Our Team

Laura Kingston

Program Coordinator

Laura Kingston

Program Coordinator

Laura has been working with young people and emerging adults in mental health, education and community sectors for over 15 years.
Through her work and study, she has developed a solid understanding of the complexity of young people’s lives and their vulnerability to disadvantage. She is passionate about empowering people to reach their potential by supporting them to break out of cycles of disadvantage, develop confidence to make informed choices and take control of their lives.

Laura has found it incredibly rewarding to work with so many truly inspiring young people, who have overcome adversity to thrive in life. Laura recognises the hugely important contribution that young people make to service development and evaluation, and is proactive in ensuring their voices are heard.

Caitlyn Mactier

Outreach and Engagement

Caitlyn has always had a strong passion for walking alongside people from diverse and vulnerable backgrounds, with a particular interest in supporting and empowering women and children.

Caitlyn Mactier

Outreach and Engagement

Caitlyn has always had a strong passion for walking alongside people from diverse and vulnerable backgrounds, with a particular interest in supporting and empowering women and children. After working as an Early Childhood Teacher for many years, Caitlyn made the move to Social Work which has given her the opportunity to further understand the adversity that many young people in our community face. She has had the privilege of working with many mums and young adults in various roles and is continually amazed by their strength, courage and determination. It is a great honour to be a part of these women’s journeys and Caitlyn is committed to supporting them to thrive in their lives and our communities.

Shannon Graham

Co-founder & Chairperson

With a positive can-do attitude and the belief that with a huge vision and hard work anything is possible, Shannon is excited about helping thousands of younger mums find their power within.

Shannon Graham

Co-founder & Chairperson

Registered Nurse, Bachelor of Nursing Degree, Masters of Nursing

Shannon graduated with a Bachelor of Nursing degree in 1994 & commenced to travel & work in the nursing field in Australia & overseas. After returning to Australia Shannon completed a Masters in Nursing Education, working for many years in nursing education, teaching & mentoring nursing students.

Following the birth of her three children, Shannon was looking for a way to build an income around her young family and this is when a friend introduced her to Arbonne. Arbonne is an online botanically based, health & wellness business, where Shannon helps other men and women across the globe achieve better health inside and out, creating financial and time freedom.

It was through this business that Shannon also began a journey of personal development that lead to a realisation that her true passion lay in helping others reach their true potential.

With this realisation, Shannon began searching for a way to channel this passion. It was during this search that she met others with the same passions and The Empowerment Challenge was born. With a positive can-do attitude and the belief that with a huge vision and hard work anything is possible, Shannon is excited about helping thousands of younger mums find their power within.

Michelle Polidano

Co-founder & Secretary

Becoming a mum at 16 years old was not something Michelle had planned. Michelle has lived the ups and downs of being a young mum, losing friends, being judged and facing many barriers.

Michelle Polidano

Co-founder & Secretary

Youth Worker, Diploma of Youth Work

Becoming a mum at 16 years old was not something Michelle had planned. She has lived knowledge of the ups and downs of being a younger mum, losing friends, being judged and facing many barriers.

Michelle had two children by the age of 19. With only completing year 10 at secondary school, Michelle was nervous to return to education and put it off until her children were both settled in school. In the meantime, she took on part-time work in the retail/sales sector and nurtured her children.

Michelle studied a Diploma of Youth Work and knew she wanted to work with and alongside younger mums from the start. Completing her studies in early 2016, she has worked in a variety of areas within the youth sector, including working with younger mums. Michelle’s life experience provides her with the drive and passion to see The Empowerment Challenge open its hub.

Donna Kennedy

Co-founder & Board member

Meeting other passionate woman has been such a gift and I know together we will be able to change the lives of thousands of people through The Empowerment Challenge.

Donna Kennedy

Co-founder & Board member

Meeting other passionate woman has been such a gift and I know together we will be able to change the lives of thousands of people through The Empowerment Challenge.

After leaving school at 14 and stepping straight into the workforce, Donna worked for seven years before moving to Western Australia at 21.

Whilst continuing to work, Donna followed her love and passion by helping out family and friends looking after their children.

After returning to Victoria she began working in the Defence Force at the Army School of Health. Donna met her partner there and became a stepmother of two young children, later moving to the Western Suburbs to be closer to the children.

Donna and her husband then had two children of their own and moved to Gordon when their youngest child was two months old. Donna found it very isolated and lonely being a stay at home mum. When Donna’s eldest started Pre-school she decided to join the School Committee. After being a regular parent helper over a couple of years and because of her love of children Donna was asked to fill in for a term as an Educator and this is where her career in Early Childhood Education began.

Donna moved with her family to the Geelong region in 2010 and has continued to work in the Early Childhood Education, a total of 15 years. Donna felt a connection and empathy for the younger mums she met through Pre-school. Donna had experienced a similar isolation and loneliness they felt, the kind that comes from moving to a small country town.

Recently Donna has been in a mentoring role and has found it very rewarding and fulfilling being able to help younger mums find their inner strength and see them take leaps and bounds in their life choices. Donna has had close relationships with her children’s friends and has seen the real struggle with mental health, family violence and poverty and knows The Empowerment Challenge hub would always be a place where they could could come for a chat, cuppa, or just hang out rather than feel alone.

Meeting other passionate woman has been such a gift and I know together we will be able to change the lives of thousands of people through The Empowerment Challenge.

Megan McKnight

Board member

Megan has been working with charities and community groups to help raise funds and awareness for 20 years.
Megan loves that this charity offers support for women with children and feels fortunate to be part of the team, hoping to make a positive contribution.

Megan McKnight

Board member

My name is Megan McKnight and I live in Ocean Grove. In my spare time, I love being with my family and catching up with friends.

Helping people in need and being involved in the local community fills my bucket. I have been working with charities and community groups to help raise funds and awareness for 20 years.

I currently work in Digital Marketing developing Marketing strategies and plans to help companies grow their business.

I was immediately drawn to The Empowerment Challenge after attending a fundraiser in Ocean Grove. I love that this charity offers support for women with children.

The team are dedicated with a diverse skill set. I feel fortunate to be part of the team and hope that I can make a positive contribution to helping young mums and their children.

Antoinette Blair

Board Member & Treasurer

Antoinette has always enjoyed giving her time to helping others. This began by volunteering in her children’s Kindergarten and Primary School as a classroom helper and then more formal roles on the Parent & Friends Association Committee and Kindergarten Committee as a Treasurer.

Antoinette Blair

Board Member & Treasurer

Antoinette grew up in Melbourne and over the years worked full time within the sales industry in various roles. Once having children Antoinette reduced to part time work so she could focus on being a mum and spending more time with her beautiful kids.

Looking for a career change at 35 Antoinette returned to schooling to complete her Certificate IV in Bookkeeping and not long after moved to Ocean Grove with her husband Pete, to enjoy and raise their children in a more relaxed coastal lifestyle.

Now her children are adults, Antoinette has focused on developing her own successful Bookkeeping business, but her enjoyment of supporting others soon led her to volunteer with The Empowerment Challenge, as the values and message of the Empowerment Challenge align with her own personal values.

In her spare time Antoinette loves spending time with and entertaining family and friends. She also enjoys getting away a few times a year traveling and visiting regional Victoria and Australia.