Our core values and guiding principles
Empowerment
We exist to empower women by giving them the courage and confidence to change their lives for the better.
Trust
Trust underpins everything we do at Dress for Success Sydney. We operate with integrity; we do what we say we will do; you are in good hands no matter how you interact with our organisation.
Respect
We aim to discover and honour what is special in every individual. Everyone deserves to be treated with respect and we promise to do just that.
Equality
Inclusiveness and fairness are not just buzz words to us. At Dress for Success Sydney you will be treated as an equal no matter your background, lifestyle or circumstances.
Professionalism
We help women in need get a fair go at employment. We aim to set the standard for professionalism. This means our attire, the way we conduct ourselves and the way we communicate with others exemplifies professionalism.
Collaboration
When we work together we achieve so much more, we know the value and importance of partnerships, that’s why we work collaboratively with our staff, volunteers, supporters, clients, referral partners, national affiliates and other charities to deliver on our mission.
Excellence
Social and environmental impact is at the heart of everything we do. We perform to the highest level to achieve the best outcomes for our clients and the environment to ensure the sustainability and environmental responsibility of our organisation.
Megan Etheridge OAM – Founder
During Megan’s extensive career she has worked as a high school teacher, TAFE teacher and workers’ advocate. Whilst in these roles she was one of the original employees of the National Training Board and steered through the first endorsed set of competency standards as part of the National Training Reform Agenda.
Following this, Megan took up a position as PR & Marketing Manager for Canberra Institute of Technology where she was responsible for all student recruitment, careers counselling and media & marketing. More recently Megan was Director, PR and Marketing for Macquarie University in Sydney, a role in which she was responsible for all student recruitment, media, events and promotion for the University over a ten-year period.
Discussing her involvement with Dress for Success Sydney, Megan comments: “the establishment of a Dress for Success service in Sydney had been an ambition of mine for several years. In 2008 I initiated a meeting of like-minded women in Sydney, and together we actively set about establishing a service that has since become Dress for Success Sydney.
“I am passionate about making a contribution to the community and believe that Dress for Success Sydney offers women a basic, highly valued service that is both practical and meaningful. I gain great satisfaction in working alongside similarly committed women who also want to work towards making a real difference.”
Megan holds a Bachelor of Arts and Diploma of Education. Megan was also a volunteer for St Vincent de Paul Society for twenty years.
Dress for Success Sydney is now managed by a small staff, Volunteer Board and supporting Sub-Committees.
Board of Directors
- Amanda Webb – Chairperson
- Vicki Hartley – Deputy Chairperson, Fashion Events portfolio
- Carolyn Hough – Director, Communication, Digital and Government
- Declan O’Callaghan – Director and Treasurer
- Jocelyn Webb – Director
- Phillipa Dobbin – Director, Volunteers
Amanda Webb – Chairperson
Amanda is the CEO at ‘Xplore for Success’, an Australian consultancy that specialises in ‘Driving Gender Equality’ and Career development and advancement for women – and men.
Amanda Webb is an experienced and highly respected Human Resources practitioner with over 25 years business expertise in banking, finance, professional services, FMCG and management consulting, having worked for a number of Australian, global and private companies including Deloitte, Westpac, AMP, and the Sydney Olympic Games.
Amanda is an advocate for women and human rights and is committed to driving gender equality. In addition to her work with DFSS, she an Ambassador for Human and Hope Association, Cambodia.
Amanda grew up in country South Australia and now raises her blended family in urban Sydney with her daughter Olivia, partner Trent, and his children Ava and Jenson. She is an avid Sydney Swans fan who loves travel and an occasional glass of good South Australian red.
Vicki Hartley – Deputy Chairperson, Fashion Events portfolio
Vicki is a Fellow of the Institute of Chartered Accountants and a Graduate Member of the Institute of Company Directors and has over 30 years of finance experience which she brings into her not-for-profit roles.
With a focus on purpose Vicki is a Director of Defence Bank Limited and Revolution Asset Management Pty Ltd. Prior to commencing her Non-Executive Directorship career, Vicki was Chief Financial Officer at Lendi, a leading Australian online home loans business. Prior to Lendi, Vicki was General Manager, Finance at Challenger Limited, an Australian-listed financial services organisation with core businesses in annuities and funds management. Vicki has also run finance teams at QBE Insurance, Deutsche Bank (UK) and UBS Investment bank (UK).
Vicki has over 10 years of experience as a Non-Executive Director in the not-for-profit area, Vicki was a Non-Executive Director and Treasurer for Domestic Violence NSW Service Management (DVSM) for 10 years until December 2023. DVSM is a registered charity that aims to prevent and support recovery from domestic and family violence and homelessness. Vicki also has advisory roles with Western Sydney University and NSW Aboriginal Land Council.
Carolyn Hough – Director, Communication, Digital and Government
Carolyn is one of Australia’s best known and well respected policy lawyers, government relations professional and strategic thinker. She is an expert adviser on internet and communications law and policy, including copyright, media, classification and content/esafety regulation.
Carolyn has 25 years of experience working with government departments, Boards, industry bodies and major corporations as a legal adviser, strategy coach, public policy professional and government relations manager. She also assists global companies with Australia and New Zealand market entry assessments, and startup/scaleups with risk assessments and strategic reviews. She has advised Boards such as the Screenrights and SBS Boards on public policy and Government relations strategy.
Declan O’Callaghan – Director and Treasurer
Declan is an audit partner at Deloitte in Sydney. He has over 24 years experience in audit in the UK and Australia.
Declan is a senior partner in the Investment Management audit practice. He is the national leader of the Deloitte’s Fund audit practice. Declan also is a member of the Firm’s National Investment Management executive team. Declan is also the national leader of the hedge fund practice for the firm.
Declan has significant experience in auditing Fund managers including the various regulatory compliance obligations for fund managers and Controls Assurance reports.
Jocelyn Webb – Director
Jocelyn is a finance professional and the current Chief Financial Officer of the NSW Parliament.
Jocelyn has over 20 years’ experience working with or leading finance functions focusing on business analytics, insights & performance, governance, and risk management, process improvement including optimisation of technology, and transforming finance functions and, with her teams, a trusted business partner. A qualified chartered Accountant, Jocelyn has held senior finance positions within FMCG, Banking (retail and investment), Property, Sport, Fintech start-up, the not for profit and Government (Public) sectors. Her breadth of experience across functions and sectors has enabled her to bring different perspectives to analytics and decision-making.
Jocelyn holds an MBA and has completed the Governance Institute’s Graduate Diploma and is a Member of the Australian Institute of Company Directors.
Phillipa Dobbin – Director, Volunteers
Phillipa is a Board Director, Advisor and Business Consultant.
She has held senior roles with fortune global 500 companies such as Telstra and Westpac, in Australia and Asia, with responsibilities ranging from 400 – 10,000+ employees. She has extensive experience in Customer Experience, Strategy, Operations, Program Management and Governance. She is a Graduate member of the Australian Institute of Company Directors and a Certified Advisory Board Chair. Her business consulting specialties include advice for businesses who are on the verge of expansion – this could be through acquisition, transformation, or explosive growth.
Phillipa is passionate about enabling women from any background and circumstance to be successful.
