The Executive Team

The executive team have the day-to-day responsibilities for managing the company and hold specific executive powers conferred onto them with and by the direct authority of the CEO.
CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER
Vacant
Ben Exton
ACTING CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER
Ben is responsible for the development of Taekwondo High Performance in Australia and leading the performance systems for Australia that link with Taekwondo's National training program. Ben works in conjunction with the performance pathways lead and national performance coach and in collaboration with CombatAUS to achieve a sustainable pipeline of athletes and coaches in Australia. This role also oversees Para-Taekowndo's growth and development in Australia.



Contact
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Robbie Wallace
PARTICIPATION MANAGER 
Robbie brings a wealth of experience from the sports technology sector, where he was involved in coaching, mentoring, and implementing customer success strategies.
Before this, Robbie worked with Triathlon in a member development and growth-focused role where he initiated coach and club-oriented initiatives to drive membership engagement and expansion. Robbie holds two degrees, one in Physiology and Sports Science and the other in Physiotherapy. He is also a qualified swim and run coach. Robbie works to foster relationships with clubs to enhance their capability and capacity to deliver participation initiatives. 
Contact
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Bronwyn Slatter
MEDIA & COMMUNICATIONS MANAGER
Bronwyn has an extensive background working in member-based organisations within the sports sector. Bronwyn's work involves championing business-wide media, marketing and communications requirements that support major events, participation initiatives, memberships and brand representation in the public domain. Bronwyn has a passion for hands-on roles that connect communities through sport and deliver rewarding outcomes for anyone who has a touchpoint with Taekwondo.

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Michael McKnight
HEAD OF MEMBER RELATIONS
Mike has strong experience in sports management and member relations through the sport and education sectors. Mike is the first point of contact for all members and clubs for any enquiry. 

With experience in end-to-end project management, Mike is well-placed in educating clubs and onboarding new clubs to our member management platform. Mike is passionate about helping clubs and our overall membership to improve and deliver positive outcomes for all involved.

Contact
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Darlene Harrison
COACH DEVELOPMENT LEAD
With over two decades of experience in elite sport and high-performance administration, leadership and coaching, Darlene brings a wealth of knowledge to Australian Taekwondo. Her intense focus on strategic and evidence-based solutions will assist the organisation in developing a world-class coaching framework and provide significant coach development structures that advance coaching skills and knowledge. Darlene has previously held executive positions at the Australian Institute of Sport (AIS) and was the Head of Coaching at UK Sport.
Contact
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Carmen Marton OLY
PERFORMANCE PATHWAYS LEAD
Carmen brings a wealth of experience as an athlete and high-performance coach to Australian Taekwondo, further enhanced by her academic studies, which include a Bachelor of Exercise and Sport Science from Deakin University and a Masters of Business Administration from the University of Sydney. Carmen is one of Australia's most decorated Taekwondo athletes. She is a three-time Olympian (2008, 2012, 2016) and World Taekwondo Champion. Carmen also holds the record as the first female athlete to compete in 10 consecutive World Taekwondo Championships.

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Carlos Lakerdis
COMPETITIONS & EVENTS MANAGER
Carlos comes to Australian Taekwondo with extensive experience in international and domestic events.
Carlos is a 1st class WT International Referee, a level 1 Accredited WT Technical Delegate and brings over 20 years of experience in refereeing and running Taekwondo competitions at all levels, ranging from Club, State, National and International competitions within the Oceania Region, including the first WT ‘G’ Ranked event in Australia, the Australian Open in 2013.



Contact
Maddy Houston
ADMINISTRATION
Maddy joins Australian Taekwondo with experience in club coaching, competition and participation. A 1st Class Poomsae Referee, Maddy has been involved in Taekwondo for over 20 years and has represented Australia in Poomsae at a Universiade, World Championships and the Commonwealth Championships, where she won bronze. In 2022, Maddy was part of the Poomsae World Championships coaching group. Maddy's education includes a Bachelor of Exercise and Sports Science, a Graduate Certificate in High Performance Sport, and a Masters of High-Performance Sport, all studied at Australian Catholic University (ACU).
Contact
Bronwen Knox OLY
NATIONAL INTEGRITY MANAGER
Bronwen comes to Australian Taekwondo with a strong legal and public health background and is Australian Taekwondo’s point of contact for integrity and complaint-related matters. Bronwen has been working on a casual basis with the National Sports Tribunal, which hears and resolves sports-related disputes in Australia, and in a part-time capacity as a Reviews Officer for the Office of the Information Commissioner (Queensland). She has previously been an Education Presenter for Sports Integrity Australia.
Contact
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The Board of Directors

The Board comprises of one appointed director and seven elected directors, one of whom is the Chair. The Board is primarily responsible for the overall governance and strategic direction of the organisation on behalf of its members. The Board provide "overall superintendence" of the company, overseeing performance and compliance. To achieve the Strategic Plan's short-term and long-term objectives, the Board has adopted the following strategies:
Leading, unifying and governing Taekwondo for all participants
Growing participation in all forms of Taekwondo
Engaging, valuing and developing our people and culture
Ensuring commercial growth and financial sustainability
Excelling in high performance
Hugh Eagling
CHAIR & ELECTED DIRECTOR
Appointed December 2, 2022.
Hugh is the Grand Master Instructor of one of Australia’s oldest Martial Arts Clubs, established in 1973. Hugh has an extensive corporate background in the Maritime Security, Safety and Risk management sector. Additionally, Hugh owns and operates a successful motor vehicle restoration company. Hugh has practiced Taekwondo for over 50 years and has experienced Taekwondo as an Instructor, student, athlete, coach and referee. Taekwondo remains one of the most passionate aspects of his life and he has dedicated much of his adult life to its development and progression in Australia. 
CONTACT
Jean (John) Kfoury
PRESIDENT &
ELECTED DIRECTOR
Appointed December 2, 2022. John has a Diploma of Property Services, a Diploma Of Security & Risk Management and a Diploma of Business Management. He also holds special responsibilities as the MNA Secretary General.
Adrian Hitch
SECRETARY GENERAL
& ELECTED DIRECTOR
Appointed December 2, 2022. 
Adrian holds a Ph.D., Dip.T., Grad. Dip. in Curriculum Design., Grad. Dip. Educ. Admin.,

Dip. F.L. Journ., Dip. T.E.F.L., Grad. Cert.Studies of Asia.
Lucy Warhurst
APPOINTED DIRECTOR
Appointed 6 June 2023. Lucy is an accomplished CEO, Sports Administrator, Board Director driven by her unwavering commitment to guiding high-performance teams toward success.
Possessing over two decades of expertise in sports management and administration, Lucy is a seasoned management professional of the highest calibre holding various roles, including the CEO of Equestrian Australia, High-Performance Manager at Archery Australia, and Sport Operations Manager at Paddle Australia. Lucy's leadership capabilities, adeptness in team development, and track record of achieving remarkable outcomes. She boasts exceptional stakeholder relationship skills and a profound understanding of navigating Australia's intricate landscape of high-performance sports.
Melhim Badreddine
ELECTED DIRECTOR
Melhims's career spans over 20 years in the transport industry in roles of customer service, training and development, integration, commissioning and health and safety. Melhim has been involved in Taekwondo for 37 years as a competitor, coach and instructor. Melhim holds a Diploma in Management and Leadership.
Harry Saltis
ELECTED DIRECTOR
Harry joins the Board with 22 years of experience in taekwondo as an instructor and coach and served on the Board of ATV before his election onto the AT Board. Harry is passionate about the traditional and modern aspects of taekwondo and is dedicated to its growth as a national sport. Harry has AUS Sport Director Education, Masters of Teaching Primary and a Bachelor of Arts in International Politics.
Marwan Hussein
ELECTED DIRECTOR
Appointed December 2, 2022. 
Marwan Hussein joined the Australian Taekwondo in 2022. A long-time business owner, Marwan is the former owner of Liverpool's Pro Taekwondo and United Pro Taekwondo. He is also the Former owner of Aussie Fresh Chicken. Marwan spent eight years as part of the Australian team coaching staff as well as time as a head coach. He has produced some of Australia's best athletes, with five senior national team representatives and five junior team representatives in one year. Further, Marwan has helped produce gold, silver and bronze medals at benchmark events and open Championships. Marwan is a Head Coach at Martial Arts Spirit, co-running the club's sparring program and the Sparring Team Coordinator for Australian Taekwondo NSW.


Deanna Kyriazopoulos
ELECTED DIRECTOR
Appointed December 2, 2022. Deanna was an Australian Taekwondo Athlete who competed in World Championships and Grand Prix events. She was a gold medallist in the Oceania Championships and has won other international medals. Deanna comes to Australian Taekwondo with a recruitment and search background in the corporate sector and coaches Taekwondo within her local community.
We acknowledge that our office is spread across many traditional lands, and we pay respect to all traditional owners of these lands and elders past and present.