Board

Michael Smith

Chair of the Board

Michael Smith is the CEO of Eastern Community Legal Centre (ECLC) in Melbourne.

Michael was National Chair (and spokesperson) for the National Association of Community Legal Centres (now CLCs Australia) from 2010-2015, the peak body for community legal centres. In this role he was active in Knowmore’s establishment by NACLC. Michael has continued as Chairperson for Knowmore as it developed and became a separate CLC.

Michael is passionate about developing innovative partnerships and multidisciplinary approaches to client and community needs. Originally a youth worker (BA), Michael has postgraduate qualifications (Master of Social Work) and is a Graduate Member of the AICD.

Mitzi Gilligan

Mitzi Gilligan GAICD is a director, business owner and investor who has been practising as a lawyer since 1991. Currently she is a Principal and Founder at Hive Legal specialising in energy and climate change law, prior to which she was a partner at Minter Ellison. She was a board member at Justice Connect for 11 years, including 6 years as chair and also a longstanding volunteer at the Justice Connect Homeless law service. She is a director of energy company Ratch Australia and legal tech company Xakia Technologies, as well as chair of the External Law Advisory Committee for Swinburne University. Previously Mitzi was a director of Minemet Group Limited, a Management Committee Member of Seniors Rights Victoria, including a year as chair, and a Melbourne High School council member.

Sara Kane

Sara Kane is the CEO of Circle Green Community Legal. Sara has a BSocSc and has over 20 years’ experience in community sector management, service development, delivery, and strategic planning. She has worked at a local, state, national and international level in not-for-profit organisations, local government, and the private sector. Sara has been a Director and Chairperson of the Community Legal Centres Australia Board of Directors and has previously been Deputy Chairperson of the Community Legal Centres Association of WA and Convenor of the WA CLC Managers Network.

Yvette D’Ath

Hon. Yvette D’Ath GAICD is a director and consultant who has served as Queensland’s Attorney-General and Minister for Justice, Minister for the Prevention of Domestic and Family Violence and led Queensland through COVID as Health Minister. Yvette served across Federal and State Parliaments for 17 years, which provides her with a unique insight into the harms caused in society and the essential role that community legal centres perform in providing access to justice for disadvantaged people. Yvette oversaw the establishment and governance of various statutory authorities/boards across justice, training, and health portfolios in Queensland, including responsibility for policy and legislative reforms, governance performance, and appointment of members/directors. Serving on the Knowmore Legal Services Board directly aligns with Yvette’s dedication over her working career to advocating for those most vulnerable, with a strong focus on critical issues such as gender violence, DFV, and child exploitation and abuse.

Olivia Nguy

Olivia Nguy is the Director of the Law and Justice Foundation of NSW. She is a passionate advocate and executive leader committed to systemically improving social justice and wellbeing outcomes for individuals and communities. Drawing on her qualifications in social work, social policy and business, Olivia brings a wealth of senior and executive leadership experience across for-purpose organisations. She currently serves as Board Member of the NSW Pro Bono Disbursement Trust Fund, and as Deputy Chair of the NSW Legal Assistance Forum. Prior to joining the Foundation, Olivia was Chief Executive Officer of Detour House, leading services for women and girls experiencing homelessness. She has also held leadership positions at Western Sydney MRC and Australian Red Cross, focusing on service delivery for people seeking asylum and refugees.

Liahn Nortjé

Liahn Nortjé is Deputy CEO at ACMI and an experienced executive, board director and educator. He has held senior leadership roles across the creative industries, higher education and the public sector, leading strategy, finance, governance, people and operational functions. Liahn is a Fellow CPA, Chartered Management Accountant, AICD graduate and holds a Master of Enterprise from Melbourne Business School.