Interns

To participate in The Board Internship Program requires commitment to Christ first and foremost. It requires commitment to the program and to the host board, integrity, a determination to make a difference, timeliness, open communication, and a willingness to learn. These interns in the 2024-25 cohort have attested to these characters and qualities and our commitment to them is to equip and develop them, and assess them and pray for them throughout the year long program.

Our 2024-2025 interns

Helen Beischer

Host Organisation: Korus Connect

Helen is a lawyer based in Melbourne, with a special interest in the area of Wills and Estates. She is passionate about seeing young Christian professionals use their skills, time and energy to serve God with the opportunities He has given. During her university years, she developed a keen interest in helping society’s most vulnerable, volunteering her time at Refugee Legal and Victoria Legal Aid. In her spare time, she enjoys reading, op-shopping and walking her dog, Martha.

Emily Bowman

Host Organisation: CMA

Emily lives in Adelaide, South Australia on the lands of the Kaurna people. She is serving her internship with CMA. Emily is a management consultant working in the health and social services sectors. Her professional interests include the NDIS, mental health and wellbeing, rural health, and Aboriginal health, with emerging interests in organisational governance and leadership best practice. She is currently a Senior Consultant at Health Q Consulting.

Jonathan Chew

Host Organisation: Christian Venues Association

A registered architect (NSW, QLD, NT) with over a decade of experience at Bickerton Masters. Passionate about good dementia design for our elderly population. I attend Harbourside Baptist in Mosman NSW, volunteering in their children’s program and as a Safe Church Team member. I have been a camps’ volunteer with SU Australia since 2012, currently co-directing their Schoolies program on the Sunshine Coast. I enjoy reading novels and yelling at the screen when watching sport.

Orianna Edmonds

Host Organisation: Southern Cross Kids Camps

Orianna is a young award winning business owner, dairy farmer and Pastors Daughter. She is passionate about ministry, youth work, serving in the church and community. Orianna started her own goat milk skincare business at 15 years old and along side that has been volunteering for different church and community organisations with her passion for youth in leadership and ministry. She is a mentor to 4 bible club students via mail correspondence. In her spare time she loves horse riding, baking, playing piano and photography.

Josh Edwards

Host Organisation: Churches of Christ WA

Josh and his wife Leigh are the Lead Pastors at Eastlake Church in Mandurah WA. Josh and Leigh have two beautiful girls and are passionate about seeing the church reach their community. Much of Josh’s journey has been marked as a special needs dad of his eldest daughter Piper. Josh loves people, a good sausage sizzle and always having a laugh, even when things get tough.

Matthew Gadsden

Host Organisation: Mission Aviation Fellowship

Matthew is a Certified Practicing Bookkeeper who has served in Christian management and administration for over a decade and is pursuing studies towards becoming a CPA. He is a Chief Financial Officer with a focus on developing processes that align financial administration with strategy development and implementation.

Liesel Houghton

Host Organisation: CMA

Liesel recently started at Perko & Co who partner with the Irresistible Church Network and Emotionally Healthy Disciples to see leaders achieve their goals without losing their souls. Liesel spent 11 years at Arrow Leadership as the program manager and is passionate about creating experiences and environments that exceed people’s expectations and provide space for transformation. She loves a good travel hack and is always up for an adventure especially if it includes a theme park.

Sam Huntington

Host Organisation: Hillcrest Christian College

Sam is a Brisbane-based human capital consultant at Deloitte, and recent MBA graduate. He is specialised in organisational transformation and believes that truly sustainable change is only possible when staff are valued and supported. He is passionate about volunteering and recently spent two months volunteering in Cambodia. Sam comes from a family of teachers and has seen first hand the impact a Christ-centred education can have on the lives of youths.

Elizabeth Jacobs

Host Organisation: Churches of Christ VIC/TAS

Elizabeth Jacob is a forensic accounting professional based in Melbourne. She is growing her technical and business skills, with the hope to implement them in avenues that are social impact and kingdom focussed. In her downtime, she enjoys a good cup of coffee, finding cheap eats and spending time with family and friends and being part of her local church.

Jemimah Jesson

Host Organisation: Local Leaders International

Jemimah’s faith and passion to live a purpose-driven life have lead her in her recent move from a practising lawyer in the corporate world, to following her passion into the not for profit space. While exploring her interest in good governance, she completed the AICD Company Directors Course in 2023. Jemimah is now keen to bring her unique perspective to life in the board room, as she continues to learn from inspiring leaders.

Christina Jeong

Host Organisation: Christian Media & Arts Australia

Christina Jeong lives in Brisbane QLD and has been appointed to The Board Internship Program through Christian Ministry Advancement.

She is currently working for an organisation that empowers people through employment, health, and education.

Christina is committed to sharing the Gospel to be a source of encouragement and inspiration on the lives of others.

Eleanor Kaw

Host Organisation: CRU

Eleanor is a budding software developer based in Sydney. She is passionate about seeing young Christian leaders grow in their love for Jesus as they serve Him in the long run. She has experience working in High School youth ministry, staffing at her home church for 5 years. Her experience also extends into the youth evangelism space, working with the RICE Movement during her early career. Through the BTI, she is interested to learn the role that governance plays in appropriately guiding an organization while leaving space for innovation in connected with the next generation. She’s looking to help bring younger voices to the boardroom table particularly for organizations that serve youth. In her spare time, you’ll find her writing music and running her food review social media page.

Don Khoo

Host Organisation: Habitat for Humanity VIC

In his short career, Don has developed skills in data-driven decision-making and customer experience enhancement. With experience ranging from academia, to charities, to corporate settings, he’s led projects such a global data collection at Alpha International, a Voice of Customer program for Monash University, and developing training materials for Valeant Pharmaceuticals. Don lives with his wife, Ashleigh, and their British Shorthair, Zelda, in the Eastern suburbs of Melbourne.

David Loon

Host Organisation: Baptist Financial Services

David is passionate about seeing Christians use their professional skills and occupations to serve God’s mission wherever He has placed them. David, his wife, Judy, and their 3 daughters, served as missionaries with OMF International in Australia from 2018-2023 with David working as the National Finance Manager. After God closed the door to serve in Japan, He led David to an opportunity to serve as Business Manager at Greenacre Christian College where he has been working since June 2023.

Shenae Nicholls

Host Organisation: Anglican Insurance & Risk Services

I was privileged to grow up in a Christian home and have a wonderful family around me. I attend OneHope Baptist Church and have called the community there home for a long time.
I am currently working as a Store Manager for Coles Supermarkets and am also completing my Masters Degree part-time at Ridley College. I am passionate about training and developing new leaders and helping people realise their full potential.

Rebecca Nguyen

Host Organisation: Pioneers Australia

Rebecca is eager to see God’s purpose weave through her heart and life to impact the world. She graduated from university with studies in information technology, logistics & supply chain management, and is currently studying sustainable business. She brings diverse ministry experiences from leading administrative operations to serving on overseas missions. Professionally, she leads the implementation of technology to progress environmental sustainability. Rebecca’s faith propels her to blend her professional life with serving Jesus.