About the Hive

Our Team

Meet The Hive Team

The Hive’s work is led by a small team of people committed to creating lasting change in 2770 through collaboration and innovation with community voice at the centre.

Rubie Ireson
Director
Jean Villacorta
Early Years Strategy Lead
Laura Faraj
Strategic Partnerships and Policy Lead
Andrea Reyes
Early Learning Linker
Marika Kahle
Community Mobilisation Manager
Rubie Ireson, Director

Rubie joined the Hive as Director in 2020 and provides strategy and direction to all of The Hive’s work in Mt Druitt. Rubie has experience in Collective Impact work, and has held various leadership roles. Rubie works alongside The Hive’s key partners to build relationships, advocate for system-level change and identify new opportunities to respond to community aspirations and priorities.

Rubie has a great love for Mt Druitt, she completed her high schooling locally in Bidwill and continued to work in Bidwill, and in the Western Sydney area for many years. Rubie has two large German Shepherds and also has her own podcast.

Jean Villacorta, Early Years Strategy Lead

Jean joined the Hive team in 2020. With her Master of Education in Early Childhood Leadership, she is responsible for advising and guiding The Hive’s Early Years Strategy across the 2770 postcode. This includes advising on the Hive’s early years activities such as Linker and CUBS, as well as coordinating the Early Childhood Educators Network. Jean has worked locally as the Educational Leader at a local Preschool for many years ensuring high quality education and care.

With her own child having some challenges in speech, she is incredibly passionate about early intervention and support for children with additional needs.

Laura Faraj, Strategic Partnerships and Policy Lead

Laura joined The Hive team in 2017 and is the Strategic Partnerships & Policy Lead. This includes designing and implementing The Hive’s advocacy strategy, providing guidance to the 2770 Collective regarding advocacy activities, participating in relevant government inquiries, and building relationships with key policy makers and stakeholders to result in equitable policy and system-change for Mt Druitt.

Laura has held multiple roles in her time at The Hive as the work has grown, including Community Development Officer, Child Health Linker & Child Health & Development Project Lead and has assisted in embedding place-based child health projects for Mt Druitt including the CUBS Program & Willmot Paediatrician Clinic. Laura enjoys reading and keeping active through running and short distance triathlons.

Andrea Reyes, Early Learning Linker

Andrea joined the Hive in 2021 as one of our part-time Early Learning Linkers. Her role involves providing families with 1:1 support to enrol and sustain enrolment in childcare and preschool. Andrea grew up in Western Sydney and has experience as a local Disability Support worker and Youth Leader.

She is passionate about advocating for a community that is inclusive of people with all kinds of abilities, backgrounds and cultures. In her spare time, Andrea enjoys listening to music and spending time in nature in the Blue Mountains.

Marika Kahle, Community Mobilisation Manager

Marika is a community development specialist who joined our team in September 2021 in the newly created role of Community Mobilisation Manager. Marika leads our community engagement team, including leading the design and delivery of community engagement strategies and initiatives across all 4 of the suburbs the Hive is engaged in.

Marika supports the broader collective team to prioritize the capacity building of community leaders and mobilising community members to partner in and lead the community development work of Together in 2770. Marika has travelled the world and has a passion for working with CALD communities.

Our Vision & Mission

Enabling an environment where every child starts well, thrives and enjoys diverse life opportunities.

Our Partners

The Hive works collaboratively with our Partners to achieve lasting change in 2770.