Who we are
Emergency Action Alliance is a group of 15 leading aid organisations in Australia who use their reach and resources to save lives around the world.
Our members are experts in humanitarian aid and specialise in different areas of disaster response. Our members fund our running costs, and we allocate the money we raise in our appeals to those members responding to the emergency.
By combining their expertise, we can turn the care and passion of our supporters into a targeted response to international emergencies.
Making it easier for Australians to know how to help, we run a centralised appeal and distribute appeal funds only to those of our members responding directly to the emergency.
15 Charities
Leading aid organisations
One voice in a crisis
Impact & Effectiveness
Member Charities
EAA is made up of 15 member charities who are experts in humanitarian aid and specialise in different areas of disaster response. They come together to launch a centralised appeal in the gravest of emergencies, making fundraising more efficient and effective.
Our members fund our running costs, and we give them back the money we raise in our appeals to carry out their vital work. EAA members are members of the Australian Council for International Development (ACFID) and comply with the high standards of the ACFID Code.
Board of Directors
The Emergency Action Alliance Board is made up of some of Australia’s most experienced humanitarian leaders. With six Board members from member agencies, and two independent directors, we have a wonderful balance of skills and experience across Program Specialisation, Fundraising, Governance and Operations, Media and Communications. The Board meets regularly to ensure EAA is meeting its objectives and achieving high standards of governance.
Susanne Legena
BA, MA (Professional Communication)
EAA Board Director and Chair | CEO of Plan International Australia
Maeva Freeman
B.COMMS
EAA Board Director | Head of Partnerships and Impact – ActionAid Australia
Trudi Mitchell
BA (Marketing)
EAA Board Director | CEO Australia for UNHCR
Melissa Lipsett
B. (Ministry) B. Applied Science
EAA Board Director | CEO Baptist World Aid Australia
Adrian Graham
B.Compt (hons) Accounting science, chartered accountant
EAA Board Director | Deputy CEO, Operations – ChildFund Australia
Mat Tinkler
Bachelor of Science (B.Sc.) Hons, Bachelor of Laws – LLB
EAA Board Director | CEO Save the Children Australia
Dr Jane Connors
PhD (UTS), Grad Dip Applied History (UTS) BA (Hons)(ANU)
EAA Board Director
Cameron Curtis
GAICD
EAA Board Director | General Manager of Strategic Advocacy Programs at News Corp
The Secretariat
Emergency Action Alliance operates on a very small staff base. We leverage the skills, expertise and time of member staff when needed, and particularly during emergency appeals. During appeals, EAA works with trusted consultants and partners to ensure a successful appeal.
Kerren Morris
GAICD
Executive Director
Sandra Sperber
Project Specialist
Jessica Barry
MAICD
EAA Company Secretary
Rapid Response Network
Emergency Action Alliance is building a Rapid Response Network of national media and corporate partners to help us alert the Australian public when we run an appeal. These partnerships will help us reach more people and create easy ways to donate at times of disaster overseas.
Emergency Appeals Alliance
Emergency Action Alliance is part of a global alliance of similar humanitarian coalitions called the Emergency Appeals Alliance (EAA).
These alliances share best practices and learn from each others’ successes. You can find out more about the Emergency Appeals Alliance here.
