Respect Victoria has welcomed the appointment of a new Chair and seven Board Directors, announced today by the Minister for Prevention of Family Violence, the Hon. Melissa Horne MP.
Claudia Fatone has been appointed Chair of Respect Victoria for a three-year term, following more than four years on the Board, including as Chair of the Finance, Audit and Risk Committee.
Ms Fatone is Chief Executive Officer of Women’s Legal Service Victoria and brings extensive executive and governance experience across the prevention of family violence, legal assistance, higher education, sport and community sectors.
The Victorian Government has also reappointed Nesreen Bottriell, Jan Noblett and Hang Vo to the Board.
Joining the Board are Sandie de Wolf AM, Bridie O’Donnell, Sharon Paten OAM and Michael Smith, following an open and competitive recruitment process.
The appointments follow the completion of the terms of outgoing Chair Professor Kate Fitz-Gibbon, Maxine McKew AM and Professor Steven Roberts.
Professor Fitz-Gibbon has served on the Respect Victoria Board since its establishment in October 2018 and as Chair since October 2021, providing outstanding leadership during a significant period of growth and maturity for the organisation.
Respect Victoria Chief Executive Officer Helen Bolton thanked outgoing Board members for their exceptional contribution and welcomed both returning and new directors.
“I would like to sincerely thank Professor Kate Fitz-Gibbon, Maxine McKew and Professor Steven Roberts for their exceptional leadership, stewardship and commitment to Respect Victoria. Their guidance has helped strengthen our organisation and advance Victoria’s efforts to prevent family violence and violence against women.”
“I also warmly welcome Claudia as our new Chair, alongside our returning and newly appointed Board members. Their combined expertise, experience and commitment to prevention will be invaluable as Respect Victoria continues to provide evidence-informed leadership and work alongside government, communities and partners to create lasting change.”
The new Board members commence their terms on Tuesday, 7 July 2026.
Quotes attributable
Quotes attributable to Respect Victoria Chair Claudia Fatone
“I am honoured to be appointed Chair of Respect Victoria at a time when preventing family violence and violence against women has never been more important. Prevention takes persistence, collaboration and a willingness to keep building the evidence about what works, and I look forward to leading the Board as we support Respect Victoria’s next chapter.”
“Respect Victoria has become a nationally recognised leader in primary prevention. I look forward to working closely with my fellow Board members, CEO Helen Bolton and the talented team to build on that strong foundation and continue creating safer, more equal and respectful communities across Victoria.”
Quotes attributable to outgoing Respect Victoria Chair Kate Fitz-Gibbon
“It has been a tremendous privilege to serve on Respect Victoria’s inaugural Board and to lead the organisation as Chair over the past five years. I am incredibly proud of how the organisation has grown and the impact it continues to have across Victoria.”
“Respect Victoria’s greatest strength has always been its people. It has been an honour to work alongside such dedicated Board members. I am so pleased to see Claudia Fatone appointed as Chair and look forward to all that Respect Victoria will continue to achieve under Claudia and Helen's leadership.”