Board
ECLC’s Board oversees the governance, strategic, risk and financial responsibilities of the organisation.
ECLC’s Board comprises:

Janet Matton AM
Chairperson
Chairperson
Janet Matton AM
Janet is a Director of Epworth Healthcare and has been the Chairperson of ECLC since 2014.
She has 20 years of senior corporate management experience. In her 30 years at IBM, Janet was the head of operations in Australia and New Zealand where she oversaw the extensive and robust management systems of the entire IBM company. Janet also chaired the IBM Diversity Committee, the IBM Great Place to Work Initiative, the Skills Council and was the sponsor of the IT Architect Profession.
In 2020, Janet was awarded a Member of the Order of Australia AM in the General Division for her significant service to the information technology and health sectors.
In 2012, Janet was a finalist in the Westpac/AFR 100 Women of Influence Awards, and was awarded Victorian Telstra Business Woman of the Year in 2010.
She has 20 years of senior corporate management experience. In her 30 years at IBM, Janet was the head of operations in Australia and New Zealand where she oversaw the extensive and robust management systems of the entire IBM company. Janet also chaired the IBM Diversity Committee, the IBM Great Place to Work Initiative, the Skills Council and was the sponsor of the IT Architect Profession.
In 2020, Janet was awarded a Member of the Order of Australia AM in the General Division for her significant service to the information technology and health sectors.
In 2012, Janet was a finalist in the Westpac/AFR 100 Women of Influence Awards, and was awarded Victorian Telstra Business Woman of the Year in 2010.

Christine Cowin
Deputy Chairperson
Deputy Chairperson
Christine Cowin
Christine Cowin has worked as a family lawyer since 1986 and is the Deputy Chairperson of ECLC.
Chris practises in all aspects of Family Law including property settlements, children's issues, defacto issues and same sex relationships.
Chris practises in all aspects of Family Law including property settlements, children's issues, defacto issues and same sex relationships.

Luong Ta
Treasurer
Treasurer
Luong Ta
Luong Ta has a Bachelor of Accounting, a Masters in Business Administration and joined the ECLC Board in 2018.
Luong has a background in the energy and fuel industry across Asia Pacific, holding senior management roles in commercial, strategy and finance.
Luong is experienced in leading through change, strategy, business development supply chain optimisation, B2B sales and marketing in Australasia, Europe and Asia.
Luong has a background in the energy and fuel industry across Asia Pacific, holding senior management roles in commercial, strategy and finance.
Luong is experienced in leading through change, strategy, business development supply chain optimisation, B2B sales and marketing in Australasia, Europe and Asia.

Dr Guy Masters
Secretary
Secretary
Dr Guy Masters
Dr Guy Masters is Manager, Family and Community Support Services at Yarra Ranges Council. Guy has been a member of the ECLC Board since 2015.

Katherine Dowson
Board Member
Board Member
Katherine Dowson
Katherine Dowson is the Director of South Eastern Centre Against Sexual Assault & Family Violence, within Monash Health.
A Social Worker by profession with a focus on women and children's health, Katherine is an experienced allied health leader and manager and has held clinical, operational and strategic leadership roles at Eastern Health and MS Australia. Her earlier career as a Social Worker includes Monash (Southern) Health, Eastern Health and the Department of Human Services. Katherine also holds a Master of Public Health with a major in Women's Health and Health Management.
Katherine was formerly the leader of Eastern Health's response to family violence. She gained sector wide recognition in 2017 when Eastern Health was shortlisted in the Public Health Care Awards for leadership in Family Violence strategy and implementation.
Katherine has been a member of the ECLC Board since early 2018.
A Social Worker by profession with a focus on women and children's health, Katherine is an experienced allied health leader and manager and has held clinical, operational and strategic leadership roles at Eastern Health and MS Australia. Her earlier career as a Social Worker includes Monash (Southern) Health, Eastern Health and the Department of Human Services. Katherine also holds a Master of Public Health with a major in Women's Health and Health Management.
Katherine was formerly the leader of Eastern Health's response to family violence. She gained sector wide recognition in 2017 when Eastern Health was shortlisted in the Public Health Care Awards for leadership in Family Violence strategy and implementation.
Katherine has been a member of the ECLC Board since early 2018.

Tabitha Lovett
Board Member
Board Member
Tabitha Lovett
Tabitha is passionate about the importance of philanthropy in the community to tackle social issues that require innovative, compassionate and sustainable solutions.
She has worked in the philanthropy sector for more than 10 years and has been the Executive Officer of the Besen Family Foundation since 2017.
Previously, Tabitha was General Manager of Philanthropy Services at Equity Trustees (2009 – 2017) where she oversaw a portfolio of about 450 charitable trusts and managed investment relationships with more than 30 Not-For-Profits (NFP).
Before moving into the philanthropy sector in 2008, Tabitha worked as a social justice lawyer at Justice Connect where her experience and exposure to the causes and contributors to inequality, hardship and disadvantage now underpin her approach to philanthropy.
In 2007, Tabitha was awarded a Churchill Fellowship to research free legal services for NFPs which informed the establishment of Not-for-Profit Law at Justice Connect.
She has worked in the philanthropy sector for more than 10 years and has been the Executive Officer of the Besen Family Foundation since 2017.
Previously, Tabitha was General Manager of Philanthropy Services at Equity Trustees (2009 – 2017) where she oversaw a portfolio of about 450 charitable trusts and managed investment relationships with more than 30 Not-For-Profits (NFP).
Before moving into the philanthropy sector in 2008, Tabitha worked as a social justice lawyer at Justice Connect where her experience and exposure to the causes and contributors to inequality, hardship and disadvantage now underpin her approach to philanthropy.
In 2007, Tabitha was awarded a Churchill Fellowship to research free legal services for NFPs which informed the establishment of Not-for-Profit Law at Justice Connect.

Elke Smirl
Board Member
Board Member
Elke Smirl
Elke Smirl is the CEO of Mullum Mullum Indigenous Gathering Place. While Elke was born and raised in Victoria, her family came from South Australia. She is a descendant of both the Kaurna and Nurrungga peoples of the Adelaide Plains and Yorke Peninsula. As an Aboriginal woman, Elke has extensive networks in the Victorian Aboriginal community and for three years managed an Aboriginal family violence service and was also Chair of EMR Indigenous family violence regional action group.
Elke has worked in the government public sector for more than 30 years, and her last role with the Victorian Public Service was as an Assistant Director with Aboriginal Victoria. About 20 years of her public sector career has been in Indigenous affairs, with most of her experience in governance and community development for Victorian Aboriginal communities. Elke has co-facilitated governance, community development and accredited and non-accredited cultural heritage training for the Victorian and Australian governments, working with communities across Australia.
Elke has worked in the government public sector for more than 30 years, and her last role with the Victorian Public Service was as an Assistant Director with Aboriginal Victoria. About 20 years of her public sector career has been in Indigenous affairs, with most of her experience in governance and community development for Victorian Aboriginal communities. Elke has co-facilitated governance, community development and accredited and non-accredited cultural heritage training for the Victorian and Australian governments, working with communities across Australia.

Ali Besiroglu
Board Member
Board Member
Ali Besiroglu

Donna Hayes
Board Member
Board Member
Donna Hayes
Donna Hayes has served in the Government public sector for over 38 years and is currently the Manager Community Partnerships in Outer Eastern Melbourne Area DFFH. Donna is passionate about working together to improve equity, access and inclusion for the most disadvantaged within our communities.
Donna spent 30 years working in Disability Services, in direct service delivery, contract management and reform implementation. In recent years her career has taken her into project management, community services and community partnerships.
Donna has a certificate in Disability Nursing, a Graduate Certificate in Human Resource Management and a Master’s Degree in Business Leadership
Donna spent 30 years working in Disability Services, in direct service delivery, contract management and reform implementation. In recent years her career has taken her into project management, community services and community partnerships.
Donna has a certificate in Disability Nursing, a Graduate Certificate in Human Resource Management and a Master’s Degree in Business Leadership

Michael Smith
CEO – ex-officio
CEO – ex-officio
Michael Smith