Living Proud Board of Management

Barry Cosker (He/Him)

Barry joined the Living Proud Board in January 2021 and was elected Chairperson in December 2022. Barry has extensive experience in senior leadership roles in banking & finance, consultancy, and the community / non-profit sector. He relocated from the UK to Perth in 2016 with his dog Jasper and they are both proud to now be Australian citizens.

Barry balances the corporate world with a long-standing commitment to community and charitable causes, particularly in the areas of mental health and disadvantaged youth. Prior to Living Proud he has had the privilege to lead non-profit organisations both large and small from 100% volunteer-run community enterprises to large regional organisations with complex funding and service delivery commitments. He has a strong desire to see better outcomes for the LGBTIQ+ community, is passionate about improving health & wellbeing for everyone, and is very excited for the future of Living Proud.

Erin Leahy (She/Her)

Kaya! Erin is Balladong/ Whadjuk Noongar, pansexual yorga. She joined the Living Proud board as a Committee member in 2022 until elected as Vice Chairperson in 2023. 

Outside of Living Proud, Erin has worked in State and Federal Government across a number of agencies with a particular interest in Land Activation and Divestment and Business Development for First Nations people to assist in social, cultural, environmental and sustainable economic growth. She has been involved in multiple Reconciliation Action Plans, LGBTIQA+ Networks and Diversity and Inclusion Committees in the Public Sector. Erin has considerable experience in the Insurance and Broking sector and is a mixed media, hobby visual artist.

She enjoys Community engagement at grass roots level and working towards contributing to positive social change. She is a strong advocate for Diversity, Equality, Inclusion, Social Justice, Emotional and Mental Health.  

Erin loves 80s music, being on Country, yum cha, conceptual art, musicals and spending time with her wife and two fur babies.

Lena Van Hale (She/They)

Lena is a Perth-based transgender woman, trans health advocate, sex worker activist, and consultant. Passionate about social inclusion, health policy, gender theory and philosophy, she is always up for an argument, and has said she would debate herself if it were possible. Lena formerly held the Chair role in Living Proud up until 2022 before stepping into the Secretary position.

Sam Gibbings (She/Her)

Sam joined the Living Proud Board in 2020 and was elected to Treasurer in 2021.

Sam has a background in Health Promotion, Public Health and Procurement and Contract Management with over 15 years of experience working across government and non-government organisations in the Sexual Health and blood-borne viruses’ sector. Sam lives with her partner of 7 years along with their two very naughty cats Kinako and Jack.

Laurene Coller (She/her They/them)

Laurene has more than 10 years experience in communications, primarily in the education, community and health sectors. Laurene currently works at the Western Australian Council of Social Service, advocating for an inclusive and equitable society. Laurene is excited to be part of the Living Proud Board, in a role that intersects with her personal and professional interests, and fuels her passion for social justice for her community.

Meaghan Holden (She/They)

Meaghan joined the Living Proud board in 2022, bringing with them 30 years experience working in the community services sector. Meaghan has a Masters in Applied Positive Psychology and, over the years, has held a range of positions including direct service delivery, volunteer management, training, quality improvement and executive roles across sectors. As a member of the LGBTIQ+ Health and Wellbeing Working Group, Meaghan has worked with the Victorian state government on improving services and outcomes for the Victorian LGBTIQA+ community. They are excited about the future of Living Proud and hope to be able to contribute to improving the health and wellbeing of the LGBTIQA+ community in WA. Meaghan relocated from Melbourne to Perth in 2021 to be with their partner. They have two incredible children who are now grown up and married, a beautiful grandchild and a loving and crazy dog called Sadie who travelled with them to Perth! Meaghan is now very happy calling Perth home and taking in the beaches and sunsets WA has to offer!

Sarah Turner (She/Her) 

Sarah joined the Living Proud Board in 2023 bringing a wealth of skills and experience in systems change and community development. She holds an MBA (Social Impact) and Graduate Certificate in Human Rights supporting her to fuse theory and philosophy to contemporary practice throughout her career. Sarah is excited to apply these skills in support of the LGBTIQ+ community in WA. Outside of Living Proud, Sarah works in the public sector and loves to spend quality time with her wife and their wildly curious toddler.