THE ASSOCIATION'S BOARD
The current Board was elected at the Annual General Meeting on 8/7/2023 and will serve until the next AGM in 2024. The Board of ASFA is:
President — Emma Burns
Emma is a registered psychologist employed by New Zealand Police as a Senior Advisor Organisational Development. Emma has been a Board member and Vice-President of ASFA for several years, but in Nov 2022 she was elected as President of ASFA. In her spare time Emma delivers Solution Focused workshops, counselling and supervision. She is also a mother of four and a competitive swimmer.
Vice-President (Aust) — Vacant
This position is temporarily vacant.
Vice-President (New Zealand) — Vacant
This position is temporarily vacant.
Secretary — Susan Colmar
Dr Susan Colmar is an Honorary Associate Professor at The University of Sydney, who for 25 years was Program Director of two Masters’ level courses training postgraduate students as school counsellors/school psychologists. She is the author of over ninety publications. Susan won the Inaugural Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences Research Engagement and Impact Award (2019) at The University of Sydney, given to researchers and research teams who have had a significant impact on the world beyond the walls of the University.
Treasurer — John Penny (NSW)
John WAS a School Counsellor, Parramatta Catholic Education, where he was previously Manager of Counselling and Behavioural Programs at Parramatta Catholic Education. John is now officially retired and spends most of his days on the golf course. We greatly appreciate that John has agreed to stay on the Board of ASFA.
Board member – Kylie Johnson (Cambodia)
Kylie is a long-time SFBT devotee from Australia but based in Cambodia. Kylie works at the intersection of law and psychology in a cross cultural setting, along with providing training and consultancy in Cambodia.
Board member – Jason Pascoe (NSW)
Board member – Dion Sing (QLD)
Dion is a consultant, trainer and supervisor. Dion offers a range of services and specialises in Solution-Focused supervision. Currently Dion lives on a sail boat on the QLD coast with his wife and two young children.
Board member – Jacqui Van de Velde (NSW)
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Board member – Clint Tierney (QLD)
Board member – Andrea Lemm (NZ)
Andrea is a social worker based in Dunedin, New Zealand. She has been working in statutory Child Protection over the past 20 years in England and in Aotearoa, New Zealand. Andrea is passionate about bi-cultural practice and how best to integrate Western Eurocentric models of practice like the solution focused approach with Māori practices, principles and values. Andrea has started a SF practitioner group in Dunedin in 2017 and she has been on the ASFA board since 2017. You can read more about Andrea here.
Board member – Matt Cameron (NZ)