Refuge Victoria is happy to announce the appointment of our new Chair, Bridget Thakrar.

We would like to also congratulate our new Deputy Chair, Funda Ozenc.

Bridget joined the Board in 2021, and Refuge Victoria has benefited enormously from her leadership and contributions.

Bridget has a passion for driving high-performance outcomes by way of cultural transformation and strategy execution. She is a People and Safety executive and currently Chief Employee Experience Officer at Melba Support Services, where she is responsible for all facets of human resources.

She brings to the role of Chair a wealth of experience, gained across various industries including technology, start-up, construction, utilities and the not-for-profit sector. Bridget is the co-founder of In The Game, a culture-building platform that helps organisations execute on their people strategies in a non-boring way.

Bridget is a staunch feminist, mum of three and aspiring Muaythai fighter.

An AICD qualified board member, Bridget also serves as a director on Muaythai Victoria Incorporated and hosts the Female Fight Experience, a weekly podcast that highlights stories from some of the best female fighters on the planet. 

Through her life and career Bridget has gravitated towards organisations that are underpinned by equality, justice and human rights. In taking on the role of Chair, Bridget hopes to support the excellent work of the Executive Team of Refuge Victoria, in providing a pathway to freedom for those escaping family violence – and hopes to see a future where it isn’t needed. 

Refuge Victoria would like to welcome Bridget to the role of Chair, and to thank out-going Chair, Emily Ryder, for her commitment and dedication. Emily led Refuge Victoria through a period of significant change, ensuring the organisation is well positioned to tackle future challenges.