Dr Jacqueline Parisi Chief Executive Officer Expand Dr Jacqueline Parisi has spent much of her career strengthening international non-government organisations in Asia and the Pacific. She has drawn upon her experience to develop strategy, design programmes, perform evaluations, and implement capacity development interventions. Jacqueline has also developed a social enterprise methodology and applied this to assist survivors of sex trafficking in Laos and Cambodia, and people affected by leprosy in remote parts of China – generating sustainable income streams and social change. She has worked in Cambodia, China, Fiji, Hong Kong, India, Indonesia, Lao PDR, Myanmar, New Zealand, Spain, Sri Lanka, Thailand, UK and Vietnam. Jacqueline holds an MBA, and a doctorate focused on capacity optimisation in international development, and the transferability of practices between private, public and non-profit sectors. She holds several non-profit Board positions and serves as advisor to the Mekong Club in Hong Kong, fighting modern slavery.
Cate Coleman Programs Manager Expand Cate has over a decade of experience in Australia’s not-for-profit sector, largely focused on supporting Melbourne’s refugee communities in various program management and executive roles. In addition to her role at Assisi Aid Projects, Cate works part-time at The Social Studio, a Melbourne-based social enterprise working with refugee youth, and is a Director at the Migrant Information Centre where she advises on philanthropy. Cate has qualifications in Behavioural Science and International Development from LaTrobe University.
Isabel Parker Project & Engagement Officer Expand Following an internship at Assisi Aid Projects in 2022, Isabel rejoined the team in 2023 as Project & Engagement Officer. Isabel oversees Assisi Aid Projects' communications content and assists with project reporting and review processes. Isabel first became interested in the work of Assisi Aid Projects after learning about its intersectional focus on women's economic empowerment and partnership model of development, and continues to be inspired by stories of the projects' participants. Isabel holds a Bachelors of Arts in Geography from the University of Nottingham and a Masters in Development Studies from the University of Melbourne.
Madeleine Wenczel Volunteer Expand Madeleine volunteers with Assisi Aid Projects one day per week, alongside completing her Masters in Development Studies at the University of Melbourne, having finished her internship with Assisi Aid Projects last year. Compelled by her passion for gender equality, sustainability and international development, Madeleine sought out further study and experience, leading her to intern at AAP. Madeleine's primary areas of interest have been the intersectionality between gender power-relations, climate change and concurrent economic and social empowerment for women in the south-pacific region. Madeleine also has a Bachelor of Arts in Politics and International Relations from the University of Melbourne.
Qiran Wang Intern Expand Qiran completed her Master in Arts and Culture Management at the University of Melbourne. With interests in community development and gender equality, she joined Assisi Aid Projects as an intern, primarily working to assist with communication. Qiran also holds a Bachelor of Arts in Portuguese Studies from the University of Macau and has volunteered at several community-based organisations assisting with project research, communications and marketing strategy development.
Kirsty Leighton Intern Expand Having completed her Bachelor Degree with Honours in History and Politics in 2021 back home in Scotland, Kirsty is now in the final semester of her Masters in Public Policy and Management at the University of Melbourne. Kirsty is very excited to start her internship at Assisi Aid Projects and gain experience in working for an NGO and women’s empowerment. She believes it is a great opportunity to put the knowledge and skills she has built up through her time in education to work. Women’s empowerment is of great interest to Kirsty and she is looking forward to contributing to projects and expanding her knowledge on the subject.