Jade is a CEO leading a women’s support service that also delivers primary prevention programs. Specialist family violence and women’s support services have a long history delivering primary prevention programs in Victoria. While the focus of primary prevention, early intervention, response and recovery programs is distinct, the work is intrinsically connected and complimentary, working towards a shared goal.   

Jade’s journey into the primary prevention of family and gender-based violence is deeply informed by her background in activism and advocacy. Her early involvement in feminist, lesbian, racial solidarity and environmental activism laid the foundation for her lifelong commitment to social justice and systemic change.  

After qualifying as a social worker, Jade began her career in small, gender-based services, providing casework and support. She also engaged in systemic advocacy, particularly in organisations focused on the abolition of prisons.  

Since taking on senior leadership roles she has noticed how silos affect collaboration between primary prevention, early intervention, response and recover workforces. However, she also recognises the significant potential for greater integration and cross-sector collaboration to enhance outcomes.  

Jade’s journey has been characterised by a blend of practical experience and a strong commitment to community-centred approaches. Her background in direct service delivery informed her understanding of systemic challenges, shaping her priorities in prevention work.  

For instance, in a previous CEO role, she worked with older women who often avoided identifying as “victims” of family violence. Instead, she empowered them to build financial literacy, understand gender equity and become peer advocates, illustrating her dedication to fostering resilience and agency in communities. Jade is particularly passionate about addressing the intersections of poverty and family violence, recognising economic inequality as a significant driver that shapes trajectories into violence.  

In her professional growth, Jade appreciates the importance of flexibility and openness, particularly when working across the spectrum of prevention and response. She values the ability to balance a community-driven approach with systemic thinking, tailoring strategies to suit the needs of specific communities rather than rigidly adhering to frameworks like Change the story. While she acknowledges the importance of such frameworks, Jade prioritises reaching and engaging people directly, in line with community development.  

Jade identifies key attitudes and values as fundamental to this work, often surpassing technical skills or knowledge in importance. She believes prevention practitioners should embody respect, openness to learning and a willingness to critically reflect and “unlearn” preconceived notions. She emphasises that while knowledge and some skills can be taught, developing a genuine sense of equity, justice and care for others is also essential. This perspective informs her recruitment practices, where she focuses on candidates’ lived experiences of inequity and injustice, as these often ignite a passion for progress and change.  

Her approach to building capacity within her teams focuses on creating a genuine learning culture. Jade stresses the need for safe spaces where practitioners can learn without feeling isolated or overwhelmed by high academic expectations. She sees value in balancing community engagement with meeting contractual and organisational requirements, ensuring that staff are both supported and equipped to navigate complex realities.   

Jade’s work is deeply intersectional, underpinned by her commitment to addressing structural inequities and engaging with diverse communities. She believes prevention leaders must draw on capabilities from fields like community development and public health to broaden the workforce and strengthen practice. At the same time, she is mindful of the risks of setting overly academic expectations, which can inadvertently exclude talented individuals with lived experience or practical skills.