Chair
CAROLINE DARCY
Joined Committee: 2022Born into an avid Collingwood family, Caroline spent much of her childhood watching her beloved pies at Victoria Park and then at the mighty 'G'. Caroline has been an MCC member since 2001 and was thrilled to be appointed Chair of the WoMCC Committee in 2024. Caroline looks forward to working alongside the Vice Chair and her fellow Committee members in developing programs that best serve the female members of the MCC.
Caroline has a long and successful career in sports marketing and has worked on both the corporate brand and the sporting organisation side. As the former Global Head of Sponsorship and Platforms at Standard Chartered Bank, based out of Hong Kong, she has extensive experience in brand, marketing, sponsorship, PR, digital and social media and major events management across the APAC region and globally. In this role, Caroline led a team that managed the Bank’s marquee partnership with the Liverpool Football Club across Asia, Africa, Middle East, Americas and Europe. Caroline also oversaw Standard Chartered’s marathon and golf platforms and the Bank’s strategic industry partnerships with organisations such as the World Economic Forum.
Prior to joining Standard Chartered, Caroline was the Group Head – Brand, Sponsorship & Advertising, Asia Pacific at UBS.
Caroline began her career in sports marketing in Australia working for the National Basketball League and the Australian Grand Prix Corporation in senior marketing roles. Having won several awards, Caroline is recognised in the marketplace for her strategic marketing and communication expertise and for her in-depth understanding on how marketing and brand platforms can deliver against a brand’s objectives.
Vice Chair
LUCY EASTOE
Joined Committee: 2022Lucy has been a member of the MCC since 2003 and is a supporter of the Hawthorn Football Club. Whilst her allegiance lies with Hawthorn, you will often find her at the ‘G whenever the social or sporting occasion arises. Lucy began her working career as a town planner before combining her love for the cities and the environment with the law. Lucy now practices in the fields of environment and planning.
A long-time member of the WoMCC special interest group, Lucy has enjoyed expanding her social network and meeting other members of the MCC. As Vice Chair, Lucy is looking forward to building upon the work of the WoMCC and offering of the special interest group to the broader membership.
Treasurer
Georgina White
Joined Committee: 2019Georgie has been an MCC member since 2006, joined the WoMCC in 2019 and appointed Treasurer at the 2022 AGM.
Georgie is a Chartered Accountant and has worked in the profession, and in various industries throughout her career, including a three-year stint in London where her passion for travel began. Georgie’s current role is Group Finance Manager with winemaker M Chapoutier Australia.
Georgie has undertaken voluntary Treasury and Finance roles for many not-for-profit organisations. And via her three children has become proficient at scoring for cricket, basketball and football. Having ‘hung up’ her own netball skirt after many years, she took on coaching and then co-founded a local netball club in 2014 which grew from one team to over 120 members.
Proud to be born and bred in Melbourne, the MCG is one of Georgie’s favourite places, especially when the Bombers are playing. Georgie has been an MCC member since 2006. Although a passionate footy follower, she is an avid spectator of most sports including cricket, tennis, basketball, netball, dance and more.
As a Committee member, Georgie is committed to continue to build the presence and profile of the WoMCC.
Secretary
Megan Shaw
Joined Committee: 2020Megan became a member of the MCC in 1994 and is also a member of the Carlton Football Club. She enjoys attending the MCG with family and friends for both cricket and football matches. A family tradition is the Boxing Day Test, Day Two Women in Cricket breakfast. She also enjoys the MCC Long Room Wine and Food Society luncheons.
Megan holds a Bachelor of Science with Honours, a Master of Business Administration, and a Diploma of Professional Writing and Editing. She is the regulatory and compliance manager in a leading agricultural company, and passionate about acknowledging the efforts of women in agriculture and science. Highly organised and detailed, she is a self-confessed science-whisperer. Historic achievements include gaining freedom to operate for new molecules in crop protection and a world first regulatory approval in biotechnology. She currently serves on an industry advisory committee on biotechnology.
Megan also served in the Royal Australian Naval Reserve for 15 years, achieving the rank of Lieutenant and was a recipient of the Prince of Wales Award. Megan is also an accredited Mental Health First Aider and a member of a corporate advisory committee on inclusion and diversity. Supporting diversity in all its dimensions is the new frontier for inclusion.
Joining the WoMCC Committee was a privilege, and she is looking forward to supporting a number of functions that foster and encourage women. Pursuing the admirable endeavours of the WoMCC and facilitating other female members to build networks and friendships is important to Megan.
Jo Burch
Joined Committee: 2023AFL has always held a special place in Jo’s heart, providing a backdrop for cherished family moments. The MCC has been the epicentre of these memories, and her journey as a member since 2005 has deepened her love for the game and connection with family. Jo regularly attends Essendon matches together with her family - the most treasured, ANZAC Day. She also enjoys attending matches during the AFL Finals Series.
Her weekdays are dedicated to working as a registered psychologist, currently specialising in eating disorders and managing her own private practice. Her therapeutic approach is marked strongly by personal values and beliefs in the benefits of volunteering and supporting women.
Her desire to join the WoMCC committee was more than a personal ambition, it was a quest to be part of a movement that empowers women. Beyond her professional life, Jo has dedicated many hours to volunteering and supporting women, holding positions within the Point Lonsdale Surf Life Saving Club for over 20+ years. She was instrumental in the formulation and implementation of the Life Saving Victoria/ Female Leadership Network ‘Pink Patrol’. The core goal being the promotion of females in leadership roles and encouraging the achievements of women in life saving. The pink patrol has now been active for 8 years.
Jo acknowledges the positive role volunteering can have on improving one’s mental health, which she is very passionate about. Jo is a very active person who enjoys exercising, cooking and spending time with my family, husband and golden retrievers.
Kate Crosby
Joined Committee: 2022Kate firmly believes that St Kilda supporters deserve their rewards in this life, not just the next.
While born and schooled in Melbourne, the Snowy Mountains of NSW will forever be home. Kate loves to ski when she can. Wherever she has lived, her enthusiasm for footy has never abated. Kate became a member of the MCC in 2000. An active member of the WoMCC, she was thrilled to join the Committee and operate at the intersection of her interests of sport, fundraising, events and connecting women.
Kate has worked her whole career in the finance industry across Distribution, Operations, Consulting and Customer Service. She holds a Bachelor of Business and a Master of Business Administration.
A horseracing tragic, Kate dreams of owning a group one winner. She is currently a member of the St Kilda Football Club, the AFL, VRC, MRC and the Victorian Wakeful Club.
Anita Donnelly
Joined Committee: 2020Anita is a passionate sports fan be it tennis, F1, Storm or anything experienced at the MCG. She can be found most weekends, sometimes twice in one weekend, watching her beloved Geelong Cats and her sister’s Bombers. Since excitedly moving off the MCC wait list over 20 years ago, Anita’s attended all days of the Boxing Day Tests and loves dining in the Jim Stynes’ Grill, if she had to pick a favourite lunch spot during the footy season.
Anita holds a degree in International Studies and a Master in Tourism Marketing. She is an enthusiastic and motivated professional with skills in governance, partnerships, marketing, customer experience, placemaking, communications and loyalty programs. Anita currently sits on the Monash University Graduate Tourism Program Board; and leads the commercial marketing team at Bunnings. Anita’s interests include travel (T20 World Cup in 2024 here I come); spending time with her fur baby; and wine and cocktail appreciation.
Anita is proud of establishing and leading the WoMCC Business Breakfasts; growing the social media presence and engagement with our audience online and through our communications; plus developing the partnership program that has resulted in sponsorship acquisition.
Anita believes the fundraising that enables the WoMCC to support groups or individual women and girls, is a highlight of the work the WoMCC does, as is promoting the achievements of women in sport and business.
Some of Anita’s previous roles include: Marketing and Partnership Development Manager at the National Trust, GM of Visit Ballarat, CEO of Destination Docklands, Tourism Marketing Manager at Chadstone The Fashion Capital, Events Manager at Racing Victoria, and Deputy CEO of the Victoria Tourism and Event Industry Councils.
RACHAEL MITTAL
Joined Committee: 2023Rachael has been a MCC member since 2006 and joins the list of St Kilda supporters on the WoMCC Committee. She’s grown up with sports in her life from a very young age and tries to attend as many Saints games at the MCG at every opportunity, perhaps more for the meat pies!
Although the footy will always be the heart, Rachael also has a passion for live music, good food and will never turn down an opportunity to meet like-minded people which is why the WoMCC special interest group is a perfect fit.
Rachael’s career as a teacher and a policy advocate for a non-for-profit organization has taken her across the globe, with stints in Hong Kong and New York. She has built extensive experience in running Global Award programs and putting on large-scale events and music festivals around the world from India to South Africa with the world’s biggest talent. She is excited to join the committee and hopes that the WoMCC will continue to sell out events in years to come.
Wendy Moore
Joined Committee: 2022As an MCC member since 1999, Wendy appreciates the privilege of our facilities and quality of events. In addition to her role on the Women of the MCC Committee she is on the committee of the MCC Cricket section (where she is also a scorer), a member of the MCC Long Room Wine & Food Society, and a volunteer at the Australian Sports Museum.
Wendy’s love of sport was fostered in her youth, and she has competed in hockey, cricket and athletics teams. She has also been a faithful member of the Carlton Football Club for more than 30 years … through the thick and the thin.
Her career in Human Resources with global and ASX listed companies has seen her work in numerous industries including Food & Beverages, Mining and Finance. She has managed global projects, change and communications for corporate restructures, and has extensive experience in Corporate Governance.
It’s fair to say that Wendy has enjoyed the friendships, opportunities and networks developed through sport and the MCC. She is keen to contribute to the events that encourage and foster greater female participation in sport.
Lisa Owens
Joined Committee: 2022The MCG has been part of Lisa’s life for as long as she can remember, initially standing on steel beer cans in the early ‘70s watching football and cricket, progressing to the comfort of the MCC Members’ Reserve when her Father became a member almost 40 years ago and herself in 2013. Soon after, Lisa discovered the WoMCC through a Women in Wine function and has been an enthusiastic event participant since.
Lisa holds a Bachelor of Chemical Engineering, being one of eight female engineers in her graduation class of 100 from Melbourne University. She also holds a Master of Business and Technology. Until recently, Lisa was the General Manager of an international decarbonisation consultancy that was part of the working group that replaced 11,000 lights at the MCG with energy efficient fittings.
Lisa loves planning and organising and many of Lisa’s professional roles include the management of projects involving multi-disciplinary teams and multi-million-dollar budgets. She has held several corporate management roles and has been an advisor to the Boards of SMEs. For several years she had a paying hobby as a fitness and aerobics instructor, and now volunteers for the local council as an exercise supervisor for older adults.
As a female engineer and Magpies supporter, Lisa has faced some interesting challenges, and reflecting on these experiences has been an asset when mentoring others.
Stepping away from full time employment means that Lisa can embrace other opportunities that utilise her organisational skills. In November 2022, Lisa became the President and Chair of the Australian branch of the Society of Chemical Industry. During that same month she was elected to the committee of the WoMCC and during 2023, became the Strategic Partnerships Manager for Pint of Science, a volunteer organisation that holds an annual science festival each May. In all her paid and volunteer roles, Lisa is passionate about helping people, especially other women, achieve that which is amazing.
Caroline Ruddick
Joined Committee: 2023Caroline grew up in Canberra and became a Collingwood supporter watching the Pies play on TV during Winter. In Summer she would watch cricket and re-enact games and notorious plays with the neighbourhood kids on their front lawns.
Caroline will never forget the first football game she saw live at the MCG when she moved to Melbourne. The magic of the MCG is unlike any other sporting ground and comes alive with the thrilling roar of the crowd. She can still hear the roar of her first Collingwood v Carlton game, and her first ANZAC day game. Caroline has a love of sport after playing netball, softball, tennis, cricket, and watching AFL growing up. When she moved to Melbourne, she became an AFL member, a VRC member and went on a very long waitlist for the MCC. She was thrilled in 2016 to finally get her first membership access.
Caroline joined the Women of the MCC Committee to help increase the profile of the WoMCC, and to increase awareness and the accessibility of the WoMCC events. By reaching and inspiring more women to attend events and get involved, she hopes to advance the profile and importance of Women in Sport. She would like to help raise funds to support young girls and women to have better access to sport.
Caroline has over 25 years’ experience in General Management, Marketing, Product, Sales, Digital Transformation, Corporate Affairs, Communications, Call Centres and Business Development. Caroline has worked internationally and in industries including FMCG, Technology, Software, Finance, Energy and Professional Services.
Caroline holds a Master of Commerce from University of NSW, a Bachelor of Commerce from University of Melbourne, and is a Graduate Member of the Australian Institute of Company Directors.
Penny Ryan
Joined Committee: 2022Proudly a third generation MCC member, Penny has been an active member of the MCC for over a decade. Joining the Young Members Committee in 2013, and elected YMCC President in 2017, Penny helped drive a period of growth and engagement with its 30,000 members to become the premier young professionals’ network in Australia. These days, she can be found in the Jim Stynes Grill trying to convert her husband and daughter to support the mighty Dees.
Alongside an outstanding attendance record at the Frank Grey Smith bar, Penny brings to the WoMCC Committee her significant experience in strategic communications, marketing and reputation management. An executive leader, she is currently Director of Brand, APAC, for international healthcare company Bupa. She has led Corporate Affairs, ESG and marketing teams in healthcare, banking and financial services in Australia and Hong Kong. Previously, Penny served as Ministerial Advisor to the Federal Assistant Treasurer and with DFAT's Australian Volunteers for International Development on microfinance in Cambodia.
From her broad experience working with corporate, government and community organisations, Penny has developed a strong belief in the role sport can play to drive inclusion for women and girls across our society to create lasting, generational change. She is passionate about the MCC's leadership position and responsibilities, and she is ambitious for the contribution the Women of the MCC can make.
Nikhi Wagstaff
Joined Committee: 2020Since joining the Melbourne Cricket Club in 2012, Nikhi has been an active member of the MCC community. She is passionate about embracing what the Club has to offer and she thoroughly enjoys connecting with people. For these reasons, Nikhi is thrilled to be part of the WoMCC and supporting female members engage with the Club.
She regularly attends various MCC and WoMCC functions and the Women in Wine is always a highlight. For Nikhi, such events promote wonderful initiatives and bring great people together.
During the football season, she loves using the MCC facilities with the Frank Grey Smith Bar and the Long Room being favourites!
Outside of the MCG, Nikhi is the Associate Director of Risk and Compliance and Deputy Company Secretary at Wingate.