President – Tessa Henwood-Mitchell
Tessa is studying at the University of South Australia doing a double degree in Social Work and International Studies, with an associate degree in Languages and Culture Studies (Majoring in Spanish). She has always been passionate about equality and human rights, especially the rights of children. She then volunteered in South Africa and Kenya in 2006, and then worked as a volunteer through Projects Abroad at the orphanage Ciudadela SEDEGES in Cochabamba, Bolivia for 4 months in 2008. This experience drove Tessa to do something more to improve the lives of the children she got to know and love, hence Tia International Aid was born! This year, Tessa’s achievements were recognised as she was awarded the 2010 Young Citizen of the Year Award by the Adelaide City Council.
Vice-President – Kelly Eickhoff
Kelly has just commenced her fourth year of a double-degree in Social Work and International Studies and has worked in various customer service jobs since highschool. She is currently completing her Social Work placement in a youth centre south of Adelaide. Kelly has an interest in working with people of different cultural backgrounds and has volunteered with the Australian Refugees Association in the past. Kelly joined TIA after meeting Tessa at university, inspired by the idea of being able to directly make a tangible difference in children’s lives in such a disadvantaged country and build on her education and skills in a grass-roots organisation. TIA’s ideals and aims match her own values, and she hopes to see the organisation grow and work in partnership with more communities. After being a general volunteer and the Volunteer Coordinator, is now Vice-President, helping Tessa to run TIA and generally assist the Executive Committee.
Treasurer – Remco Marcelis
Remco has a Masters in Business Administration (MBA Advanced) and a Bachelor of Science in Mathematical Sciences, Applied Maths & Computer Science. Currently he holds the position of Financial Controller at Sarah Homes. He is very interested in international development, and has been involved in World Vision for quite some time. He brings a great deal of professional and life experience into TIA acting as Treasurer, and helps us keep on track at meetings when we start to get off-topic.
Secretary – Leila Henwood-Mitchell
Leila completed her 3 year degree in Visual Communications (Graphic Design) at UniSA in 2007 and has been doing some freelance design work since then. She also been working full time as an Administration Officer for the past two years in a large Engineering Firm. Leila is currently studying part time a Masters in Marketing at UniSA and plans to move into the marketing and design field after completing her studies. Leila does all the graphic design and promotional work for TIA as well as acting as our team secretary. As Tessa’s sister, she has been involved in TIA right from the beginning and is a vital team member.
Marketing Director – Amy Tran
Amy studied Marketing at Adelaide University and now works in the Marketing Department at the University of South Australia. She is instrumental in identifying new marketing strategies to further grow TIA’s profile. She visited TIA’s projects in Bolivia with Tessa in December 2010, and this has made her even more passionate about the work she does for TIA.
Event Coordinator – Julia Parkin
Julia has a degree in International Studies and Arts and is, this year, beginning a law degree at Flinders University. A love of languages, travel and new places has led to her to live a year in France as part of a university exchange and to travel in Europe and, more recently, Colombia. Julia’s experience in Colombia inspired new interest in Latin America which led her to a Tia volunteer meeting in mid 2010 where she got caught up in the energy and enthusiasm of Tessa and her team. Events co-ordinator since the end of 2010, Julia is looking forward to a busy year with Tia!
Volunteer Coordinator – Stacey Cassar
Stacey is a third year International Studies student at Flinders University majoring in Development Studies, Italian and Spanish, and has had some aid field work experience in Flores Timur, Indonesia. She became involved with TIA because she’s passionate about helping children and wants to have the opportunity to further develop her Spanish skills. As Volunteer Coordinator, she acts as a contact point between the Executive and the Action Team, as well as recruiting new volunteers and making sure everyone is happy, involved and contributing to the best of their ability.