Management team

Qualifications: D.Psych (Forensic) MAPS, FCFP.

Dr Eamonn McCarthy is CEO of Lighthouse Foundation, is recognised as one of Victoria’s most respected forensic psychologists in the field of childhood trauma, attachment, and high-risk youth. From 2014 to 2021, he was a Principal Practitioner of Child Protection in Victoria, consulting and guiding large teams while developing a reputation for managing complex key stakeholder relationships with a refreshing, easy communication style. Prior to this, he spent a number of years providing assessment and treatment for Victoria’s highest-risk children and youth within a statutory setting, before moving to the Royal Children’s Hospital where he delivered sexual abuse counselling services to children and their families.

Eamonn’s extensive experience in the clinical field and passionate advocacy for the rights of children and young people has positioned him well to take up the challenge of leading Lighthouse into the next era as a social change-maker. As a psychologist, he’s able to recognize how the roots of youth homelessness are often set in place through the accumulated trauma of broken family attachments, multiple care placements, and limitations within currently available models of care. Moreover, as a strong leader, he understands that the key to breaking this vicious cycle of intergenerational trauma lies within the community- partnering with key stakeholders, educating and working alongside Lighthouse’s donors, volunteers, corporate partners, trusts and foundation to expand our circle of support.

Over the coming months, Eamonn can be seen and heard regularly through print, television, and radio and as a popular interviewee and speaker on the topics of youth homelessness, foster care and therapeutic wellness.

Susan Barton AM is a 'mum of many' and woman whose passion and inspiration have been the driving force behind Lighthouse's life-changing work for almost three decades.

Susan began caring for vulnerable young people in her own home more than 30 years ago following a life-changing experience as a volunteer when she saw a child die from malnutrition in a Sri Lankan orphanage. This was the catalyst that started her on the Lighthouse journey. She began by opening the first Lighthouse home in 1991. Lighthouse has since raised millions of dollars to radically transform the lives of more than 1000 vulnerable young Australians. Susan has been recognised through multiple awards for driving change in the area of youth homelessness. She was awarded the Member of the Order of Australia in 2002; received the Melburnian of the Year award in 2009 and was inducted into the Victorian Honour Roll of Women for her significant achievements and contribution to the Victorian community in 2012. Susan has also co-authored two books that feature extensive evidence and hands-on experience collated over the past 25 years.

Susan has worked relentlessly to harness widespread community support and build Lighthouse into an organisation that has grown substantially and helped to truly break the cycle of homelessness. Susan is still on Lighthouse's board and is passionately involved as ever, with her story serving as a constant reminder of the life-changing impacts of our work.

Qualifications and experience: Diploma of Administration and Diploma of Management.

Terrie was involved in the formation of Lighthouse Foundation prior to its incorporation in 1991 & served on the board of directors from 1991 – 2004. She has worked alongside Susan in all aspects of the organisation’s operations & now oversees the management of the central resource and administration centre located in Cremorne. Terrie also acts in the capacity of company secretary for the Lighthouse board.

Daniel Durik is the director of operations and is responsible for all operational matters relating to the delivery of care services at Lighthouse Foundation. For over 20 years, Daniel has been a part of and led teams responding to children, youth and families with complex trauma, and with a history of experiencing homelessness. Some of the milestone programs he has worked on throughout his career include adult and family crisis accommodation centres, assertive outreach programs, transitional supported housing & private rental access programs. Daniel has also worked on the design and implementation of some of the most contemporary and innovative responses to homelessness in Australia, including the opening of Victoria’s first education first youth foyer.

Emily is a senior marketing and communications professional with extensive experience across the not-for-profit sector, arts and cultural and commercial sectors in Australia.

She is skilled in developing and implementing results-oriented and strategic marketing, communications and engagement campaigns with a focus on brand and advocacy that maximise the full range of stakeholder, marketing and communications channels.

With proven experience managing teams, Emily enjoys forging and maintaining new strategic partnerships, managing key relationships and energising high performing teams while planning for growth.

Emily thrives on the challenge of using audience insights and data to generate innovative campaigns that seek to attract, inspire, and motivate people to respond to complex brand building, revenue raising and engagement initiatives for vital causes.

Coming from a financial and insurance background, Amy co-founded Australia’s largest online life insurance broker. She brings over 15 years experience in senior management where she was able to lead, motivate and manage teams and promote high performance leadership which resulted in growth of the organisation from two to over 110. Being the interface between operations and marketing, I.T, finance, and H.R, she was integral in extreme growth, development and constant improvement of quality, efficiency and profitability.

With Lighthouse in a growth phase, Amy has experience in change management and strategic direction which will help with the transformation and achievement of our goals so Lighthouse can care for more young people. She also brings many years of event creation and management, fundraising campaigns, business development, and a very large network crossing over various sectors.

Christine is a CPA qualified accountant with over 20 years’ experience working in both corporate and public accounting. Christine has worked in several diverse industries with a key focus on improving financial reporting and business processes. Christine also has experience in finance team management and mentoring, financial statement analysis, budgeting, forecasting and cashflow management.
Dedicated and detail oriented, Christine brings her extensive professional experience in finance, and will provide financial direction and support to Lighthouse whilst it continues to grow as a business, and achieve its goal to expand and care for more young people.