Our People

Maggie MacFie
Director

Maggie Macfie has pursued a varied and dynamic career, working in the business and not for profit sectors, as well as in government. In her role as CEO of youthconnections.com.au (2000-2015) she took an innovative approach to assisting young people—particularly vulnerable young people or those with disability—to make a smooth transition from school to the workplace. She did this through the creation of a suite of wrap-around programs and organisations on one unique site, Green Central, on the NSW Central Coast. Leading a passionate team, she guided the establishment of a Registered Training Organisation, a Group Training Organisation, an Independent Year 9 – 12 school for disengaged young people, a bush tucker café, a media centre and an automotive workshop. The site was entirely constructed by young apprentices and trainees.  

Maggie also has a passionate interest in working with and for First Nations people to achieve business and education aspirations. In Western Australia, she has served as Manager of Social Enterprise for Nyamba Buru Yawuru (2015) and Business Development Consultant for Bidyadanga Aboriginal Community (current). Maggie’s work with First Nations people earned her the Darkinjung Medal for a non-Aboriginal person at the Central Coast Aboriginal Community Awards in 2012. 

In addition to her community work, Maggie has run several small businesses including Spike the Bubble Books and Music, Spike the Bubble Beach House, Afshar Persian Rugs of Distinction, and the Bright Alps Guest House and Ski Resort. 

She has a Bachelor of Arts, an Advanced Marketing Certificate and a Diploma in Governance. Maggie has been recognised as Businesswoman of the Year in the Central Coast Local Business Awards and is an alumnus of the prestigious Sydney Leadership Program (2012). 

Maggie is proud to live and work on Yawuru country.

Brendan Ritchens
Director

Brendan has a strong management, education and training background.

He has held three Managing Director positions for Engineering companies, including his current business EVERO Pty Ltd where he employs 20 full time staff and liaises with regional stakeholders, local and state government bodies and manufacturing industry representatives to secure construction and fabrication contracts.

Brendan has a passion for teaching high school and tertiary students. In his time with Youth Connections and yG Enterprise Pty Ltd he led social and economic initiatives to raise the aspirations of young people and help them to become economic, social and civic contributors in their community.

Prior to this Brendan set up and led the Central Coast Australian Technical College, a secondary school allowing students to enter apprenticeships via School Based Apprenticeships and secure their Year 12 Certificate. He has also held various positions with TAFE including Lecturer and Head of Department in both regional Victoria and the remote Western Australia Kimberley region.

Brendan is proud to live and work on Yorta Yorta country.

Erin Johnson
Director

Erin is the Creative Director of Design Plus Digital, a graphic design studio for NGOs, not for profits, charities and government departments.

Currently she works as a graphic designer for Council for Intellectual Disability where she assists with advocacy for people with intellectual disability so that they can live their best lives. Prior to this role she worked for an education technology start-up, an advertising agency and a not for profit youth organisation.

During her time in the not for profit sector, Erin supported a range of school to work transition programs for disadvantaged young people across education, training, employment, social enterprise, Aboriginal and disability services.

Erin is passionate about helping young people and has volunteered her time as a member of the Central Coast Youth Advisory Committee and as a mentor driving instructor for the yDrive program.

Erin is proud to live and work in North East Victoria on Dhudhuroa country.

Charlotte Dickie
Director

Charlotte is currently the Marketing and Communications Manager for Wunan Foundation, an Aboriginal development organisation in the East Kimberley region of Western Australia. Wunan operates with a clear purpose and strategy to drive long-term socio-economic change for Aboriginal people in the region.

She is a highly skilled marketing and communications specialist, working for an array of NGOs including Northern Land Council, Kimberley Land Council, Garnduwa Aboriginal Corporation and Youth Connections.

Charlotte is a multi-faceted creative specialising in communications, project management visual strategy, content marketing, photography, and graphic design.

For more than 10 years, Charlotte has worked in the not-for-profit sector to address the barriers facing Aboriginal people, as well as actively promote the native title, Indigenous land, and sea management, and the achievements of Aboriginal people on a national level.

Charlotte has also worked alongside disadvantaged youth, helping to share their stories, provide mentoring and training, and assisting students to get on-the-job training via the Structured Workplace Learning program.

Charlotte has a particular interest in not for profits that assist marginalised people and young people in Australia with a track record of impact and sustainability.

Charlotte is proud to live and work on Mirrawong country.