Leading With Integrity
The Freedom Hub exists to end modern slavery and help survivors rebuild their lives. To fulfil this mission, we rely on strong, ethical leadership and transparent governance. Our team is united by a commitment to freedom, dignity, and long-term impact.
We believe that transparency builds trust, and trust drives change.
Meet Our Board of Directors
Prof. Michael Adams (Interim Chair)
A leading expert in corporate law, governance, and compliance. Michael advises on Corporate Law and Governance.
Gavin Irwin OAM (Secretary)
With 46 years of service in the Royal Australian Navy, Gavin brings strategic leadership and a wealth of operational expertise, from managing complex logistics to international diplomatic roles.
Lynn Rasmussen
A career development and executive succession expert with 35+ years in talent strategy, Lynn has held senior roles at Westpac and provides executive coaching through her own consultancy.
Ben Popplestone
With over two decades in eCommerce and digital strategy, Ben led high-performing teams across APAC, driving business innovation at Adobe and previously at Magento and Salmat.
Belinda Ramirez
Belinda is a sustainability leader with experience across corporate partnerships, community initiatives, and anti-slavery advocacy. She authored the book Wildflowers, sharing stories of survivors.
Meet Our Executive Leadership Team
Sally Irwin
Founder & CEO
A modern slavery specialist with 15+ years’ experience in Europe, Australia, and the Pacific, Sally is the visionary behind The Freedom Hub. She serves on national advisory groups for the Modern Slavery Act and Westpac’s Safer Children Safer Communities and is Vice Chair of the Commonwealth 8.7 Network.
Sarah Parker
Social Enterprise Manager
Sarah leads operations at our ethical café and venue, overseeing daily service, event hire, and catering, while ensuring ethical sourcing across all offerings.
Ade Feben
Charity Manager
With global leadership experience in anti-slavery work, Ade previously served as Global COO for A21. He brings deep expertise in program delivery, team management, and survivor support.
Grace Ntreh
NSW Team Lead
Grace has over 15 years of experience in administration, logistics, and team development. She supports the NSW Survivor School and coordinates wraparound care for survivors in NSW.
Annie Cameron
Queensland Team Lead
Annie brings 10+ years of leadership experience in charitable programs and team development. She manages the Queensland Survivor School and builds partnerships to support long-term survivor care.
Meet Our Ethical Business Services Team
Sally Irwin
National Team Lead
Drawing on over 40 years of business leadership and 15 years in modern slavery prevention, Sally leads training, partnerships, and strategic development for our ethical business division.
Prof. Michael Adams
Corporate Law & Governance
Professor Michael Adams is a leading exert in corporate law, governance and compliance, with 30+ years’ experience advising institutions and driving ethical business reform.
Jess Irwin
Ethical Business Advisor
Jess holds a Master’s in Law (Human Rights) and has five years of experience in governance and corporate social responsibility. She specialises in helping businesses implement real-world ethical change.
Gail Staples
National Team Lead
Gail is an experienced educator and volunteer project lead, facilitating ethical, trauma-informed engagement between survivors and corporate teams to ensure human rights policy is shaped by lived experience.
Governance & Transparency
As a registered charity with Deductible Gift Recipient (DGR) status, we are committed to transparency and accountability in all we do:
- Financial oversight: Annual audits and clear fund allocation reporting
- Board governance: Experienced, diverse board overseeing strategy and risk
- Survivor-informed decision making: Survivor Advisory Board helps guide policy and program design
- Social Traders certified: Recognised for our social enterprise model and reinvestment structure
- Impact reporting: Metrics tracked against our Social Impact Framework
We are here to serve survivors and empower businesses to be part of the solution. Our leadership ensures we do both with integrity, compassion, and measurable results.
Healing doesn’t happen in a straight line. But with the right support, it does happen.
At The Freedom Hub’s Survivor School, we walk beside survivors of modern slavery in Australia as they rebuild their lives — one small, powerful step at a time.
Our trauma-informed classes are intentionally small, gentle, and flexible. We focus on real-life skills, confidence-building, and emotional safety — creating a space where survivors are seen, heard, and empowered.
It’s not just about education. It’s about freedom, dignity, and hope.
We’ve seen survivors go from feeling voiceless and isolated to applying for jobs, studying again, and even mentoring others. That’s the kind of ripple effect your support creates.
Because when we give survivors the tools and belief to rebuild, they create futures that are strong, self-determined, and full of possibility.
This is what real impact looks like.