Karen is a second-term Councillor who has served two years as Mayor and as Deputy Mayor. The only woman elected to Moyne Shire Council in her first term, she is a passionate and proactive advocate for women in local government.
A graduate of the Australian Institute of Company Directors, Karen is also an active Board Director, Board Chair and Independent Chair.
Karen is a former Journalist and communications professional who to works to support women in leadership through development programs, mentoring and coaching. She has followed as an ALGWA mentor since 2024.
She has two adult children and lives with her husband in coastal Port Fairy.
Beyond her life as Councillor and business owner, Karen loves reading, gardening, long beach walks with her dogs and cooking for family and friends.
Councillor Clare Williams was elected the President of ALGWA Vic 2024-26. Clare is a Councillor in the beautiful South Gippsland Shire, in Southern Victoria. A first term Councillor, Clare is delighted to have been elected as Deputy Mayor by her colleagues for the 2022/2023 year before being appointed as Mayor for 2023/2024. In addition to her Councillor role, Clare is a local small business owner in partnership with her husband Brenton, a high school teaching aide and a very active volunteer and member of a number of community organisations and committees.
Outside her Councillor and working life, Clare is a Mum to three active children, and values time out with her young family in the beautiful natural environment of South Gippsland.
Clare is delighted to have been reappointed to the Executive Committee of the Australian Local Government Women’s Association – Victorian Branch, and is looking forward to supporting the organisation’s important work.
Alanna Pomeroy is a Councillor with Cardinia Shire Council and proudly serves as Vice President (Metro) of ALGWA – Vic.
A small business owner, former CEO and Graduate of the Australian Institute of Company Directors, Alanna brings strong governance, leadership and strategic thinking to her work in local government.She is passionate about encouraging women to participate and lead in the sector.
A mum of two, Alanna understands the realities of balancing leadership, work and family life, and champions practical, inclusive approaches that make local government a place for everyone. She valuescollaboration, clear communication and strong representation for local communities.
Rosie Barker is a Social Worker, Mental Health Practitioner, and the Deputy Mayor of Hindmarsh Shire, bringing a deeply grounded rural perspective to every role she serves. She contributes statewide as a member of the MAV Health & Wellness Advisory Committee and is committed to strengthening wellbeing outcomes across regional Victoria. A proud wife, mother of four, and grandmother of three, Rosie’s leadership is shaped by community, compassion, and lived experience. Rosie is the only woman on an otherwise all male council and one of our mentoring program participants. She now steps into the role of Secretary for ALGWA with a passion for elevating rural women’s voices and championing equitable representation in local government.
Jodie Ashworth first joined ALGWA Vic in June 2023 when she received a place in the “Women Leading Locally Program” that was delivered by the Institute of Community Directors Australia (ICDA) in partnership with Women for Election to support women to develop leadership skills and equipped participants with connections, mentoring, and motivation in preparation for the 2024 local government elections.
Elected to East Gippsland Shire Council in November 2024 Jodie was elected as Mayor in November 2025.
A graduate of the Australian Institute of Company Directors, Jodie also holds tertiary qualifications in Business, Management, Finance and Local Government Leadershipand has an extensive background in business ownership, financial counselling, conciliation and community development.
Jodie has served on several Committees of not for profit, volunteer led organisations in business and tourism and the local neighbourhood house and is passionate about supporting businesses and strengthening community groups.
As Treasurer of ALGWA Victoria, Jodie is committed to supporting and empowering women in local government, promoting leadership development and contributing to strong governance practices across Victoria.
She is proud to contribute to an organisation that encourages, develops and supports women leaders across Victoria while helping strengthen the local government sector for the future.
Cr. Kylie Spears was the President of ALGWA Vic for 4 years, 2020-2024 and President of ALGWA National 2023 - current.Kylie was elected to Maroondah City Council in October 2016. Kylie was re-elected in 2020 and was sworn in as the Mayor for Maroondah for 2020/2021 and 2023/2024. Kylie has successfully run her own local business for the past 12 years; She is a qualified workplace trainer and assessor with over fifteen years of event management experience.
Kylie has an active involvement with many local community groups, including a number of volunteer roles; She has been President of Melbourne East Netball Association since 2010.
Kylie brings a strong commitment to, and passion for, social justice and inclusive communities, community engagement, the provision of library services, Family Services, advocacy for community needs, opportunities for women and ensuring development in Maroondah is well designed, sustainable and responsive to community needs. Kylie wants the decisions we make today to be the best they can be for now and the future.
In 2023 Kylie was elected the National President for ALGWA.
As a regional councillor living in Torquay within the Surf Coast Shire, I am a passionate advocate for women’s leadership and participation in local democracy. Raising four children, I understand the importance of inclusive,connected and future-focused communities. My experiences as a mother, engineer and councillor have shaped my collaborative and practical approach to leadership. Having served as Mayor and Deputy Mayor, I am committed to supporting greater representation ofwomen at all levels of government and encouraging more women to step confidently into leadership roles. I am excited to contribute to this important work across Victoria.
Coral is passionate about gender equality and local government.
Coral is the Chair of the Australian Gender Equality Council and has had a long career in local government. Until October 2020 Coral was the President of the Municipal Association of Victoria and on the Board of the Australian Local Government Association. Coral was a local government councillor at the City of Boroondara, in Metropolitan Melbourne, for more than 18 years and served as Mayor three times. She was on the MAV Board for nearly eight years.
Coral was previously the National President of the Australian Local Government Women’s Association and ALGWA Victorian President – she is currently the National Treasurer. A professional journalist with more than 20 years’ experience, Coral was awarded Churchill Fellowship in 2018 to improve gender equality in local government by increasing the number of women councillors. She found that whilst there are many overseas programmes to elect women which can be implemented in Australia, parity will not be achieved until the systemic and cultural barriers which prevent women being elected are addressed.
Coral was made Member of the Order of Australia (AM) in the Queen’s Birthday Honours in 2021, in 2019 she was inducted into the Victorian Women’s Honour Roll and in 2014 she was named as one of the 100 Women of Influence by Westpac/Fairfax. She is also a Fellow of the Australian Institute of Company Director and has a Certificate in Leadership and Strategy having successfully completed the Australian Institute of Management coaching and mentoring course.
Kate Kendall is the Mayor of Macedon Ranges Shire Council, elected in 2024 on primary votes, bringing a fresh, entrepreneurial lens to local government. She served as Deputy Mayor in the 2024-2025 term. She was appointed to the Local Government MayoralAdvisory Panel in 2026, MAV’s MAVLab AI Taskforce in 2025, and recently joined ALGWA VIC as the Regional Councillor representative.
With more than 20 years’ global experience across technology, media and startups, she has founded three companies – The Fetch, CloudPeeps and Atto, a startup accelerator championing women founders – and co-founded the Aussie Founders Network in Silicon Valley.She previously served as President of Business Kyneton, a local chamber of commerce. Through her consultancy, Indie Labs, she advises startups and scaling businesses. Kate is a passionate advocate for regional growth, responsible AI, thriving local economies and empowered rural communities.
Mayor Cuc Lam is in her third term as a Councillor at the City of Maribyrnong.
Cuc was first elected in 2000, then again in 2016, serving as Mayor in 2017/2018, before being re-elected in 2020. Now serving as Mayor in 2023/2024
Cuc has received the Refugee Recognition Record Award and Victorian Honour Roll of Women and was instrumental in the implementation of the pop up park in West Footscray.
Currently Cuc is on the Board of Director for Western Health Foundation and recently elected as board member for the Australian Vietnamese Women’s Association and a member of GAICD.
Cuc is a strong advocate for multicultural communities, and she seeks to create safer and cleaner neighbourhoods while supporting sporting and community groups and local businesses.
Tess has a strong commitment to advancing women’s participation, safety and equitable progressive and future-focused leadership. Professionally, Tess is a People and Culture Consultant and leadership specialist with over 17 years’ experience across ASX-listed organisations, government, health, and emergency management.
Tess is passionate about supporting women to enter and thrive in local government. As a former elected local government representative and current Executive Committee Member of ALGWA Victoria, she contributes to advancing safety, gender equality, and retention of women in the sector.
Her experience on advisory boards, including Deakin University’s Business and Law Faculty Teaching and Learning Committee and former HR Advisory Board, reflects her commitment to capability development. Her journey into local government was driven by a desire to advocate for more accessible and equitable communities. Tess is committed to contributing to policy, advocacy and initiatives that strengthen the safety and retention of women across the sector.
Helen was a Councillor at the Nillumbik Shire Council from 2004 to 2016, and first elected as Mayor in December 2010; serving a second term in 2014/15. Helen has been a member of the Executive Committee of ALGWA Vic since 2008 serving as President 2016-2018 and Metro VP 2018-2020. Helen has a professional background in Community Development and has worked in the volunteer sector and is currently working with the state government. Helen has remained active in her local community and within the local government sector.
Helen is a former board member of the Municipal Association of Victoria 2015 – Oct 2016 and joined former President Coral Ross. It is believed to be the first time that two committee members had been on the Board together. Helen was also Chair of the MAV Environment Advisory Committee.
Helen is a Fellow of the AICD, and has been appointed to a number of boards, the State government’s Adult Community and Further Education Board (ACFE) from 2017, Women’s Health Victoria, 2011 - 2019 and was Chair of the Counterpart Advisory Committee (formerly Breacan), a former Member of the Ministerial Council for Volunteers 2016 - 2019 and was appointed in 2016 as Deputy Chair of the State governments Northern Metropolitan Partnership. Helen is also a member of the VLGA.
Helen was awarded a Medal of the Order of Australia [OAM] in January 2019 for service to the community through a range of organisations.
Cr Natalie Duffy was elected to Nillumbik Shire Council in 2020. Putting community at the heart of Council is her focus.
As a first term Councillor, Natalie valued the “sisterhood of support” offered through the ALGWA Victoria mentoring program. She believes when we work together, we can achieve great things for our communities.
Natalie lives with her husband and two teenagers in leafy North East Melbourne. She is passionate about protecting the environment and creating opportunities for people of all ages to thrive. Her goal is to empower people to have confidence to make positive change in our world.
Natalie has a Bachelor of Business (Marketing), a background in business working in tourism, travel, technology and recruitment coupled with a period of running her own small business. Natalie has active community and volunteer involvement in education, sport and reconciliation.
A board member of Yarra Plenty Regional Libraries and charity Imagine Re-evolution, Natalie is Chair of Council’s Health and Wellbeing Advisory Committee and also serves on Nillumbik’s Positive Ageing Advisory Committee, Inclusion and Access Advisory Committee and Youth Council. She is Council’s delegated representative on the Nillumbik Reconciliation Group, Eltham Chamber of Commerce, and Diamond Creek Traders Association.
Natalie’s battle with breast cancer early into her term has made her empathetic to the struggles of the most vulnerable members of her community.
We are delighted to have Her Excellency Professor the Honourable Margaret Gardner AC as our patron and value her ongoing support.
Cr. Sarah Gilligan is a second term councillor at South Gippsland and Executive Officer for ALGWA Vic. Before entering local government Sarah worked in major events and film and television, project management and business development. Sarah discovered the power of coaching and mentoring working as Development Manager for the Australian Centre for Dialogue at the ANU Law School, after which she became an ICF Coach herself. Sarah loves helping women thrive personally and professionally, she championed and co-ordinated the 2025 ALGWA Vic mentoring program and believes ALGWA Victoria’s strength is in its network and commitment to women supporting women.