The BGK LLEN staff team is comprised of a very passionate group of people with a wide range of experience and qualifications. This shared commitment and skills enable our organisation to support partnership development across the Bayside, Glen Eira and Kingston community.  Our team is made up of: 

Suzanne Bray

Suzanne is the BGK LLEN's Partnership and Project Development Officer. Suzanne has extensive experience in community partnership brokering, project management and community development roles, particularly in local government. Suzanne is a qualified Social Worker and also has a Bachelor of Education. Suzanne is passionate about working with the community and bringing people together with the shared goal of empowering young people and their families to achieve their full potential. She is committed to the principles of social justice and to ensuring that all 'voices' are heard. Suzanne enjoys her position at the BGK LLEN because of the flexibility her role has in responding to the changing needs of the community in a proactive, strategic and timely manner, and being part of a dynamic and passionate team. 

Phone:  03 9584 8845     Mobile: 0400 244 933     Email: This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it  

Eliana Deur

Eliana's role as Project Officer aligns with her passion to support young people in addressing barriers to education and work, while promoting successful transitions to further study and training. With a BA in Youth Studies, Eliana's background is diverse with 19 years combined experience in the retail, design and the music industry, as well as the education, welfare and youth sectors. Her most recent positions in youth transitions support underpin her work at the BGK LLEN which will predominantly be focused on the Berendale Extended School Hub and Longbeach Place Youth Action Place (YAP) at Chelsea. Eliana aspires to create real opportunities for young people to realise their full potential and enhance their quality of life, and feels fortunate being part of the link in building partnerships so young people can positively resonate throughout the community.

Phone: 03 9584 8845     Email: This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

Louisa Ellum

Louisa is the Executive Officer of the BGK LLEN. Louisa has worked extensively across the education and training, not-for-profit and philanthropic sectors over the past 16 years. Louisa has tertiary qualifications in sociology and literature, education, editing and publishing and also holds a Master of Communications. Her key passions are for equity and excellence in education and learning, harnessing youth participation and ensuring greater opportunities for all young people through innovative community partnerships. Working with and leading the BGK LLEN team is an exciting opportunity for Louisa, enabling her to draw on experience in partnership development as well as draw on the commitment of the team and their exceptional talents and broad areas of expertise.

Phone: 03 9584 8845     Mobile: 0438 002 286     Email: This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

Bridie Hudson

Bridie is one of the Project Officers at BGK LLEN. Her main area of focus is working to develop and support the Beyond the School Gates Extended School Hub.  Bridie has Bachelor of Science and Honours degrees with a major in psychology.  Bridie has worked and volunteered in a range of community-based organisations with a focus on youth, advocacy, disability and women's health.  Bridie is passionate about empowering young people to pursue their own interests and aspirations in all areas of their lives. Her work at BGK LLEN fosters school and community partnerships toward this objective.

Phone: 03 9584 8845     Email: This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

Emma Mestitz

Emma Mestitz is the BGK LLEN's Partnership Broker – Education and Industry.  Emma has a Graduate Diploma in Careers Education and Development and most recently worked in pathways and transitions in the education sector.  She also has experience in a range of complementary industries, including Workplace Training and Assessment, recruitment, public relations and the Job Services Network.  A significant part of Emma's role is the coordination of the Berendale Extended School Hub, an exciting initiative which feeds Emma's passion for breaking down the barriers between schools, parents and local communities in the quest to increase the potential of young people.

Phone: 03 9584 8845    Mobile: 0407 226 797      Email: This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

Elena Riccuiti

Elena is the part-time Transitions Project Officer at the BGK LLEN. Elena has a background in Environmental Science and Education and previous to working at the BGK LLEN managed a local community transitions program that improved outcomes for young people through and beyond their secondary schooling. Elena enjoys working at the BGK LLEN due to the variety of work in her role, and the commitment from the staff to enhancing the support for young people and their families. Elena believes the work the BGK LLEN does is vital to improving educational outcomes for young people through the lasting impact that partnerships and relationships supported by the BGK LLEN will have on not only young people but the community also. 

Phone: 03 9584 8845     Email: This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

Fiona Waugh

Fiona is the Research and Communications Manager at the BGK LLEN. Fiona has many years of experience working for a range of not-for-profit organisations in the education, disability, youth and welfare sectors. Fiona has particular experience in project management, research, business development and grant writing. Fiona has university qualifications in business and public policy. Fiona is passionate about drawing on her skills to support the development of partnerships and projects that will enable all members of the community to contribute to enhancing young people's education, economic, social and wellbeing outcomes. Fiona, like the rest of the BGK LLEN team, believes it really does 'take a village to raise a child'.

Phone: 03 9584 8845     Email: This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

Kathy Woods

Kathy holds the position of Business Manager at the BGK LLEN. Kathy has extensive experience in management, financial management and administration in both the health and education sectors. Kathy holds a Diploma in Business Administration as well as a Certificate IV in Financial Services (Bookkeeping). Kathy enjoys the diversity of her role at the BGK LLEN, along with working with the rest of the team to achieve organisational and regional partnership success in the region. 

Phone: 03 9584 8845     Email: This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it