Johanna Parker
Jo grew up in Warracknabeal and attended RYLA in 2005 whilst at Uni in Ballarat. She joined the RYLA Leadership Team in 2007, has been Co-Directing the program since 2011 and frequently keynotes at other RYLA programs across the globe.
She is an award-winning international speaker, confidence and public speaking coach, personal leadership and communication expert, TEDx Co-Curator and the founder of Heart Sparks (heartsparks.com.au) where, through a unique combination of heart, strategy and trauma healing, she has supported folks from over 60 countries worldwide to master their mindset, powerfully share their voice and build purposeful lives and careers with an unwavering sense of self-worth and connection. Her work has seen many thousands of people build unwavering confidence and belief in themselves, her school-based curriculum has transformed wellness conversations in the education sector and her work as a Coach Trainer has supported thousands of heart-centered people across the globe to build successful businesses.
When not at work you’ll find Jo out somewhere listening to live music, drinking coffee, laughing with her daughter or sitting beside her favourite fire pit (built by Pat!) with friends, watching the stars and dreaming of her next adrenalin-boosting adventure.
Tristan Knoop
Tristan grew up in Warracknabeal and attended RYLA in 2005 before becoming a member of the RYLA Leadership Team in 2010. He has been Co-Directing the program with Jo since 2017.
Previously a manager in the retail sector, Tristan has worked in the disability employment sector since 2008, currently holding a position as State Manager where he supports teams of staff, improves organisational processes and empowers hundreds of individuals to source employment opportunities.
Having called Melbourne home from 2007 to 2020 and then recently making a seachange to the scenic location of Warrnambool, when not working Tristan enjoys time with family and friends, basking in the sunshine with a great book or planning social gatherings for family and friends.
Brooke Wilson
Brooke was a RYLA participant in 2007 and joined the RYLA Leadership Team in 2008. Brooke hails from Mt Gambier and is a proud South Australian, despite being a Collingwood supporter.
Brooke is a life coach and accredited counsellor and has her own business Brooke Wilson Counselling and Coaching (brookewilson.com.au). Brooke specialises in leadership coaching and works with clients to lead their life, lead their team or lead their future. She has decades of leadership experience as well as extensive experience working with and supporting children and families.
Brooke was born with a rare condition called moebius syndrome, whereby she is missing some facial nerves and muscles. For some people with the condition, it also affects their legs and feet and for Brooke this has meant using a walker to assist with mobility and stability over recent years. However, this hasn’t stopped Brooke from doing what she loves, and you will find her spending time with friends and family, getting involved in community events, relaxing with a good book or podcast and seeking out live music.
Jess Maffescioni
Jess attended RYLA in 2009 and joined the RYLA Leadership Team in 2012. She studied commerce at Deakin Uni in Geelong before moving back to her home town of Stawell in Western Victoria where she commenced work as an accountant at Findex. She now holds the position of senior manager and is a qualified Chartered Accountant.
Jess is heavily involved in her local community through various volunteer board and committee positions, receiving numerous accolades and awards for her community contributions. During her spare time you will find her playing lawn bowls, cross country running, baking delicious treats for family and friends, or reading a good book.
Pat Janes
Pat attended RYLA in 2012 and joined the RYLA Leadership Team in 2014. Originally from Derrinallum he now lives near Ballarat. He is a qualified Heavy Metal Fabricator and won both the Victorian and Australian Apprentice of the Year Awards in 2013. Pat now owns and runs Carli Engineering, a company specialised in building custom truck bodies, towbars and installing cranes to trucks as well as maintenance and repair work. Pat employs a team of nine qualified tradies and three almost full time sub-contractors for auto-electrical, hydraulics and spray painting.
After work Pat loves spending time with his wife and two daughters. When he takes time off he enjoys any sort of adventure in the great outdoors ranging from road and offroad motorcycles, four-wheel driving, camping, mountain biking, kayak fishing and snowboarding.
Elise Winfield
El calls Horsham home alongside her husband and two daughters. She attended RYLA as a participant in 2015 and returned as a leader in 2022.
With a passion for supporting people, El has eight years of Store Management and Team Leadership experience in the Retail sector, alongside four years of coaching experience.
El works as a Life coach in her business Fleur Elise & CO (www.fleureliseco.com.au) working with clients who want to make a positive impact, embrace play and avoid burnout.
When she’s not working, El likes to get creative, put herself out of her comfort zone, play her saxophone and spend quality time with friends and family.
Grace Lockhart
Grace grew up in the Blue Mountains of NSW, the deserts of Dubai and the hills of Adelaide. In 2019 her family moved to Geelong where they have settled … for now. Grace was a RYLA participant in 2022 and this is her first year on the RYLA Leadership Team.
Grace recently completed her Bachelor of Film and Television (Honours), which culminated in the completion of two short films and an exegesis on ‘Creative Leadership’. While studying she worked as a swimming instructor, which she loves so much that she has decided to pursue a Masters of Teaching this year. She is excited, in this next chapter, to keep bringing people together through storytelling, while also learning to support the next generation of leaders and change makers.
In her free time Grace likes to travel, go on adventures, read great books and go for a swim at her local pool. ‘
Chloe Pearson
Chloe is from Colac and attended RYLA in 2024, this is her first year in the Leadership Team.
She currently works as part of the Maintenance Team at her Local Hospital after completing some training around Business Administration whilst working on Reception from 2021. Excited to test herself in many ways, she went from an administration-based customer service role in Reception to a busy Maintenance Department doing Project Management and scheduling of Contractors.
Outside of work, Chloe keeps herself busy by spending time with her family, beginning renovations on her new home, Pilates, catching up with friends and now calling herself a mum to her new Kitten, Oreo.
