Chris Mathieson

Prior to joining Safe and Equal as Interim CEO in December 2025, Chris was Managing Director of mindingmindsets, a consultancy specialising in strategic change and growth for individuals, organisations and systems. Immediately prior to that she was CEO of FVREE, a large and leading organisation working to provide a focus in the areas of prevention, early intervention, response and recovery for victim survivors of family violence in Victoria. 

Previously, Chris was the CEO of Expression Australia, an iconic national organisation supporting the Deaf and hard of hearing community. Her leadership was underpinned by a strong commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion—advancing workplace and societal inclusion for CALD communities, people with disability and the LGBTIQ+ community. 

Chris also brings extensive senior public sector leadership experience, having played significant roles in disability policy and reform, women’s economic participation, and whole-of-government and interjurisdictional initiatives. Her roles have included Director of Victoria’s Office for Disability and Director of the Office for Women’s Policy. Chris led the establishment of the office of the Disability Services Commissioner. 

Chris holds qualifications in Habilitation Studies and was awarded a Harvard Club of Victoria Scholarship to attend the Strategic Perspectives in Not-for-Profit Management program at Harvard Business School in 2018. 

She has chaired and served on numerous state government and not-for-profit boards, advisory groups and committees, including Chair of National Disability Services (NDS) Victoria and Director of the NDS National Board. She has been a Director of Safe and Equal and Deputy Chair of the Human Rights Arts & Film Festival and secretariat leadership of Victoria’s Disability Advisory Council. Chris is also a member of the Australian Institute of Company Directors.