We are run by a group of dedicated and highly skilled members of our community. Come and meet them.
THE RAINBOW FAMILIES BOARD
Jake Green (He/Him)
Treasurer: Jake joined Rainbow Families in 2023 with a wealth of both treasury and volunteer experience. Jake is also on the Macquarie Group Pride Committee which empowers LGBTQ+ staff and creates a space where everyone can bring their full self to work. Jake is passionate about equality and fostering a safe and vibrant community for LGBTQ+ families. With a background in quantitative risk, Jake is also a Co-Treasurer of the Graduate Volunteer Network at Macquarie Bank.
Lara Sabbadin (She/Her)
Rainbow Families Co-chair: Lara has a diverse background working with marginalised communities as a youth worker, social worker and manager of a women’s, children and transgender women’s domestic violence refuge. Lara has been volunteering with Rainbow families for the past two years, and is passionate about social justice, equality, and reducing disadvantage in the community. She is also part of the Inner West Council’s Pride Committee, and is one of the mums of her twin sons Lui and Archie.
Ashley Scott (He/Him)
Executive Officer: Ashley and his husband have two daughters who were born through surrogacy, and Ashley is also a known donor for a Lesbian family. Ashley is one of the founders of Rainbow Families and has been active within the Gay Dads group since his eldest daughter was born in 2012. Ashley enjoys bringing the Rainbow Families community together - seeing families build connections with their community and supporting families to be their most authentic selves.
Bern Foley (She/Her)
Board Member: Events. Bern’s background ranges from event and hospitality management to customer experience and dispute resolution across the banking and finance, insurance and telecommunications industries. A proud, passionate mother and step mum, Bern has a vested interest in ensuring her children grow up in an accepting and loving community. Bern has been a Board member since 2015 and organises our fabulous Mardi Gras float each year.
Izzy Calero-Rivarola
Board member: Izzy identifies as a Little Latina Lesbian who is neurodivergent and a mother of one, Austin River who was conceived with internationally sourced donor sperm via IUI.
Izzy is also a known egg donor for a gay couple.
Izzy is also the first legal surrogate baby born via surrogacy in NSW.
Although, with heterosexual parents, her ideology of bringing babies into the world has always been in a way which has required some medical assistance.
Trevor Kanapi
Board member: Everyone knows me as Mason's dad, which just fills me with pride.
I'm Trevor and I've been involved with Rainbow Families for over 7 years, having helped re-launch Rainbow Families in the beautiful sunshine state of Queensland and now proud to be on the national board.
One of my passions is supporting our incredible community through the many diverse journeys to parenthood and raising amazing rainbow families!
Matt Tomlins
Board member: Matt and his partner are proud Dads to a young son and daughter, born through surrogacy in Canada. Matt has extensive professional experience in management consulting, with a focus on strategy development and organisational change, and has also launched and run a technology startup. He is passionate about applying his skills and experience to help influence positive change for the Rainbow Family community across Australia.
Heather Corkhill
Equality Director. Heather has been organising social events and advocating for rainbow families in Mianjin Brisbane since the birth of her child in 2015.
She has a background in filmmaking, mediation, law and social policy. Heather is passionate about acheiving equality and inclusion for LGBTIQ+ people.
Kai Noonan (They/Them)
Kai joined the Rainbow Families Board in April 2024, bringing over 15 years of experience delivering and managing programs and services in the sexual, domestic and family violence and the LGBTIQA+ sectors.
In 2024, Kai was awarded the Medal of the Order of Australia for service to the LGBTIQ+ community and to the domestic and family violence sector.
Kai identifies as queer and non-binary and is a doting parent of one (so far). “I just want all of our children to grow up in a world that is kind and fair”.