Our Team
INTERIM BOARD
The current interim board has been appointed by a cross-section of the veteran community who were contributors to the Advocacy Governance Working Group. They each bring considerable experience in advocacy, training, well-being, corporate governance and not-for-profit sectors. The interim directors are providing their services on a pro bono basis.
In accordance with the Corporations Act 2001 (the Act), the directors must avoid conflicts of interest and act in good faith in the best interests of the company or for a proper purpose.
An interim Board has been established to govern the Institute for a period no longer than 24 months. A full board must be appointed after this period and will be made up of nominations accepted and elected by the membership.
Michael von Berg MC OAM brings senior leadership, governance, commercial, and veteran sector expertise to the Institute of Veterans' Advocacy.
A former Australian Army officer, Michael served in Vietnam with the Royal Australian Regiment and was awarded the Military Cross for gallantry. After leaving the Army, he built an international executive career across corporate leadership, strategic management, agribusiness, project development, risk management, and board governance in Australia, Europe, Africa, and North America.
Michael has served as a director and chair of numerous private, public, and not-for-profit organisations. His contribution to the veteran community includes long-standing involvement with ex-service organisations and veteran policy forums, including the Ex-Service Organisation Round Table (ESORT), the Prime Minister's Advisory Council for Veteran Mental Health, the National Chairman of the RAR Corporation, and the Strategic Governance Board of the Advocacy Training and Development Program.
As Chair of IVA, Michael is focused on building a credible, capable, and trusted professional body that supports high-quality advocacy for veterans and their families.
Lucinda Casey combines contemporary military leadership, operational experience, and current advocacy insight.
A retired Royal Australian Navy Commander with more than 23 years of service, Lucinda has worked across operational deployments, leadership appointments, and complex organisational environments. Since transitioning from military service, she has remained closely engaged with the veteran community, supporting people as they navigate advocacy, rehabilitation, and compensation systems.
Lucinda brings a practical and modern perspective to IVA, informed by lived experience, ongoing advocacy work, and a strong commitment to consistent, high-quality support. Her governance contribution is also shaped by her broader interests, including high-performance sport as an FEI Para Dressage athlete and ongoing academic study in law.
Lucinda's approach is grounded in service, integrity, and the belief that professional advocacy must also remain deeply human.
Cathy Every brings more than 25 years' experience in veteran family advocacy, wellbeing support, and community services to IVA.
Her work across the veteran support sector has given her a deep understanding of the challenges experienced by serving and ex-serving members and their families, particularly in relation to compensation, wellbeing, grief, and loss. Cathy combines frontline experience with a practical appreciation of how advocacy services can better support individuals and families through complex circumstances, significant life transitions, and periods of bereavement.
Cathy's approach is grounded in compassion, professionalism, and trauma-aware practice. She has contributed to initiatives focused on professional development, service improvement, and stronger connections across the ex-service organisation community.
At IVA, Cathy contributes a strong family-focused perspective and a clear commitment to ensuring advocacy remains accessible, ethical, and centred on the needs of veterans and their families.
Margaret Jenyns brings senior sector experience in veteran advocacy, stakeholder engagement, and service delivery.
Through leadership roles in the veteran support sector, including within RSL Queensland, Margaret has worked with veterans, families, ex-service organisations, and government stakeholders to strengthen services and improve access to support. Her work has focused on collaboration, practical service improvement, and ensuring the experiences of veterans and families are reflected in policy and program development.
Margaret brings a strong understanding of both frontline delivery and the broader systems that influence veteran wellbeing outcomes. She is committed to building a connected and capable advocacy sector that provides consistent, high-quality support across the veteran community.
At IVA, Margaret contributes a collaborative, service-focused perspective and supports the development of a trusted and sustainable advocacy profession.
Chief Executive Officer: Alana Scheiffers
Alana Scheiffers is the inaugural Chief Executive Officer of the IVA. Alana brings more than 25 years’ experience across governance, law, public administration, stakeholder engagement and service delivery, including extensive senior executive leadership experience within highly regulated and publicly accountable environments.
Prior to joining IVA, Alana was a Senior Executive at the Commonwealth Superannuation Corporation (CSC), where she held enterprise responsibility for legal, governance, stakeholder engagement and parliamentary liaison functions. Prior to CSC, Alana worked in a variety of roles and locations while moving with her army spouse. She has worked in both the government and the private sector across a range of roles from WHS policy development to private practice and commercial litigation, criminal prosecution, university tutoring, and in-house government roles. Alana's qualifications include GAICD, MBA, LLB (Hons), and BSc.
Patron of the Institute of Veterans Advocacy Ltd.
Patron
Patron – General the Honourable Sir Peter Cosgrove AK AC (Mil) CVO MC (Retd)