ABOUT US

MEET OUR
BOARD OF DIRECTORS

Lisa Honeychurch

Founding Director

Hetty Johnston

Hetty Johnston

Tristan Van Riel

Tristan Van Riel

Randall Bryson

Randall Bryson

Kerri Chard

Kerri Chard

MEET OUR TEAM

Brianna Swift

Brianna Swift

General Manager

Brianna Hanby

Program Manager

Katie Vaughan

Katie Vaughan

Executive Assistant & Finance

Lauren Salmond

Seva Karonis

Administration & Program Support

Our dedicated team comprises more than 50 paid learning support mentors, who are specifically trained in trauma-informed practices and matched to each child’s individual personal and educational needs. Their work is crucial in equipping young people in care with the confidence to form relationships and see themselves as highly capable learners.

OUR AMBASSADORS

Nicky Charman

Nicky Charman

Yasmin Honeychurch

Yasmin Honeychurch

Sam Hooper

Sam Hooper

BLOOM LUNCHEON COMMITTEE

Andrea McDonald

Andrea McDonald

Lisa Honeychurch

Katie Vaughan

Katie Vaughan

Heather Hawkins

Heather Hawkins

Kim Quinlan

Kim Quinlan

Nicky Charman

Nicky Charman

Lil Enright

Lil Enright

Sam Hooper

Sam Hooper

Donate

Learn About the Empower Youth Program

Get Involved!

X

Lisa Honeychurch - Founding Director

Lisa Honeychurch is the Founding Director of Change for Youth Foundation and has spent more than two decades working across law, child advocacy, psychology and systems designed to protect and support children and young people.

Lisa is a qualified lawyer who practised as an employment and litigation lawyer for more than 20 years. She was a partner and manager at ClarkeKann Lawyers before establishing and running her own specialist legal practice, Honeychurch Workplace Lawyers, for more than eight years.

Her commitment to child welfare extends well beyond her work with Change for Youth Foundation. Prior to establishing Little Stars Kids, Lisa undertook pro bono legal work for Act for Kids and served on the Research Committee of The Abused Child Trust, contributing to her longstanding interest in research, prevention and better systems for children who have experienced abuse and neglect.

Lisa also holds a double major in psychology and has undertaken significant training in trauma and the impact of trauma on the developing brain. She has also contributed to the development of training in this area.

Lisa has a particular interest in the rights of children within the legal and justice system and has advocated for children’s rights for many years, both through her work in litigation and through non-adversarial advocacy.

Her professional experience has reinforced her belief that protecting children requires more than responding to harm after it occurs. It requires laws, policies, systems and institutions that are deliberately designed around the safety, rights and developmental needs of children and young people.

In 2016, Lisa founded Change for Youth Foundation and developed the Little Stars Kids Camp model for children who had experienced abuse and neglect. She subsequently developed the Empower Youth Program for children living in out-of-home care in Queensland.

Drawing on her legal and systems expertise, Lisa built these programs with a strong focus on child safety, safeguarding, governance, accountability and trauma-informed practice.

Lisa has an avid interest in research relating to child welfare, child protection and the experiences of vulnerable children and young people, and in translating that research into practical legal, policy and systemic change.

She is particularly interested in building laws and systems that better support children and young people, prevent harm and ensure that children’s rights and voices are recognised within the systems that affect their lives.

Lisa’s work supporting children who have experienced abuse and neglect was recognised when she was named a finalist in the Queensland Community Foundation Emerging Philanthropists category in 2019.

Lisa’s focus is on challenging systems that fail children and advocating for evidence-based change that improves their safety, rights, wellbeing and life outcomes with a particular interest in corporal punishment law reform. Lisa is a member of the Ending Physical Punishment against children committee.

X

Hetty Johnston

With more than 40 years of experience across child protection, business leadership, and governance, Hetty is a highly respected executive known for driving meaningful and measurable outcomes. Bringing extensive expertise in strategic planning, operational leadership, and financial oversight, Hetty has built a strong reputation for working collaboratively with teams and stakeholders to achieve purposeful change. Passionate about integrity, transparency, and accountability, Hetty is committed to creating a positive impact through thoughtful leadership and strong governance.

X

Tristan Van Riel

Tristan is the Dealer Principal and Chief Executive Officer of the Keema Automotive Group in Queensland which operates over 5 sites across Brisbane and employs around 250 staff.

Tristan has an accounting background and was previously the Chief Financial Officer of the Keema Automotive Group.

Tristan has significant experience in financial matters and developing the strategic direction of the Keema Group.

Tristan is committed to making a difference in the lives of children living in foster, kinship and residential care through the work of the Change for Youth Foundation. Tristan is currently the Chair of the Change for Youth Foundation board.

X

Randall Bryson

Randall is a Director at BDO Australia, an international accountancy firm, and has extensive experience in retail, particularly in the automotive sector but also more broadly with experience in food and beverage retail. His employment with a multi franchise dealership and a national automotive retail chain, as well as 15 years in chartered accounting, provides an excellent platform for specialist professional services. He is able to understand and support his clients with their operational and statutory requirements.

Randall is committed to making a difference in the lives of children living in care through the work of the Change for Youth and our Change for Youth Camps which provide so much Fun and laughter.

X

Kerri Chard

Kerri Chard is a leading authority in Child Protection with a background in psychology and over two decades of professional experience in the Non-Government and Government Sectors. She has a wealth of knowledge and experience in working with families impacted by intergenerational trauma, abuse and neglect. Kerri has spent significant time working in the court system with these families and has also run a regional intake service to determine intervention responses to children to meet their safety needs. She has developed award winning interventions within the Education sector, and spent time assisting schools to better understand complex developmental trauma and support children in the education system as well as bringing trauma informed curriculums into the classroom.

Kerri is Queensland’s leading Trust Based Relational Intervention (TBRI®) practitioner, having studied directly with Dr David Cross and the Karen Purvis Institute of Child Development team. Kerri trains residential care workers, foster and kinship support staff and also works directly with foster and kinship carers as well as biological parents using TBRI®. Kerri has spent time working in the USA with leaders and innovators helping children heal from their trauma. She is well known for her passionate yet pragmatic approach to the complex issue of Child Protection.

She is highly regarded as someone who can think differently and translate psychological theory into practical interventions that transform lives. Kerri is also a foster carer who successfully uses TBRI with children in the care system in her own home – and also on her own 3 sons (and husband!)

X

Brianna Swift - General Manager

Brianna Swift is the General Manager of Operations at Change for Youth Foundation. Brianna holds a Bachelor of Laws and has experience working in family law, where she developed a strong passion for advocating for the rights and wellbeing of women and children.

Brianna is particularly committed to supporting vulnerable young people and families through compassionate, trauma-informed approaches. Her experience in the legal field has strengthened her understanding of the challenges faced by women and children navigating complex family and social systems, inspiring her ongoing dedication to advocacy and community support.

In her role as General Manager of Operations, Brianna oversees the day-to-day operations of the foundation and works closely with the leadership team to ensure programs are delivered effectively and continue to create meaningful outcomes for young people and families across Australia.

X

Brianna Hanby - Program Manager

Brianna brings a diverse background across program coordination, education, administration, research, and community engagement, with experience spanning the arts, psychology, and wildlife conservation sectors. With a First Class Honours degree in Psychological Sciences from The University of Queensland and further studies in Wildlife Management through The University of Southern Queensland, Brianna combines strong organisational and project management skills with a deep commitment to supporting people and communities. Across previous roles with Playlab Theatre, Queensland Ballet, and Accoras Psychology, Brianna has led complex projects, coordinated events and professional development programs, managed stakeholder relationships, and supported inclusive learning environments for children and young people. Her thoughtful, collaborative approach and passion for meaningful impact make Brianna a valuable addition to the Foundation and the young people and families we support.

X

Katie Vaughan

Katie is the program administrator for Little Stars Kids. Katie has extensive experience spanning over 20 years in an executive assistant role  in the high pressure world of financial mergers and acquisitions. Katie brings a wealth of administrative and organisational experience to the role and provides invaluable support to the Little Stars Kids team and the families and stakeholders that we support.

X

Seva Karonis – Administration & Program Support

With more than 30 years of experience in the administrative field, Seva is a dedicated and approachable professional who genuinely enjoys supporting others and contributing to team success. She thrives in collaborative environments and is committed to providing reliable, high-quality support.

Outside of work, Seva has a passion for baking and enjoys bringing in homemade treats to share with colleagues. She is proud to be part of the Change for Youth Foundation, supporting children to build a strong foundation for a bright future.

X

Nicky Charman

 
From a young age, Nicky, Founder and Director of CALEXICO & CALEXICO Man, realised she had a skill in styling people, so they felt ready to take on the world. This passion evolved into a lifestyle boutique, offering an escape from the outside world.
 
A proud mother to three young children herself, Nicky understands the profound impact a safe childhood, or the lack thereof can have on a developing child and is passionate about supporting Change for Youth Foundation in the mission to create brighter futures for children who have experienced abuse and neglect.
X

Yasmin Honeychurch

Yasmin is an Australian actress and singer. She is passionate about advocating for the voices of young Australians to be heard and has been a volunteer for Change for Youth camps since the programs inception.

X

Sam Hooper, Relationship Manager

Sam is a Relationship Manager for the Philanthropic team at Elston Asset Management, where he helps clients establish investment and charitable trusts to support various causes.

He holds a Bachelor of Finance and Biomedical Science from UQ and has worked in Brisbane, Sydney, and New York.

Ten years ago, Sam survived a tragic car accident that changed the course of his life. The accident resulted in the loss of his loved ones, the amputation of his leg, and a long journey of recovery involving 52 surgeries. With the unwavering support of his friends and family, he persevered and emerged with a renewed purpose.

Now, as a Director for Change for Youth Foundation, Sam is dedicated to improving the lives of young people and shaping brighter futures. Recently, he also became a stepfather to a beautiful little girl, further deepening his understanding of the importance of a nurturing childhood for a child’s growth, education, and development.