Ashley Carvalho’s journey with the Society began in 2009 when she volunteered with the Sacred Heart College Vinnies School Conference in Perth. It was here that she discovered her passion for the Society’s work, sparking a lifelong commitment to service.

Building on this foundation, Ashley became involved in her local parish Conference and actively engaged with the state’s youth programs, offering mentorship and recreation to kids doing it tough.

In 2017, Ashley participated in the Society’s Encounter Program, which took her to a remote Indigenous community in the Northern Territory, where she helped organize community-building activities for both adults and children.

In 2024, she joined the National Spirit of Youth executive committee, where she served as the chair of the Encounter Program. Between 2023 and 2025, while living in Brisbane, Ashley was a part of Western Youth Programs, her local parish Conference, and the St Thomas Virtual Youth Conference.

Outside of her volunteer work, Ashley works full-time for a not-for-profit organization focused on preventing the online sexual exploitation of children. In this role, she develops capacity-building and prevention programs, both domestically and internationally, collaborating with various stakeholders to create a unified approach to child protection.

Ashley is an active participant in Church ministry and is currently pursuing a Graduate Certificate in Theological Studies at the Australian Catholic University through the Australian Young Catholic Women’s Fellowship, an initiative of the Australian Catholic Bishops Conference.

Ashley is excited to step into this leadership role and work alongside passionate, driven youth Members.

“The energy, enthusiasm, and dedication that each individual brings to the Society is truly inspiring, and I look forward to fostering an environment where everyone can continue to grow, collaborate, and make a meaningful impact. Together, we will build on the strong foundation already in place, striving for even greater achievements and empowering each other to reach new heights. It’s an honour to be part of this journey, and I can’t wait to see what we will accomplish together.” — Ashley

Read more about Bec, Ashley, and our other National Council Members on our website: vinnies.link/National-Council-Members.