Encounter Youth Staff Team
Nigel Knowles – Chief Executive Officer
GAICD, BAppSc(HumMovmt)
Nigel is our Chief Executive Officer, a role he’s served in since 2009. He passionately leads Encounter Youth as it continues to grow as a cutting-edge organisation that impacts the lives of young people. Nigel is motivated to see more young people educated and empowered to make positive choices while navigating the increasing social pressures in the community. Nigel loves to spend his free time gardening with his wife Kate, road cycling and watching the latest movies.
Jess Morris – Chief Staff Officer
Jess is our Chief Staff Officer. She has served in the staffing team since 2010. Her love for people, strategic planning and communication skills, coupled with her experience within Encounter Youth, make her a great fit for this role. She feels honoured to continually be a part of the team working together to support the young people of South Australia. Jess loves to spend her weekends eating brunch with her husband Ben, playing with their three children and is a self-confessed coffee snob.
Deana Brine – Chief Operating Officer
BBgIntFin
Deana is our Chief Operating Officer. Her role is to lead the daily operations in support of the vision and mission of Encounter Youth. For Deana, it’s a privilege to be a part of a team working together to positively impact the young people of South Australia. She loves spending her free time planning and hosting dinner parties, hunting out good coffee and cheering on the Power at the footy.
Corinne Hamdorf – Initiatives Director
BIntSt, BA(Ling), Dip Lang(Spanish)
Corinne is our Initiatives Director. Her role is to explore new initiatives and program opportunities, mobilising our volunteer body to support young people to make a difference in the world. She is passionate about new service opportunities within South Australia, Australia at large and beyond. In her free time, Corinne likes to catch up with friends over a good coffee, practise her Spanish and dream of the next overseas location to visit.
Sondra Walker – Education & Content Specialist
B.Ed (Secondary)/B.A.
Sondra is the Education & Content Specialist of Encounter Youth’s Empower Education program. As a registered teacher, she oversees our content development, curriculum updates and presenter development, ensuring our program and resources are relevant to prevailing trends. Sondra is also passionate about the care and development of young people, and she’s dedicated to supporting them in making positive choices that are right for them. She is a devoted creative, juggling multiple hobbies such as music and floristry. In her spare time, she enjoys being with family and friends, gardening and soaking up the sunshine with her bearded dragon.
Zoe O'Donovan – Education & Analytics Manager
BHumMov/BPsySc(CounsIntSk)
Zoe is our Education & Analytics Manager. Alongside delivering our Empower Education program in secondary schools, she manages the booking system, coordinates team logistics, and leads the integration of emerging trends and data into our education program. With a Bachelor of Human Movement and Psychological Science, and a background in workplace wellbeing, she brings a fresh perspective. Zoe is passionate about young people and equipping them for the challenges they may face. In her spare time, she enjoys nature walks and getting creative with DIY projects at home.
Courtney Turner – Educator
B.Mus
Courtney is one of our Educators, delivering the Empower Education program in secondary schools alongside the team. She is passionate about supporting young people to make wise choices around alcohol and other drugs. Outside of Encounter Youth, Courtney enjoys reading, video games, board games and D&D, spending time with family and performing with the State Opera SA.
Daniel Grear – Programs Manager
Daniel is our Programs Manager. His role is to provide effective engagement and program coordination with all Encounter Youth’s audiences so that our programs can be delivered effectively. He also supports the recruiting, training and equipping of our Green Team volunteers. In his spare time, Daniel loves camping with friends, getting involved with all things sport, and taking care of his lawn.
Louis Burden – Programs & Parent Coordinator
Louis is our Programs & Parent Coordinator, responsible for engaging with all Encounter Youth’s audiences and ensuring our programs are delivered effectively. He also hosts and coordinates Uncharted Parenting, Encounter Youth’s podcast, and leads our broader engagement with parents and carers.
Before joining the team, Louis spent nine years with South Australia Police, working in a variety of roles across metropolitan Adelaide and the Adelaide Hills. Outside of work, Louis is passionate about soccer—a devoted Liverpool fan—and enjoys spending quality time with his wife, Georgia, and their two boys.
Natalie Smith – Finance & IT Manager
Natalie is our Finance & IT Manager. She is responsible for ensuring all our finance & IT systems make people’s jobs easier, instead of slowing them down. She loves a good spreadsheet and enjoys finding ways to streamline processes. Outside of the office, Natalie is usually found spending time with her daughter and husband, or training for her recently discovered hobby of competitive jigsaw puzzling.
Susan Brine – Front Of House Coordinator
Susan is our Front of House Coordinator. As the first point of contact at our office or on the phone, Susan is friendly and and loves making people feel welcome. She provides integral administration and finance support across all our programs. When out of the office, Susan loves dog-sitting (especially her favourite fur-niece), writing with pretty stationary and a perfectly brewed espresso. She is a firm believer that life is too short to blend in and loves to share a smile.
Jo Lohmeyer – Bookings Coordinator
Jo is our Bookings Coordinator. Her role is to coordinate and develop the Schoolies Festival™ booking service and help young people through the process. Jo provides direct support to the team as she responds to enquires. She loves being a friendly support to school leavers.
The Dayspring Project, A Ministry of Encounter Youth
Craig Kirkby – Dayspring Pastor
B.Com (Marketing)
Craig leads the Dayspring Project, a ministry of Encounter Youth. With over 30 years’ experience as a pastor, missionary and former high school teacher, he has led community development projects across six countries and built businesses in three different industries. Along with the Dayspring Project, Craig contributes strategically across Encounter Youth, provides oversight to the Empower Education program, and offers pastoral support to staff and volunteers. He loves the beach, all things sport, most things tech and putting words into sentences.
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