Founder and CEO of WomenCAN Australia; Director of WomenCAN Australia

WomenCAN Australia is a charity that assists women to re-connect with the work force. This is achieved by helping women build confidence, connections and work capability through a range of innovative projects using its ‘Placement Circle’ model. A current project is to support 200 women into aged care roles in Mildura and Bendigo via the Australian Traineeship System. Another activity is operating a Facility Maintenance Program where tradeswomen, cleaners and gardeners deliver services by women for women.

Mikaela and Kerry are also active Rotarians and are keen to introduce their organisation and programs as there are many ways that Rotarians can assist in voluntary roles.

Mikaela Stafrace is an MBA - qualified lawyer who has spent many years in corporate settings providing insurance, risk, governance and regulatory compliance advice. She has served as a company director on government boards and industry associations and was Chief Examiner for insurance law at Monash and Melbourne Universities.

In 2019 Mikaela founded the social enterprise WomenCAN Facilities Services and the charity WomenCAN Australia, with its program ‘The Placement Circle’. In 2020, she was awarded a Myer Innovation Fellowship and was made an AMP Tomorrow Maker in 2022.

Kerry Kornhauser commenced her career in the advertising industry, holding positions with major agencies Clemenger Harvie and George Patterson. She also spent time in the private health care and hospitality sectors, helping establish Australian Health Resources and working as Marketing Director in a number of successful corporate accommodation hotels.

Having long been an active volunteer, Kerry joined the Rotary Club of Albert Park in 2008, where she received several awards and served as President (2011–12). In 2010, she founded Woman in Rotary, an Australia- and world-wide initiative aimed at promoting and encouraging the participation and contribution of women in Rotary.

In addition to her work with Rotary and EndTrachoma, Kerry sits on the boards of Nourish Our Communities, Violence Free Families and is a project manager with the Bridge of Hope’s Bridging the Gap program.