Introducing our newest Board Director: Emily Darnett

Family Life is proud to introduce our newest member of our Board of Directors, Emily Darnett. Emily is a proud Nipaluna woman, she grew up on Yugambeh country and currently calls the Kulin nation home. Emily is a provisionally registered Psychologist and PhD candidate, specialising in cultural psychology and Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander mental health. Emily has previously worked at not-for-profit organisations such as the Breast Cancer Network Australia.

Emily’s research is working to decolonise psychology, which is exemplified through her work in many disadvantaged countries globally, facilitating conversation and awareness around mental health.

Emily was the Family Life Director’s Board Observer in 2021, along with Nafisa Yussf. Emily came to Family Life through the Melbourne Observership Program, in which Family Life has participated in for the last 6 years.

The Observership Program facilitates the involvement of young and talented individuals in a structured experience on non-profit organisational boards. For a 12 month period, each Observer is paired with a participating organisation. Observers attend board meetings as non-voting members and learn about fundamental principles and functions of non-for-profit boards.

Family Life are excited to have Emily’s perspective and knowledge on cultural psychology guiding program implementation and support offered to our community. Emily is excited about having a position on Family life’s board to be able to influence change not only for her community, but for the wider population facing disadvantage and adversity. With Emily’s background in cultural psychology, we are looking forward to her collaboration in developing programs and increasing engagement and outcomes for the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities.

“Family life is a very positive organisation, the morale of all people involved is contagious and the passions that the volunteers and employees hold for this organisation speaks for itself.” – Emily Darnett.