Team

Since Openaid's beginnings our team has developed made up of committed paid and voluntary staff working within the local areas they know best. Our organisational team is highly committed, passionate and knowledgeable women and men working in collaboration despite borders and distance. Team members live in Pattaya, Nakhon Phanom, Rangoon and Melbourne working hard from all angles to prevent sex trafficking and exploitation.

Openaid's team are the best people in the world at building lasting relationships with villagers and the communities we work in through dialogue and learning together. We all assist in building activities to confront the obstacles families face in ending discrimination, unemployment and lacking opportunities for education.

We are always looking to further our great team through internships, volunteer opportunities and salaried positions for passionate, qualified and dedicated people wanting to get involved in ending trafficking and sexual exploitation for young South East Asian girls.

Justin Whitecross - Founder and Director

Justin has worked tirelessly with at-risk girls and communities in Thailand and Burma over the past twenty years. He has skillfully designed and produced projects and activities to connect people and issues, addressing the educational and security needs of young women who are vulnerable, isolated and traumatized. He has a background in Theology and Ministry and has also studied Psychology at the University of Melbourne. Justin is extremely dedicated and creative professional, with deep understanding and extensive experience working with disadvantaged people. His boundless enthusiasm, strategic management skills and compassion continue to direct the growth and development of Openaid. Justin and his wife, Rattana, have two daughters.

Rattana Whitecross - Thailand Team Supervisor

Rattana is the principal interpreter and girls’ mentor at Openaid. She is married to CEO, Justin Whitecross, and is passionate about creating opportunities for disadvantaged and poor women and girls in rural villages. She has been working with Openaid since 2007 and brings vast experience and knowledge to the organization. Rattana is a catalyst for change and inspires girls through education and mentoring in schools. Photo: Rattana with her daughter Wipada at home in Nakhon Phanom. Wipada is studying grade 7 and plans to study at University in the future.

Ai Pinakase - Village Program Coordinator

Ai is primarily responsible for village-level partnerships with schools and community groups. He joined the team in Thailand in 2009 and has undertaken several project management roles in conjunction with senior leadership. Ai's approach to project management is very effective and his practical skills are always beneficial for groups and families involved. He is passionate about micro enterprise and developing capacity for poor rural homes to achieve alternative income. Openaid is very fortunate to have his vision and skills.

Waranya Pinakase

Waranya joined Openaid in 2008. Waranya is a fantastic person and very loyal and committed member of our team. Over the years she has participated in a wide range of microenterprise and education activities in villages in Chonburi, Khon Kaen, Mahasarakham, and Nakhon Phanom. She provides quality input week-to-week and also supervises office administration in Thailand. Waranya collaborates with other women in our network and arranges local government affiliations and commitments. She is married to Ai an they have two beautiful children. Photo: Waranya coordinating outdoor market at Tepprasit Market in Pattaya City / crafts and handmade jewellery made by girls in village program in Chonburi.

Lynsey Ward

Lynsey lived in Thailand from a young age and witnessed extreme poverty and sexual exploitation which ignited her passion to try and create change in South East Asia, particularly Thailand. Having just finished studying International Community Development at University, she is pleased to be given the opportunity to work with Openaid. She looks forward to challenging the vulnerability and abuse that so many rural Southeast Asian girls face daily. Lynsey is very excited to help raise some much needed awareness and support in Australia for Openaid’s work here and abroad.

 

Catrina Sofo

With a background in Anthropogy and Development Studies, Catrina has travelled and volunteered in many developing countries throughout the world. She has always been passionate about the protection and empowerment of vulnerable women and children, and believes strongly that some of the worlds most expoited girls and women are those that end up Southeast Asia’s sex industry or are trafficked beyond. With Openaid she feels she has the capacity to make a meaningful contribution to breaking this cycle of abuse; both by assisting efforts in Southeast Asia, and by working with the Australian public to explore our own participation in this abuse and the ways in which we can change it.

Ni Sat Tin Htoo - Burma Project Coordinator

Ni Sat has worked with Openaid since 2004. She completed a Law degree at Yangon University and has been working in relief and development since 2000. Ni Sat is a passionate and dedicated person and has extensive experience in strategic project management in Burma

Peter Richardson - Bookkeeping

Peter is responsible for bookkeeping and office administration in Melbourne. He has vast experience across all facets of finance and in particular he is driving new system and procedure formation for accounting and finance at Openaid.