Meet Amelia Pickering, HFHV Board Director

Pictured above: HFHV Board Director, Amelia PIckering

Amelia is an impassioned change-maker with decades of experience in the not-for-profit sector. Her enthusiasm for leadership, academia and social justice have underpinned her broad and wide-ranging career, from executive roles in education and social enterprise to holistic grassroots program design and delivery across Africa and Australia.

Amelia has been a Director on the HFHV Board since October 2023 and moving forward, will play a key role in HFHV’s newly formed Strategy and Impact Subcommittee.

Are you able to share your reflection of the mission and impact of HFHV? As the CEO of Prison Network, I have the privilege of leading a team that walks alongside women in and beyond prison, supporting them through housing, recovery, employment, and healing from trauma. While our context differs, Habitat for Humanity Victoria and Prison Network have much the same heart. At the core of our mission is a shared vision: a world where everyone has a decent place to live and thrive.

We're driven by a deep belief in the dignity and potential of every person. That belief shapes how we work, why we do what we do, and who we prioritise. Our focus is on creating real, lasting change for people who have often been overlooked or excluded, helping to build not just homes or programs, but hope and opportunity.

This work is bold and challenging, but it is sacred. And we are honoured to play our part in creating a world where no one is left behind.

How do you see the Strategy and Impact Subcommittee shaping the HFHV strategic direction? The need for safe, secure housing is both urgent and growing. That’s why it’s so encouraging to see new opportunities emerging for Habitat for Humanity Victoria to engage more deeply and effectively with this critical issue.

As we respond to these opportunities, the Strategy and Impact Subcommittee will play a vital role in guiding HFHV’s strategic direction, ensuring our mission and values remain at the heart of every decision. It will help identify innovative ways to expand our impact, while keeping our focus firmly on those who need safe, secure housing the most.

Importantly, the subcommittee will also guide how we define and measure our impact helping the organisation understand where and how we’re making a difference. In doing so, we’ll stay accountable to our vision of a world where everyone has a decent place to live and continue to ensure our work is both meaningful and effective.

What are you most excited about the future of Habitat as we move forward? What excites me most about the future of HFHV is the way we’re evolving not just in opportunity, but in strength, passion, and purpose. The Board is entering a new stage, bringing together a rich mix of skills, deep commitment and a shared heart for the mission.

This allows us to think more strategically and creatively about how we respond to the growing housing need and how we serve those who need it most. It’s a hopeful, energising time and I’m excited for what’s ahead.