Ro Allen

Method of Appointment

Governor in Council

Membership Tenure

Appointed 1 January 2024 - 30 June 2026 (inclusive)

Current Committees

• Human Resources and Planning Committee
• Corporate Governance, Risk, Internal Audit and Safety Committee

Professional Background/experience

With 25 years’ experience in community services, governance and social justice, Ro Allen has a deep commitment to equality and a broad experience in strategic advocacy. As Victorian Equal Opportunity and Human Rights Commissioner, Ro works to uphold Victorians' rights, promote accountability and to build a fairer, safer and more inclusive community.

Prior to joining the Commission, Ro served as the inaugural Victorian Commissioner for Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Trans and Gender Diverse, lntersex and Queer (LGBTIQ+) Communities. In this role, Ro worked tirelessly to promote the safety and wellbeing of LGBTIQ+ Victorians, advocate for their rights, and provide strategic advice to the Victorian Government.

Ro has held a wide range of leadership roles, including chairing the Victorian Adult, Community and Further Education Board and the Youth Affairs Council Victoria, and serving as a Commissioner on the Victorian Skills Commission. As founding CEO of UnitingCare in Shepparton, Ro worked at the grassroots level to develop and support Aboriginal self-determination, refugee settlement, and family violence and mental health initiatives, as well as emergency disaster responses.

Ro previously sat on the Hume Regional Development Australia Committee and chaired Communities for Children in Shepparton. Most recently, they served as a Director on the GOTAFE Board for North East Victoria.

Ro was inducted into the Victorian Government Honour Roll for Women in 2009, has a Centenary Medal for services for young people and is a Fellow of the Australian Institute of Company Directors.