International Needs Australia is a next-generation global social impact organization that empowers marginalized women and children through transformative community partnerships. We focus on sustainable ‘hand-ups’ and foster innovation and scalability to help women and children from diverse backgrounds realise their full potential.
Our Team
Dr. Andrew Catford
chief executive officer
Andrew has extensive experience in the international development sector, having lived and worked for over 20 years in Asia, the Pacific, Africa, the Middle East, and South America. He has a proven track record of leading organizations to grow and tangibly impact the lives of vulnerable children, youth, men, and women.
Andrew has worked for non-governmental organizations including Hagar International, World Vision and Build On, and for the consulting company, Hassall GHD, successfully securing and implementing large scale international development projects for a wide variety of donors. Andrew has 10 years’ experience as a Country Director in Senegal and the Solomon Islands, and he has been a Board Member of the Solomon Islands Development Services Exchange and Board Chair of the microfinance institution, Vision Fund.
Andrew holds a PhD focused on effective community development approaches in Vietnam. He has also been a master’s degree lecturer at RMIT University in Melbourne on project design, monitoring, evaluation and gender, all subjects for which he has a strong passion.
Jyothi Chintapalli
Finance and Administration Manager
Jyothi is an accomplished finance and database professional and a central member of the INA Finance team who supports all financial systems and donor database management. She supports important finance and compliance functions such as the annual audit and budget processes, DFAT submissions, reviewing project audits and assists in data analysis. Jothi has worked for more than 16 years in roles such as an accomplished Finance Officer, database Administrator and donor coordinator for schools and not for profits. Jothi has double degrees in Science and Engineering (computer science). Jothi is purpose-driven and is a Life Group Leader and Pastoral Care worker in her local church.
Jacquie Scott
Fundraising Manager
Jacquie is a dynamic fundraising and marketing professional with extensive experience in nonprofit sector leadership. Specialising in donor engagement, digital fundraising, and strategic development, Jacquie has a proven track record of developing innovative programs that increase income and enhance donor engagement.
She is passionate about data-led marketing and fundraising, using data analytics to drive strategic decisions and optimise outcomes. She believes in the power of storytelling to engage with all supporters, creating compelling narratives that resonate with donors and the public to build lasting relationships. Her ability to blend data-driven insights with heartfelt stories has been instrumental in enhancing fundraising success.
Jacquie is particularly drawn to INA’s holistic approach to community development and its alignment with Christian values, bringing her expertise to contribute to the organisation’s growth and sustainability. She is inspired by INA’s mission to empower marginalised women and children, and is committed to supporting them the effective and impactful fundraising initiatives.
Davide De Micheli
International Programs manger
Davide joined INA in November 2023 as a Programs and Compliance Officer, leveraging extensive field experience in the NGO sector. By July 2024, Davide stepped into the role of International Programs Manager, where he now leads the management of INA’s development and relief portfolio. In this capacity, he is instrumental in nurturing relationships with local implementing partners and crafting support plans tailored to their needs. Additionally, Davide serves as the primary liaison for INA’s collaboration with DFAT and the ANCP program, ensuring that donor contributions are effectively aligned with INA’s impactful work across the countries they serve.
Prior to his time at INA, Davide honed his skills as a Programs Coordinator in South Sudan. there, he developed robust management expertise, focusing on grant development and implementation across a wide spectrum of sectors and donors. His expericences ignited a deep passion for community-led approaches, dedicated to providing sustainable solutions for marginalised communities and advancing the broader mission of localising aid and development.
With a Master’s Degree in International Cooperation, specializing in development and emergency contexts, Davide was naturally drawn to INA’s mission of valuing local partners and prioritizing the most marginalised communities. His unwavering commitment to social justice and intersectional feminism fuels his drive to support INA and its partners in breaking the cycle of poverty and fostering lasting change.
Silvia Theodoridis
DONOR AND COMMUNITY RELATIONS OFFICER
Silvia has over ten years’ work experience in global health and international development, with specific expertise in advocacy, communications, fundraising, project and relationship management. Having travelled extensively and seen first-hand the realities from the field, she is passionate about social justice, human rights and making a difference in people’s lives, especially the most vulnerable.
Silvia has an impressive work history in an international setting, and engaged with a range of stakeholders, including Government officials (Ministers), European/Australian institutions, international/UN organisations, academia, donors, Members of Parliament, NGOs, health professionals, and the general public – to ultimately achieve positive policy and funding changes in the international development sector.
Before joining INA, Silvia was the Policy and Advocacy Manager at Vision 2020 Australia and worked as a fundraiser for Unicef Australia. Prior to that, she spent six years at PATH in Geneva in the role of Advocacy Manager. She also spent four years as European Union Advocacy Officer with the European Parliamentary Forum on Population and Development in Brussels. Silvia is now a key member of the Donor relations team and the first point of contact for INA’s supporters.
Silvia’s successfully completed a Master of Arts (Public Comparative Law) and Bachelor of Arts (International and European Law) at the University of Paris and is fluent in four languages (French, Greek, English, and Spanish).
Kade Berman
Education Officer
Kade leads INA’s strategy to support school students to find purpose within the ActYourPurpose program. After being school captain of Mount Scopus Memorial College (2018), he chose to spend a year volunteering in impoverished communities within Uganda, Tanzania and Cambodia; working with schools, social groups and local charities.
Kade has had experience working with marginalised groups, in and out of Melbourne, and has a passion for harnessing his privilege to help others, trying to always empower youth through community service and education.
Kade is currently studying Advanced Science — Global Challenges (honours) at Monash University. Prior to INA, Kade has worked as a Program Coordinator in a local charity, a VCE English Tutor, and a disability support worker independently and in a high-school setting.
Janita Nelson
Board Secretary
Janita has a proven track record in high touch personal support to Executive leaders, Boards and senior teams in both non-for-profit and business environments. She is highly organised, efficient and adept at producing quality results. Janita’s 20 years of extensive experience allow her to bring a seasoned perspective to INA’s governance, executive support and administrative processes.
Early on in her career Janita embraced her gift as an enabler, passionate in supporting the success of others. Janita builds trusting relationships with key stakeholders, and brings a deep understanding of discretion, confidentiality and sensitivity to her work. Janita’s excellent interpersonal skills facilitate ease in liaising with Boards and senior staff. With a wealth of experience in the areas of finance, travel compliance implementation, project and event management, Janita brings a diverse set of skills to assist INA’ office management, administration and mission more generally.
Joo Sing Chiu
Accounts Officer
Joo Sing is a key member of the INA Finance team who supports the finance and compliance functions including monthly financial reporting, annual audit and budget processes, DFAT submissions and financial analysis. Joo Sing has over 20 years of experience in accounting and financial reporting, and has worked in various roles in Public Practice, Corporate Finance and Administration, Manufacturing and Not-for-Profits.
Joo Sing is a qualified CPA and holds a Bachelor of Business (Accounting) and a Bachelor of Computing (Information Systems) from Monash University.