Ethnolink Summit is now complete.

Coming soon

 Asvin Phorugngam has some 20 years of experience in community and government organisations. He has worked in social inclusion, civic participation, electoral education, project management, social marketing, community development, and health promotion and education. He has developed and delivered training to a very broad range of audiences including LGBTIQ+ and culturally and linguistically diverse (CALD) communities.

Asvin uses a ‘person-centred approach’. He translates complex technical information and frames it in communities’ lived context so they can understand and apply the information to their lives.

Currently, Asvin works for the Victorian Electoral Commission as an electoral inclusion officer for CALD communities. In this role, he translates electoral information and delivers it through various education tools and learning settings from community groups, classrooms, and community events to online delivery and in-language videos.

Sarra is a Senior Communications Advisor with the Victorian Department of Health, in the Public Health and Emergency Communications team. Since joining the department in 2021, Sarra worked on communications for a number of public health and emergency responses in Victoria. She holds a Bachelor of Arts (Marketing) from the Open University UK.

Over the past 12 years, Sarra held a number of roles in Victoria and overseas with the Australian Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade and the Victorian State Government. Her expertise - both in Australia and Kuwait - is focused on communications, crisis and emergency management, consular assistance, international engagement, protocol and public diplomacy.

Costa Vasili, the visionary founder & CEO of Ethnolink, is a recognised global thought leader on multicultural communications and language technology. Costa's impressive qualifications, including a Bachelor of Business degree from Monash University, underpin his strategic vision and leadership at Ethnolink, Australia's largest multicultural communications agency. Costa sits on several prominent boards, advising on translation and multicultural communication strategies.

Since founding Ethnolink in 2011, Costa has spearheaded the company's growth into Australia's largest provider of multicultural communication and translation services, offering services in over 150 languages. Costa has overseen Ethnolink's growth to almost 50 employees, and with strategic expansion plans, the company is set to double its workforce by 2025.

Costa's strategic direction, influenced by his upbringing in diverse communities, coupled with his commitment to removing language barriers, have seen Ethnolink become a trusted provider for government, not-for-profit and corporate clients across Australia. Recognised as a finalist in the 2022 Melbourne Young Entrepreneur Awards, Costa remains a dedicated advocate for multicultural communications, contributing to society through impactful campaigns and meaningful partnerships.

Tawana is a Community Project Officer for Crime Stoppers Victoria, promoting equity and accessibility in the realms of Crime Prevention, Education, and Reporting. Her work ensures that crucial information and resources in these areas are readily available to all individuals residing in Victoria, with a specific focus on CALD (Culturally and Linguistically Diverse) Victorians.

With a firm belief in the power of education, Lisa advocates for equitable practices and strives to make a lasting impact on the lives of those she serves. By championing the rights and needs of underrepresented groups, she endeavours to build a safer and more harmonious society where everyone can thrive, regardless of their background or identity.

Coming soon

Kathleen has been in the for-purpose sector for 10 years. As the campaign manager for R U OK? Kathleen has been working closely with industries and communities who are at high risk of suicide. Kathleen is passionate about sharing the voices of those with lived experience as a way to connect people and start conversations to increase social support.

Lee Yacoumis (she/her) is the Strategic Engagement Manager at NAATI, where she has worked since early 2021 overseeing the company’s communications, marketing and engagement function. This is her second stint at NAATI after supporting the company as change manager in 2017/2018. She holds a Bachelor of Commerce (Marketing) and Master of International Development.

Lee has spent the past 11 years working with the Australian Government, UN and NGOs on migration-related issues, including asylum seeker and refugee protection policy, settlement of unaccompanied humanitarian minors and counter human trafficking projects. She has experience working across several country contexts, having worked in Australia, Ghana, the UK, Laos and Fiji.

Coming soon

Born and raised in Cairo, Egypt, Shereen is an enthusiastic translation professional who loves sharing her passion for languages and people.

Growing up, Shereen was taught in both English and French. She went to university in Egypt, and since then, she hasn’t stopped learning about languages, translation and business.

Before working with Ethnolink, Shereen worked as a highly successful audiovisual translation project manager and a freelance NAATI-certified Arabic translator. Today, her unique skillset is being put to full use as a Ethnolink's Head of Community Engagement.

Nives Zerafa is the coordinator for Access and Information in the Health Promotion team of the Continence Foundation of Australia. Having worked in multiple peak bodies such as Carers Australia and Continence Foundation of Australia, she has extensive experience in managing, developing, and reviewing resources for consumers. Her passion lies in working with the culturally and linguistically diverse communities and carers to ensure appropriate health information is available to them. She is working to improve health literacy and accessibility and introduce dignity and empathy in the resources to better engage with consumers.

Nikolaus Rittinghausen, Manager, Centre for Cultural Diversity in Ageing, has significant experience in project management, multicultural affairs, aged care, policy advocacy, social cohesion and community engagement. He held Senior Advisor, Senior Policy Officer and Project Coordinator roles. He provided Secretariat support to Policy Committees in the area of multicultural aged care, consulted across Australia on access issues of seniors from culturally, linguistically, and spiritually diverse backgrounds to aged care services, and was the editor of the multicultural aged care magazine, Golden Years. He wrote his Bachelor Thesis on the origins of multicultural policy in Australia and holds a Masters in International Studies. Nikolaus speaks also fluently German and Portuguese.

Krushnadevsinh (Kano) Ravalji is the founder of Third Culture, an award-winning speaker, consultant and an advocate for multicultural young people. Kano conducted research with the Australian National University and UNICEF into institutionalised racism facing young people and coordinated a youth-led project with the North Melbourne Football Club: The Huddle to encourage CALD community members to get vaccinated. Recently, Kano was elected as the Victorian Youth Premier for 2023. 

Serena Low is a trauma-informed introvert coach who supports quiet achievers to become Quiet Warriors.
She grew up in Singapore where she was a lawyer for 11 years, and has called Melbourne home since 2006.
Serena is the host of The Quiet Warrior Podcast and the facilitator of a Meetup community where introverts can safely build social confidence without icebreakers, small talk, or elevator pitches.

Dr. Himanshu Gupta is a qualified physiotherapist and currently works as a Senior Research Fellow (Lived Experience) at the College of Medicine & Public Health, Flinders University, NT. He is a person of colour from a culturally and linguistically diverse (CALD) background. Dr. Gupta came to Australia as a student and graduated with a Ph.D. degree in public health. His main research area is exploring the impact of migration and acculturation on gambling (and addiction) and mental health among CALD people in Australia. He uses his personal and professional experiences in his research with a view to improving the health and well-being of CALD people in Australia.

An advocate for equality and embracing diversity, Dr. Gupta has engaged in 'Research into Practice' activities and has been invited as a panelist and guest speaker at various national and international forums to share his migration journey and showcase his research work. With experience living and working in India, the UK, and Australia, Dr. Gupta has become one of Australia's few researchers who work on improving CALD health and wellbeing.

Catalina Neira is a powerhouse who wears many hats. As one of the founding members of Professional Migrant Women and a Senior Change Manager at the National Australian Bank, she's already significantly impacted various fronts. In addition to her rising corporate career, Catalina is also a co-author of the book "Undefeated" and a charismatic podcast host. My migrant story is available in the Undefeated book, in conjunction with another 90 migrant women who, against all odds, overcame the challenges and barriers of living in a foreign land, speaking a different language, and being singled out for the wrong reason. Originally from Colombia, Catalina made the permanent move to Australia in 2018, bringing her wealth of knowledge in corporate communications and change management along with her. Her Master's degree in Human Resource Management from Monash University has only enhanced her skills in large digital transformations, in which she has over twelve years of experience. Catalina finds purpose in using communication to showcase and amplify the inspiring stories of women worldwide. With her dynamic career and passion for uplifting others, she's a true trailblazer in the modern-day professional landscape.