Zoë was appointed as the Acting Advocate in 2020 and appointed by the Governor of NSW as Advocate for a five-year term in January 2021. Excitingly, Zoë is the youngest Advocate ever appointed in Australia.

Voice is at the heart of Zoë’s work. She raises the collective voices of children and young people to key decision makers to ensure that policy and service delivery are developed in the best interests of those she serves. She prioritises the needs of the most vulnerable young members of our communities and uses their voice to instigate positive change for all children and young people.

Zoë holds a law degree and a Master of Human Rights and has previously worked as a solicitor for firms in NSW, at Deloitte in internal strategy and she was the CEO of the NSW Peak Body for Youth Homelessness. Prior to commencing her appointment as the Advocate, Zoë worked at the Department of Premier and Cabinet where her role was focussed on breaking disadvantage. Zoë also volunteered for an organisation that represented death row inmates based in Houston, Texas.

Having experience in the professional services industry and the not-for-profit industry means that Zoë brings a balance of passion coupled with a “can do” attitude to her role as Advocate. 

Zoë believes that children and young people should be given every opportunity to thrive and set themselves up for success, and that they should have the opportunity to choose what that means to them. Zoë also believes that all children and young people should be heard, listened to and be central to the work that we do both in government, business and community. 

Zoë is enthusiastic, energetic, and pragmatic and thoroughly enjoys collaborating with people to achieve a purpose and an outcome.