Our Team

Coordinating Team

Brad was appointed as the CEO of the Fit to Drive Foundation Inc on 11 May 2021. Prior to this Brad served as a senior policy maker with both the Victorian and Commonwealth Governments including in executive and ministerial advisory roles. Brad has a Bachelor of Economics (first class honours) from the University of Queensland, holds a Certificate of Foundations in Trustee Governance with the Australian Institute of Superannuation Trustees (AIST), and is a Graduate Member of the Australian Institute of Company Directors (GAICD).

Melissa joined the team at the Fit to Drive Foundation in 2015 and now serves as General Manager, leading our dedicated team in delivering a range of valuable road safety education programs for school students, young drivers, regional communities and those new to the Australian road system. With a strong focus on community engagement and advocacy, Melissa is committed to creating safer roads and saving lives through informed, strategic, and compassionate leadership.

“I believe in the power of people working together to make a difference.”

As most of the admin team, Alena started at Fit To Drive as a facilitator (whilst completing her Honours of Art History at the same time) before becoming an Area Coordinator, and then the Head of Evaluations and Reporting. Working at Fit To Drive helped Alena realise her passion for helping people navigate tricky situations, inspiring her to undertake her current project; a PhD in Psychology.

Alexandra holds a Bachelor of Public Health and Health Promotion with Distinction and brings a strong understanding in complex program coordination and management, stakeholder engagement, facilitation, and report generation. Known for her thoughtfulness, critical thinking, and positive attitude, Alexandra is committed to delivering impactful, person-centred health initiatives that operate within the social model of health. She is passionate about improving equity and advancing health and wellbeing throughout Australia.

Maria joined Fit to Drive in 2023 as an Engagement Officer with over 30 years of experience in the field of Industrial Relations. Maria has held various pivotal roles within unions, working tirelessly to advocate for the rights and safety of workers in diverse industries. Driven by a profound sense of purpose, Maria continues to be deeply passionate about advocating for the rights and safe conditions of employment, she remains steadfast in her mission to effect positive change. This now extends to safety for Apprentices, especially when they use the road for employment, via the new Apprenticeship program, Work Smart Drive Smart.

With a Bachelor of Arts (Honours) degree, majoring in International Politics from the University of Adelaide, Maria brings an academic background to her professional endeavours. Maria’s extensive experience, coupled with her unwavering dedication to this cause, makes her a valuable asset to the Fit to Drive team.

When Jack isn’t playing netball or watching a B-grade horror movie, they can be found combing the Merri Creek Trail for trinkets or dancing under the warm glow of a full moon. A lover of all things esoteric, if you need to banish an ex or have your birth chart analysed, Jacks your guy!

Jack first started with fit to drive as a facilitator in 2015, while completing their Bachelor of Science and Education at Deakin University. Jack took a short break from the foundation in 2020 to work in mental health outreach, returning in 2024 with a renewed passion and belief in the power of young people to affect change and to create a better, safer world for themselves.

Anna joined F2D as a Trade Trainer for the Work Smart Drive Smart program, and was welcomed into the team as a Program Coordinator soon after. She is secondary teacher and university lecturer, and holds Bachelor Degrees in Science and Liberal Arts, and a Masters of Teaching. When not delivering F2D programs, Anna works on science and climate change education and advocacy projects.

Amanda is a qualified teacher with extensive experience across educational, council, private, and community settings. She holds a Master of Education, a Bachelor of Geomatics (Applied Science), and Diplomas in Event Management and Early Childhood. Her professional background spans classroom teaching, program management, leadership, and training roles. Amanda is passionate about empowering young people to make safer, more informed decisions through high-impact education programs. Outside of work, she enjoys spending time at the beach or outdoors, watching, playing, or coaching sport, and going for walks with her family.

Facilitator Team

Liam joined the facilitation team in 2022, before being promoted to a Program Leader role in early 2023. Liam joined with the goal of improving his leadership and presentation skills, whilst also making a sustainable social impact. Liam is passionate about empowering young people by equipping them with the practical skills and knowledge to effectively navigate their adult life (i.e. empowering young people with the skills to speak up in risky road situations, strategies to travel safely on the roads, etc.).

Liam is currently working in Customer Service at Save The Children Australia, after completing his Master of International Development Practice.

Jack is a performer and facilitator based in Melbourne, Australia. When he isn’t educating on road safety, he runs roleplaying games like Dungeons & Dragons professionally to the young and young at heart.

Jack is extremely passionate about giving young people the tools to take care of themselves and their mates, that he never had the chance to learn when he was young.

Isabel is a recent Master of Arts and Cultural Management graduate from the University of Melbourne. She previously completed a Bachelor of Arts with Honours with a major in Media and Communications and a concurrent Diploma in Languages (French). During her time at university, she was on the committee of Ring of Choir, an a cappella club affiliated with the University of Melbourne Student Union. Isabel joined the Fit to Drive team in 2024 and hopes to continue using her interpersonal and communication skills to facilitate meaningful discussions about safe road use.

Max is from Canada and has a background in outdoor education. He has driven all around Australia and might soon be facilitating a workshop in a school near you! Currently finishing an undergraduate degree in International Relations, Max has worked with youth from all over the country and enjoys bringing his tips and tricks to new drivers with Fit to Drive. Building confidence among new drivers while educating them on the risks associated with being on the road is certainly rewarding work. Claim to fame: he once guided Chris Hemsworth through the bush (and yes, they were the same height).

Fabio joined the facilitation team out of a strong commitment to road safety and a desire to help create safer, fairer streets for all. Having lived in several countries across Europe, he brings diverse experience in community engagement and active transport. He believes that educating young people is key to long-term change and values the opportunity to contribute through workshops. Outside of work, Fabio enjoys riding his motorbike and eating pizza.

Manni is a queer, non-binary musician from so-called Bendigo, Vic. They completed a Bachelor of Music Industry, majoring in Music Composition at the Box Hill Institute in 2024. Last year they released their debut self-titled album under the name ‘Flora’ and are in the process of making their second album now. Manni loves being a part of community groups that are empowering and serving a deep purpose in people’s lives.

Hi! My name is Eitan Potash, and I’m a facilitator with Fit to Drive foundation.

I graduated from school in 2022, and spent a year studying abroad before returning to Melbourne to continue with uni. At the end of 2024 I ran a youth camp for 115 children, in addition to managing the 30 counsellors I had on my team, which was an amazing experience filled with great learnings. I have a passion for the outdoors, food and music, and like to think I have a great energy for life.

Hi! My name is Joandrea, and I’m one of the facilitators at Fit To Drive.

I’m currently studying to become a secondary teacher and have had the opportunity to gain experience working with students in schools—supporting them in activities and teaching topics like English.

Outside of work, I love drawing and discovering new cafes around Melbourne—especially ones that serve great matcha.

What I love most about working at Fit To Drive is being able to travel around Victoria to different schools and connecting with students. I’m passionate about helping young people stay safe and confident on the road.

Having spent over 20 years in the wheelchair accessible vehicle modification industry, Jared has worked closely with the TAC, Local, State and Federal Governments, Not-For-Profits and Individuals. Having witnessed the effects of road trauma through previous roles, Jared has a passion to reduce that toll through education and empowering others to continue the conversation with their community. As well as being part of the Work Smart Drive Smart team, Jared is also a qualified Educator in the primary school setting, an Educator for Kidsafe Vic and the owner operator of his own business.

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Our Team

Coordinating Team

Brad Crofts

Melissa Burns

Alena Bondarchuk-McLaughlin

Lexi Cairns

Maria Kaplanis

Jack Carpenter

Anna Wylie

Amanda Dean

Facilitator Team

Liam

Jack

Isabel

Max

Fabio

Manni

Eitan

Joandrea

Jared