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About the Lisa Harnum Foundation
OUR STORY
Established in 2014 by Aileen Mountifield, the Lisa Harnum Foundation was named in memory of Lisa Harnum, who tragically lost her life after being thrown off a balcony by her fiancé. This incident unfolded within a pattern of escalating coercive control, beginning with love-bombing, progressing to isolating Lisa from her support network, and culminating in the removal of her financial independence and ability to seek assistance, ultimately resulting in complete control over her every action.
VISION STATEMENT
Lisa Harnum Foundation’s Vision is for all women and children to live safely – free from fear and from violence.
The LHF envisions a world where women and children can thrive without fear or abuse, and we are committed to achieving this goal by preventing family violence and breaking the cycle of abuse. Through education and social change, we aim to create a society where everyone can feel safe and respected.
We are driven by a deep sense of compassion for those living in fear of violence, and we are passionate about helping them find the freedom to flourish and feel empowered. Our organisation operates with the utmost integrity, and we strive to exceed expectations in all that we do, from providing safe spaces to advocating for change.
We prioritise the needs of the people we serve, listening to their experiences and embracing their unique situations. Our goal is to eradicate the impact of family violence on individuals, families, and communities, and we are committed to achieving this through ethical and innovative approaches.
OUR MISSION
We strive to prevent family violence and end the cycle of abuse through education and social change. We do this by providing safe and secure spaces to respect those who have lived in fear and help restore their dignity. Through advocacy, we endeavour to live in a community in which family violence is eradicated for everyone, by everyone.
OUR VALUES
Passion
We are inspired by the need to help others living in fear and violence and passionate about helping them find the freedom to flourish and feel empowered
Integrity
We are ethical, compassionate and honest in our mission to eradicate the impact that family violence has on individuals, families and communities.
Excellence
We exceed expectations in all that we do - from the safe rooms we deliver, to the advocacy we undertake - we do what's right by the women and children we represent and hold our head high in the pursuit of innovative change.
Respect
We put people first, listen to their experiences and embrace their situations so that we can help them finding their way to freedom.
Our Board Members
Aileen Mountifield
Founder Lisa Harnum Foundation
Aileen's passion for supporting women and families in domestic violence situations led Aileen to establish a foundation that supports and educates women and families in the Hills Shire of NSW, where support services are limited.
Aileen brings years of senior management experience, along with extensive community work and the establishment of pioneering programmes for vulnerable people and abused women.
At a crossroad, Aileen trained and worked as a community based chaplain for ten years, facilitating programmes for women who had experienced some form of abuse. It was then that Aileen vowed to do more to bring an end to domestic and family violence.
Frank Sedmak
Frank is an extensively experienced and successful senior HR executive, specialising in leading small, medium and large teams working in complex, multi-layered environments. Partnering with the executive and board to lead, define and implement strategic HR and people plans and solutions to deliver business outcomes and uplift organisational culture and performance to meet business objectives.
He has worked in the For Purpose sector for almost 30 years and as a HR practitioner for 40 years, working in the banking, retail, transport, manufacturing, IT, all three levels of government, aged care and disability services. He has been a director of the Lisa Harnum Foundation for almost 10 years and Chairperson for 8 years.
Julliana Creswell
Julianna is a solicitor with Papantoniou Blake Lawyers in Toongabbie and has been a criminal law solicitor since her admission to the Supreme Court in 2002. A former regional Law Society President and former Rotary President, Julianna has dedicated her life to improving access to the justice system and bettering society.
Throughout her career she has helped countless victims of crime through the Court process and to obtain compensation, also leading offenders down the path of rehabilitation and restitution.
In addition to helping adults Julianna has also represented many children and as part of that process has been involved in many programs to help disadvantaged adults and children, such as Breakfast Club which provides transport to school and free breakfast to children in regional New South Wales. In addition to her criminal practice, she also has experience in a range of other legal areas including care and protection, litigation, family law and wills and estates.
Evelyne Wilton
Evelyne Wilton, the CEO of H2H Collective, a Sydney Marketing Agency, also serves as a Business Growth Strategist. Her dedication to catalysing growth and success in business extends beyond her professional endeavours.
Evelyne has committed her expertise to the Lisa Harnum Foundation, bringing her strategic vision to enhance the foundation's marketing efforts and overall growth.
With a profound passion for the well-being of women who have experienced domestic violence, Evelyne envisions a future where survivors are not only restored but also empowered.
Her involvement with the Lisa Harnum Foundation reflects a deep commitment to making a tangible impact on the lives of those affected by domestic violence.
Evelyne's strategic acumen, combined with her heartfelt dedication, contributes significantly to the Lisa Harnum Foundation's mission. Her role goes beyond traditional business strategies, embodying a commitment to social responsibility and advocacy for survivors of domestic violence. Through her work, Evelyne strives to create a supportive environment where women can rebuild their lives and emerge stronger from their experiences.
Maria Valenzuela
Maria Venezuela, Partner in Family and Relationship Law at Hammond Nguyen Turnbull, is a dedicated specialist in family law, focusing on divorce, separation, property and financial settlements, custody or parenting arrangements, and complex family law issues.
Beyond her professional endeavours, Maria has made a significant impact by assisting numerous clients from the Lisa Harnum Foundation with their personal cases. Her commitment to supporting individuals facing challenging situations underscores her dedication to making a positive difference in the lives of those she serves.
Maria's multifaceted commitment to legal expertise, client support, and mental health advocacy reflects her vision for a compassionate and thriving legal community.
Philip Watson
Phillip Watson brings nearly four decades of comprehensive experience in the general insurance industry, with a strong background that includes tenures with the IAG and Suncorp Groups.
As a qualified Insurance Broker, Phillip's wealth of knowledge enhances his ability to contribute meaningfully to the Lisa Harnum Foundation.
In addition to his professional achievements, Phillip has dedicated a decade of service as a Lion and currently holds the esteemed position of President of Lions International within his community. His longstanding commitment to community service aligns seamlessly with the values upheld by the Lisa Harnum Foundation.
In 2023, recognising his extensive background in non-profit organizations and business management, Phillip was appointed as a Board member for the Lisa Harnum Foundation. His strategic insights and commitment to community welfare make him a valuable asset to the foundation, furthering its mission to support those affected by domestic violence.
We acknowledge Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples as the traditional custodians of this land and pay our respects to their history, their living culture and to Elders past and present.
We are constantly inspired by the kindness and compassion of our supporters, who have shown time and time again that they believe in our vision for a world free from domestic and family violence. We are humbled and grateful for your partnership, which enables us to continue our vital work.
Important numbers:
1800RESPECT
1800 737 732
Lifeline
13 11 14
Lisa Harnum Foundation
1300 732 848
P.O Box 329, Round Corner NSW 2158
Designed by H2H Collective Agency, A Partner of LHF
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Lisa Harnum Foundation | P.O. Box 329, Round Corner, NSW 2158 | Phone: 1300 732 848