STEPH MALAN
CEO and Managing Director

Midwife since 2007, Steph, learnt very quickly after becoming a mum that it truly does take a village to raise a child. She was also painfully aware that many women do not have this kind of support network buoying them up in the early days of motherhood.

Regularly caring for women arriving at the hospital to give birth with little-to-no support, let alone the abundance of essential supplies required to care for a newborn, meant Steph witnessed firsthand the heartbreak struggling women are regularly facing when leaving hospital with their precious new baby.

Compelled to make a difference in the lives of women in these devastating circumstances, Steph founded The Village Co. and every day works to bring together like-minded women to continue finding ways of supporting mums who need it most.

EMILY RHIND
Director

Emily Rhind is a seasoned Human Resources professional with almost 10 years’ experience in the oil & gas industry. She has undergraduate qualifications in Business, majoring in Human Resources and International Business, and postgraduate qualifications in Applied Law, majoring in Commercial Law. Emily started her career in Queensland before moving to Adelaide in 2017. She joined as a Director to help The Village Co movement grow and help create a village to care for women who need it the most.

STEPH RIDGE
Director

Stephanie Ridge brings broad experience having worked in a number of industries across Australia, including automotive manufacturing, resources (oil & gas) and fast-moving consumer goods (FMCG). Her background includes a dual business & commerce degree in Human Resources and Business Law, and current postgraduate study in Business Analytics. Stephanie is passionate about all women being valued as part of a supportive and empowering village who want the best for them and their families. Joining TVC in 2018, Stephanie is excited by the growth and positive impact the Village is already having in the South Australian community and wishes to have it expand in the future.

JAYLEE COOPER
Director

Jaylee has a passion for working within not for profit organisations and has a strong desire to make a difference in the community.

Her career commenced in the corporate sector but she soon realised her skill set was best placed to working within not for profit organisations.

Working across both small and large not for profits in South Australia since 2005, she has a deep understanding of the ongoing challenges, particularly in the areas of day to day operations, finance, risk management, funding and brand management.

She believes in the importance of having a strategic approach that aims to include positive government and supporter relationships, staff and volunteer satisfaction, financial and risk management, best practice fundraising, sustainability and importantly growth.

Jaylee is currently the Manager of Philanthropy and Engagement Catherine House and has recently graduated from the Governors Leadership Foundation Program through the Leaders Institute of South Australia.

DENIS FISK
Director

Denis is a highly credentialled corporate business and marketing strategist with over 20 years global experience. Denis’ expertise spans a range of industry sectors, which most recently includes health and wellness.

For over 8 years Denis worked for international company, Transitions Optical with a focus on business development, education programs and marketing. This saw Denis undertake roles across the globe including the United States and Asia Pacific. In his time at Transitions Optical, Denis also developed a new business organisational structure for the Indian market.

In 2014, Denis joined the TerryWhite Chemmart (Chemplus) group with a focus on marketing and business operations. Denis was instrumental in launching and managing the Chemplus Rewards Program and led the business development team.

Denis joined the Healthy Business Group as General Manager in 2018. Currently, Denis is responsible for the group’s business services structure, after acquiring this from TerryWhite Chemmart. He also manages the ongoing growth and profitability of the business services entity.

HEIDI CRAWFORD
Director

Working as General Counsel and Company Secretary of the CMV Group, Heidi brings a legal and governance lens and experience to The Village Co. board.

Heidi has a deep passion for giving back to the community, and plays a key role in driving community based initiatives at CMV, including establishing a corporate volunteering program and as Chair of the CMV Group Staff Foundation (SA).

As a Mum to three little boys(!), Heidi understands the support needed for any Mum to thrive during the life changing journey of motherhood, and is looking forward to building on the impact The Village Co. has had to continue to support mums who need it most.