Meet the Founders

Sarah Jacob | Co-Founder — Head of Strategy and Operations

Sarah is a skilled senior lawyer and passionate leader in child safety including through her appointments as a Board member on an international child safety non-for-profit organisation and Australian Christian Churches. She brings to Safer Centres her extensive experience in helping private companies and non-for-profit organisations (including churches) strengthen governance frameworks, improve accountability and build practical systems that support effective leadership and regulatory compliance.

Hazel Bergstedt | Co-Founder — Head of Client Relations

With 20 years experience in education, pastoral care and child safety, including as a primary school teacher, chaplain and kids ministry pastor leading a team of volunteers to facilitate Sunday school programs for over 60 children each week. Hazel brings a wealth of practical experience in leadership and training to build child safe environments where children can flourish.

Joy Mulquiney | Co-Founder — Head of Audit and Safety

Joy began her career in child protection and has been a senior legal advisor to the Commonwealth government for over a decade on matters of social policy, including within the child care and education sector. With her experience in developing laws and advising on the regulation and compliance of approved child care providers, she brings a unique strategic advantage to understanding how providers are regulated and how to operate within complex legal and government frameworks.