Emergencies & disasters! What is the role of legal and public sector agencies?

Deborah Glass is the Victorian Ombudsman. Her 10-year term began in March 2014. She is the first woman to serve as Victorian Ombudsman.

Before becoming Ombudsman, Deborah led criminal and misconduct investigations into police for the Independent Police Complaints Commission (IPCC) of England and Wales.

In 2008 Deborah became the IPCC Deputy Chair and in 2012 she was awarded an Order of the British Empire (OBE) for her service.

Raised in Melbourne, Deborah studied law at Monash University. Her career has taken her to an investment bank in Switzerland through to financial services regulation in Hong Kong and London.

Deborah is on the board of the International Ombudsman Institute, which connects more than 190 Ombudsman offices world-wide.

Deborah is committed to ensuring fair and reasonable decision making and improving public administration. She holds a firm belief in public sector integrity and advancing human rights.

Jennifer Beveridge has been CEO of Tenants Victoria since June 2019. Her leadership experience in not-for-profit organisations spans 25 years, centred on community needs. Before Tenants Victoria, she was CEO of Eating Disorders Victoria, and has also worked in health and youth services.

Gillian Wilks has been CEO of Social Security Rights Victoria since 2017. Her previous roles include Deputy CEO at Peninsula Community Legal Centre, leadership at the Federation of Community Legal Centres, and community legal education work/volunteer coordinator.

Lynne leads the Victoria Law Foundation team. She brings with her a wealth of experience in the fields of communications, journalism and management.

For 16 years, she worked with ABC Radio, including a stint hosting The Law Report on Radio National. She has also worked at the ACCC, the City of Melbourne, the Victorian Ombudsman and as a consultant. She has degrees in Law and English from the University of Western Australia and holds qualifications from the Australian Institute of Company Directors, the Institute of Community Directors Australia and has attended the Cranlana Centre for Ethical Leadership.