Our Leadership Team
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Anastasia Magriplis
Anastasia joined ASRC as the Director Advocacy and Campaigns in May 2019. After a long career in the not for profit sector in Queensland and New South Wales, she now serves as the Director of Services and Advocacy Operations. Her career has centred around workforce management and community mobilisation, with more than 30 years working to change systems and build a better community for all people. Her most recent role was Head of Volunteering for UnitingCare in Queensland, a role that managed a voluntary workforce of more than 9000 volunteers across 400 programs, and contributed more than 1.3M hours to the people UnitingCare serve. Anastasia brings to the ASRC her experience of getting the best out of people to get the best outcomes for people seeking asylum. She is experienced at bringing the organisation’s plans and aspirations to life through listening, planning and responding. Anastasia oversees our Legal, Community Food Program, Housing Support Program and Health Clinic. Her work is focussed on supporting our extraordinary teams to deliver the best possible service to people seeking asylum. Building the case for meaningful and lasting change through the evidence of the people we support each and every day underpins the services she manages. She is driven to build momentum and appetite for cultural and systemic change in Australia so that our policies truly reflect the amazing multicultural society Australia was built on. -
Andrea Reginato
I’m passionate about shaping the community in which I live – be it local or global. I’ve over 20 years’ experience in both the corporate and NFP industry with a strong focus on creating a better world through my experience in team leadership, partnerships, the impact through the collective force of philanthropy delivered through best practice fundraising and reporting. I work collaboratively with a strategic focus, seek opportunities and workflow efficiencies delivering results with strong engagement skills. I’m a lifelong volunteer for multiple community groups and I’ve immense pride and loyalty to my family and friends. Living and working on the land of the Wurundjeri people. -
Camille Walles
As Head of Program Quality and Impact, Camille leads a talented team working to embed continuous improvement and better practice across the ASRC’s Community Portfolio. She has the privilege of partnering with the ASRC’s incredible frontline and advocacy programs to strengthen the foundations of our practice; capture and communicate the impact we create, and embed a culture of evidence-based learning, planning and reflection to help us all thrive in our work. Camille is passionate about strengthening the ASRC’s human rights-based approach and promoting justice, equity and inclusion for people seeking asylum in Australia. -
Flor Sedighi
Flor is a seasoned professional with over 7 years of dedicated service at the Asylum Seeker Resource Centre (ASRC), where she holds the position of Director of Refugee Business. With a strong foundation in both corporate and non-profit sectors, she brings a wealth of global experience to her role. Flor’s passion for humanitarian work is evident in her strategic management of social enterprises, where she focuses on social impact and empowerment to facilitate the successful integration of people seeking asylum and refugees to the community. Her leadership within the ASRC’s Social Enterprises is marked by an innovative approach that highlights the potential of each individual she works with. Flor’s strategic mindset and deep understanding of social enterprises make her a key player in driving positive change. Flor’s commitment to her cause is unwavering, evident in her efforts to forge partnerships, advocate for policy changes, and utilise her business acumen to enhance social impact. Her legacy is characterised by resilience, empathy, and determination, impacting the lives of individuals and the broader humanitarian landscape. As a visionary leader, Flor inspires others to join her in creating a brighter, more inclusive future for everyone. -
Jana Favero
Jana is Director of Advocacy and Campaigns and has worked for the Asylum Seeker Resource Centre (ASRC) for 13 years. Jana is a regular spokesperson in breaking news on human rights and refugee policy on and offshore. She contributes comment to major publications: Fairfax and Newscorp press, ABC national and local radio and TV, The Guardian, New York Times and Al Jazeera. She is a regular keynote speaker at conferences and events on asylum policy. With strong, varied global experience, from communications for the private sector in the UK to women’s social enterprise development in the steppe of Mongolia, to leading a campaign to increase the effectiveness and acceptance of women’s leadership in India. Jana’s global social justice work has sharpened her social justice values and entrenched in her work a basic belief that seeking asylum is a point in someone’s life – not a definition of identity. Jana is committed to seeing through advocacy work until people seeking asylum are treated fairly in Australia. Outside of work, Jana is a proud member of the Cloud Appreciation Society and in leisure time can be found on a flying trapeze or on a bike path with her three young children in tow. -
Kashif Hayat
Kashif is an accomplished board director and senior leader with over 20 years of experience in Governance, Risk, and Strategy, navigating complex business challenges in diverse and highly regulated industries. As a thought leader, Kashif has a proven track record of adapting to evolving macroeconomic and operating landscapes, both domestically and globally. He is highly experienced in developing knowledge in new and emerging legal and regulatory risk areas. His experience has taken him through a range of industries including the health and education sectors, where he developed strong skills in areas such as finance, governance, risk, compliance and strategy matters. Throughout his career, Kashif has established and guided high-performing teams, demonstrating adeptness at recruiting, mentoring, and empowering team members to achieve outstanding results and contribute to the organisation’s overall success. Kashif has a Master of Business Administration from Melbourne Business School and further qualifications within areas of Finance, Risk Management, Project and Change Management. -
Kon Karapanagiotidis
CEO and Founder
“When I founded the ASRC back on the 8th of June 2001, I started with a simple vision: I wanted to create a place of hope and welcome where no one was turned away. A centre that stood for justice, that was willing to be at the coalface when and where it mattered for people. Where dreams of freedom burned brightly in the hearts of all who entered. Many years have passed since and some great changes have been achieved, yet there is still much work to be done to create true equality for all asylum seekers. I ask you to join me in this journey. A journey where by you just opening up your heart and offering your hand in support and solidarity can change the world forever.” Kon Karapanagiotidis OAM is the CEO and founder of the Asylum Seeker Resource Centre. Kon is proudly Greek, growing up in a working class family in a small country town in Victoria. Kon’s personal experience of racism and witnessing the exploitation of his parents in factories planted the seeds for his passion for human rights. Kon went on to become a lawyer, social worker, and teacher. He has been recognised as an Australian of the Year (Victoria) finalist in 2007, was invited to participate in the 2020 Summit in 2008, was voted one of Australia’s 20 Unsung Heroes as part of the launch of the new Portrait Gallery in Canberra in 2008, and was voted as one of Melbourne’s 100 most influential people in The Age Melbourne Magazine. Most recently, Kon was awarded a Churchill Fellowship in 2010 and an Order of Australia Medal (OAM) in 2011. -
Melissa Milner
Melissa is an experienced Human Resources professional with a strong background in HR Administration, HR Consulting, Education, Facilitation, and Coaching. Her career has taken her to become a skilled employee relations expert, guiding organisations such as Foodbank Victoria, Axima and now the Asylum Seeker Resource Centre to develop and successfully maintain systems and processes that prioritise staff wellbeing and foster a positive workplace culture. Melissa sees herself as a ‘people leader’, which has led her to the non-profit sector, where she has enjoyed working with teams of professionals in the humanitarian sector to support people in vulnerable situations. Her academic background is in Business Administration and Human and Industrial Relations Management. Early in her academic journey, she studied Secondary Education and Teaching and worked as a Secondary Teacher, where she confirmed her passion for helping others achieve their full potential. Melissa has a special place in her heart for the fitness industry and she is a qualified Personal Trainer. -
Nandini Bose
Nandini joined the ASRC in 2018 and is currently the Executive Assistant to the CEO. She has two decades of senior administrative experience in the NFP sector and is passionate about social justice and community, which have influenced all her career decisions. Nandini’s strength lies in setting up, maintaining and supporting systems, processes and people for optimum organisational impact. Originally trained as a lawyer, Nandini has volunteered and worked in the NFP sector for 30 years. She loves working in the NFP sector, but has also worked with small and large enterprises in organisations such as the Docklands Chamber of Commerce, fulfilling her passion for supporting the community. Maintaining ongoing operational health is one of Nandini’s main priorities and interests. She has successfully applied her knowledge at the ASRC, working with the Senior Management Team and in her day-to-day activities working alongside and assisting our CEO to help the organisation shine and accomplish its purpose of supporting and empowering people seeking asylum and refugees. -
Ogy Simic
Since arriving in Australia as a refugee when he was 11 years old, Ogy has trained as a lawyer and has worked in a range of campaigning and advocacy roles to promote diversity, inclusion and human rights. He has worked as a campaigner at every level – from grassroots community organising, for federal parliamentarians, as a board member of non-for-profit organisations and an elected representative himself having served as a local government councillor at the City of Port Phillip for four years. With a deep seated belief in the power of movements, Ogy is committed to people driven change – ordinary people pushing beyond their comfort zone, mobilising and volunteering to achieve real and lasting change. Ogy has served as the chair of the City of Port Phillip Multicultural Advisory Committee and has sat on the Board of one of Victoria’s largest community housing providers. With a deep seated belief in the power of movements, Ogy is committed to people driven change – ordinary people pushing beyond their comfort zone, mobilising and volunteering to achieve real and lasting change. Ogy speaks three languages and is a past recipient of a Young Citizen of the Year award. He has extensive experience in governance, project management, campaigning and advocacy. -
Stephen Gunaratnam
Stephen is a highly motivated and qualified finance professional, bringing close to 20 years of experience across external audit, financial reporting, risk management and senior finance executive roles. As a Chartered Accountant, he has used his technical & leadership skills in the for-purpose sector for the past 13 years, helping charities navigate strategic and operating challenges. Prior to joining the ASRC, his work in the international aid and development sector has seen him provide financial expertise to Australian government-funded development projects across Asia and Africa. Over the years, Stephen has proven himself as a values-based leader who consistently lifts the culture and performance of the teams he leads.
Leadership Team
Anastasia Magriplis
Head of Humanitarian Operations & Resilience
Andrea Reginato
Head of Giving & Experience
Camille Walles
Head of Program Quality and Impact
Flor Sedighi
Head of Refugee Business
Jana Favero
Deputy Chief Executive Officer
Kashif Hayat
Chief Operating Officer
Kon Karapanagiotidis
Chief Executive Officer and Founder
Melissa Milner
Head of People and Culture
Nandini Bose
Executive Assistant to the Chief Executive Officer
Ogy Simic
Head of Refugee Leadership, Advocacy & Communications
Stephen Gunaratnam
Chief Financial Officer
Connect with us
Need help from the ASRC? Call 03 9326 6066 or visit us: Mon-Tue-Thur-Fri 10am -4pm. Closed on Wednesdays.