Nikki brings nearly 35 years of diverse experience in office administration and management spanning corporate, small business, and political environments. Her expertise lies in streamlining operations and developing innovative systems and processes that empower teams to excel and deliver exceptional results. Throughout her career, Nikki has demonstrated a talent for fostering organisational efficiency, building collaborative work environments, and implementing strategies that drive success.

Beyond her professional life, Nikki is deeply family-oriented. She treasures quality time with her young family, often embracing the great outdoors through camping adventures or enthusiastically supporting their sporting pursuits. Her weekends are often spent at the local netball courts where her passion for the sport is evident. As the founder and President of a thriving netball club, Nikki has built a supportive community centered on inclusivity, teamwork, and personal growth. A dedicated volunteer, she also coaches teams instilling confidence and a love for the game in players of all ages. Nikki’s unwavering commitment to her family, community, and the sport of netball exemplifies her values of connection, leadership, and service.

Charlotte brings a wealth of expertise to Kokoda Youth Foundation as the Marketing and Communications Manager. Throughout her 20-year career, she has predominantly worked across the education and not-for-profit sectors, where she has created many impactful campaigns. Charlotte has always enjoyed collaborating with organisations who empower young people to reach their full potential, and her skill set spans strategic planning, content creation, event management and brand development.

Beyond work, Charlotte enjoys keeping fit, drinking coffee, travelling to new places and having outdoor adventures with her family and border collie.

Joanne possesses over two decades of expertise in management, administration, and marketing across diverse sectors. She is a self-motivated and organised leader who is passionate about advancing youth and community development and is dedicated to making a tangible difference in people’s lives. Outside of her professional role, Joanne enjoys getting outside with her kids and cheering on the Firebirds or Brisbane Lions at their games!

In recent years Chris has been developing himself professionally and experientially in youth mentoring, rite of passage, men’s work and counselling.  He is now a qualified counsellor and youth worker and is certified in rites of passage. In his role as the Digital Detox Program Coordinator at KYF, Chris is excited to apply a preventative approach to guide, support, role model and journey with youth while helping them realise their potential.

Prior to embarking on his journey of personal development and education, Chris spent two decades applying his knowledge and expertise to start-up and manage numerous businesses, including an Industrial Abseiling organisation and indoor trampoline centres. Chris is a keen surfer who loves the ocean and relishes every opportunity to spend time with his wife and daughters on our stunning Gold Coast beaches.

Sam has a passion for youth work and helping others break free of the limitations they set themselves.

He spent two years as a Volunteer Leader with the KCYP before deciding to take on his current role.

Over the years, Sam has completed 5, 96km Gold Coast Kokoda Challenges. He is an outdoor fanatic, who loves spending his spare time hiking, camping and exploring new cultures.

Keith has joined the Kokoda team having come from a background in Youth/Community Development with PCYC Working exclusively with Indigenous Communities throughout Queensland.  His focus was on community development, facilitated through capacity building initiatives, leading to his passion for social inclusion. His desire for personal development with Indigenous youth was enhanced through the development and delivery of the Deadly Duke’s program; a Cultural variant of the internationally acclaimed Duke of Edinburgh Award Australia, to which many honours were claimed. The program gained local, national, and international recognition to where Buckingham Palace was made aware of the young people influencing their community during a NAIDOC Celebration. Their aspiring leadership, return to Country and positive role modelling lead to some participants having an exclusive engagement with His Royal Highness Prince Edward in recognition and celebration in 2014.

Keith has worked closely with the QPS to achieve this outcome and has managed several Indigenous PCYC Clubs within remote and or discrete Communities including Mornington Island, Palm Island and Doomadgee. one of his most memorable times was at Lockhart River where he was invited to travel and camp with the community during the Laura dance festival in 2015.

In 2019 Keith transitioned to Project Booyah to work with disadvantaged and high-risk youth caught in the criminal youth justice system as an alternative strategy to reduce or prevent recidivism and incarceration. Keith Served with the Royal Australian Air Force as an Airfield Defence Guard (ADG) for a period of 10 years where he served overseas including deployment to the Middle East and spent time in Iraq in 2005. The structure and discipline inherited as a member of the Australian Defence Force has provided the values utilised to model and mentor youth/community programs. It is this framework aligning with Kokoda Youth Foundation that has seen Keith join our team.

Jessie has always had a passion to help young people strive and achieve their potential, while recognising that one’s adolescent years can be turbulent and detrimental without the right foundation and support. Completing a bachelor’s degree in Social Welfare majoring in youth work, Jessie is determined to make lasting change in today’s young people.

With a background of school-based mentor programs at Arcadia College, Jessie is no stranger to the classroom. Along with her time at the forefront of the health pandemic COVID-19, Jessie was providing emergency relief through the St Johns Crisis Centre, which equipped her with a multi-faceted set of skills in these areas: food relief, drugs and alcohol, homelessness, family outreach programs and domestic and family violence.

Jessie is looking forward to putting her education and prior experience into action as part of the Kokoda Youth Foundation.

With over 12 years of experience in horticulture, I have cultivated a deep passion for all things plants and take great pride in helping customers transform their gardens into thriving green spaces.

As an OTRT Program Support Officer, I get to combine my love for plants with my passion for helping others, creating meaningful connections along the way.

In 2023 and 2024, I had the privilege of volunteering as a leader with the Kokoda Youth Foundation, guiding and mentoring young people through challenges designed to build resilience and personal growth. Throughout this journey, I’ve completed four 96km Gold Coast Kokoda Challenges, alongside numerous other events under the Kokoda umbrella—experiences that have strengthened my commitment to mentorship and community engagement.

Outside of work and volunteering, you’ll find me hiking, running, or enjoying time with like-minded individuals. I also love golf, tennis, and, of course, gardening—activities that keep me active and connected to the great outdoors.

I find fulfilment in mentoring youth, sharing my passion for nature and outdoor challenges, and supporting others in reaching their personal and physical goals.