Our Board are leaders in their respective fields and dedicated to sharing their diverse skill sets to our organisation.
The Board is passionate about KYUP! Project and assists the executive in executing the organisation’s mission through leadership, governance and regulation oversight.
Mel is a 2 x Australian Hapkido Woman of the Year, second dan black-belt, Australia Day Ambassador, speaker, writer and mother of 2 beautiful girls.
Described as ‘enigmatic’ by Business Chicks and the ‘leader of a revolution' by Cosmo Magazine.
When Mel isn’t in the dojang, she's touring schools, women’s shelters, universities and businesses - empowering leaders, young Australian’s and women and children in crisis to boost their confidence, raise their standards and break the silence on domestic violence.
Nicholas Edwards is Chair of the KYUP! Project Board and a partner at Hamilton Locke in the Restructuring and Insolvency practice. Nicholas has been involved with a number of not-for-profits over the last 15 years, including acting as a director on a number of Australian charities and helping to advise on set-up, structure and corporate governance.
John is a former police officer from the UK. His last policing role was as the country’s most senior officer leading the UK’s counter terrorism efforts before transitioning to the private sector into his current role as Director of Security for Scentre Group (Westfield). John is passionate about improving outcomes for victims of domestic violence and sexual assault and led UK policing policy on rape and serious sexual offending for a number of years. About KYUP, he says: ‘KYUP is an amazing platform to help people, living in often desperate circumstances, to build their self-confidence and to believe in themselves once again. Mel Thomas is an inspirational leader and I am very proud to be a Board member and to be able to support her incredible work’.
Kate is a Partner at Cor Cordis and is a Registered Liquidator. Kate spends her days advising businesses in trouble, finding solutions to the most challenging of situations. Kate is a natural people person who works in partnership with her clients to understand their needs and utilise their expertise to create a better outcome.
Kate is passionate about women’s empowerment and helping to address the rising challenge of domestic violence in Australia. She was excited to become involved with KYUP! Project when she learnt of its unique and impactful approach in delivering violence prevention education programs in schools. Kate looks forward to working with Mel Thomas and the team to continue to create change and break the cycle of domestic violence.
In 2012 I got a phone call from Mel. We hadn't spoken for a couple of years as our careers had taken different paths. Mel proceeded to tell me about her plan to help every young girl in Australia feel safe and empowered and needed some design help. I said sure, send me the brief. The brief she sent wasn't the requirements for a logo or a website. It was the story of life and what she had experienced as a young girl and teenager. Instantly I understood her motivation to help. Since that day, Mel's motivation and drive has been a constant source of inspiration for me.
When I'm not working with KYUP! I run a strategic design firm called Seek&Design. We help very large, and very small brands create meaningful relationships with customers to deliver amazing brand experiences.
Sarah McGilvray is a former radio and TV producer, turned Program Director and on air announcer. Sarah has almost 20 years’ experience in the media working across a range of mediums from 2GB’s Ray Hadley, to Kyle & Jackie O, and Channel 9’s the Today Show. She can currently be heard on Nova 96.9’s breakfast radio show with Fitzy and Wippa, and on her podcast, ‘Not Another Parenting Podcast’.
Matt Purcell is one of Australia’s leading media and business strategists and a passionate advocate for youth and social change. With over a decade of experience working with young people across the country, Matt brings a unique blend of lived experience and strategic insight.
Adopted from South Korea and raised in Australia, Matt overcame bullying, racism, and deep identity challenges, through his businesses he has equipped thousands of young Australians to own their story and stand strong in the face of adversity.
Now as a board member of KYUP!, Matt is committed to amplifying the mission to end domestic violence and empower young people especially women to speak up, stand up, and create a safer future for all.
Ari is a senior associate at Hamilton Locke in the restructuring and insolvency team. Through her legal work, she enjoys assisting companies navigate difficult financial periods with a hope to ensure a better outcome for all stakeholders. She has a wide range of experience in this regard.
Ari is a keen supporter of KYUP! and anti-violence programs. A number of years ago, she started her own Muay Thai practice at a women’s only gym that boosted her confidence in the same way that KYUP! programs do. She still trains and has become a Muay Thai instructor. She finds that this kind of physical activity is particularly empowering for women and is excited to work with KYUP! who fosters the same approach. Ari is inspired by KYUP!’s impact and wants young women and men to enjoy the same results as she has from her own training as well as help this charity move towards to a future where violence against women is less prevalent.
© 2025 KYUP! Project.
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