Melissa De Abreu Chairperson
Melissa is a senior lawyer with an extensive background in litigation, dispute resolution, commercial law and human rights. She has made significant contributions to pro bono legal services and facilitating greater access to justice, having provided substantial legal advice and representation to vulnerable members of the community. Melissa holds a Bachelor of Laws (Hons) and a Bachelor of Science (Medical Science), was a medical scientist with the Australian Red Cross Blood Service, and was the Associate to the Hon. Justice Owen and, subsequently, to the Hon. Justice Allanson in the Supreme Court of Western Australia. Melissa joined the board of Circle Green in 2022 and currently works as a senior lawyer in human rights.
Courtney Fiddian Vice Chair
Courtney is a lawyer with experience in workplace relations and employment law. She has held various leadership positions, including Associate Director of Workplace Relations and University Employment Lawyer at the University of Western Australia, and currently serves as the Head of People, Social Impact and Sustainability and General Counsel at Perth Festival. Courtney’s skills and experience cross learning and development, community engagement, and cultural change initiatives. Courtney joined the Circle Green Board in 2022.
Nina Wild Treasurer
Nina joined Circle Green in 2021 as Treasurer. She has worked in business, consulting and finance roles for 20 years and has amassed global experience across a range of corporate and government organisations. Nina is a Fellow of the Chartered Practicing Accountants Australia (FPCA), is a Graduate of the Australian Institute of Company Directors (GAICD), and has a Bachelor of Arts (Literature).
Cecily Court Secretary
Cecily has extensive Community Legal Centre board experience and has advocated for the sector for over 30 years. She supports dynamic initiatives that maximise resources and drive sector sustainability to ensure the community can access the services they need. Her career spans the community sector, government agencies and most recently Legal Aid WA where she worked for over 20 years across client and corporate services. Cecily has experience in project management, policy development and review, budget development and management, and organisational risk management. Her strengths lie in communication, relationship building, and organisational skills, along with her ability to solve problems and collaborate effectively.
Chanda Parmar-Bonta Member
Chanda is a dedicated and experienced advocate for worker justice with over 24 years of experience in the Union Movement, both in the UK and Australia (Perth). As a British-born Australian of Indian descent, Chanda is proud of her roots and is committed to promoting equity and inclusion in the workplace. To her, the principles of equality and inclusion are only meaningful when workers have the power and agency to affect change. She is passionate about the concept of solidarity and is a firm believer that the ‘magic’ of social justice happens when we work together.
Dave Robinson Member
Dave had an extensive career in the union movement and was an accredited mediator at the Fair Work Commission for 10 years before retiring in 2019. He has contributed to several boards and committees and has led major campaigns through negotiation, social activism and collective action throughout his career. He has been a board member of Circle Green since its inception in 2020 and was previously a board member of the Employment Law Centre of WA.
Sarah Skrgic Member
Sarah brings over 15 years of extensive experience in global governance, risk management, compliance, and assurance across diverse sectors, including highly regulated leading pharmaceutical industry, mining technology, not-for-profit organisations, and education. She is passionate about fostering inclusion, diversity, and social justice, with a strong commitment to promoting equitable access for all. Sarah holds a Diploma in Biotechnology from Singapore, an MBA, and a Master of Business Law. She is currently advancing her expertise by pursuing a Juris Doctor. A Fellow of the Governance Institute of Australia and a Member of the Australian Institute of Company Directors, Sarah combines her professional credentials with a steadfast dedication to building a more inclusive and equitable society.
Lisa Hando Member
Lisa is a Chartered Accountant with more than 30 years’ experience, recognised as a Fellow of Chartered Accountants of Australia and New Zealand, and holds a Bachelor of Business, Master of Tax Laws, and a Juris Doctor. Lisa sits on several boards including the Western Australian Trotting Association, Mount Lawley Golf Club and My Home Australasia. Lisa had been on the board of Regal Theatre of Subiaco for 10 years and CA ANZ Councils for 5 years. Lisa was a Partner with PricewaterhouseCoopers for 16 years and undertook an Associateship with the Western Australian Industrial Relations Commission in 2024. She will commence in private practice in 2025.
Robert Guthrie Member
Rob has practiced law in the areas of personal injuries and workplace/employment/industrial laws since 1982. He was a member of the Cth Social Securities Appeals Tribunal and Chair of the Commercial Tribunal of WA. He was Head of the School of Business Law at Curtin University. He holds BJuris, LLB LLM, MCom and PhD. He has published over 100 academic papers and provided reports to the WA Government on workers compensation matters in 1991, 1999, and 2002. He was the foundation author of Lexisnexis Workers Compensation WA. From 2010 until 2023 he was an Assessor of criminal injuries compensation claims in the Office of Criminal Injuries Compensation.
