Staff

CEO

Dr Devin Bowles

Dr Devin Bowles is the new CEO of ACTCOSS, having recently moved from a similar role at the Alcohol Tobacco and Other Drug Association, the peak body for drug and alcohol treatment and harm reduction organisations in the ACT. Devin previously led the peak body for universities which teach and research public health in Australasia, the Council for Academic Public Health Institutions Australasia, where he expanded the membership beyond Australia’s shores.

Devin has worked in both the Commonwealth and ACT Governments. He has served on the boards of the Australian Institute of Health and Welfare, and the Public Health Association of Australia, and as President of the Benevolent Organisation for Development, Health and Insight. As an epidemiologist and social scientist with extensive scholarly and other publications, Devin has taught at the Australian National University Medical School and the University of Canberra.

Head of Engagement & Sector Development

Michelle Barclay

Michelle joined ACTCOSS in May 2024 as a Senior Sector Development Officer before becoming our Head of Engagement & Sector Development in July 2024! Michelle has moved from the National Indigenous Australians Agency where she was a Senior Commercial Lawyer, however she started her legal career at Street Law. In 2020, Michelle was awarded the Westfield Local Hero Award for her work at Street Law which involved working closely with women in prison and people experiencing homelessness.  She has been invited to guest lecture at the Australian National University and has a decade of marketing and communication experience in the not-for-profit, private and government sectors.  Michelle’s passion to help vulnerable teens and women and children escaping domestic and family violence has seen her become a Smith Family mentor and a Board Member at the Women’s and Girls’ Emergency Centre.

Head of Policy

Corinne Dobson

Corinne joined ACTCOSS in July 2023 as Head of Policy. With over two decades of experience in research, policy and advocacy in the community and university sectors, she brings a wealth of experience in policy analysis, advocacy, and leadership, including in executive roles and as co-founder of the Australia OPCAT Network. With skills spanning policy analysis and development, advocacy strategy, human rights research, and media engagement, Corinne has been a driving force in shaping impactful social policies.  Her expertise extends to public health policy, social research, and community engagement, underpinned by a passionate commitment to social justice and a focus on putting people and communities at the centre of social change work.

Head of Operations

Michael Burton

Michael joined ACTCOSS in December 2024 as Head of Operations. He is a chartered accountant with a background as a Chief Financial Officer in the New Zealand and Australian Federal public sectors. These roles that have included managing IT, property, HR and procurement. Since retiring from the public sector, Michael has had short term roles across a range of industries, including one in the community sector.

Michael has a Business Studies (accounting and finance) degree from Massey University in New Zealand and has been a member of Chartered Accountants Australia and New Zealand (and its predecessors) since 1990.

Michael has a strong passion for social justice and for the environment. He sees his role at ACTCOSS as supporting an organisation that has a strong emphasis on the things he cares about.

Project Manager

Stephanie Crosby

Senior Policy Advisor

Emma Agostino

Emma joined ACTCOSS as a Senior Policy Advisor in July 2024, bringing a wealth of experience from over 15 years as a frontline youth worker. Before transitioning to policy and advocacy, Emma worked across a variety of settings, including street–based and children’s court outreach in South Sydney. Most recently, she worked as the ACT Coordinator for SHINE for Kids at the Alexander Maconochie Centre, supporting
children and youth with a parent in custody.

Emma’s career pivot to advocacy was inspired by her time at an under–resourced, over–demanded inner–city Sydney youth centre, where she witnessed firsthand the urgent need for systemic change. This experience drove her to move to Canberra with her then young family to pursue an Economics degree at the Australian National University, equipping her with the tools to better advocate for social justice and reform within the community sector.

Emma is deeply committed to systemic change; driven by the communities she has learnt from and grown with, and the dedicated workers she has had the privilege to work alongside. There is nowhere Emma would rather be than advocating for social justice and equity and championing the people and organisations that make it possible.

Senior Policy Adviser

Jana Farook

Jana joined ACTCOSS in April, 2024 as Senior Policy Adviser. Jana is an experienced policy advocate with a background in law. Her previous experience includes managing partnerships at the United Nations Development Program, and providing legal advice to the Government of Maldives on its human rights obligations. She also has experience influencing Australian and international negotiations on climate and trade.

Senior Sector Development Officer

Leanne Bourke

Leanne joined ACTCOSS as the Senior Sector Development Officer in January 2025. Leanne has previously worked in the alcohol and other drug sector for 3 years, where she supported the advocacy of improved health policies, practice and development of the ACT drug and alcohol sector and people accessing ACT drug and alcohol services. Leanne has a Bachelor of Science in Psychology from the University of Canberra, and is currently undertaking her fourth year Honours in Psychology with the University of Adelaide. Leanne has a strong interest in advocating for people experiencing disadvantage and improving public health policies, treatment and outcomes.

Administration Support Officer

Tashi Choden

Tashi Choden joined ACTCOSS in February 2021 as the Administration Support Officer. She is responsible for supporting the smooth operation of the office, events, administration and management of the membership database, and finance and payroll.

Tashi’s previous experience has been in the media and her interest has been in covering social issues, highlighting the plight of socially disadvantaged people. Through her reports, she has provided a voice to those who were socially disadvantaged and helped to bring the attention of policy makers on the issues.

Communications and Events Support Officer

Holly Freeman

Holly joined ACTCOSS in late 2023 as the Communications and Events Support Officer. She is often working behind the scenes, preparing and delivering ACTCOSS’ newsletter, media releases, and more!

Holly is currently studying a Bachelor of Science (Psychology) and a Bachelor of Commerce at the Australian National University. She has years of experience in marketing and events and looks forward to bringing this experience to the community sector in the ACT.