About Us
Katina’s Story
An Informed Empathetic Professional Methodology
A highly intuitive person of keen sensitivity, Katina understands the adjustments of children in traumatic transition. She draws children of diverse backgrounds to herself in a magnetic way, understanding and appreciating the power of diversity. Through education she has developed her natural sensitivities into a professional methodology to assist these children.
A Multicultural and Multinational Childhood and Youth
As the daughter of a missionary educator and a registered nurse, Katina grew up in Australia, the United States, Papua New Guinea, Kenya and Switzerland. Katina has personally experienced many of the issues facing migrant children and their families and knows firsthand the sense of displacement children face in a new cultural and linguistic setting.
Experiences and Educational Preparation
Katina’s life experiences across several continents sparked her desire to work with children of other cultures and settings. Experiences in her senior high school years in Kenya revealed Katina’s innate passion – cultural anthropology. In Kenya Katina lived as the first European in a remote tribal setting where no outsider had been hosted before.
Upon her return to Australia, Katina enrolled in a double major in anthropology at The University of Queensland. The papers she produced during this period provided both theoretical and practical tools for facilitating child enhancement and adjustment through guided “Cultural Play”.
An Unwavering Commitment
Katina’s commitment to children and to excellence has never wavered – her life experiences have become tools of understanding and common ground with those whose lives will be forever changed by The Katina Woodruff Children’s Foundation.
Board Members
Peter Bowler
Peter is founder and Director of Money Way – Business Advisors operating in the Mandurah/Peel region. His wealth of experience includes director of Wesfarmers; an executive position with Monash University in the Office of the Vice-President (advancement): Realtor and State Manager for two major real estate firms; and leadership positions with Leadership WA and the Fogarty Foundation.
Peter has a background in Leadership and Management, Marketing, Project Directorship and Budgeting. He brings to the Foundation his experience as a businessperson and volunteer.
Lisa Macrides
Lisa has held numerous senior roles in the private sector in executive roles focusing on Corporate Responsibility, Community Engagement and Human Resourcing. She is also a Leadership WA Fellow, graduating from the program in 2010.
Lisa brings experience in cultural change and diversity and has a passion for helping children with the challenges of migration as she herself has migrated to Australia from the UK.
Donna West
After working in the WA government Department of Transport in Fremantle for 28 years, Donna recently started a small business, “Donna’s Balcony Views”, providing support to people going through an unexpected traumatic life event, a “lifequake”.
She is co-host of the Double Ds Discovery Diaries podcast, sharing guests’ stories of courage and resilience. She is a graduate of the Australian Institute of Company Directors, is a Leadership WA Fellow and has completed a Masters of Business Administration at the University of Western Australia.
With the mission of her small business providing support to people going through a lifequake and being married to a Mauritian immigrant, Donna has empathy for some of the challenges children face when moving to a new country with a vastly different culture and language.
Michael Roberts
Michael has broad professional leadership experience of almost twenty years in the Australian Public Service. He has also served in several voluntary roles for community organisations, such as leading a class of approximately 150 culturally diverse adults, children and a leadership team.
Michael is passionate about the vision, purpose and goals of the Foundation, and brings his professional experience as well as educational background to support its vital outcomes.
Luisa Hogan
Luisa is a consultant in resilience and leadership who helps leaders and teams thrive through change. As founder of Vermelho, she’s guided executives across sectors to build mindset strength, positive culture, and psychological fitness. With an MBA, a BA in Education & Development Studies, and Positive Psychology training, she speaks globally, authors The Mindset Fitness Workout, and co‑founded Whisper & Thread- a purpose‑led brand promoting self‑affirmation. With 15 years’ experience in C-suite roles, Luisa brings hands‑on mental‑fitness insight and a commitment to mission‑driven impact.