Our Board
Our board of directors bring a range of business and community experience to the governance of the organisation. Ranging from former executives, current corporate managers, experienced community service practitioners the directors create and endorse the strategic framework and oversee sound governance strategies. A number of directors are also directors of other community organisations.
Douglas Layng – Chairperson
Douglas Layng
Doug Layng brings over 30 years of experience in people management and Rotary involvement to the Youth Options board. With a background in business management, he has led teams in sales, fundraising and volunteerism.
Doug is committed to helping South Australia's youth, inspired by the transformative work of Youth Options.
He actively engages in strategic planning and networking to promote the organisation's success and the achievements of the young adults it serves.
Tracey Newman – Deputy Chairperson
Tracey Newman
Tracey Newman brings extensive senior leadership experience, specialising in team transformation, client engagement, and innovation. As a Director at Impacto Consulting, she promotes innovation in aged care and disability services.
Tracey is committed to creating a fairer community and believes in providing opportunities for young people to realise their full potential. She uses her expertise to coach and mentor the Youth Options team and enjoys hearing from young people on how to improve services.
Tracey is also a recognised voice in the social sector, contributing to discussions on the 'Innovate for Impact Podcast' and publications like ProBono Australia News.
Stephen Noble – Treasurer
Stephen Noble
Stephen Noble serves as the Treasurer for Youth Options, bringing extensive experience and qualifications in the accounting industry. He excels in negotiation, business planning, risk management, strategic planning and business development.
Stephen is a proud South Australian, a father, and a grandfather who is deeply motivated by his desire to see all young people have the opportunity to succeed.
His commitment to Youth Options is driven by his belief in the potential of every young person and his dedication to creating a brighter future for the next generation.
Sanja Hendrick – Public Officer
Sanja Hendrick
With over 12 years of experience as a board member across sectors, including medical tourism, education, and disability services, Sanja Hendricks brings expertise in business literacy, advocacy, capacity building, and critical thinking to Youth Options.
Sanja is committed to improving opportunities for South Australia's youth, driven by the belief that supporting future generations benefits everyone, including her own children. Beyond her skills, Sanja actively contributes by leveraging extensive networks, which have proven invaluable in previous roles.
Additionally, Sanja's passion for event planning and hosting will help boost Youth Options' presence and fundraising efforts, driving further growth and community engagement.
Kylie Luciano – Board Member
Kylie Luciano
Kylie Luciano joined the Youth Options’ Board in 2022, bringing a wealth of experience from her extensive career in the vulnerable sectors, including mental health, justice, and disability.
Her commitment to helping South Australia's youth stems from a lifelong sense of purpose instilled by her family's tradition of voluntary work. Kylie actively engages with Youth Options beyond her board responsibilities, leveraging her professional skills and relationships to contribute to the organisation's success.
She is passionate about providing opportunities and support to disadvantaged youth, ensuring they have a positive future.
Leanne Isaacson – Board Member
Leanne Isaacson
Leanne Isaacson is a passionate advocate for South Australia's youth, bringing over 30 years of experience in business management, community development, and education to the Youth Options Board.
Her personal journey as a parent, supporting children through mental health challenges and school bullying, has deepened her commitment to helping young people. Leanne believes that every individual’s journey is unique, requiring tailored solutions and support.
With a natural ability to create meaningful connections, she aims to foster relationships that open doors and create opportunities for the young people served by Youth Options to grow and thrive.
Dr Jo Shearer – Board Member
Jo Shearer
Jo is a researcher in the School of Education at the University of Adelaide. Currently, her research work relates to the capabilities of teachers to include autistic students in mainstream education.
Working with passion for the inclusion of people who experience disadvantaging circumstances has been the focus of Jo’s career. She brings to her board role a passion for supporting the development of young people, along with extensive knowledge and understanding in the field of human service provision having worked for disability service organisations, government, universities, childcare and at schools.
Contributing to community is important to her, having volunteered for education, sporting, church and social welfare organisations in different role across her lifetime.
Mehmet Kavlakoglu – Board Member
Mehmet Kavlakoglu
Mehmet Kavlakoglu brings nearly a decade of experience advocating for Australian youth, primarily from a health perspective. With a background in Psychology and Law, Mehmet has worked in various roles, directly servicing young people and informing policies at local, state, and national levels.
By day, Mehmet is a lawyer advising on commercial matters, with a focus on innovation and emerging technologies. In the evenings, Mehmet volunteers as a moderator for a non-profit organisation, staying connected with the contemporary challenges faced by Australian youth. Mehmet's enthusiasm, curiosity, and commercial acumen are highly valued by the Youth Options Board.
Michelle Braham – CEO, Youth Options & Governance Chair, Amplify Alliance Australia
Michelle Braham
Michelle Braham has been the CEO of Youth Options since 2017, contributing to the organisation in various roles since 2007. She is deeply committed to empowering young people through social and emotional learning, skill development, and work preparedness.
Her leadership is grounded in delivering inclusive, person-centred programs that help young people overcome social disadvantage by building independence, resilience, and social connection. Michelle’s approach is highly collaborative, working closely with individuals and community partners to tailor support that meets diverse needs.
Michelle also serves as a Board Member and Governance Chair of Amplify Alliance Australia, contributing to the national not-for-profit sector by strengthening governance and strategy to better support vulnerable and disadvantaged Australians. Her professional background in human resources, career development, and service design informs her systems-thinking approach to leadership and innovation.
At the Social Enterprise Open Camp, Michelle hopes to gain insights into social entrepreneurship and explore long-term strategic change that can be implemented to strengthen Youth Options’ mission and influence broader transformation across the sector.
