Our Board
Ready Set is governed by a highly skilled and experienced Board who come from diverse yet aligned business backgrounds.
Chair
Naomi Fox
Naomi has been Chair since 2020 bringing over 25 years’ experience in human capital and organisational development, working with companies in Australia, New Zealand, Hong Kong and the United Kingdom.
Naomi’s journey with Ready Set initially started as a volunteer stylist/dresser and she then worked with the Board to develop the organisation’s 2019-23 strategy before stepping in as Chair.
She was awarded a scholarship for the Women’s Board Leadership Program in partnership with the AICD and the Victorian Government’s Office for Women in 2022 in recognition of her work to enable Ready Set realise its mission.
Director/Treasurer
Jacki McAvenna
Jacki is a chartered accountant and the Founder of We are Lumen, a financial management and accounting firm that works with impact organisations and values-driven businesses. In 2016 Jacki made a decision to leave the corporate world behind and now uses her experience to serve not-for-profit and other values-driven organisations. She has long been a supporter of Ready Set and we are thrilled that she will be joining our Board as well as supporting our financial processes through We Are Lumen in 2024.
Director
Raphael Van Workum
Raphael van Workum is a previous Board member of Dress for Success Wellington, New Zealand where she was responsible for the fundraising portfolio and the fundraising sub-committee. She has also been an elected member of the Board of Directors for Wānaka Chamber of Commerce.
With a variety of skills in mental health, diversity and inclusion, strategy and directorship gained from over half a decade in business consulting, and half a decade in mental health, she is looking forward to supporting Ready Set. Raphael is a qualified counsellor and works in not-for-profit preventative mental health.
Raphael joined Ready Set because of her passion for supporting marginalised people find employment, and her passion for reducing fast fashion through recycling and upcycling clothing.
Director
Liam Hayes
Liam joined the Ready Set board in 2016 and is also the Chief People Officer at Aurecon.
He loves the impact Ready Set has on so many lives. The combination of his professional background and his passion for seeing people succeed enables Liam to contribute actively in guiding Ready Set’s volunteer and staff management.
Director
Margot Stevenson
Margot started volunteering at Ready Set in 2017 as a career coach, helping clients to build their confidence; supporting them on their journey towards employment, and realizing their potential. Two years later in 2019 she joined the Ready Set Board.
Margot is currently the General Manager, People and Culture at Nextt, a disability and mental health service provider with 1500 employees nationally.
Passionate about the work she does at Nextt and Ready Set, Margot is proud to be part of organisations making a positive impact on the lives of less advantaged people in our community.
Director
Veronica Belot
Veronica is Acting Lead Counsel in the Workplace Relations and OH&S Branch of the Victorian Government Solicitor's Office (VGSO) and is also Lead of the VGSO's Diversity and Inclusion Committee whose overarching purpose is to ensure that VGSO is a diverse and inclusive place to work.
Veronica has broad and longstanding experience in workplace relations, having worked in private practice, employee and employer associations, Commonwealth Government Agencies and the Fair Work Commission. Veronica is also the former Chair of the Law Institute of Victoria's Workplace Relations Section's Executive Committee and President (now Secretary) of the Kew Toy Library. Veronica is enrolled to complete the AICD Company Directors Course in April 2024.
Veronica joined Ready Set in 2023 because of her genuine passion for the organisation and specifically the way it assists people to find meaningful employment whilst also creating a more sustainable environment and future for all.
Director - Volunteer Representative
Graham Fetherstonhaugh
Graham is Ready Set coach who works with our clients –going above and beyond to support his coaching clients through multiple coaching sessions so they are successful at interview and securing meaningful work. He is also a volunteer at LINK Community Transport and an MCG Tour Guide.
Before moving into the not-for-profit sector, Graham was a Human Resources professional with extensive experience in partnering with Senior Leadership Teams to develop and deliver HR policies and procedures that meet the needs of the business as well as leading major global change programs that delivered impact across all levels and diverse cultures.
Graham is proudly joining the Ready Set Board as one of its two Volunteer Representative Directors.
Director - Volunteer Representative
Parool Shah
Parool is a volunteer dresser and has been involved in the NFP sector since 2005 when she co-founded Life’s Little Treasures Foundation, a charity supporting families of premature and sick babies). In 2013 she was recognized for her work by being nominated for Australian of the Year.
She has 15+ years’ experience in the corporate sector and since founding LLTF, has continued in philanthropy through her fundraising roles at Trinity College and Florey Institute and executive search at Gembridge Recruitment.
Director
Elise Bucholtz
Elise Bucholtz is an independent creative, business and commercial consultant with over 15 years’ experience working within print and digital publishing that champions cities and destinations. She currently works with clients across the lifestyle, visitor economy and hospitality sectors and has previous experience in both lifestyle and celebrity media both here in Australia and the UK.
Prior to launching her own consultancy, she spent 13 years in various commercial, marketing, and leadership roles within the global Time Out Group. The most recent of these being regional Managing Director APAC where she was responsible for the success of the Hong Kong, Singapore and Australian entities. During her time with the Time Out Group, Elise was known for advocating for cities, creating enduring partnerships across the visitor economy and developing and growing the renowned awards and event programs in various territories.
Elise is also a passionate committee member for Melbourne’s Collins St Precinct Group, has held advisory roles with other precincts and also runs coaching services for women in business.
Elise believes in the power of community and connection, and that the best currency is experience and kindness. She is looking forward to bringing her energy and connections to help Ready Set find new reach and sophistication in its marketing and funding efforts.
Company Secretary
Edmund Waters
Edmund joined the Ready Set Board as Company Secretary in 2020 and is also the Deputy Company Secretary of a major Australian profit-for-member superannuation fund.
Edmund is also a qualified Australian lawyer with over a decade of in-house experience in regulatory, litigation, employment law, privacy and mergers and acquisitions.
Edmund is keen to support people to achieve their career goals and is committed to Ready Set’s mission to make a positive impact on the lives of jobseekers.