About us

The Cat Protection Society of Victoria is managed by a Board of Volunteers who work to ensure that the goals of our society are held paramount when determining the activity that we are involved in and support. Our Board members volunteer their time, skills and immense experience and receive no remuneration.

Ian Crook: CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER

Joined The Cat Protection Society of Victoria as Chief Executive Officer in 2014 and joined our Board in 2015. Ian has extensive commercial experience in private industry. He is a graduate of the AICD and past board member of the Australian Rural Leadership Foundation. He currently serves on two animal ethic committees.

Joanna Birdseye: PRESIDENT

Joanna joined The Cat Protection Society Board in 2018 with incredible experience in management roles with Government Departments including The Department for Health and Department for Human Services. Joanna has a wonderful empathy and desire to help those who aren’t always able to help themselves. She was elected and appointed as president in June 2023.

Tony Meggs

Tony joined The Cat Protection Society Board in 2018 to combine his experience as a CPA and love and passion for cats (with Tony’s 2 Cats adopted from Animal Welfare Organisations). Tony is passionate about working with the Society to improve education on responsible cat ownership.

Maria Nteris

Maria joined The Cat Protection Society Board in May 2020. Maria holds a BSC (Hons), PhD Pharmacy, is a Graduate of The Australian Institute of Company Directors and holds a Graduate Certificate in Corporate Management. Maria is experienced in regulatory compliance in the not for profit sector

Donald Ward

Donald joined The Cat Protection Society Board in mid 2020 bringing with him 30 years experience as a Veterinarian working both within Australia and overseas. Donald has worked for a number of animal welfare organisations including the RSPCA Victoria, The Lost Dogs Home and The Cat Protection Society itself and is an active member of the Australian Veterinary Association SIG, Melbourne and The Victoria University Animal Ethics Committee.

Nicole Kepert

Ms Kepert holds a Masters of Mediation and Conflict Resolution,  a Graduate Certificate of Ergonomics, Safety and Health and a Bachelor of Arts. She has held professional roles in industrial relations, human resources and equal opportunity, and is currently employed as a Conciliation Officer at the Workplace Injury Commission. Nicole is an NMAS accredited Mediator and a member of the Resolution Institute. Board member since 27 May 2020

Tanya Fryc

Ms Fryc holds a Bachelor of Arts and Law (Hon), is a graduate of the Australian Institute of Company Directors and a Fellow of the Governance Institute of Australia. She has held senior legal roles across a variety of sectors including IT and technology, health, manufacturing, energy and logistics. She is also an experienced Company Secretary. Tanya has been a board member since 12 December 2022.

Kaylene O’Shea

Ms O’Shea holds science and business qualifications and is a member of the Australian Institute of Company Directors and Advisory Board Centre.  Her career has spanned more than 30 years within the pharmaceutical industry.  During that time, she held senior executive roles within the organisations for whom she worked and managed teams responsible for the research and development of new medicines across Australia and Asia Pacific.  She currently holds non-executive director positions on 2 not-for-profit boards, 1 not for profit advisory board position and is an advisor to small businesses.  Board member since 12 December 2022.