Board of Directors

We are an international team with staff and volunteers in Australia and Cambodia, and we are relentless in protecting and empowering girls.

To learn more about our team, click bio

Julie Dowse

Master of Arts in Child Protection Investigation.

Grad Dip. Child Protection

Advanced Certificate Social Welfare

Julie has spent the majority of her professional life in the child welfare/child protection sector working for Children’s Charities, Barnardo’s Australia for 13 years and the Australian Red Cross for 13.5 years managing different programs for adolescent girls who were pregnant/parenting and involved with child protection services. Following this, Julie took up a management position with SDN Children Services delivering the NSW State Government initiative – Brighter Futures Early Intervention Program. Julie has also spent time living and volunteering in Thailand on 3 separate occasions working with children with HIV/Aids and with the Department of Social Welfare, Khon Kaen Thailand.

Julie, along with her husband Geoff, founded AusCam Freedom Project in 2012 while living and working in Phnom Penh Cambodia. Julie was employed as a Technical Advisor with Hagar Cambodia and Ratanak International, both Anti trafficking organisations. They lived in Cambodia for 4 years developing their national team before returning to Australia to continue their advocacy work, fundraising and developing strategic partnerships to continue the growth of the organisation.

Julie Dowse

Director/Founder

Ruth Stewart

Graduate Certificate in Humanitarian Leadership

Bachelor of Arts (Swedish, Applied Linguistics)

Ruth has over 20 years of international experience as an Australian diplomat in Southeast Asia and Europe. She was Head of the Australian aid program and Deputy Ambassador in Phnom Penh, Cambodia. She is also a former Australian Ambassador to Serbia, North Macedonia and Montenegro and Deputy Ambassador in Yangon, Myanmar.

Most recently she has worked in higher education, leading the development of RMIT University’s refreshed strategy for engagement with Singapore, and on Public Sector Reform in Cambodia with the Australia and New Zealand School of Government (ANZSOG).

Ruth is passionate about gender equality, human rights, good governance and supporting Australian organisations to engage effectively internationally.

Ruth Stewart

Director/Board Chair

Lisa Gill

Fellow of CPA,

Graduate Australian Institute of Company Directors,

Bachelor in Finance and Administration (Accounting Major) University of New England

Lisa is currently the Finance Director for ACN Pacific Pty Ltd Australia and Japan and Past President of NSW CPA Divisional Council 2021. Lisa has worked in executive positions for the last 15 years and has a wide range of industry experience including Chartered, Publishing, Banking, Aged Care, Hospitality Groups, Not for Profit, SMEs, Master planners, Cosmetics, Direct Marketing and Telecommunications.

Lisa is currently enrolled at WSU in the Masters of Research Program working towards her Phd.

Lisa has worked with several major Australian Charities such as Sydney Children’s Hospital, RSPCA, PCYC, HRI, Australian Cervical Cancer Foundation, Orange Sky.

Lisa Gill

Director/Treasurer

Lisa Gill

BBA (Hons) Management – Lancaster University

Abi is an international HR and governance professional with over a decade working across regulated and cross-jurisdictional environments in financial services and international education. Her work centres on organisational governance, employment law compliance, workforce strategy, and building structured people systems that enable ethical and sustainable operations.

An IMI & CMC Qualified Workplace Mediator and Mental Health First Aid Certified practitioner, Abi brings specialist capability in conflict resolution, safeguarding awareness, and holistic people practices.

Abi first worked with AusCam Freedom Project in Cambodia as the organisation’s inaugural HR lead, establishing its foundational employment frameworks, policies, and governance processes. She now serves as Secretary and Director, providing board-level oversight across governance, compliance, and ethical workforce governance.

Her professional background spans Australia, Hong Kong, the United Kingdom and Cambodia. She believes that robust systems, accountable leadership and strong safeguarding practices are essential to combating trafficking and exploitation in Cambodia.

Abi Birkett

Company Secretary / Director

Renay Farrell

Finance & Mortgage Broking Management Diploma
– the National Finance Institute of Australia

Renay is a business development, training, and sales specialist with a diverse corporate career spanning Sydney, London and Vancouver. In addition, Renay has been a flight attendant and trainer with Emirates Airlines based in Dubai and a child-protection coordinator with the international social enterprise, Friends-International, based in Cambodia (via the Australian Volunteer Program).

Renay is currently a Home & Investment Lending Specialist with one of Australia’s major banking institutions, the ANZ Banking Group.

Renay’s passion is connecting with people and constantly strives to build and maintain professional, trusted and mutually-beneficial relationships.

“I joined the AusCam Board because I have a special affinity with Cambodia and its people. I now refer to Cambodia as my ‘heartland’ after having the life-changing opportunity to live and work in the country for 18 months. Prior to this time, meeting Julie, founder of AusCam, further inspired me in my appreciation for, and love of, Cambodians. I greatly admire AusCam’s direct and grassroots approach in supporting young girls in Cambodia at risk, whilst also empowering them to become leaders and advocates in their community.”

Renay Farrell

Director

Nathaniel de Valois

Nathaniel de Valois
Director
Member of the Institute of Community Directors Australia
Graduate of Harvard Business School
Bachelor of Arts (First Class Honours in International Relations) University of Queensland
Bachelor of Justice (Majors in Policy, Politics & Law) Queensland University of Technology

Nathaniel is a multidisciplinary strategist with over a decade of experience in operational management and systems governance, human rights advocacy, policy analysis, and community mapping across corporate, legal, social justice, and community development sectors. Nathaniel currently serves as a policy, quality and governance professional for state peak, CLCQ, working to capacity building and sector sustainability. He also consults as an independent Community Development & Policy Strategist, specialising in co-designing human rights policies and governance systems, conducting impact assessments, and developing sustainable, scalable frameworks that integrate social, economic, and environmental factors.

His experience spans Southeast Asia, the UK, Continental Europe, the US, and Australia, with a focus on combating inequality, child exploitation and systems of oppression through strategic program design, empowerment and advocacy. As an Ambassador, Mentor and Program Consultant, Nathaniel has played a key role in developing grass-roots programs and community-led initiatives that prioritise local ownership and sustainable outcomes since 2011. Combining practical experience in governance frameworks, ESG & DEI strategies, and intercultural diplomacy, Nathaniel’s deep commitment to intersectional justice and human rights is a dedicated force in the fight against trafficking and exploitation in Cambodia.

Nathaniel de Valois

Director

Advisors

Dr Sarah Richardson FAICD FGIA FAMI

PhD on growth-directed innovation in nonprofits

Nonprofit Performance Measurement executive course (Harvard)

Graduate of the Australian Institute of Company Directors (GAICD)

MBA (Hons) (UChicago)

A seasoned nonprofit board chair/director and Queensland University of Technology (QUT) social-innovation pracademic. Sarah operates at the intersection of business and society, helping organizations and their stakeholders innovate to create impact. She brings diverse nonexecutive and executive experience of entities pursuing innovation-led growth. Over the last decade, she has served on multiple nonprofit, startup, and government boards across community and health, education, sport, infrastructure, and agrifoods. Previously, she led digital transformation and marketing for five years at Wesley Mission and the Ethics Centre in Australia and, before that, held strategy- and commercial-leadership roles in Australia, France (with Scandinavia and North America oversight), and the United States. She is enjoying combining her social-justice passion, youth-engagement background, and strategic advocacy and fundraising skills to highlight the youth-protection field’s criticality and amplify AusCam Freedom’s social impact.

Dr Sarah Richardson

Alua Kulzhabayeva

BSc in Politics, Philosophy, Economics from the University of Warwick, Trauma-Informed Certification from the Center of Healing

Alua has a wide range of work experience: from working as a full-time financial analyst at Bloomberg in London, to teaching young adults music and English, to working at immigrant community centers in Berlin, to fundraising for the Aruzhan Sain fund for terminally ill children in Kazakhstan, to, most recently, working at a crisis center and a safe house for women and children in vulnerable situations.

‘Although I only recently commenced working with AusCam, I love working for AusCam for 3 main reasons. Firstly, AusCam’s commitment to supporting and preparing girls to become leaders in their own right, to define what ‘protection’ and ‘resilience’ means to them, instead of dictating to them what it should look like – is the approach that I find most ethical, effective, and sustainable long-term. Secondly, the internal ‘family’ culture and the genuine interest in supporting others that the AusCam staff displays, show that it’s in AusCams people’s DNA to be honest, dedicated, innovative and genuinely supportive. Thirdly, AusCam provides me with an outlet to contribute, while challenging me to grow along with the girls and the rest of the staff.’

Alua Kulzhabayeva

Movement Catalyser (Cambodia)

Cambodian Team

Sokleap Ngorn

BA Social Work

BA of English literature

Sokleap commenced with us in 2015 as a 4th year Social Work Intern. We were immediately impressed with her. At the end of her internship we knew we had to make her a permanent team member. We love her passion, tenacity, and commitment.

Sokleap then commenced full time as an Education Outreach Officer and was later promoted as our SHE Project/Training & Life Skills Manager. In February 2023, Sokleap was promoted to the position of Director of Programs, overseeing & managing several of our projects directly impacting the lives of thousands of girls.

Sokleap is loved and respected by the many girls and young women she has walked beside as well as all the AusCam team.

Sokleap has been working with us for 9 years.

Sokleap Ngorn

Country Director

Sous Navy-Operation and Finance Director

Navy Sous

Bachelor Degree of Finance and Banking – Norton University (NU)

Master degree of Financial Management at Royal University of Law and Economic (RULE)

Before Joining AusCam, Navy spent 10 years working with other local & International NGO’s in Cambodia.

“I love working with AusCam because I can be a part of the dynamic team who work actively supporting young women against exploitation and trafficking which allows me to genuinely love and enjoy my professional life”

Navy has been working with AusCam for 5 years.

Navy Sous

Head of Finance & Operations

Phireak Tan

Bachelor of Arts in Psychology

Master Degree in Public Administration
Phireak is leading the Protection Team. He is passionate about youth engagement, women and gender issues and comprehensive sexuality education with a demonstrated 5 years working experience in civic & social organisations.

Phireak’s skill focuses on project management, capacity building, community engagement and youth-led initiatives. He has expertise working with conflict-affected people including women, children, youth, vulnerable group and host communities especially to support women, young people and vulnerable children to realize their rights, attain maximum potential within their reach and also create a supportive environment for emotional stability for children in Cambodia.

“I love working for AusCam because I have an amazing team with a friendly working environment and we all have the same goal to protect our children.”

Phireak Tan

Head of Protection

Sreypich Mean

Bachelors of Arts (International Studies)

Before joining AusCam, Sreypich spent 6 months as an intern at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation and another 6 months volunteering with two groups of Khmer and UK volunteers in two different provinces of Cambodia to contribute to sustainable change and resilient livelihoods in the community.

Sreypich commenced at AusCam as a facilitator of our life skills training to groups of young women and girls before leading the training on our Global Glow sexual and reproductive health. Sreypich was recently promoted as Manager of our Empowerment Team supporting girls to be more confident and resilient by equipping them with various skills and knowledge needed for their lives and giving them the support and opportunity to be leaders.

‘I love working for AusCam because of how impactful AusCam work is to Cambodian girls’ lives and the hard work AusCam staff put into supporting girls to prevent them from exploitation and trafficking. AusCam is also a growing and learning organization where I can sharpen and utilize my skills.’

Sreypich has been working with AusCam for almost 5 years now.

Sreypich Mean

Head of Prevention

Chantha Ny

Bachelor of Sociology – Royal University of Phnom Penh

Chantha has 6 years experience working in social work and has a good understanding of social issues specialising in case management, counseling and intervention on child sexual exploitation online and empowerment of girls. I have worked directly with girls and women, school principals,community and the local authorities.

“I love working for AusCam because I love the position of social worker. I can help the girls safe from exploitation and support them to change her lives and achieve their dream job and I love Auscam ‘s vision, mission”

Chantha has been working with AusCam for over 3 years now.

Chantha Ny

Protection Social Worker

SeangEng Pov

Bachelor of Social work – Royal University of Phnom Penh

Prior to joining AusCam, SeangEng has had several years experience working with Children and families as well as working with and gaining extensive youth focused programs experience with Youth Resource Development Program ,Youth Initiative in Political and Social Action and the Youth Coalition for Unity and Development.

‘I love working for Auscam because I want to be a part of helping girls to protect themselves from Online Sexual Exploitation, develop their communication & leadership skills, and keep them in good mental health. I want to see all girls stay in a safe place and have the skills to support themselves.”

SeangEng has been working with Auscam for 1 year.

SeangEng Pov

Protection Social Worker

Sokkheng Ry

Bachelor of Sociology – Royal University of Phnom Penh and an undergraduate Master’s Degree in Clinical Psychology.

Before joining AusCam, she gained experience working as a counselor, providing counseling and emotional support to individuals at risk or in need of assistance. She is passionate about helping people navigate difficult situations and achieve their full potential.

I have seen many girls experience trafficking and exploitation. These issues still occur repeatedly. AusCam’s mission is to end trafficking and exploitation before its begin by protecting girls. I am very interested in this mission. I want to work and help girls be free from these issues. This is one of the reasons I decided to join AusCam. I believe that being part of AusCam can create a safe and supportive environment for vulnerable and at-risk girls by making them feel safe, fostering growth, resilience, well-being, and success.

Sokkheng Ry

Protection Social Worker

Chheng Silaangkeasil-Career Development Facilitator

Silaangkeasil Chheng

Bachelor Social protection – National Institute of Social Affairs

Sila has been our Mentor and Career Counselor for 4 years working alongside and empowering over 200 girls during this time. Sila specialises in career counseling and mentoring and is responsible for supporting the young women on setting their own career pathways, including career decision making, counselling support and connecting the young women to services to build their soft-skills. Sila is a powerful force in the workplace and uses her positive attitude and tireless energy to encourage the young women to find their dream and succeed in their future career.

“I love working for AusCam because I am delighted to mentor and support the young women with career guidance and ensure they feel empowered to be a leader in the future”.

Sila has been working with AusCam for 4 years.

Silaangkeasil Chheng

Prevention Project Coordinator

Thavin Lin

Bachelor of Art (Social Work) – Royal University of Phnom Penh (RUPP)

Prior to commencing at AusCam,Thavin spent the last 3 years in the non government organisation field, internship/volunteer, and working at the sub-national level focusing on women’s leadership and empowerment.

Thavin is an Empowerment Facilitator, and was working closely with the young women & girls to provide Sexual and Reproductive Health Training and is now working to support and equip our Change Agents to run community campaigns focusing on OCSE prevention.

‘I love working for AusCam because AusCam has a hopeful vision that encourages, and motivates. A place where we empower young girls to be a Leader and I love that.’

Thavin has been working with AusCam for just under 1 year.

Thavin Lin

Prevention Project Coordinator

Karuna Phal-Community Engagement Facilitator

Sochetra Soeun

Bachelor Degree Geography & Land Management

Karuna joined our Empowerment team in March 2024 as a member of the Exploitation Free Villages project. Pagna works with villages in Kampong Cham and communities within Phnom Penh to facilitate community mapping, awareness raising and planning so that they actively work together to prevent exploitation, especially online child sexual exploitation.

Karuna has 2 years experience working as a freelance researcher, 3 years experience working with adolescent girls on sexual reproductive health, working on Child protection with Local government, and the most vulnerable children, youth and family in poor communities in Phnom Penh city.

‘I love working with the AusCam Freedom Project because I want to see every adolescent girl free from exploitation and everyone become change agents in their communities.

Karuna Phal

Prevention Project Coordinator

Chanika Yat

Nika is a fourth year Law student at Cambodian Mekong University. Before being appointed to her current position, Nika spent time at AusCam as an Intern working as an Office Assistant and a Communications Intern.

‘I love working at AusCam because AusCam works for girls everywhere to be free and educated. I love when AusCam focuses on Change Agents, equipping them to be more resilient and empowered. My future goal is to ensure children have a voice, especially girls’, about their rights.

I think AusCam is the right place where I can achieve my goal and career plan. More than this, AusCam is a learning organisation. I am happy to learn many new things. As a Communication and Facilitation Assistant I love working to build the capacity of our Change Agents, to use their voices to make change and to keep their peers across Cambodia safe from sexual exploitation..”

Nika has been with AusCam for 1 year and 8 months now.

Chanika Yat

Communication Coordinator

Chantheavy Kim

Mearodey is currently pursuing her degree in International Relations at the Institute for International Study and Public Policy (IISPP). She was a scholarship girl at AusCam in 2019. Since 2023, she has been volunteering as a Change Agent and continues her work as a volunteer with the Girl’s Leadership Council (GLC).

Mearodey is passionate about creating safe spaces and is dedicated to implementing effective solutions to ensure a secure environment for young children, especially girls, to prevent victimisation. She believes that her work not only benefits society but also helps her develop her skills and education, with the ultimate goal of graduating with both skill and honor. Her mission is to contribute to building safe spaces for every young girl affected by OCSE.

Mearodey Men

Communication Intern

Sochetra Soeun

Bachelor of Finance & Banking – Cambodian Mekong University

Prior to joining the AusCam team, Sochetra had several years experience working in local Non Government organisations as an Administration & Finance Assistant leading to her promotion as an Accountant. Sochetra was also chosen to partake in a 12 month International Volunteer exchange program.

Sochetra is a great team player who loves to be able to support the team and enable all of us to be able to have an impact. She works hard to keep our finance and administrative systems running smoothly and professionally, always working cheerfully.

Sochetra has been working with us for 16 months.

Sochetra Soeun

Finance & Operations Coordinator

Sovanneary Phha-Operation and Accounting Assistant

Chantheavy Kim

Sovanneary is the Operations and Accounting Assistant. She is a third year Finance and Banking student at Beltei International University. Her prior work experience was as a Finance and Administration intern. She is eager to learn new skills and contribute significantly to the team.

‘My helpful nature and active participation in social activities further demonstrate my well-rounded personality. It is evident that Auscam Freedom Project is the ideal environment for me to actualize my goals and advance my career aspirations.’

Sovanneary Pha

Finance & Operations Assistant

Chinda Sok

Chinda is our office housekeeper. She works tirelessly to keep our office in tip-top shape, making sure we have a warm and welcoming place to visit or work in.

Chinda began working with us in 2024 as our part-time cleaner.

“I’m so happy that I have the opportunity to work at AusCam. AusCam has helped my daughter continue her studies. I like to keep the workplace clean and hygienic so that staff feel comfortable when they are working. Here at AusCam, we are like a family. I feel so much love and support from the team. I love the AusCam Freedom Project so much!”

Chinda Sok

Housekeeper

Our Values

Our organisational culture is essential in defining how we approach our mission, how we behave, and how we interact within the anti-trafficking sector. Our success therefore is defined not only by our ability to protect girls but by our ability to exemplify our core values known as:

Our Circle

Collaboration – we foster positive relationships among all stakeholders
Innovation – we encourage creative and critical thinking, develop new solutions, and embrace continuous learning
Relentlessness – we do what it takes to keep girls safe and improve the quality of opportunities for them
Compassion – we only participate in relationships that are respectful and authentic, considering perspectives and experiences of all stakeholders
Longevity – we are committed to achieving sustainable long term impact
Excellence – we strive to meet the highest standards of good governance, integrity and quality of service

Board of Directors

Julie Dowse

Ruth Stewart

Lisa Gill

Abi Birkett

Renay Farrell

Nathaniel de Valois

Advisors

Dr Sarah Richardson

Alua Kulzhabayeva

Cambodian Team

Sokleap Ngorn

Navy Sous

Phireak Tan

Sreypich Mean

Chantha Ny

SeangEng Pov

Sokkheng Ry

Silaangkeasil Chheng

Thavin Lin

Karuna Phal

Chanika Yat

Mearodey Men

Sochetra Soeun

Sovanneary Pha

Chinda Sok

Our Values

Our Circle

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