Our Board & Committees
Our Board & Committees | Friends For Good
Our board
Patricia Lauria
Co-founder & CEO
Patricia is a co-founder of Friends for Good and is passionate about breaking down the stigma that surrounds this major health problem.
She has worked as a leader in grassroots community organisations for many years, aiming to bring about social change. Patricia has a BA in Social Sciences and a Graduate Diploma in Human Rights.
Laura Rouhan
Co-founder & Deputy Chairperson
Laura is passionate, energetic and engaged in community development work with a rights based approach. As a co-founder of Friends for Good, she strives to make positive contributions to help build a world that looks more like the world she wants to live in.
She has a Bachelor of Arts in Community Development and is currently studying a Master of Human Rights.
Rowan Darling
Chairperson
Rowan has experience managing finance and accounting operations and providing strategic advice. He began his career in external audit and has spent the last seven years working in the commercial sector. He holds a Bachelor of Commerce, a Graduate Diploma of Chartered Accounting and an MBA through Melbourne Business School.
Rowan believes Friends for Good is a force for good as greater awareness and addressing the current gaps in services makes a meaningful difference in our community.
Jane McAlear
Deputy Chairperson
Jane is a senior business development manager for the University of Melbourne, with a focus on custom education and professional development for industry. Her previous experience was in global public relations and communications where she worked internationally.
Having worked in Canada, UK and Australia, Jane understands how distressing not having a support network of family and friends can be and how loneliness needs to become a national focus for involvement and giving.
Samiksha Arora
Treasurer
Julia Hall
After a career in Stockbroking and Investment Banking, Julia moved into the charitable, non-profit sector over 10 years ago specialising in philanthropy, with a dedication and passion to give back and help support the needs of the community.
Julia holds a Bachelor of Economics from The University of Sydney, is a CA and member of the Chartered Accountants Australia & New Zealand (CA ANZ), and a member of the Australian Institute of Company Directors (AICD).
May Giuliani
Secretary
May is a corporate lawyer who has worked in law firms, the private sector and regulatory bodies. She provides strategic and commercial advice and has a breadth of experience in risk management, governance, compliance and stakeholder engagement. She is passionate about mental health and using her skills to make a difference to Australians experiencing loneliness.
May holds a Bachelor of Laws (LLB) and Graduate Diplomate of Legal Practice.
Dr Hansen Kosasih
Hansen is a research scientist in the field of childhood leukaemia. Having moved to Australia for his undergraduate study, he experienced first-hand the importance of social support networks in one’s life. He believes that no one should ever be made to feel ashamed for feeling lonely.
Hansen holds a Bachelor of Science (Honours) from the University of Melbourne, and completed his PhD at the University of Melbourne (Department of Paediatrics).
Megan Powell
Megan has worked in strategic marketing and eCommerce for nearly 20 years across a range of industries including education, FMCG and apparel, both here in Australia and in the UK.
Megan holds a Bachelor of Business (Marketing) from Monash, Copywriting Diploma, Career Coaching Certification and Nutrition Diploma. She is also passionate about helping others, having been a volunteer mentor for local and international university students for many years, empowering her mentees to step into the workforce feeling confident and supported.
Our subcommittees
Nicholas Lauria
Marketing & Communications Manager
Nicholas Wade
Corporate Sponsorship Manager
