Our Team
Driven by empathy and commitment, our team brings together diverse experiences and shared values to make a meaningful difference in the lives we touch.
Our CEO
Dr. Berhan Ahmed
CEO and Board Member Victorian Australian of the Year 2009
Dr. Berhan Ahmed is the CEO of Africause, Adjunct Professor at the University of Melbourne, and Victorian Australian of the Year 2009. He is a respected community leader dedicated to empowering African Australian youth and families through education, employment, and social inclusion.
Dr. Berhan Ahmed has been a driving force in supporting African Australian communities for over two decades. First African Australian Senate Candidate for federal election 2004, he has served as Advocate for Human Rights and Refugee Settlement and was a board member of AMES (2007–2016).
Dr. Ahmed is motivated by five core principles: social justice, sustainable development, Aboriginal reconciliation, building stronger communities, and applying democracy in action. His leadership stems from his own experience as a teenage refugee in 1978, facing discrimination and poverty, which stands in sharp contrast to the dignity and love he received from his family and adopted country Australia.
"My job as a leader is to help others achieve their full potential, and to see community members engaged actively in shaping their own futures with confidence, pride, and mutual respect."
Our Patron
The Honourable Ted Baillieu
Former Victorian Premier
The Honourable Ted Baillieu serves as Patron of Africause, bringing his commitment to supporting diverse communities and belief in the potential of young Australians.
"The Victoria story is the Africause story. There is nothing that can't be achieved in this State. There is nothing that young Australians of African background can't achieve. Africause exists to ensure that is the way forward for young Australians of African background, to provide support, advice and resources. It is an honour for me to stand with you and beside you in this great endeavour."
Board of Directors
Mr. Phil Brooker
Board Chairperson
Phil Brooker is the Managing Director of Bellajack Consulting, specialising in connecting business with government and providing management consulting to SMEs. He is the author of "Guaranteed Success" and actively involved in community sport.
Dr. Irene Bouzo (PHD)
Deputy Chairperson
Dr. Irene is a Senior Consultant in cultural and spiritual diversity, with expertise in research, public policy advocacy, and governance for culturally diverse communities. Former Executive Officer of ECCV for 4 years.
Assistant Police Commissioner Luke Cornelius
Board Member
Assistant Commissioner Luke Cornelius is Victoria Police's longest serving Assistant Commissioner, with over 14 years' service with the Australian Federal Police. Awarded the Australian Police Medal (APM) in 2010 for contribution to police reform, human rights, and community engagement.
Marcelle Cacciattolo
Board Member
Marcelle Cacciattolo is a sociologist and Professor of Teacher Education at Victoria University, with over 25 years of experience in higher education. She is an accomplished academic leader and researcher specializing in inclusive pedagogies and trauma-informed education, with a strong international profile and extensive experience in research training and supervision.
Mr. Kennedy Weldemariam
Board Treasurer
Kennedy Weldemariam is a trusted advisor on financial and tax issues with 25 years of industry experience. He migrated from Ethiopia in 2003 and now runs multiple businesses including accounting, real estate, property development, restaurants, and commercial laundry.
Mrs. Sampurana Bangaar
Board Member
Sampurana Bangaar is a proud South African who has lived in Melbourne for 17 years. She works at Link Group in admin coaching and events coordinating, bringing passion, organisation, and people skills to the Africause board.
Dr. Ancy Gamage
Board Member
Dr. Ancy Gamage is a researcher and academic at RMIT University, focusing on building resilience and inclusion in organisations and communities. She holds a PhD in Management and is committed to diversity, inclusion, wellbeing, and sustainability.
Geetha Chetty
Board Member
Geetha is a seasoned professional with over 25 years of management and executive leadership experience. Currently Managing Director and Clinical Counsellor at Enlightened Mind, she specialises in trauma counselling and Employee Assistance Programs.
Our Staff
Arie Moses
Grants Manager
Arie has over 35 years of experience in Small Business and Community Work, having supported over 1,000 business start-ups and worked extensively with recently arrived migrants, refugees and asylum seekers.
Arhet Geberat
Mental Health Expert
Arhet is an Accredited Mental Health Social Worker with over 20 years of experience. In her Footscray practice, she provides culturally sensitive therapeutic support using EMDR, Clinical Hypnosis, CBT, ACT, SFBT, and mindfulness-based modalities.
Rasheeda Coppedge
Support Worker
Rasheeda is known for her warm personality, strong work ethic, and genuine dedication to the people we serve. She’s always the first to step in when something needs to be done, and she supports Dr. Berham closely to make sure everything runs smoothly. Her kindness, reliability, and deep passion for our mission make her someone everyone appreciates and enjoys working with.
Mukarram Mohammed
Support Worker
Mukarram holds a Master's in Computer Networking and demonstrates strong people management and leadership skills. Fluent in English, Urdu, and basic Arabic, he effectively communicates with diverse community members.
Abdalla Geberabi
Community Support Member
Abdalla is a community support worker who discovered his passion for community service after migrating from Eritrea. He provides guidance to new arrivals regarding education, employment, and settlement.
Fathi Yasin Hassan
Division 2 Nurse and Registered Migration Agent (MARA 1909782)
Fathi is a qualified nurse and Registered Migration Agent who arrived in Australia as a nine-year-old refugee. Since 2019, she has provided professional migration support, bringing compassion and cultural insight to her work.
Our Volunteers
Khaled Messoudi
Youth Employment Facilitator (Part-time and Volunteer)
Khaled leads the JVEN project, providing employment support services and helping people with pathways to careers. He graduated from RMIT with honours and achieved record employment support of 178 young people last year.
Abaas Abukar
Cultural Worker (Volunteer)
Abaas is a Somali community cultural worker, father of 11 children and 8 grandchildren. During COVID-19 lockdown, he helped many families with food package delivery, bringing smiles and solidarity to isolated families.
Mrs. Keletso Magano-Niebling (MEDL)
Volunteer
Kel Niebling is an accomplished education leader with a Master's in Educational Leadership and over 20 years of experience in Early Childhood Education. She serves as Board Secretary and Youth Education and Employment Projects Manager at Africause.
Community Advisory Committee
Awan Bangok Mashak
Community Leader - South Sudan
One of the founding fathers of Dinka Community Council of Australia Inc. and one of the first South Sudanese refugees to arrive in Victoria. Awan has served as chairperson and treasurer, and works with organisations like Horn of African community organisation, New Hope Foundation, and Brotherhood of St Laurence to support new arrivals.
John Mashar
Community Leader - Sudan
Melbourne-based spoken word artist, videographer and photographer who explores identity, belonging and politics through his work. Media & Communications advisor for Wyndham CEC & Junubi Wyndham – a Community Support Group funded by the Victorian Government..
Tehiya Umer
Community Leader - Oromo, Ethiopian
The first African woman to stand for the Victorian State Election 2014. Ex-Chairperson of the Oromo community, Tehiya is well-known for her commitment to marginalised women's issues and speaks on women's issues and family violence challenges through community media.
Yasseen Musa
Community Leader - Eritrean
AFL Multicultural Community Ambassador of the Year 2013. Yasseen leads community safety foot patrols with Victoria Police, established Team Africa footy team, and organised the Cultural Food Project bringing police and African community members together. Awarded the John H. Kerr (Silent Achievers) community service award from Rotary Club of Footscray..
Ferdos Osman
Community Leader - Ethiopian
Inspiring community and business leader, mother, wife and coaching/training RTO manager. Known among the Ethiopian and Horn of African communities as a "doer and genuine woman" for her dedication to migrant and refugee community support.
Samia Baho
Community Leader - Eritrean
Known as "the Mother Theresa" among communities for over 20 years of service. Founder and Director of Centre of Advancing Women (CAW), helping women victims of domestic violence and their children escape abuse and school dropout, providing hope and necessary support.
Lem Baguot
Community Leader - South Sudanese
Founder and chairperson of the Society of South Sudanese Professionals Australia. A father and community leader with a vision to create a safe and conducive environment for children and youth, serving as a well-respected role model for many youth in the community.
Bedellu Desta
Community Leader - Ethiopian
One of the first African Australians to arrive in Melbourne. Bedellu supported and founded the Ethiopian Orthodox church, sponsored a priest from Ethiopia, and laid the foundation for Ethiopian communities. A mentor and role model for many in the Ethiopian community.
Yadata Saba
Community Leader - Oromo, Ethiopian
Founder and ex-chairperson of the Oromo community in Victoria. Known for his compassion and dedication to helping new arrival refugee families and children. Well-known to mainstream services and the African Australian communities for his extensive experience with challenges facing African Australian children.
Ana Bol
Community Leader - South Sudanese
Founder of the South Sudanese Mothers Group. A single mother with life experience navigating challenges African children face in school, streets and employment. Works tirelessly with mothers and their children to prevent school dropout, well-known and respected in metropolitan Melbourne and regional areas.
Zahra Mustafa
Community Leader - Somali
Mother of two, community volunteer across multiple organisations including Ivanhoe Primary School, Kew High School, and Ivanhoe Junior Football Club. Holds an Advanced Diploma of Building Design (Architectural) and Bachelor of the Built Environment, having worked in well-respected Melbourne architectural offices.
