Our Executive Team

“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.

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.

Contact: jo.watson@savethechildren.org.au

Mel leads the shared services and operational 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. 

Dianne has more than 20 years' experience as a senior human resource management executive in blue chip organisations. Most recently, Dianne was a consultant for the CEO of Service Stream Limited. She has also provided consulting advice and program leadership for large-scale business transformation, including 10 years with GE. Dianne has a Bachelor of Arts from the University of Melbourne and a Graduate Diploma in Education. 

Contact: dianne.francois@savethechildren.org.au

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).

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.

Contact: matt.gardiner@savethechildren.org.au

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 8 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.

With leadership of Save the Children’s strategy, policy, media and advocacy activities, Aram is responsible for ensuring that we deliver on our promise to be a strong and fearless for children. 

A highly experienced public affairs professional Aram’s career has been dedicated to campaigning and influencing for better outcomes for vulnerable people. Prior to joining Save the Children his work spanned executive roles in health as well as human rights law and policy, with organisations including the Victorian Equal Opportunity and Human Rights Commission, cohealth and ReachOut.com. A human rights advocate in his own right, Aram has also played an instrumental role in delivering reforms to protect the rights of LGBTIQ people both in Australia and globally. 

Aram holds a Bachelor of Science (Occupational Therapy) and a Masters of Politics & Policy, and currently serves on the Board of Your Community Health.