Board of Directors

In addition to Rosemary Kariuki, Mama Rosemary Foundations is overseen by a Board of Directors with extensive experience across charity, corporate, government, community and small business. Read more about our work.

Naomi Steer AO

Chair

Naomi is a longstanding leader in the not-for-profit sector in Australia and globally. She has been a lifetime advocate for human rights, gender equity and social justice. Naomi has had a diverse career as a diplomat, trade union official and longstanding Member Trustee of a number of Superannuation funds . However it was her work as Founding National Director of Australia for UNHCR that she says was the most fulfilling ,a role she undertook from 2000 to 2022, supporting the UN Refugee Agency’s humanitarian operations for refugees and displaced people. Naomi is currently the Chair of the Sydney Financial Forum and continues to help drive a number of social impact initiatives in Australia and Africa for refugees including Food Lab and CSRA. Naomi is a passionate believer in the power of human connection to bring about positive change and proud to be a founding Chair of the Mama Rosemary Foundation. She was appointed as an Officer of the Order of Australia in the Kings Birthday 2023 Awards for her work supporting refugees and superannuation. Naomi has an LLB, BA (Hons), and MSc (Conflict, Security and Development).

Esther Mumbi Hinga

Director

Mumbi Hinga is an entrepreneurship coach and the co-founder of Africa Film Fest Australia. Passionate about empowering women, she helps entrepreneurs create businesses that reflect their values and offer them the freedom to design their lives. Through her coaching, Mumbi equips women with the skills and confidence to transform their ideas into impactful ventures, providing not just financial independence but also the freedom of time and the ability to make intentional choices that align with their vision.Originally from Kenya and now based in Australia, Mumbi’s work unites diverse communities, empowering women to break away from traditional expectations and embrace a future of their own making. Through the Africa Film Fest Australia, she supports African and African diaspora filmmakers, amplifying voices that often go unheard. With her unique background in healthcare, film, and entrepreneurship, Mumbi is dedicated to helping women unlock their potential, build resilience, and live lives they don’t need a break from where they set the direction and create a future they’re excited about.

Jill Reich

• Director

Jill is a values-driven CEO and strategic leader with significant experience in creating positive change for children, families, and communities. She brings a deep commitment to social justice, inclusion, and equity, grounded in more than three decades of leadership across government, corporate, and not-for-profit sectors in Australia and Asia.As CEO of Learning Links, Jill leads a national charity focused on supporting children with learning difficulties to thrive. Her work spans early childhood, education, and allied health, with a focus on delivering impact through evidence-informed practice, digital innovation, and strong community partnerships.Jill is proud to support the Mama Rosemary Foundation’s mission, contributing her expertise to help empower women, strengthen families, and build more inclusive communities.

Rebecca Hinchey

Director

Bec is a compassionate leader and tireless advocate for social justice. She has more than 25 years in government and charities across Australia working for positive change for people from disadvantaged backgrounds. With extensive experience across policy, program design, change and community development, she brings a passion and energy to her work with children, families and refugees. As a leader, Bec’s priorities are strong relationships, purposeful partnerships and driving change that improves human service outcomes. Her early career in media and communications saw her manage complex issues and develop communication strategies for high profile government departments. During this time Bec supported refugee and migrant community leaders to develop skills in media, advocacy and event planning.She holds a Masters in Social Work, a Graduate Certificate in Human Services and a Bachelors of Communication. Bec lives on Bidjigal country in south west Sydney, where she raises her two children with her husband.

Jean Santos

Director

Jean Santos is a visionary and purpose-driven leader who specialises in aligning technology with strategic goals to achieve better outcomes for people and communities. Her work supports inclusive, efficient, and values-driven operations across complex environments. Jean consistently places human impact at the centre of innovation, ensuring that technology serves as a tool for equity, access, and long-term value.A passionate advocate for social justice, gender equity, and environmental responsibility, Jean was honoured with the 2024 PricewaterhouseCoopers (PwC) Social Impact Award in recognition of her leadership in purpose-led initiatives. She currently serves as a Director of the Australian Respiratory Council and as an Advisory Board Member of the United Nations Association of Australia (NSW Division), with past leadership roles at UN Women Australia and the UNAA National Peace Program.Jean brings empathy, agility, and a collaborative mindset to every leadership role. She is deeply committed to advancing the health, education, and empowerment of women and children, and offers a strategic yet grounded perspective shaped by hands-on experience across both corporate and community sectors.