Our Team
Kirra Pendergast
Founder & CEO
Kirra’s frank, no fear-mongering approach is backed by 30 years of experience in IT Business Consulting, Cyber Security, and Cyber Safety. Her purpose is to educate people and organisations about how to use social media safely.
Rikki Waller
Creative Director
With over 20 years experience in media, advertising and sales, Rikki is the driving force behind forming strong and profitable relationships between Safe on Social and our valued partners.
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Jaclyn Carlson
Director of Marketing & Product Development
As an experienced digital marketer & strategist, Jaclyn brings a wealth of knowledge, passion and insight to the team, helping to drive and develop impactful educational experiences for our clients and partners.
Simon Richardson
Specialist Facilitator Cyber Safety
Simon Richardson has lived the pleasures, perils and pitfalls of social media for years. As a high school teacher he was all too familiar with the impacts unhealthy social media exposure had on his students.
Madeleine West
Specialist Facilitator Cyber Safety
Madeleine's presentations aim to educate, inform and empower students, teachers, schools, parents and carers to take control of their online safety education and work toward more positive and fulfilling online behaviours and experiences.
Amy Anderson
Specialist Facilitator Cyber Safety
With 15 years experience in education & student welfare, Amy has a passion for student wellbeing and has been focussed on developing programs within a school based setting that prepares students for the challenges they will face outside of the classroom.
Andrea Turner
Specialist Facilitator Cyber Safety
Andrea is a lawyer with a background and interest in personal injury and employment law. Andrea has spent time focusing on educating both employers and employees in remaining safe both in and out of the workplace.
Anna Hayes
Specialist Facilitator Cyber Safety
With 10+ years experience in education and a range of leadership positions, Anna has seen firsthand the rapid rise of technologies embedded into learning programs - often with little regard for teaching students, parents, and teachers.
Amy Haddadi
Specialist Facilitator Cyber Safety
Amy has been working with children, teenagers and their families for the past 17 years. Her unique and diverse experience comes from working hands on with families who were often facing extreme hardship.
Tash Morran
Specialist Facilitator Cyber Safety
Tash is a committed and dedicated professional and speaker, who has the ability to continuously develop knowledge and research moving trends. She believes it is imperative for everyone to be well educated about online safety.
Jacinta Saxton
Specialist Facilitator Cyber Safety
Jacinta has extensive experience in communications and change management in both the private and public sector. As an experienced facilitator, Jacinta has developed and delivered training on both soft and technical skills.
Holly Cormack
Specialist Facilitator Cyber Safety
Holly is an engaging, enthusiastic and passionate Facilitator and Coach. Her extensive experience, outgoing nature and love of all things learning enable her to truly connect with children and adults alike, resulting in great outcomes for all.
Melanie Hughes
Specialist Facilitator Cyber Safety
With over 25 years of teaching experience, Melanie brings with her has a wealth of knowledge and real-life wisdom after having spent the last 15 years at Bangalow Public School.
Angela Mathew
Specialist Facilitator Cyber Safety
Working within the disability sector for the last 18 years, Ang has become an expert in navigating the labyrinthine bureaucracy of the NDIS in support of two of her children, as well as innumerable clients via her business Just Like Home.
Annie Fardell Hartley
Registered Psychologist
Annie is a Registered Psychologist and Suicidologist having worked in clinical, consultancy and management roles across Government, Education, Not-For Profit and the private practice space for over 20 years.
Jane McGowen
Sexuality and Relationship Education
Jane McGowen is an expert in the field of Sexuality and Relationship Education with young people.
She has been working with young people for the last 20 years in various contexts.
Michael Kasprowicz
Motivational Speaker
Michael Kasprowicz is one of Australia's most enduring and popular professional sportsmen. But if one quality defines Michael, it's the contribution he makes to his team environment – be it at the national, state, or even club level.
Youth Advisory Committee
Ophelia
I’m currently in Year 12 and love studying all things cultural and sociological. What drove me to become a part of the Safe on Social team was contributing to fostering a more equal and safe online world and the opportunity to educate Australians to promote a healthy relationship with the internet. My skills regarding managing cyber/creative burnout and acknowledging and responding to online criticism and hate will positively impact readers and the community.
Madison
I’m super excited to be working with the Safe on Social Youth Advisory Committee because I love researching, learning and using my knowledge to guide other people.
I’m passionate about online safety, and I enjoy working with other people.
When I’m not studying, reading, or designing my future house, I’m at the beach, hanging out with friends, or doing makeup. I love drama and hope that I can be on TV or in movies one day.
Jade
My name is Jade. I am 17 from regional NSW. I am passionate about bringing awareness to the safety of social media users because it is ever so present in my own life and the people around me.
I believe it is a hugely influential aspect of our lives as it shapes culture and social expectations and has significant impacts on our mental health. Ongoing education in regards to social media is necessary for the future.
Gigi
I am currently in Year 12, completing my HSC at school in Sydney. I hope to attend University where I aspire to study for a double degree in Property Economics and Business Law.
I wanted to participate in the committee to contribute a contemporary perspective on the safety of social media engagement and effective for young people.
Jaenelle
I am currently 17 years old and completing my final year at school in Rotorua, New Zealand.
I wanted to be a member of the Youth Advisory Committee to share my experiences with social media with others.
I want to communicate to everyone that social media is only a tool – it is up to you to decide how you want to use it.
Arya
I am exhilarated to be part of the Safe on Social Youth Advisory Committee. I am an individual who enjoys meeting new people and, most notably, making a difference that helps our ever-so-expanding world. Being an avid social media user has enabled me to be a part of our digital community, a norm in our society. Therefore, making our collective digital interaction more safe and secure is one of my many interests that drove my passion for being a part of Safe on Social.
Charlie
I am a 15 year old student from Christchurch, New Zealand and my pronouns are they/she.
I am a creative, outgoing person and am always up for a challenge.
I believe that everyone should know how to use social media confidently and safely in our increasingly digital world. I am proud to be a member of the Safe on Social Youth Advisory Committee.
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Lenny
I'm eighteen, and I go to Cape Byron Steiner School in Byron Bay. I joined the Safe On Social Youth Advisory because I am deeply committed to learning about topics that interest me, and spreading that knowledge with as many people as possible. By telling stories that often go untold, especially from the perspective of a young man, I hope to bring a diversity of voice that is incredibly important, especially in the online space. These new technologies affect us all, and young people are on the forefront of these changes and the challenges they present.
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Summer
I'm 11 years old and currently in Year 6 on the Mid North Coast of NSW. I am Sports Captain, and my favourite subjects are English, Creative Writing and public speaking. I really enjoy surfing, playing netball and touch football and I compete at country and state level for nippers.
I am really excited to be a member of the Youth Advisory Committee, I think it's really important for others to understand what young people are experiencing online. Sometimes the topics that many people don't want to talk about, are the most important ones to hear.