Expertise in blending legal and consulting

Karen’s professional experience is a blend of private and for-purpose sector. Her career has included leading corporate social responsibility, consulting, in-house legal and large scale transformation projects for businesses and organisations such as KPMG Australia, Amnesty International Australia, Tata Consultancy Services, Colin Biggers & Paisley Lawyers, Coffey International Development and two Trade Unions. Karen has more than 20 years experience as a non-executive director on not-for-profit boards.

Qualifications

Solicitor

Certified Mediator (NSW Law Society)

Grad Cert Applied Law (Dispute Resolution)

Graduate Australian Institute of Company Directors

Graduate Diploma of Legal Practice

Bachelor of Laws

Bachelor of Arts (Women’s Studies)

Karen was born and raised on Darkinjung land and now lives on both Darkinjung and Gadigal Land, Australia. Karen is a Dharug Aboriginal diyin (woman) and has family connections to the Gunanday (Rainbow River) area of Dyarubbin (the River - the Hawkesbury River). Karen has Scottish and English heritage and is hopeful of an Independent Scotland one day!

Expertise in corporate advisory and consulting for the social sector

Alicia is a Senior Solicitor & Consultant with over 10 years’ experience in private legal practice, including at law firms Norton Rose Fulbright and Sparke Helmore Lawyers.

As a lawyer, Alicia specialises in corporate law for the not-for-profit sector. She advises charities, not-for-profits, social enterprises and other for-purpose clients on matters concerning their establishment, structure, governance, compliance obligations and operations.

As a consultant, Alicia focuses on the strategy, design and implementation of corporate social responsibility and other social impact programs.

She has always been driven by a social conscience and an innate need to give back, and has shaped her career around this. She is particularly passionate about working with clients to amplify their capacity to make a positive impact in the world.

Qualifications

Solicitor

Graduate Diploma of Legal Practice

Bachelor of Laws

Bachelor of Arts (Communication and Cultural Studies)

Not-for-profit Regulatory Compliance

The Accidental Company Secretary

Alicia was born in a small town in Canada and spent her childhood between Alberta’s craggy mountains and Western Australia’s white sand beaches. Her heritage is Dutch, Australian and English.

Expertise in labour law, the rights of migrant workers, domestic violence, community legal and administrative law.

Dr Anna Boucher is an academic and solicitor. Anna was admitted as a solicitor of the Supreme Court of NSW in 2022. Anna works to support individual Violet Co clients who have experienced sexual assault and clients in matters involving workplace law and industrial relations.

Anna is currently an Associate Professor in Public Policy and Comparative Politics at the University of Sydney where she researches on immigration policy, public policy processes and outcomes and on areas of labour law.

Qualifications

Solicitor

Diploma in Practical Legal Training, College of Law

PG Certificate in Higher Education, London School of Economics

PhD in Political Science, London School of Economics

Master of Research, London School of Economics

Bachelor of Law, University of Sydney

Bachelor of Arts, University Medal, University of Sydney

Anna was born on Gadigal land and now lives on Dharawal land. She is of Anglo-Celtic, Polish and other background. Both her maternal grandparents were Holocaust survivors and left Europe after the War as new migrants to Australia, along with her mother. Her family experiences inform her research and praxis.

Expertise in the intersection of corporate change and communication

Founder/Director HUMANFiND

Annalise is a specialist who works with the Violet Co team to support clients on discrete client engagements requiring internal change, culture and communications needs.

With over 20 years communications experience Annalise has worked across virtually every industry category including; not-for-profit, health services, insurance, financial services, airlines, electronics, alcohol, food, fashion, entertainment, automotive and FMCG. Within these roles Annalise has worked with senior managers and C-suite professionals to assist in their internal organisational needs. Throughout this time she spearheaded DEI, RAP, women’s equality, leadership and return to work initiatives together with establishing mentorship programs.

Annalise led public relations agencies for over 15 years and held industry positions at Association for Data-Driven Marketing and Advertising (ADMA), the Chair position of the Public Relations Council (PRC) together and a board position on the Communications Council.

After completing her Master’s in Creative Intelligence and Strategic Innovation, Annalise set up her own change management and communications business, HUMANFiND.

Qualifications

Master of Strategic Innovation and Creative Intelligence (to be conferred in 2024)

Bachelor of Commerce – HRM & Marketing

Annalise was born and raised in Bondi, Sydney where her mother and stepfather still live. Of Greek decent she has strong connections to both her European motherland and the one on which she has spent her life.

At Violet Co we are all supported by the wonderful Victoria Iles, Office Manager. Victoria keeps threatening to “resign”, “step back” and head off into the sunset of her retirement. But she can’t resist the lure of the important social justice work the team does - or the subtle hints for help from her daughter Karen.

In all seriousness - we love Vicky! She has decades of experience that we don’t have. She is full of advice, straight talking and rolling up her sleeves to keep us organised and on our toes.

Victoria has spent her entire career working within the legal system. She has experience working at a management level to support Local and District court functions within the NSW Department of Attorney Generals, and years in secretarial roles in legal private practice. Victoria is the engine room and Violet Co’s Office Manager. (Please don’t “retire”!)

Victoria lives on Darkinjung Land and has Scottish and English heritage. She is currently spotted around Kincumber doing aqua-aerobics.

Anika is the dedicated personal assistant and legal secretary to the Violet Collective. Fresh from the University of Sydney Anika is a high energy organised whirlwind!

With years of experience in managing restaurants, Anika is excited to work with the Violet Collective and put her organisation skills and attention to detail to the test in a place where real change is made and felt every day. As a social justice warrior since year 8 geography, Anika has wanted to help communities locally and globally at every level she can.

Anika will graduate in 2024 with a Bachelor of Liberal Arts and Science majoring in Anthropology and Marine Science. Her passion for human and multispecies rights pulls her in many directions from Indigenous justice to deep sea academic research.

When she’s not in the office, you will find Anika bush walking, bouldering or whale watching and will invite you every time.

Qualifications

Bachelor of Arts (Liberal Arts & Science) in progress.

Anika was born in Perth, visiting Noongar country for family holidays. She grew up in and resides on Gai-Mariagal Land and studies and works on Gadigal Land. She has also lived in Singapore and Bosnia Herzegovina for two years respectively attending United World College.

He pitches in and helps! Simon keeps our tech and systems going and works to support our client projects with tip top program management.

Ordinarily you’ll find him working with global banks specialising in payment systems and scuba diving.

Qualifications

Masters in Computer Science

Bachelor of Arts (Honours)

Simon spent a fair chunk of his childhood living in the Bahamas as the only white kid in the village! He then retreated to the UK (where he is technically from) and then moved to Australia in his early 20’s. He has lived in Indonesia and New York city but now lives on Gadigal and Darkinjung Country.