communities of Practice. She designs and delivers bystander-intervention training across sectors including mining, defence, law enforcement, and education — particularly focused on empowering people with the tools to speak up, act safely, and support survivors. 

In 2024, Robyn received significant media attention, including an interview on 6PR titled “17 years behind bars to domestic violence consultant”, and was featured on ABC Radio National’s All In The Mind, where she spoke about her journey from survivor to consultant and the importance of bystander action in ending violence. 

Matt is a former South Australia Police officer and lived experience consultant who brings honesty, humility, and resilience to his work. After ten years of frontline service, he confronted severe PTSD and depression, his journey through recovery gives him a powerful voice to teach about mental health, mindset, leadership, and values-based decision making. Matt is a registered counsellor, Mental Health First Aid trainer, keynote speaker, and co-founder of Frontline Mental Health. He delivers tailored training and programs for military, emergency services, workplaces, and community groups, helping people and teams confront stigma, support one another, and build healthier cultures.

Narelle is a Level 2 registered counsellor with the Australian Counselling Association, with a strong background in both policing (six years) and the Royal Australian Air Force (ten years). Her lived experience across Military and Emergency Services roles informs her practice, facilitating programs that reduce stigma, promote resilience, and support mental health especially in high-stress environments. Narelle works extensively with first responders and their families, designing workshops, counselling, and prevention education grounded in values, understanding, and relevance.