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Our Executive Team

A skilled and experienced group of directors leading Save the Children’s work.

Our Chief Executive Officer (CEO) and Directors 

They lead the direction of Save the Children's work and nurture the daily commitment of our employees. Each Director leads a section of the organisation and has unit managers and staff that support them in their role. Read our latest annual report for more information on the work of our Executive team.

Our Directors are responsible for managing:

  • International programs
  • 54 reasons – our service delivery division here in Australia
  • Strategy and public affairs
  • Supporter engagement
  • People and culture
  • Technology
  • Finance
Chief Executive Officer – Mat Tinkler

Chief Executive Officer – Mat Tinkler

“I’m motivated by the sheer audacity of our mission and our power to change lives for the better, here in Australia, the Pacific, and around the world.”

Mat Tinkler is a deep policy thinker and a fierce advocate for children and our mission. He has driven change for children by transforming Save the Children Australia's approach to delivering International Programs and ensuring we have a strong public voice for vulnerable children through our media, advocacy, and campaigns work. More about Mat.


Chief Operating Officer and Deputy Chief Executive Officer - Mel Parks

Chief Operating Officer and Deputy Chief Executive Officer - Mel Parks

Mel leads the technology, people and culture and operations services teams that support Save the Children's domestic and international programs. She is a passionate advocate for the empowerment and advancement of women and girls.

Mel’s expertise is leading complex change and prior to joining Save the Children Mel was the Chief Transformation Officer at QBE Insurance. She has extensive international experience, including in the UK, Singapore, Philippines, India, Hong Kong, USA, and the Pacific. She served on a peace monitoring mission on Bougainville Island, Papua New Guinea. 


Director of Supporter Engagement – Jo Watson

Director of Supporter Engagement – Jo Watson

Jo leads Save the Children's fundraising, marketing and innovation activities. She is responsible for engaging supporters including high net-worth individuals, trusts and foundations, corporates and individual supporters. She generates essential support to resource Save the Children's work in domestic and international programs.

Jo is a professional marketer with a background in commercial, not-for-profit and government organisations. Before joining Save the Children Australia, she held leadership roles with Telstra, World Vision Australia, YWCA Victoria (CEO) and the State Library Victoria where she was the Director of Community Engagement.

Jo is committed to strengthening communities and supporting children through the development of strong partnerships and delivery of great supporter experiences.


Chief Financial Officer – Michael Dugina

Chief Financial Officer – Michael Dugina

As Chief Finance Officer Michael leads the Finance function supporting Save the Children's operations. Michael has over 20 years’ experience in finance, systems, projects, business development and enjoys leaning into business improvement and change. Michael has held roles across a number of sectors including commercial, not for profit, education, health and government and is passionate about organisations that make a difference.  Most recently Michael was responsible for leading major change at the City of Greater Geelong, delivering improved customer and employee experience in digital technologies. Michael holds professional qualifications as a Fellow CPA and a graduate member of the Australian Institute of Company Directors (GAICD), as well as degrees in Finance and Business Administration (MBA).


Chief Executive Officer, 54 reasons – Matt Gardiner

Chief Executive Officer, 54 reasons – Matt Gardiner

Matt has responsibility for services delivered across every state and territory, including violence prevention, youth services, child development, community development and child wellbeing services. 

He is on the Board of the Australian Council of Social Service (ACOSS) and the Chair of the Qld Council of Social Service (QCOSS) and is the Co-Chair of Anti Poverty Week in Qld. He holds a Bachelor of Social Science (Psych & Couns), Masters in Clinical Counselling and Grad. Dip. in Strategic Leadership and is completing his MBA. 

Matt is passionate about therapeutic practice, social justice and advocating for systems change. He has held senior executive roles in some of Australia’s leading not-for-profit organisations, and is a leader in innovative models of outcome measurement and contracting.


Group Executive Director, International Programs – Francis Woods

Group Executive Director, International Programs – Francis Woods

Francis has responsibility for delivering our International Programs, mainly in Pacific, South-East Asia, and critical humanitarian contexts like Afghanistan and Ukraine. In the Pacific we focus on child protection, health, early childhood education and climate adaptation. This is underpinned by a team of technical and humanitarian experts ensuring our work is evidence based, delivering impact to children in need.

Francis has been with Save the Children for eight years, previously leading International Program Operations for Save the Children International – our global programming division delivering USD 1.2 billion in assistance in over 60 countries. Francis worked as the Head of Global Operational Support for Merlin (a UK based emergency health INGO), served as a Country Director for Medair in multiple contexts. Francis also worked for a UK based education start-up, Schools Plus Ltd. Francis started his career in a communications role to the UK Opposition Leader in Westminster and has a History degree from Cambridge University.


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