Behind spence

Our Board

We are run by a talented volunteer Board of Directors, made up of professional women from a range of industries who offer their time and expertise to bring to life the vision of Spence Club.
Katie Toop

Katie Toop

Katie is an employment lawyer and workplace adviser specialising in conflict and dispute resolution. Her work is defined by calm, clarity and humour (especially when the first two are in short supply!). Katie is passionate about helping women trust their judgement, find their voice and feel supported at work.
General Board Member
Tracy Frankenfeld

Tracy Frankenfeld

Tracy is a Recruitment Consultant at Mansfield & Co, connecting organisations with professionals in office-based and leadership roles. She brings over 15 years’ experience in legal, operations, finance, HR and technology, with a people-focused approach and strong commercial acumen. Tracy holds a Diploma of Accounting and is completing an MBA at Flinders University. She is passionate about connecting women with purposeful work and networks that help them thrive.
General Board Member
Kelly Taglan

Kelly Taglan

Kelly brings over 20 years’ experience in growth, customer experience and strategic transformation across the government, education, technology and not-for-profit sectors. She has scaled national initiatives, built high-performing teams, secured significant funding and partnerships, and improved services for diverse communities. Kelly is passionate about inclusive leadership, empowering women and creating meaningful social impact.
General Board Member
Mimi Sia

Mimi Sia

Mimi is an experienced management accountant across industries. Mimi is a Fellow CPA and serves as councillor for CPA South Australia division. Mimi also holds a Bachelor of Commerce and a Graduate Diploma in Business (Accounting). She is dedicated to empowering women in business through financial literacy and purposeful growth.
Treasurer
Mandy Azzam

Mandy Azzam

Mandy is an operations and customer service leader with over 15 years’ experience driving performance, engagement, and service excellence across the financial and education sectors. Her strategic oversight ensures operational efficiency, compliance, and continuous improvement. Mandy is passionate about collaboration, leading teams to deliver exceptional customer outcomes. She holds a Bachelor of Management from the University of South Australia.
General Board Member
Katarina Watkins

Katarina Watkins

As a corporate & commercial solicitor Katarina brings expertise in governance, commercial transactions, director’s duties and risk management. Having worked with several non-profit organisations and charities Katarina is passionate about helping organisations build a strong legal and governance foundation. She is also passionate about building confidence within women in the professional workplace.
Governance Officer
Gabriela Vasconcelos

Gabriela Vasconcelos

Gabriela is a communications and marketing professional passionate about inclusion, storytelling, and community building. With over a decade of experience across the not-for-profit and consulting sectors, she brings a strategic lens and lived migrant experience to the Spence Club Board, championing visibility and leadership for South Australian women from all backgrounds.
General Board Member
Brittany Duregon

Brittany Duregon

Brittany is a Senior Associate at Mellor Olsson Lawyers, where she specialises in complex medical negligence and motor vehicle accident claims. She is committed to guiding and supporting clients through the challenges of life altering injuries. Brittany holds a Bachelor of Laws and Commerce (Management) from the University of Adelaide, and a Masters of Legal Practice from the Australian National University.
General Board Member
Alexandra Beal

Alexandra Beal

Alex brings over 5 years of experience in the legal industry, currently working in commercial and civil litigation. She works with a variety of clients throughout the private and public sectors to navigate and resolve commercial disputes, with a particular focus on media, intellectual property, administrative law, competition and consumer protection. Alex is passionate about creating meaningful connections and mentorship for women within professional industries.
Secretary
Jade Wright

Jade Wright

Jade brings 18 years experience in banking & financial services, specialising in Agribusiness across SA/NT. A dedicated leader championing equality & inclusion within agricultural sectors, her commitment to empowering women is reflected through advocacy, mentorship, & involvement with organisations developing leadership. Additionally, Jade is a judge for the Food SA Awards, recognising excellence in the primary producer category.
Deputy Chairperson
Charlene McGrath

Charlene McGrath

With a rich background in education, change management, and community engagement, Charlene champions diversity and growth among women leaders. She has 20 years of experience across STEM, education, community, emergency services, and defence. Her leadership, passion for inclusivity & dedication to empowering women are invaluable assets to the club's mission.
General Board Member
Beth Shimmin

Beth Shimmin

Beth has more than 15 years’ experience in marketing, communications and project management across tertiary education, the arts, infrastructure and the private sector. She is currently Senior Advisor – External Communications at Bouygues Construction Australia on the Torrens to Darlington (T2D) Project. Beth holds a Bachelor of Arts from the University of Adelaide and a Master of Marketing from the University of South Australia, and is a former Adelaide Thunderbirds premiership winner.
Chairperson
PREVIOUS Board Members
Rosemary Simper
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Katie Jansen
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Emma Dignon
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Monique Hapgood
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Paula Jacques
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Laura Smans
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Georgia Ross
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Laura Cremen
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Catherine Maynard
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Sara Siami
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Zviko Masiiwa
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Bridie Letford
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Christina Gulliver
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Sophie Horwood
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Sonali D’silva
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Lisa Pritchard
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Serena Gasparini
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Jackie Chen
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Rebecca Sandford
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Kelly Graham-Sutton;
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Emma Finnie
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Evelyn Johns
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Catherine Purvis
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Sarah Collyer-Braham
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Alexandra May
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Briony Kent
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Sally Storey
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Lucinda Hewitson
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Kasia Jaruzelska
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Tamara Tomic
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Libby Trainor-Parker
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Leila Hallak-Low
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Jordan Bell
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Purdie Hider
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Lauren Novak
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Megan Down
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Ilona Schultz
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Sarah Curtis-Fawley
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Sally Woolford
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Candice Keller
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Jamie Doran
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Natasha Cheshire
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Genevieve Lewis
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Sian Dodd
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Angie Gilchrist
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Amanda Goodfellow
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Emily Welyhorskyj
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Ashleigh Dumont
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Karina Albanese
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Madhu Jeyakumaran
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Shelley O’Connell
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Kacy Ratta
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Gemma Cooper
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Rebecca Clafton (nee Wu)
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Fiona Stapleton
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Rebecca Bendikov
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Melissa Day
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Darcey Watson
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Alisa Burns
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Olivia Martin
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Alexandra Paxinos
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Anna Kennett
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Michelle Kalsan
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