Our Staff

Director 

Darwin 

Nicki Petrou commenced as NTWWC Director in 2020, bringing extensive experience from the community and private sectors. 

Nicki's previous appointments include; as Principal Solicitor of a number of community legal centres roles in management, banking/finance, Government policy and strategy. In 2022, Nicki took a hiatus to work with the Disability Royal Commission. 

Nicki holds a Diploma in Law, Masters of Business Administration and a Masters of Criminology, has held various Governance roles. Nicki has a strong interest in women's issues, and social justice, advocating to protect and promote the human rights of vulnerable members of our community.

Assistant Director and Practice Manager 

Remote

Janet has been working in the community sector in the NT for over 25 years with much of that time with the Central Australian Women’s Legal Service before commencing with the NTWWC in 2023 as our Senior Industrial Liaison Officer.

Janet held the position of Managing Principal Solicitor and more recently Chief Executive Officer with CAWLS.  Janet has extensive management, law reform, policy and advocacy experience, has led many campaigns to raise awareness of social justice and legal issues affecting women both on a local and national level. This includes submissions on gender equality, access to justice, law reform, funding advocacy and policy informed by evidence addressing violence against women and their children. Previously at NTWWC,  Janet has been working as part of special projects and supporting management including as Acting Director. 

In November 2025 Janet was appointed as Assistant Director and Practice Manager to support our Director with the operations of our growing service and lead  our Industrial Relations and Legal Practice.

Industrial Liaison Officer

Remote

Kay has broad experience across all sectors of business as well as extensive experience in industrial relations.

Having worked in business consulting and as the Chief Executive Officer for an industry body, Kay prides herself in being a mentor to women in the workforce in Alice Springs.

Kay is also skilled in workplace mediation having completed training with the Department of Justice in Queensland. 

Solicitor

Darwin 

Emily relocated from Newcastle NSW to join our team in Darwin.

After finishing her Bachelor of Laws and Bachelor of Business she was looking to start her career in Industrial Relations. 

She became passionate about workplace rights whilst working for NSW Government as a union workplace representative. 

She believes that everyone has a right to feel safe at work with a particular focus on mental wellbeing. 

Industrial Liaison Officer

Alice Springs

Natalia, a second-generation refugee, brings a wealth of experience from her 25 years in the hospitality industry, where she has tirelessly advocated for workers’ rights.

She is deeply passionate about social justice, particularly in championing the rights of LGBTQIA+ and gender diverse individuals, women, and all those who face oppression under colonialism. 

Her commitment to fostering inclusive and supportive environments has brought her to the NT Working Women’s Centre, where she will continue to advocate in her role as an Industrial Liaison Officer.

Senior Industrial Liaison Officer 

Darwin

From Canada, Anne arrived in Australia in 2009. She started with the NTWWC in 2013 when the centre opened its Alice Springs office. 

After 3 years helping the women of Alice with workplace issues, Anne went on to pursue other career opportunities which include; working as a conciliator for the NT Anti-Discrimination Commission and for the Queensland Human Rights Commission (QHRC). Anne also managed the QHRC Townsville office before coming back to the NT in 2024. 

Anne has returned to the NTWWC and brings with her extensive experience and knowledge in discrimination and other issues faced by women in the workplace.

Industrial Liaison Officer and Community Engagement Officer

Alice Springs

Sanchia holds a Bachelor of Laws and Bachelor of Arts, majoring in Indigenous Studies, and is admitted as a legal practitioner in New South Wales. After completing her legal training with a community legal service in NSW, she relocated to the Northern Territory in 2018 and moved into community development, working across a range of community-led projects and programs.

Her experience includes project management, community engagement, stakeholder relationships, and program development, including supporting women’s participation in ranger programs. Through this work, she developed a strong understanding of the social and systemic issues affecting communities across the Northern Territory, and the importance of working collaboratively to develop practical responses grounded in local knowledge and experience.

Sanchia is committed to advancing the workplace rights of women and gender diverse people and to supporting safe, respectful and equitable workplaces. Her work is informed by her experience in the Northern Territory and her strong commitment to First Nations social justice. 

She is particularly interested in workplace rights approaches that recognise the broader social and systemic factors shaping people’s experiences at work, and that centre lived experience.

Administration Officer

Darwin

Originally from Sydney and having completed her high school years in the NT, Jessica moved back to Darwin in 2023 following nearly 7 years working within the Finance Industry.

Having previously volunteered with NT Working Women’s Centre (NTWWC) before becoming our Administration Officer in 2024, Jessica worked as an Electorate Officer assisting and supporting a Member of Parliament within their electorate with various enquiries and concerns.

Jessica is passionate about women getting a fair go and is excited to build on her experience working with the community.

Executive Assistant and Community Engagement Officer 

Darwin

From Northern Ireland, Siobhán has been working in the Northern Territory Community and Legal Sector for the past 13 years. 

She has significant experience working with victim survivors of domestic, family, and sexual violence, and in community engagement within the legal sector. 

Siobhán is passionate about social justice and aims to empower and advocate for vulnerable members of our community.

Best Foot Forward Coordinator

Darwin

I am a proud Larrakia woman from the Darwin region. My career has always been centered around supporting some of the most vulnerable people in Australia.. I began my journey in CDEP, where I supported First Nations clients in developing essential life skills and becoming work-ready — a role I found deeply meaningful.

Since then, I have worked across a range of government agencies, continually driven by my passion to advocate for and support vulnerable Australians. I am now the Best Foot Forward Coordinator with the NT Working Women’s Centre, a pilot initiative designed to support women in the Darwin and greater Darwin region to return to, enter, or retain employment. My role focuses on assisting women whose employment, stability, or security has been impacted by Domestic, Family and Sexual Violence.

I am committed to continuing this work and ensuring that women have the support they need to move forward safely, confidently, and with opportunity.

Trainer and Educator 

Darwin

Lisa has lived and worked in the NT since 2014 across the community services and social justice sector, but mostly in workplace rights, gender equality and DFSV prevention and response systems. 

Lisa loves supporting organisations to build safe and supportive environments.

Volunteer 

Darwin

Frieda came to Darwin in 1978 and worked as a librarian in several NT government departments; her last position was as the Courts Librarian for over 30 years until her retirement in 2020.

Since then, Frieda has volunteered for a variety of community associations, often taking on committee roles. 

When an opportunity arose to volunteer with NT Working Women’s Centre in March 2024, she leapt at the chance to volunteer in an advocacy- legal environment. 

Loosely her role is “admin support” and this means her duties are varied which is one of the main drawcards for her – she never know what she is going to be doing!!