Our Board
Greater Shepparton Lighthouse Project - Board of Directors
Adam Furphy - Chair
After completing a Bachelor of Mechanical Engineering at RMIT Adam returned to Shepparton. He is currently the Managing Director of J. Furphy & Sons a Shepparton-based business established in 1864. He has a strong interest in regional education and is a past member of the Board of Directors of the Goulburn Ovens Institute of TAFE and is the past Chairman of the LaTrobe University Shepparton Campus Regional Advisory Board.
Adam is a current member of the LaTrobe University Council, a member of the Shepparton Art Museum Foundation Board, a Trustee of the Shepparton Mechanic’s Institute, a member of the Board of Directors of the Galvanizing Association of Australia, and a member of the Weld Australia Council. Adam commenced as Chair when the Board was established in 2012.
Anna Agati - Treasurer/Director
Anna is a Shepparton local who has a Bachelor of Business (Accounting)/Bachelor of Applied Science (Computing) from LaTrobe University and a Graduate Diploma of Data Science from Monash University. She is the Manager at Shepparton-based firm, Sofra Partners Chartered Accountants.
Elizabeth Capp - Director
Elizabeth has been Head of Campus at La Trobe University, Shepparton since November 2018. A leader with over 20 years of experience in university management, she has held a range of faculty and central division management roles at Melbourne, Monash, and La Trobe universities, and has worked in academic program management, student services, faculty management, human resources, and community engagement.
Elizabeth is passionate about widening higher education participation and supporting local students to succeed at university. Elizabeth is a member of the Greater Shepparton Secondary College Council; Goulburn Regional Partnership; Goulburn Murray Resilience Taskforce; and the Furphy Literary Award Advisory Board.
Mohammed Yassin - Director
Mohammed is an ex-refugee, from Iraq, who lived in Iran and Syria before settling in Shepparton at the age of 18. Academically, he completed a Bachelor of Biomedical Science at the University of Melbourne and works in the field of cancer research for several years. He is the founder of Culture and Co. which provides cultural consulting and training services to government, not-for-profit and corporate.
Mohammed also serves as a Board member and the Secretary of the Ethnic Communities Council of Victoria, is a member of the Inner-Metro Metropolitan Partnership and is a Project Lead at Spectrum MRC whose focus is delivering services to migrants and refugees. Mohammed is a former Commissioner of the Victorian Multicultural Commission.
Rob Francis - Director
Rob is the Executive Director, North Area for the Department of Justice and Community Safety (DJCS), working across the Hume and Loddon Mallee regions. Rob joined Corrections Victoria in 2008, working on Drug and Alcohol policy and then as a Department Liaison Officer, for the Minister for Police, Emergency Management and Corrections later continuing his career with Corrections Victoria in a number of strategic.
Rob is passionate about working with stakeholders and disadvantaged groups, particularly working with communities to reduce the number of people in contact with the criminal justice system.
Rob has a Bachelor of Arts (Hons), a Bachelor of Social Work, a postgraduate certificate in Substance Abuse Studies and is an alumnus of the Australia and New Zealand School of Government.
Eugenie Stragalinos - Director
Eugenie brings over 30 years of leadership, governance, and organisational transformation experience to the Greater Shepparton Lighthouse Board. As the founder of EMS Consulting, Eugenie has guided clients across diverse industries, including financial services, not-for-profits, and utilities, to improve results through innovative business transformation, cultural change, and community engagement.
Eugenie’s extensive Board experience includes serving as Chair of Goulburn Murray Credit Union since 2016, Chair of Destination Goulburn Valley, and Member of Goulburn Valley Football League Audit Committee. Her expertise lies in driving strategic change, fostering customer-focused service delivery, and aligning organisations to meet future challenges. A Certified Practising Accountant (CPA) with a Bachelor of Commerce from La Trobe University, Eugenie is also a Fellow of the Williamson Community Leadership Program, a certified practitioner in public participation and cultural transformation, a Fellow of the Governance Institute (FGIA), a member of Australian Institute of Company Directors (MAICD) and a member of the Institute of Community Directors Australia (MAICDA).
Eugenie’s passion for community and excellence is reflected in her commitment to organisations that drive positive, performance-focused outcomes for the region.
Shane Sali - Director
Shane brings extensive leadership and business expertise to the Greater Shepparton Lighthouse Board, drawn from his role as Operations Manager of a long-standing family-owned business in Shepparton. A lifelong Shepparton resident, Shane is deeply connected to the local community and passionate about fostering its growth and prosperity.
Shane was elected to the Greater Shepparton Council in November 2020, and is currently serving his third term as Mayor. He has gained valuable experience in government, philanthropy, and navigating the political landscape. His background in telecommunications and retail, combined with over a decade of involvement in his family’s business, has equipped Shane with a robust understanding of local enterprise and community needs.
In addition to his professional endeavors, Shane is a proud advocate for the Goulburn Valley region and its diverse heritage. He has been an active member of the Shepparton Albanian Committee for over 14 years and is dedicated to strengthening ties within the community. Shanes commitment to community and leadership will be invaluable in advancing the mission of the Greater Shepparton Lighthouse Project.
Naomi Jacobson - Director
Naomi Jacobson is a Senior Associate at Dawes & Vary Riordan Lawyers having worked in their litigation and employment law departments since late 2017, primarily in the Shepparton office. As a qualified lawyer, she strengthens the Lighthouse Board with her legal acumen including in regard to issues such as corporate governance and workplace obligations. She also holds a bachelor of business degree majoring in management.
Naomi has diverse experience in a variety of areas of law having been involved in a range of civil and commercial litigation matters, including agricultural and contractual disputes. Naomi has particularly strong experience in industrial and employment relations matters, reflecting her deep insight into the needs of businesses both large and small.
As a proud local, Naomi grew up in the Goulburn Valley and returned to the region having completed her studies in Melbourne. Naomi is passionate about the impact that Lighthouse has had to date in the community and more broadly, and is eager to leverage her skills to further support the organisation at board level in future.
Jesse Mitchell - Director
Jessica (Jesse) brings over a decade of expertise in the Employment Services industry, with a focus on fostering opportunities for youth and communities to thrive. Currently employed by WorkTrainers and serving as a Life Coach with the Goulburn Murray Community Leadership Program, Jesse has developed and delivered impactful programs in employment, training, and youth pathways.
Jesse’s extensive experience in the Vocational Education and Training (VET) sector, coupled with qualifications in Leadership, Human Resources, and Project Management, has strengthened her commitment to inclusive leadership development and community empowerment. She holds diplomas in Leadership and Management and Human Resources and is a member of the Institute of Community Directors Australia, Career Industry Council of Australia, and IAP2 Australasia.
An active contributor to her community, Jesse serves as a Group Leader for the 1st Kyabram Scouts and represents the Campaspe Shire as a Councillor. She is also a member of the Loddon Mallee ACFE Regional Council and the Fairley Leadership Alumni Scholarship Committee. A proud Kyabram resident, Jesse is dedicated to creating positive outcomes for the Greater Shepparton region through collaboration and innovation.
Amy Robinson - Executive Officer
Amy is a passionate social change leader driving the Greater Shepparton Lighthouse Project, a collective impact initiative focused on improving health and educational outcomes for local children and young people. With a Bachelor of Management from Federation University, Amy transitioned from founding successful hospitality ventures to a career in social impact, first as a trainer and assessor and later as a regional coordinator at Berry Street, where she supported at-risk youth in Seymour and Shepparton.
Joining the Lighthouse Project in 2018, Amy initially led the secondary education and transition initiatives, before stepping into her current role as Executive Officer. Her unwavering commitment to social justice drives her work, with a focus on creating lasting, positive change for young people in her community.
Amy is an active advocate for youth development and equity, serving on several key advisory boards, including the Shepparton Education First Youth Foyer Advisory, Lift Off Scholarships Committee, and the Department of Education's Shepparton Education Plan Advisory Board. She is also an alumnus of the Williamson Community Leadership Program.