Our Team
Mitra Gusheh - CEO
Mitra Gusheh is a social impact practitioner with 20 years of experience across the social and higher education sectors. She began her career as a youth worker in Western Sydney, where she shared responsibility for establishing the Roundabout Youth Centre. She comes to the Glebe Youth Service from her role as the Executive Manager, Social Impact at the University of Technology Sydney’s Centre for Social Justice and Inclusion. Here, she was responsible for developing the institution’s Social Impact Framework and led the community engagement portfolio for the university. Previous to this, Mitra worked for a range of not-for-profit organisations where she was responsible for the strategic design, development and implementation of large-scale social change programs. This included establishing Oxfam Australia’s national youth program, the design and implementation of an advocacy program on child rights in Sri Lanka, and the design and implementation of an ICT-project in partnership with UNESCO in Nepal.
Amy O'Neill - Senior Youth and Family Early Intervention Worker
Amy is the Head of our Social Work team. Employed at Glebe Youth
Service since 2012, she is skilled in supporting at-risk and vulnerable young
people and their families/caregivers in the not-for-profit sector.
Nominated NSW Youth Worker of The Year in 2016 and was nominated for
the Betty Makin Youth Worker of the Year Award for 2014 and 2015 and
Youth Action Youth Worker of the Year Award for 2015. She sits on a
number of government and local community partnership committees and
interagency groups and has just completed the Leading Edge course via
Women in Leadership Australia.
amy@glebeyouth.org.au | 0410 606 253
Christina Yeomans - Administrator
Christina is our part-time administrator and has been working at Glebe Youth Service for over 9 years. Christina loves working in this area and believes she can contribute to her passion for helping people through her work at GYS. Christina has been living in Australia for 25 years and has a strong desire to help those in our community of Glebe..
christina@glebeyouth.org.au | (02) 9552 2873
Simon Takio - After Dark Manager
Simon, a seasoned professional with a Diploma in Community Support Services, brings over 15 years of unwavering commitment to communities in New Zealand and Australia. His remarkable journey is marked by a remarkable ability to guide organizations through transformative structural changes, enabling them to bolster their support mechanisms for individuals and preserve the rich tapestry of cultural values. Simon's extensive experience spans a wide spectrum within the community industry, including Youth Intervention and Prevention, Mental Health, Disability Support, Case Management, Homelessness Support, and more. As a proud Pacific Islander, born and raised in the vibrant cultural mosaic of New Zealand, Simon's deep-rooted understanding of diverse cultural dynamics empowers him to connect with communities on a profound level. Currently calling Sydney, Australia, home, he remains devoted to expanding his knowledge in the realm of cultural and community support, with a special focus on understanding human behaviour. Simon's enduring dedication to nurturing resilient and culturally enriched communities continues to leave an indelible mark.
Jeff Hockey - Youth and Community worker
Jeff is a long term Youth Worker with more than forty years experience in children’s and youth work. He is the Father of six children and Grand Father of nine.
Jeff brings a wealth of experience with him having worked in Engineering and as the CEO of a large youth organisation. He also works mid week in the Children’s Courts and in local High Schools in Youth Worker/Support roles.
Habil Mawadi - Youth and Community Worker
Habil Mawardi began his journey at GYS during a student placement while pursuing his Certificate 4 of youth work. Growing up in Glebe, his deep-rooted passion for assisting young people in achieving their goals has made him a vital member of the GYS team for nearly a decade.
Habil actively manages and participates in programs like Teen Time, Boyzone, Middle Ground, and After Dark. In addition to program involvement, he offers mentoring, case management, and referral services to support the youth.
In 2018, Habil received recognition for his outstanding work in youth services, earning the title of Youth Work Rookie of the Year in the City of Sydney youth work awards. Outside of his professional life, he enjoys gaming, engaging in sports, and showcasing impeccable style, particularly with his impressive shoe collection.
Jennifer Norton - Youth and Community worker
Jennifer is a Lebanese-Australian woman who started at Glebe Youth Service as a social work placement student in 2019, subsequently gaining employment as the youth and family worker for our family food relief program, Glebe Food Circle. Now, Jennifer works as the family worker on Middle Ground and supports the operations of Glebe Youth Service as the Development Officer.
Jennifer started studying her double degree of Bachelor of Social Research and Policy/Bachelor of Social Work (Honours) at UNSW in 2015 - but soon realised that social work was her true passion and is now a qualified social worker, getting her Bachelor of Social Work (Honours) in 2022. Jennifer considers herself to be an intersectional feminist and is passionate about trauma-informed work and decolonising practices.
