Meet Our Team

Chief Executive Officer

Jo Knight 

BA (Hons), LLB (Hons)

Jo is an Anglican with two decades’ experience in global justice and environmental sustainability initiatives, organisational strategy and operations, legal and compliance matters, resource generation, and church and public engagement. Prior to joining AOA she was Tearfund Australia’s Advocacy Director, a leader with the Renew Our World movement and Micah coalition, and headed the Brotherhood of St Laurence’s Ecumenical Migration Centre. Other responsibilities have included being founding Board Chair of youth poverty movement Oaktree, Board member of Green Collect and Section Chair leading the Law Institute of Victoria’s administrative law, human rights and refugee committees. Jo currently serves on the ACT Alliance Membership and Nominations international committee.

Louise Currie

Head of International Programs

BA, GradDipIntSocWk, MStratOrgDev

Louise is a project management and organisation effectiveness professional who has worked primarily in international development for 20 years. She lived and worked in Nepal with World Vision and Habitat for Humanity International, and has supported development and relief programs in Asia, the Pacific, the Middle East and Africa. Louise is passionate about designing development initiatives that have a positive impact on the world’s most vulnerable people and ensuring organisations have the structure and systems to deliver effective programs and perform at their best.

Kylie Wingjan

Senior Manager Development Programs
BA, Grad DipEd, MSocSc (IntlDev)

Kylie has more than 17 years’ experience in international development, working with partners in Africa, the Middle East and Asia-Pacific. She also brings corporate experience in financial services, people, culture and learning. Kylie builds close relationships with local partners to help support sustainable and impactful change. She is dedicated to seeing communities leading their own transformation through equality and justice, with special attention for women and girls.

Tim Hartley

Disaster Response and Resilience Manager
B EngSWS, M EngEnviron, GradCert DRR

Tim is an international development professional in the disaster risk reduction field, with more than 15 years’ experience in managing complex projects and stakeholders in Australia, South-East Asia and the Pacific Region. He has lived and worked in Samoa and is passionate about building resilience and reducing the impact of disasters on vulnerable communities across the Pacific. 

Win Mar Han

Effectiveness and Learning Advisor

MBBS, MPH

Win Mar has over 15 years of experience in community development and humanitarian sectors across Myanmar. She comes from medical and public health backgrounds, and her expertise encompasses project management, monitoring and evaluation, and learning systems development and implementation. Win Mar has held significant roles in non-government organisations and United Nations agencies in Myanmar.

Karen Sell

Compliance and Standards Lead
BSc(Psych), GradDipDiv

Karen has spent much of her working life and ministry practice focused on equipping and empowering others. She has broad experience in regulatory governance and compliance, designing and implementing organisational systems and structures and developing and facilitating learning and development programs. Karen is passionate about seeing people and organisations grow and flourish.

Leanne Ruthven

Operations — Governance and EA
BA (Psych), GradCertDiv

Leanne has many years of ministry experience, having served in church leadership, management, personnel, editorial and governance roles. She is a published author who has lived and worked in Papua New Guinea, the United Kingdom and Romania. Caring deeply about gender justice, her desire is to see women and girls in particular reach their full potential.

Rachael Lopez 

Operations Officer - Supporter Services
BArts (Photo), MDiv

Rachael combines a passion for creativity and theology with a knack for problem-solving and efficiency to support AOA’s mission. She loves introducing improved technologies that streamline operations and enhance supporter engagement. Rachael ensures AOA’s behind-the-scenes work thrives while connecting personally with supporters via phone and email.

Elspeth Kernebone

Marketing and Communications Manager

BA (Hons)

Elspeth loves people, loves their stories, and loves to share them in a way that encourages God's people as they grow his kingdom. She is a (nearly) lifelong Anglican, a former editor of online and print magazine The Melbourne Anglican, and previously was a journalist with community news outlets the Bendigo Advertiser and Braidwood Times.

Elise van Boxtel 

Digital Lead

MIntl&ComnDev

Elise is a digital marketer with over a decade of experience, focusing on the non-profit sector for the last six years. She is driven by a passion for meaningful marketing that genuinely increases impact. Elise is passionate about encouraging Australian Christians to engage with poverty in sustainable ways and bring about lasting change in marginalised communities worldwide.