Richard is an Advocate of the High Court of Kenya and an Australian Solicitor with several years of experience as a lawyer. Similarly, Richard has a deep passion for community service and delights in using his legal background and understanding to advocate for and support disadvantaged and vulnerable members of society. Upon relocating from Kenya to Australia in 2017, Richard was moved by the plight of humanitarian entrants in his community who were struggling to integrate into their new home due to multifaceted reasons, including a lack of language on their part and inadequate cultural understanding of service providers. Richard decided to volunteer in the settlement of refugees in Albury Wodonga. He subsequently took on the role of Community Executive Officer at the Albury Wodonga Ethnic Communities Council, where he has advocated several issues impacting multicultural communities and initiated several innovative projects to fast-track the integration of new humanitarian migrants, such as in-language driving program, community sports induction for girls, a youth mentorship program, leadership training for community leaders, and building the resilience of the multicultural communities to deal with diverse emergencies. Recently, Richard joined the ECCV Board and is keen to represent the issues affecting the multicultural community members living in regional Victoria.

Karen, a passionate farmer, permaculturalist, and Emergency Management Coordinator, invites people on a journey to explore the potential of the 72-Hour Community Resilience Program. Drawing from her firsthand experience in fire, flood, landslide and pandemic response, Karen emphasises the importance of proactive preparedness in fortifying rural communities against adversity. In her role as an Emergency Management Coordinator, Karen plays a pivotal role in preparedness, response, relief, and recovery efforts. Her approach of leading from behind empowers communities to take ownership of their resilience journey by equipping individuals, households, businesses and communities with the vital skills and knowledge to make decisions that suit their needs. Through collaborative, community-led processes, Karen illustrates how this approach fosters resilience, enabling communities to navigate future crises with confidence and emerge stronger than before. Karen's dedication to future-proofing extends beyond immediate emergency response to address long-term challenges. With a keen focus on sustainability, she advocates for a forward-thinking approach, addressing fundamental needs such as food, water, shelter, and income security, alongside considerations like climate adaptation and aging in place. Through the lens of the 72-Hour Program, Karen shares invaluable insights and best practices derived from her active involvement in emergency management and recovery coordination. The program provides actionable steps that anyone can implement within their own communities, fostering tangible improvements in resilience and preparedness for an uncertain future.

As an Emergency Management professional with Victorian Local Government experience, I have had the privilege of leading the planning, coordination, and evaluation of emergency management activities within the local municipality. With a risk-based, all-hazards approach, I spearheaded the identification, management, and delivery of Council's emergency management responsibilities. My notable achievements include coordinating the response to the October 2022 flood event, where I spoke at the subsequent Parliamentary Inquiry into the flood response. I continue to actively participate in local emergency management planning committees, contributing to the development and update of the associated emergency management plans. My strong background in hospitality and business development has enabled me to build effective relationships with key stakeholders and partners. I am also a member of the Cobram VIC SES branch, where I am currently training to become a Community Engagement Facilitator for the region. My commitment to community engagement and resilience is evident in my collaborative initiatives, including the 'First 72 Hour' community resilience program adopted by multiple local government areas. I am passionate about enhancing the resilience and safety of communities in the face of disasters and emergencies. Recently awarded the Certified Emergency Services Manager with the Australasian Institute of Emergency Management, I have accepted a nomination for appointment to the AIES Victorian Division Committee. I am also a member of several professional networks, such as Australasian Women in Emergencies Network and the International Association of Emergency Management. Through my Bachelor of Emergency Management at Charles Sturt University, I have been twice awarded the Executive Dean's Award for academic excellence and am a member of an External Review Committee for the curriculum. I am excited to continue my work in emergency management and community resilience.