"My ambition is to bring together my work in community and in governance, and to build empowering organisational structures for the communities that I care about."
Image: Chloe, who has long brown hair, wears glasses, black pants, a black blaser and a magenta top, and is standing next to a creek, smiling at the camera.
This year, we welcomed Chloe Mackallah to Life Without Barriers' Board as part of the Board Observership Program. Chloe grew up in the eastern suburbs of Narrm (Melbourne).
"I come from a conservative family with Scottish heritage. My childhood and adolescence were largely dominated by religion, and a way of life I did not choose and which was actively harmful to me," she said.
"I was not able to live authentically or safely until I escaped from that environment after high school. I was fortunate in my 20s to find my way into science, and a partner who shared much of my experience, having met as teenagers in a family context."
By her 30s, Chloe received a PhD in astrophysics and started a new career in climate science at CSIRO. She transitioned gender at the end of her PhD.
"I began living life as my authentic queer self and I am still with my partner who has also since transitioned."
Since her transition, Chloe has been involved with Queers In Science (QIS), an organisation working to build community for LGBTQIA+ people in STEMM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Mathematics, and Medicine) .
"Through QIS and my experience running as an Independent Candidate in the 2022 Victorian Election, I have learned deeply the value of finding and fighting for those you care for, and the healing power of authentic community," shared Chloe.
Chloe now specialises in data governance and is a global expert in climate data.
"Through my science career, I have witnessed both the potential empowerment and harm that comes with organisational governance."
"My ambition is to bring together my work in community and in governance, and to build empowering organisational structures for the communities that I care about."
Initially on the path towards an academic career, she realised a career in science can be limiting to those who do not conform to normative standards, or who need accommodations.
While Chloe is no longer tied to an academic career, she still finds that working in science as a visibly queer/trans woman can be challenging.
"Barriers range from the everyday interpersonal ones to career-limiting barriers," she shared.
Despite having a PhD and being a global expert in climate data, in new professional contexts she is almost always assumed to have little experience or qualifications, or in an administrative role. She had to miss an international conference she was personally invited to for safety concerns as being transgender is illegal in the country where the conference was held.
"The travel advice was 'try not to look trans', which is quite impossible for me," Chloe said.
Chloe submitted a Board Observership program application after an acquaintance recommended it.
"I was fortunate to be chosen by Life Without Barriers. Just one of those rare opportunities that worked out well."
"I came into the program looking to develop my governance knowledge, and see how not-for-profit organisations really function at the board-level," she said.
"QIS is on a path toward incorporation, however, few in my community have had the opportunity to gain the hands-on experience necessary to build our organisation safely and sustainably. I am doing this for my community, as I am now a national leader in QIS."
Image: Board observer Chloe with Paula Head and Greg Ridder.
As part of the program, Chloe has attended all board meetings and events, including the recent leadership conference and interstate trips to Life Without Barriers sites across Australia. She works closely with Paula Head, Chief of Strategy and Governance, and her executive team, and has gotten to know all the board members and many of the executive.
"The board and executive have been phenomenally welcoming to me, and have sought my input into every conversation. Each of them has inspired me differently, and are so open about their own experiences with me, answering any and all questions," she said.
"I have no doubt that I have gained many life-long connections and mentors, of whom I am deeply grateful and consistently in awe of."
Each quarterly in-person board meeting is preceded by a site visit and deep dive into parts of the organisation where Chloe met and heard from staff and people supported by Life Without Barriers. She also attended the Sunshine office for the Life Without Barriers 30th Birthday celebration and National Reconciliation Week.
"While I'm learning a lot from the actual board meetings, having the opportunity to speak directly with staff and see into the living organisation has been the absolute highlight. I am blown away by Life Without Barriers each and every time, especially the dedication, passion and community strength among staff."
Chloe values the perspective being on Life Without Barriers' board has given.
"I have witnessed a large organisation that operates in a challenging sector maintain an extremely high level of commitment to their values, a consistent and empowering culture, and sustainability despite constant external pressures."
"I have learned that building and running such an organisation is actually possible (something that I wasn't sure of before), and some of the ways in which that can be achieved - a rare and valuable opportunity."
"I am so inspired by how consistently and intentionally Life Without Barriers' values and culture are brought into every conversation and board agenda item. The question raised every time is, 'How does this serve our participants and the communities we are here to benefit?' A prime example is the work in the current Elevate Reconciliation Action Plan to empower ACCOs and get Aboriginal and Torres Strait children in out-of-home care back to their communities"
Taking part in various 30 years celebrations this year, Chloe said she sees the historical consistency of Life Without Barriers' values and culture.
"Everywhere I go there is such a strong sense of purpose. I've seen for myself how difficult this is to achieve, and it is a testament to the passion and clarity of vision of the founders of Life Without Barriers," she said.
Reflecting on one of Strategy 2025's goals to make a positive impact for future generations, Chloe would like to see communities that are self-empowering, sustainable, adaptable, and not just inclusive, but liberating.
"Too many community organisations are struggling just to stay afloat, let alone adequately serve the needs of their people," she said.
"I would like to see a world in which in-community successes flow out intersectionally into other communities, creating networks where lessons, resources and advocacy are shared with enthusiasm."
She believes that to achieve this, we need better organisational and governance models.
"There is a saying in science: 'No model is correct, but some are useful'."
"Innovation is needed to courageously imagine, build and test new structures and systems that challenge the hierarchies of the status-quo, and distribute decision-making power to those affected by those decisions,"
Chloe also cited the two-way governance model that Life Without Barriers is implementing as an example.
"I am watching with great interest. I hope to build something similar within QIS and in other communities I have yet to join."
Having first-hand experience of career barriers, Chloe acknowledges inclusive employment is 'really hard to do well' but believes it is 'absolutely critical to be an organisation where its staff can exist authentically and are empowered to do their best work.'
"Exclusive and controlling environments do not facilitate good outcomes for staff nor the beneficiaries of the organisation," Chloe said.
Chloe will complete her Board Program internship at the end of this year.
