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
Robert L Woodruff
Robert is the Board Chair and brings a wealth of experience having served and chaired on numerous boards.
Robert was the founding Deputy Vice-Chancellor and Interim Vice Chancellor of Africa Nazarene University, a Kenyan university of 2000 students serving 23 African nations. He went on to become Chancellor. He has held other key positions in international educational leadership.
Robert has a strong understanding of trust accounts and endowment funds and experience of managing multi-million dollar grants.
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 Holley
Lisa has worked for many years as both the Head Corporate Responsibility/Corporate affairs following time as Director of Culture and Diversity at a Perth based Financial Institution. 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
Donna is director of coastal facilities management at the WA government Department of Transport in Fremantle, where she has 20 years of experience.
She is also a Leadership WA Fellow, graduating from the program in 2014 and has completed post graduate studies in business at the University of Western Australia.
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.
Aimee Jones
Aimee is the Western Australian Government Relations Manager for a major global resources company. She has more than 20 years experience leading teams across corporate affairs, media, communications and government relations, in the private and public sectors.
Aimee is a strong advocate for inclusion and diversity and is passionate about supporting vulnerable young people. She has a degree in Political Science and International Relations from the University of Western Australia and is also a Leadership WA fellow.
Ken Furguson
Ken is a local identity with a long history in both cross-cultural education and community philanthropy. He was one of the driving forces behind the establishment of Radio Fremantle local radio as well as other community initiatives. In joining the board, Ken says:
“I live in South Fremantle and recently retired from working at North Lake Senior Campus. I saw the great part education and effective communication can make to the lives of newly arrived Australians. The Katina Woodruff Foundation adds another vital dimension to this process. So … I thought I’d help out.”