Board & Team

Our Board

Natalie Illingworth

Nat, the Founder and Director of Raven Collective, brings a wealth of experience and a strong passion for making a difference in the field of Domestic and Family Violence. With a Bachelor's Degree in Community and Human Services from Federation University and accreditation from the Australian Community Workers Association, Nat is well-equipped to lead Raven Collective's mission.
Nat's dedication to creating positive change in the lives of women and girls is evident in her long-standing work in the local social welfare sector. Her years of experience have fueled her desire to establish Raven Collective and provide a platform for empowering women who have experienced domestic abuse.
As a strong advocate for human rights and women's empowerment, Nat envisions Raven Collective as more than just a business. She aims to build a community and movement where women support and uplift each other, advocating for their right to choose and live their lives on their terms.
Nat's enthusiasm and commitment to her vision are palpable, and she is thrilled to see Raven Collective come to life. With her knowledge, experience, and passion, Nat is leading the way in creating a positive impact and inspiring change in the lives of women and girls through Raven Collective.

Alison Palmer

A proud Ballarat local born and bred, Alison has dedicated her career to healthcare since completing her university studies. With experience across numerous hospitals in Victoria and overseas, she has developed a strong foundation in emergency nursing and a deep commitment to caring for the vulnerable—passions that have shaped her journey from the very beginning. Alison is the founder of Health Connection Ballarat, a health practice grounded in preventative care and holistic wellbeing. Her mission is to positively influence the health of young individuals and families by focusing on the whole body and supporting people in achieving optimal health outcomes. A passionate advocate for women’s empowerment, Alison has always been drawn to work that supports and uplifts women—particularly in ways that create real, lasting change in their health and lives. This passion has extended into her broader community involvement, including her work with Raven Collective. Alison has thoroughly enjoyed her past two years serving on the Raven Collective board and is excited to continue contributing her passion and experience. She looks forward to further supporting the collective’s mission with her dynamic, health-focused perspective—and her deep commitment to empowering women through action and advocacy. Outside of her professional work, Alison balances life with her supportive husband and three lively children, who keep her parenting and problem-solving skills sharp. Known for her energy and love of a challenge, she brings both warmth and drive to every endeavor she takes on.

Taryn Heinrich

Taryn is our HR specialist and her passion is working with people to bring out their best skills. With over 15 years in the industry, Taryn has developed her HR generalist skills by working on various elements of Human Resources including organisational restructures, investigations, recruitment, learning & development, WorkCover, performance management, employment contracts, and the development and implementation of policies and procedures.
She has undertaken nationally accredited Human Resources Certification studies and continually seeks out further professional development to ensure she is up to date with legislation updates and changes within the HR sector.
Taryn is looking forward to being part of Raven Collective as a way of giving back to her community and empowering disadvantaged women.

Tanya Burrows

Tanya has worked in the social welfare sector, locally and across regional Victoria, for almost 20 years. Working with disempowered and oftentimes marginalised people, raised her awareness of systemic issues, and inspired her to return to university for further study.
Obtaining her Master of Social Work in 2020, Tanya is a Social Worker, and currently works with families and young people.
Tanya is a very proud, but on the odd occasion, frustrated, mother of two, adolescent daughters. She is often accompanied by her adored therapy dog, Marli, at work.
Tanya previously worked with Natalie (founder of Raven) and shared a frustration with the barriers in our social system.
She is excited to work alongside the women of Raven Collective, empowering them, and supporting them on their journey within the program.

Brett Trevenen

Brett is a Chartered Accountant working in public practice within the Ballarat region and aims to bring Raven added experience and insight within the world of finance, cash flow, and compliance.
A father of three small and energetic children, Brett has grown up in Ballarat and has an interest in seeing his local community thriving on all fronts. Well credentialled in volunteer roles through local Ballarat sporting organisations, Brett is looking forward to applying this work ethic in a different and rewarding setting.

Kate Pierce

Kate is a skilled marketing and communication professional based in Ballarat. Owner and Director of the digital marketing agency Pierce & Co., Kate brings a broad range of skills and knowledge to Raven Collective. Prior to establishing Pierce & Co., Kate ran a successful online store, and then a bricks and mortar store, ‘Antipodean Love’. Sending gifts and gift boxes world-wide was a core focus of the business, and the knowledge + skills acquired align beautifully with the gifting side of Raven Collective. Running her own businesses, previously living and working abroad in China, UK and India has built the foundations for a strong business acumen and communication skills. Kate has a deep understanding of the power of the written word, communication and marketing. Kate is excited to bring her skills to the table to contribute to Raven Collective.

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