Chief Executive Officer

Dr Sonja Hood is passionate about enabling women through building community connection. Dr Hood leads national partnerships with schools, government, corporates and philanthropy to provide assistance to improve social cohesion and build stronger communities across Australia.

Dr Sonja Hood has been CEO of Community Hubs Australia since 2015, building a funding coalition of national, state and local governments as well as garnering philanthropy and business to continually grow the network across Australia.

Dr Hood has over 20 years of social policy and program experience in the US, UK and Australia, a PhD from the University of Melbourne, and a Master’s degree from Penn State University.

Head of Projects

Head of Operations

Rebecca is CHA’s Head of Operations and joined Community Hubs Australia in February.

Her focus is on developing and implementing the systems needed for running and growing the National Community Hubs Program. Rebecca will also establish an online community for our hubs where the network can collaborate with one another, share best practice and access systems with ease.

Rebecca has a background in marketing, product management and corporate responsibility and brings more than 20 years’ experience in leadership and operations management from the corporate sector. Rebecca holds a Bachelor of Business in Marketing and Human Resource Management.

Program Manager – National Community Hubs Program

Hiranthi Perera is the National Community Hubs Program Manager. Since 2017, Hiranthi has supported hubs to expand the breadth of programs and services offered nationally by creating opportunities for networking and sharing knowledge, skills and experience among the hub network.

Hiranthi has over 10 years experience in the community development sector and holds a Masters of Business Administration from RMIT University Melbourne.

Strategic Projects Officer

Eliza Barry is the Strategic Projects Officer, her role focuses on government relations, and providing project support to the team.

Eliza has a background working in government, and holds a Bachelor of International Relations from the ANU.

Program Manager – Refuge of Hope

Angelica manages the Refuge of Hope program, to support Latin American migrants during their transition to life in Australia. This includes managing a small team to deliver the program.

Arriving as an international student in 2011, Angelica witnessed the hardship faced by many students who come to study in Australia. She developed the Refuge of Hope to support greater community connection, access to services and a community of support for newly-arrived students.

Angelica has a background in social work in her home country of Colombia, where she worked with young people going through the judicial system, and on UN funded projects. She brings that knowledge and experience to her work in Australia, providing culturally appropriate engagement, support and connection for Latin Americans in Melbourne.

Click here for more information about the Refuge of Hope.