Liam Elphick
Co-President
Liam is currently serving as Co-President at UNAA Victoria Young Professionals. Originally from New Zealand, he brings a comprehensive background in Finance, cultivated through diverse roles in Strategy & Risk Management for Multinationals in Australia and the United Kingdom. Liam's experiences as a Scottish Highland Dancer has further shaped his cultural perspective, performing in international events across 10 countries. He is also a dedicated member of Achilles Melbourne, volunteering as a Sighted Guide runner, aligning with his deep passion for championing inclusivity and the UN principles of equality and non-discrimination. Liam is committed to supporting the Committee's goal of connecting Young Professionals from across Victoria, who share a passion for creating a safer, fairer, and more sustainable world. Liam looks forward to continue building towards this vision alongside Heidi and the team.
Heidi Liu
Co-President
Heidi is currently a senior finance manager at Treasury Wine Estate, where she leads the ANZ commercial finance team within the Penfolds Brand Division. She plays a pivotal role in driving the company’s financial performance and designing multi-year commercial growth strategies. Beyond her professional endeavors, Heidi is deeply committed to community service and has actively contributed her expertise as a strategy consultant to several non-profit organizations. Her passion for advocating for inclusivity and equality is at the heart of her commitment to making a positive impact in the community. Heidi currently serves as Co-President at UNAAV YP alongside Liam. In her role as Co-President, Heidi is dedicated to leveraging her corporate expertise, commitment to excellence, and passion for driving positive change to guide UNAAV YP in its mission to continuously provide a platform for young professionals to connect and contribute to the advancement of the UN Sustainable Development Goals and missions.
Chethana Mudunna (Che)
Secretary
Chethana is a PhD Candidate in Global Health at Monash University, with a passion for health equity, social justice and human rights. Her expertise lies in mental health. Her current research is focused on adolescent mental health in Sri Lanka, with an emphasis on using schools as tools to promote mental well-being to adolescents. Chethana is also actively involved in various other areas of public health including migrant mental health, health equity for culturally and linguistically diverse communities and patient-reported outcome measures. Through her work, she is a passionate advocate for the UN Sustainable Development Goals. Particularly, Goal 3- Good health and wellbeing for all. She strongly advocates for the right to health and the need to address the roots of social injustice to reduce disparities in healthcare for vulnerable populations. In the future, Chethana hopes to pursue a career in global and public health policy, where she can influence and implement strategies to improve well-being and address health inequities. Through the UNAAV YP, she hopes to facilitate connections with young professionals to create positive social change and contribute to advancing the goals of the UN.
Chloe LUU
Marketing and Communications Lead
Chloe, originally from Vietnam and a French resident for the past 12 years, brings a strong background in Marketing and Brand Management within the French gastronomy and food service industry. Her deep passion for wine and gastronomy, combined with interpersonal skills and a multicultural perspective, has driven her involvement in numerous projects dedicated to combating food insecurity and championing food sustainability. She has also served as an advocate for inclusion and diversity, being the ambassador for her company's campaign for two consecutive years. Now based in Melbourne, Chloe has joined the UNAA Young Professionals Victorian Committee with the goal of elevating the association's profile and fostering connections among young professionals in Victoria who are committed to advancing the United Nations' goals and missions.
Libby Crozier
Marketing and Communications Coordinator
Libby is an experienced social worker who is passionate about human rights, justice, and equality. She has spent several years in hospitals specialising particularly in aged care and oncology, often advocating for vulnerable persons at tribunal hearings. She holds a Bachelor of Social Work (hons), a Bachelor of Arts (English Literature and History) as well as a Graduate Certificate in Publishing and Editing. Libby has spent many years living, working, and studying in France. She taught English to children for the French Department of Education in Paris. She also completed two scholarship programs in South Korea. Currently Libby is a social worker, editor, proofreader, writer, and ESL group facilitator. Additionally, she is a volunteer at the Melbourne Holocaust Museum having worked with survivors in health settings.
Mia Stiebel
Events Lead
Mia is joining the UNAA Victorian Division as the Event Lead 2023/24. Mia studied Human Rights and International Business at Monash University with the intention to use the two contrasting topics to create a more ethical and sustainable world. She has a diverse range of volunteering experience, addressing causes such as indigenous rights, social inequality and the disability sector. In her spare time, Mia gets creative with different DIY projects, loves to travel and is learning Spanish.
Juliette Haresign
Events Coordinator
Meet Juliette, a compassionate global citizen with a genuine commitment to thinking globally while acting locally. Juliette's journey has taken her to various corners of the world, living and traveling across multiple continents, where she's gained a profound appreciation for cultural diversity and the interconnectedness of our global community. With a background in event coordination and a dedicated volunteer for not-for-profit organizations, Juliette is deeply passionate about advancing the causes of gender equality and quality education. Her work in these areas reflects her belief that equality and education are essential building blocks for a better future. Juliette's typical week is a blend of professional and philanthropic pursuits. Half of her time is devoted to coordinating events within the dynamic events industry. The other half of her week is spent working closely with children who have special needs in classrooms, where she endeavors to bridge social and learning gaps, nurturing the development of future young professionals. In her free time, Juliette volunteers at the Lost Dogs Home, and creates art. Juliette is excited to join the UNAA Young Professionals Committee, where she looks forward to collaborating with like-minded individuals who share her commitment to making the world a more inclusive, equal, and better place for all.
Abigail Zhang
Events Coordinator
Abigail is currently studying for a Master of Marketing Communications at the University of Melbourne, with a background in creative production and an interest in women's empowerment, gender equality, and mental health issues. Originally from Guangzhou, China, Abigail is a media artist working primarily with moving image, sound and photography to explore the intersection of gender and sexuality, intimate relationships and contemporary cultures; and also a feminist who volunteers for MAYLOVE, advocating for diversity and inclusivity through quality sex education. Abigail is passionate about her journey as part of the UNAA Young Professionals Committee. She is dedicated to delivering quality media content and organising impactful events to share insights and build invaluable connections, together taking substantial steps towards a more empathetic world with more enjoyable memories.
Sam Dipnall
Membership and Operations Lead
Sam is an established membership and program leader with over 14 years progressive and diverse experience in professional services and human rights, including not-for-profit organisations, peak member bodies, access to justice, and law reform bodies. He holds a Masters of Human Rights Law from Monash University, as well as Bachelors of Laws (Hons) and Arts (Media and Communication). He is a former Castan Centre for Human Rights Law Global Intern, working with the International Service for Human Rights (ISHR) in Geneva, Switzerland. He is passionate about building and expanding the capacity of the UNAA Young Professionals to create positive social change, and inspiring our members to pursue international careers.
Isha Chawla
Membership and Operations Coordinator
Isha is a dedicated professional who wants to contribute to the achievement of the United Nations Sustainable Goals. Through the Young Professionals Network, she wants to establish and nurture strong relationships with both existing and new members, who will play a critical role in contributing to strategies for improving outcomes. As a volunteer, she has worked in child’s rights, education & protection. She participated in designing and delivering education modules through AIESEC programmes. In the professional world, Isha has 6 years of experience. She holds a Bachelor of Computer Science Engineering Degree and a masters in Healthcare Management where she was awarded the gold medal for best academic performance. Through the years, she has specialised in project management, focusing on improving partnerships and communication. Currently, she is responsible for the implementation and management of a Paediatric Cancer Registry in Victoria. The goal of peace, good health and well-being, along with reduced inequalities by the UN are very close to Isha’s heart, and she is motivated to contribute to the same.
Himanshu Chaturvedi (Chad)
Operations Coordinator
Chad is a dedicated and community-oriented individual with a passion for education, advocacy, and service. With a master's degree in Engineering Management, Chad is a dynamic professional contributing his expertise at the Department of Transport and Planning, Victorian State Government. His journey in volunteering and leadership roles reflects a commitment to making a positive impact on the lives of others. During his undergraduate years, he taught mathematics and science to underprivileged students in rural areas of India. As a Student Staff Representative at RMIT University, he advocated for fair grading practices, and improving communication on program-related matters. His leadership extended to the role of General Secretary of the RMIT Indian Club, where he collaborated with a dynamic team to create a vibrant and inclusive community for students by organising events and also managed club’s affiliations with other university clubs. Chad also volunteered with the Australian Red Cross Society, assisting with donations, visual merchandising, and sales. He is dedicated to making a positive impact through education and community involvement.
Shahzad Halmurad
Partnerships Coordinator
Shahzad is an International Relations graduate form Monash University with a passion for UN and SDG-related work, as well as an interest in ways in which international affairs and community and grassroots development are intertwined. Having volunteered in various not-for-profit organisations targeted at advocacy and community development, Shahzad has an appreciation of how big change starts at the grassroots level. As such, with ambitions to work in international policy development down the line, he is intrigued in the ways in which the domestic is tied to the international. About to embark on a Master of Global Business at Monash, Shahzad is also interested in intertwining his interest in international affairs with entrepreneurial ambitions and is keen to explore both institutional and non-conventional avenues of social change. With SDG 16 being the SDG of his highest concern, Shahzad is keen to assist communities in Victoria and progress the missions of the UN through his role as the Partnerships Coordinator at the UNAA Young Professionals Committee!
The Young Professionals Committee meets every month to discuss and plan upcoming events and activities. The committee includes around 20 young professionals from various sectors and industries, all volunteers, some of whom are profiled below. Co-Leads Tony Luo and Chandra Parihar also sit on the board of the UNAA Victorian Division to represent the Young Professionals.
For all enquiries, please email yp@unaavictoria.org.au.
Learn more about the UNAAV Young Professionals Network here.
Leadership Team
Liam Elphick
Co-President
Heidi Liu
Co-President
Chethana Mudunna (Che)
Secretary
Communications and Marketing
Chloe LUU
Marketing and Communications Lead
Libby Crozier
Marketing and Communications Coordinator
Events and Programs
Mia Stiebel
Events Lead
Juliette Haresign
Events Coordinator
Abigail Zhang
Events Coordinator
Operations
Sam Dipnall
Membership and Operations Lead
Isha Chawla
Membership and Operations Coordinator
Himanshu Chaturvedi (Chad)
Operations Coordinator
Partnerships
