Our People

Bernie is passionate advocate of Interdisciplinary Collaborative Practice with a wealth of experience in ICP, having conducted an extraordinary number of Collaborative matters as coach since 2013. Bernie’s qualifications, include a Master of Laws (Dispute Resolution) (LLM), Dip. FS (Financial Planning); Master Counselling and Applied Psychotherapy (MCAP); Grad Dip. Family Dispute Resolution (FDRP), a Nationally Accredited Mediator (NMAS) and B.Sc. (Pharm.) (Hons.). Bernie joined the AACP Board in February 2020 and also served as Vice President of the Board of Collaborative Professionals NSW for a number of years.

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Julia is Principal of Sydney Dispute Resolution Pty Ltd, a provider of mediation, Collaborative Practice and Family Dispute Resolution services in the Sydney metropolitan area and online across Australia. Julia joined the AACP Board in October 2022. Julia is a registered FDRP, Collaborative Coach, Nationally Accredited mediator and Clinical Supervisor. Prior to joining the AACP Board in 2022, Julia was a board member of Collaborative Professionals (NSW), notably chairing CP(NSW)'s Coach Working Party sub-committee. Julia has also been a Conference Chair, Family Law Early Intervention Panel, Legal Aid NSW (2017-2021) and is a supervisor and assessor for candidates of NMAS and FDR accreditation at the College of Law. She is a member, the Australian Mediation Association, Central Sydney Collaborative Forum and Northern Beaches Collaborative Professionals practice groups.

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Joe is the Principal solicitor and mediator at Vista Mediation, a firm specialising in Collaborative Law and Family Dispute Resolution services. Joe became a member of the AACP Board in October 2023 and his skill and innovative mindset have added significant value to the Board's work. Joe has served on the committee of the Victorian Association of Collaborative Professionals for a number of years and is currently the VACP Vice President. Joe is a Nationally Accredited Mediator, Family Dispute Resolution Practitioner and Collaborative Practice lawyer.

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Genevieve Morgan joined the AACP Board in November 2024 and is a passionate advocate for Collaborative Practice and its transformative impact on resolving disputes respectfully and constructively. Since completing her collaborative training in 2018, Genevieve has championed the collaborative process, recognising its significant benefits for both families and professionals. As Co-President of the Central Sydney Collaborative Forum for the past three years, Genevieve has played a pivotal role in fostering a strong community of collaborative practitioners in Sydney. Genevieve deeply values the national body's advocacy role and is serving on the AACP Board in the role of Company Secretary. With her extensive experience, strategic mindset and collaborative leadership, Genevieve is a most welcome addition to the AACP Board.

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Lynda is a Senior Wealth Adviser with Elston Private Wealth, a Shareholder, Director, and Board Member of Elston Group.  Lynda joined the AACP Board in October 2023. Named by Barrons as one of Australia’s top 100 wealth advisers, Lynda and her team take a holistic approach to family wealth. Lynda specialises in assisting clients with complex financial arrangements, navigate divorce. Having completed advanced collaborative family law training, she excels in delivering advice in the collaborative context. With knowledge and interest in helping families create philanthropic legacies, Lynda is also a Director of the Trustee governing the Elston Giving Foundation. Lynda’s dedication to client empowerment and her advocacy of the collaborative process makes her an invaluable asset to the AACP Board.

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Sue is the current Immediate Past President of AACP. As an Accredited Family Law Specialist of almost 30 years, Nationally Accredited Mediator and Collaborative Lawyer, Sue’s wealth of experience encompasses a comprehensive understanding of complex Family Law matters. Her stellar reputation has consistently been recognised in Doyle's Guide, most recently named as Pre-eminent Australian Family Lawyer, Pre-eminent Sydney Family & Divorce Lawyer and Pre-eminent Family Law Mediator in NSW in 2025. Sue’s passion for dispute resolution is reflected in the fact that her practice now exclusively comprises mediations and collaborative matters and reinforced by the numerous leadership roles she has held in collaborative practice organisations including, as a founding member of AACP, serving as Treasurer and Vice-President and also as Past President of both Collaborative Professionals NSW and Central Sydney Collaborative Forum.

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Perpetua (Pepe) is a multi-award-winning director of Balance Family Law, a collaborative family law firm that works with separating couples from all over Australia. AACP welcomed Pepe as a Board member in October 2023. Pepe serves on IACP’s Australasian Task Force and is an active committee member of the ACT Law Society’s Alternative Dispute Resolution Committee and the Canberra Collaborative Family Lawyers. Pepe is also a co-founder and the leader of The Kind Lawyers, a director of Pacifica Congress and Co-Chair of Connecting lawyer Mums. Pepe possesses a vibrant, varied skill set and extensive experience. Pepe is a very highly valued member of the AACP Board.

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John Thynne is a Director of Vincents specialising in forensic accounting, business and entity valuations, and financial analysis for family law and estate matters. He has over 30 years of experience working in finance, commerce and private practice. He is a Fellow of Chartered Accountants Australia and New Zealand and the Financial Services Institute of Australasia, and an accredited Business Valuation Specialist with CA ANZ. John has been the Treasurer of QACP since 2009 and has been a trainer in Collaborative practice since 2012. John is a strong believer in clients needing knowledge and understanding before they are able to make educated financial decisions. He continues to learn from courses and conferences although he finds working in a multi-disciplinary team provides him with the greatest knowledge. John is a Nationally Accredited Mediator providing evaluative financial mediations and has completed his Collaborative training in Wills and Estates. John joined the AACP Board in November 2024 and is a prized addition to the collective Board expertise.


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Colin Kaeser joined the AACP Board in November 2024 and is a dedicated advocate for Collaborative Practice and its role in transforming dispute resolution in Australia. Based in Western Australia, Colin brings extensive experience in Collaboration, Mediation and Arbitration to the table. He was a Registrar at the Family Court of Western Australia for nearly 17 years, and a Family Law Magistrate for 12 years. As an active member of the Collaborative Professionals WA Council, Colin is committed to building a robust and cohesive collaborative community. His passion lies in expanding the reach of Collaborative Practice, ensuring that families across Australia have access to dignified, relationship-focused approaches to resolving disputes. Colin’s vision for a unified approach to Collaborative Practice aligns seamlessly with AACP’s mission. Colin’s ability to integrate insights from the mediation, arbitration and collaborative processes gives him a unique perspective on fostering innovation and cohesion within the Collaborative Practice movement and we are thrilled to have Colin join us in steering AACP's national vision forward.

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Tash Nolan’s passion for Collaborative Practice is evident from her extensive experience in and proven track record with Collaborative matters. Joining the AACP Board in November 2024, Tash's two-year tenure as Secretary on the CP(NSW) Board and her involvement in promoting Collaborative Practice at the NSW State level, make her a vital addition to AACP’s efforts to promote respectful and effective resolutions across Australia.

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Karen Hardy, a Family Law Accredited Specialist, joined the AACP Board in November 2024 and brings with her extensive expertise and a deep commitment to Collaborative Practice. A Board member of Collaborative Professionals (NSW) for the last 5 years and a long-time member of the Central Sydney Collaborative Forum, Karen is passionate about fostering respectful and constructive approaches to family law disputes. As a member of the AACP Board, Karen is committed to advancing AACP’s goals. Her ability to connect with practitioners and her enthusiasm for building a strong professional community make her a vital contributor to AACP’s mission to promote Collaborative Practice nationwide.

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Vanessa is an Accredited Specialist in Family Law with Resolve Divorce based in Adelaide and she is honoured to represent collaborative professionals in South Australia at a national level. Vanessa joined the AACP Board in December 2024 and, having been Collaboratively trained early in her career, is committed to Collaborative Practice. Vanessa brings a fresh, strong and positive perspective to the strategic focus and key objectives of AACP.

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