Our Team
-

Kirsty Tschirpig
Kirsty is a strategist and culture leader with more than two decades’ experience across justice, leadership and community development. As Co-Founder of The Be There Group, she partners with executives, boards and leadership teams to strengthen accountability, shift entrenched behavioural patterns and build safer, more respectful workplace cultures.
Her experience spans government, corporate and grassroots sectors, providing her with a broad systems perspective and a deep understanding of how culture is shaped at both operational and governance levels. Kirsty is known for her ability to engage people at every level of an organisation and to navigate complex, high-stakes conversations with clarity, steadiness and care.
Her work focuses on aligning values with everyday leadership behaviours — ensuring that respect, equity and psychological safety are not simply articulated, but embedded into decision-making, systems and practice. She is deeply committed to equipping organisations with the confidence and capability to sustain meaningful cultural change long after formal programs conclude.
-

Shaan Ross-smith
Shaan is a psychologist, accredited mediator and organisational culture specialist with more than 25 years’ experience leading behaviour change and the prevention of harm across complex systems.
Her experience spans Director and Board Chair roles across corporate, government, higher education and community sectors, providing deep governance insight and a system-level perspective on culture, risk and accountability.
As Co-Founder of The Be There Group, Shaan is passionate about strengthening psychosocial safety, embedding accountability and building enduring cultural maturity. Working across corporate, government, education and community sectors, she brings strategic clarity and behavioural expertise to complex environments.
Shaan is known for her ability to navigate difficult conversations with both compassion and precision. She supports organisations to confront challenging issues constructively — translating values into practical leadership behaviours that endure beyond programs, policy statements or compliance requirements.
Her work sits at the intersection of organisational psychology, governance and culture strategy, ensuring that change is not only initiated, but sustained.
-

Hayden Whitworth
Hayden Whitworth is a senior executive leader and culture strategist with more than 20 years’ experience across corporate, government, community and not-for-profit sectors. Originally trained as an engineer, he brings systems thinking, precision and structured problem-solving to complex behavioural and cultural challenges. As a former CEO in the community sector, Hayden has led organisations through strategic pressure, workforce change and public accountability. His leadership philosophy is grounded in the belief that sustainable performance and psychosocial safety are mutually reinforcing outcomes of aligned leadership, clear expectations and consistent follow-through.
Over the past seven years with Be There Group, Hayden has partnered with executive teams and government departments to strengthen leadership credibility, embed behavioural accountability and shift entrenched cultural patterns. Known for his calm, structured and outcome-focused facilitation style, he creates psychologically safe environments for high-stakes conversations while maintaining clear accountability. His work integrates behavioural science, systems design and practical leadership tools to ensure change translates into measurable operational impact — both in executive settings and through court-mandated Men’s Behaviour Change Programs, where he navigates complex power dynamics with clarity and discipline.
-

Jesse De La Croix
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 Crawford
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 Candler
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 Peer
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 Chapman
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 Parry
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 Murphy
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 Stent
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
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.
-

Andrea McKim
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 Smith
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
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.
Our Team
We are genuinely grateful for the incredible team we have. Their support for one another is not only impressive, it’s the foundation of the culture we’re so proud of. Take a look at our new video showcasing the way they lift, champion and back each other every day. We are very lucky.

