Pathways to Politics now has over 450 alums – with an estimated 1000+ by 2026.
This incredible network of women is committed to changing the face of politics in Australia and supporting each other across political lines.
Here are just a few of our alums who are making significant impact in their communities, and in Parliaments and councils across Australia.
Dr Katie Allen was the Federal Member for Higgins in the Coalition Government from 2019-2022.
Prior to that she was Division Head of Population Head at the Murdoch Children’s Research Institute, Professor at both the University of Melbourne and the University of Manchester, UK and a consultant paediatrician. Katie has been on the Board of Cabrini Health, was Chair of Melbourne Girls Grammar School Council and on the advisory board of several MedTech start-ups.
She is a member of the Victorian Pathways program’s Advisory Committee.
Cr Moo D’Ath was elected to Shoalhaven City Council in 2021.
Through her professional life, Moo has taught yoga, breathing, meditation, fitness and circus. She has also run mental health workshops, and worked for TAFE NSW in their At Risk Youth Program.
Cr Jenna Davey-Burns is Councillor at the City of Kingston, where she also served as Deputy Mayor between November 2021-November 2022. Jenna was a mentee in the inaugural Pathways Alum Mentoring program in 2020, where she was mentored by Lord Mayor of Melbourne, Sally Capp.
Mary Doyle MP is the Federal Labor MP for Aston. She was elected to Parliament in the historic Aston by-election in April 2023, which marked the first time that the government has won a seat from the Opposition in a by-election in more than a century. Mary is also the first woman to hold the seat of Aston since its creation in 1984.
Donisha Duff
Donisha Duff OAM is an Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander woman from Thursday Island, Torres Strait. Her family are Aboriginal (Wuthathi) traditional owners of Eastern Cape York and she also has familial links to Badu, Moa & Mabuiag Islands in the Torres Strait. Donisha is the inaugural CEO of Queensland Indigenous Business Network, an independent representative body created to provide a strong and unified voice for Queensland’s Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander businesses. She is also Chair of Stars Foundation Ltd.
Donisha ran as the ALP Candidate for Bowman in the 2022 Federal election. In 2024 she received the Order of Australia Medal for service to the community.
Sue-Anne Hunter is a proud Wurundjeri and Ngurai Illum Wurrung woman and the Deputy Chair and Commissioner of the Yoorrook Justice Commission.
She is an Adjunct Professor of Global and Engagement at Federation University and a member of the National Centre for Reconciliation, Truth, and Justice Advisory Board.
Dr Sarah Mansfield MP was elected as the Greens Member of the Legislative Council for Western Victoria in 2022. She was formerly a GP, and served two terms as Councillor on Greater Geelong City Council after to completing Pathways to Politics in 2017.
Charlotte Mortlock is the founder of Hilma’s Network, a community designed to connect and empower liberal-minded women, and raise money for female Coalition candidates. She is a former journalist and Sky News political reporter.
Cr Angelica Panopoulos is a Councillor and former Mayor of the Merri-bek City Council in Victoria.
She was the youngest ever mayor of Merri-bek City Council. She first became involved in local government through her activism for refugee rights.
Georgie Purcell MP was elected as a member of the Victorian Legislative Council representing Northern Victoria in November 2022. She was a mentee in the Pathways Alum Mentoring program in 2022, where she was mentored by Cr Jenna Davey-Burns.
Cr Tina Samardzija is a Councillor and former Mayor of City of Monash. She has served on the council since 2020.
Tina was a commercial lawyer before moving to work in state and federal government on major legal, economic and social policy reforms including workplace relations, the NDIS and housing. She is the first-born child of parents who migrated from Europe
Dr Judy Tang is a current Board Director for the Victorian Pride Centre and is one of Victoria’s 12 Multicultural Commissioners at the Victorian Multicultural Commission. Judy participated in the Pathways Alum Mentoring program in 2022, where she was mentored by Greens Senator for Victoria Janet Rice MP.
