BUDDY UP AUSTRALIA TEAM
Buddy Up’s national team is made up of majority former service personnel with lived experience. We understand you!
MEET THE TEAM
Kiki Stokar Von Neuforn
Office and National Event Manager
Kiki is ‘system’ and ‘organisation’ obsessed! She keeps the whole team in check. What would we do without her! Not to forget, Kiki is planning and coordinating Buddy Up’s first ever national event this year which is certain to get the whole community Australia-wide moving!
When Kiki closes her laptop she enjoys cooking, baking, house renovations, swimming and walking her little monster – Bluey.
Tina Innes
Program Manager – National
Tina played a special role in Buddy Up Australia from the very beginning, being one of the three Founding Directors of the organisation. Tina stepped down as a Director in 2022 to travel Australia and upon her return reconnected with the organisation and the timing was right for Tina to reconnect on a deeper operational level as the new Program Manager.
Tina brings a wealth of experience in leadership and management to the organisation. Along with her in-depth knowledge of Buddy Up Australia and military background, we are very excited to welcome Tina to the team. Tina will be based in Western Australia.
Hassan Bhatti
Marketing Manager
Meet Hassan - with a background in the Defence industry, state government, IT, Legal and Ecommerce. He brings extensive expertise in Marketing and Communications, including Marketing Campaigns, Branding, Digital Marketing, and Team Leadership. His visionary approach combines strategic planning, creativity, and analytical skills to align marketing with business goals. And when he’s not conquering the business world, you’ll find him slam-dunking on the basketball court or turbo-charging startup growth like a superhero with a Masters in Marketing.
Ross Gordon
Member Support Officer
Ross is based in WA and along side working with Buddy Up, also works as a Mental Health Support Coordinator. Ross is heavily into soccer (footy) and when he isn’t on the field, you will find him picking apart war movies due to poorly executed skills and drills 😊
Thomas Blair
Member Support Officer
Thomas is one of our Member Support Officers who personally welcomes new members via a phone call. We understand how important it is to ensure our members feel part of the Buddy Up family.
Lisa Casablanca
Marketing Coordinator
Lisa brings with her over a decade of invaluable experience in the dynamic world of marketing, which makes up just a part of her 30-year work career, which includes operating a not-for-profit organisation. With her expertise, passion, and proven track record, we are confident that Lisa will play a pivotal role in propelling Buddy Up Australia to new heights. Lisa’s journey has been one of constant growth, innovation, and an unwavering commitment to achieving remarkable results. Her areas of expertise include online marketing, content strategy, and brand management, and she has consistently delivered organic and impressive outcomes that speak for themselves.
Dave Every
Program Coordinator QLD and NSW
David Every, a father of three adult children and five grandchildren, is on a mission to empower and inspire adults from all walks of life to get the most out of their lives. With an extensive background in retail, child protective services and the disability sectors, David understands how important it is to connect with others to develop meaningful relationships. His unique value proposition lies in his ability to listen carefully and guide members towards developing solutions that fit each individual's needs. His vision for success is based on fostering growth through connection - both interpersonal relationships and one's relationship with themselves - while upholding the core principle that we are not what we do but who we are as individuals today.
Naomi Skelly
Program Coordinator Tasmania
Meet Naomi, a passionate explorer of science, history, and culture. With a Bachelor’s degree in Archaeology and Environmental Earth Science, complemented by a Graduate Certificate in Cultural Heritage, Naomi is a dynamic blend of knowledge and curiosity. Having journeyed through cutting-edge museums and art galleries across eastern
Australia, Naomi proudly dubs herself an “Eastern Seabourdian”, having lived everywhere from Townsville to Tasmania, with a sprinkle of the Outback in between.
Her diverse work history includes handling dinosaur bones, uncovering archaeological marvels, delivering exhibitions, facilitating events, and preserving cultural treasures – all fuelling her zest for life.
Beyond her professional endeavours, Naomi’s heart beats for community engagement. She’s lent her time to volunteer organisations spanning archives to fishing clubs. An animal enthusiast, she finds solace in exploring with her dog and enjoying cozy moments with her cat over a cuppa and a book.
Now, Naomi brings her unique blend of expertise and enthusiasm to Buddy Up
Australia, where she’s all about making an awesome difference. Get ready to embark on exciting adventures with Naomi!
Eve Kelly
Program Coordinator Victoria
Eve’s background is in social services, having worked for many years supporting the well-being of others in a number of diverse community settings. More recently Eve worked for a fast-paced Registered Training Organisation in the Creative Arts industry. Eve is also passionate about volunteering and everything wonderful it brings to those involved. She and her Whippet Spencer love their volunteering role in aged care, providing social connection and lots of doggie pats to isolated elderly people. Originally from New Zealand, Eve’s family has strong connections to the NZ Defence Force going back as far as her great grandfather serving in the Māori Pioneer Battalion in Gallipoli WWI. In her spare time as well as hanging out with her husband and two daughters, Eve can often be found strumming on her guitar or keeping up the fitness in a gym dance class.
