Board of Directors
Ebe Ganon
Director / Chair
Ebe Ganon is a young Canberran with extensive experience in communications, community engagement, and project management. Ebe current works as an equity and accessibility specialist, and was a member of CYDA’s inaugural Youth Council. Ebe is undertaking postgraduate studies in disability and inclusion at Deakin University, and has completed a Certificate IV in Auslan. Ebe also works as a group fitness instructor promoting accessibility and inclusion in mainstream gym settings.
Chloë Polglaze
Director / Deputy Chair
Chloë (she/her) is a disabled graduate civil engineer with a communications background who is passionate about disability advocacy and inclusion. Previously she worked at a university where she created and facilitated a disability allyship workshop. Chloë was part of CYDA’s first Youth Council, and first Young Leaders Program. She was motivated to join the Board after experiencing first-hand how impactful CYDA can be on the lives of disabled young people.
Danny Hui
Director / Secretary
Danny is a social entrepreneur in disability and digital health. He has worked across Australia with people with disability, their families and supports to improve coordination and collaboration. He is an experienced not-for-profit Board Director and previously an executive in the energy sector. Danny is a parent of children with disability and his experiences have driven his commitment to advocate for the inclusion and rights of children and young people with disability, in a way that empowers their voices and leadership.
Margherita Dall'Occo-Vaccaro
Director
Margherita is a migrant, queer, young woman with a disability who works across organisations, Australian and international committees and businesses to advocate for young people with disabilities and multiple other identities. With a background in law and human rights, she works on a wide range of projects to advocate in many intersecting areas through policy, media, representation, communications and law reform.
Andrew Dean
Director
Andrew is a corporate lawyer with experience in the insurance and property industries. He has worked with Federal Government departments and gained strong governance experience as company secretary and director for a number of corporate entities within Australia and overseas.
Andrew is a father to two boys and has experience of disability as a parent and Andrew’s experiences in advocating for his son are a key driver for him joining the CYDA Board.
Matthew Hill
Director
Matthew (he/him) is a senior executive with more than 10 years of experience in governance and board roles involving both the not-for-profit and private sectors. Matthew has a strong interest in providing value and support to communities and associations like CYDA. Matthew is a father of two children and has family experience of disability. Matthew is extremely committed to progressing the rights of children and young people with disability.
Lara Maia-Pike
Director
Lara is the Coordinator for The Centre for Inclusive Education and an Associate Fellow of the Higher Education Academy. Lara is a PhD candidate at the Queensland University of Technology, investigating the post-school transition planning experiences of students with disability in secondary schools. Lara is a parent of two children with disability.
Monique Power
Director
Monique is a mother of two beautiful little girls; her eldest is a child with disability and complex needs. She is a results-driven professional, with more than 20 year’s experience in community services and working in different capacities at all levels of government. Monique has a wealth of lived-experience and understanding of the complexities and intricacies of systems. Her unique life experiences, combined with her education in political science at ANU, is what makes Monique an authentic, compassionate, and passionate advocate for children with complex needs.
Pam Williams
Director
Pam is an experienced not for profit Board Director with previous Executive experience in provision of state government community and disability services, emergency management, strategic policy and planning, research, audit and evaluation. She is proud of her role in closing Colanda, the last disability institution in Victoria, and supporting the long term residents to move into new purpose-built homes closer to family and care services. Pam has family experience of disability and is committed to promoting the voices and rights of children and young people with disability and their families and caregivers.
Charlotte Young
Director
Charlotte is a youth and disability advocate, recognised for her significant contributions to governance, policy, and national youth initiatives by the National Australia Day Council and Asialink. She has advised bodies including the Attorney-General’s Department, the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT), and UNICEF, and currently supports Women with Disabilities Australia (WWDA). In 2023, Charlotte represented Children and Young People with Disability Australia (CYDA) at the United Nations and she coordinated its National Youth Disability Summit for four years while pursuing a double degree at the Australian National University. She is also a scholarship recipient from the Australian Institute of Company Directors.
Tessa Deak
Director
Tessa is a passionate young, queer, regionally based disabled artist and advocate. She is employed at JFA Purple Orange, undertaking project work to improve quality of life for the disability community. Tessa is involved in creative and community efforts in the Limestone Coast- including in health and wellbeing, youth empowerment, and leadership. She has engaged with several CYDA events and projects, including the Young Leaders Program. Her drive lies in championing young regional voices and supporting greater equity and opportunities for regional people with disability. Tessa also loves fun earrings and peanut butter choc-chip cookies.
