Volunteer & Program Lead

Kelsey brings a vibrant tapestry of experiences and skills to our team, perfectly aligning with our mission of empowering Waymakers through compassionate and innovative community engagement.

Kelsey's journey in social impact and community development is both impressive and inspiring. A graduate of the University of Queensland with a Bachelor of International Studies, majoring in Peace & Conflict and Spanish, she has consistently demonstrated her commitment to social justice and community development. Her academic prowess was further enriched through an exchange program at Universidad Pontifica Comillas, where she gained a Diploma of International Relations from a Spanish Perspective.

Her professional experiences are as diverse as they are impactful. From her role as Vice President of the UQ Refugee Tutoring Club, where she significantly enhanced student engagement, to her compassionate work as a Disability Support Worker with LeapIn and Staffing Options, Kelsey has always put people and their needs at the forefront.

Kelsey's role at You Belong is pivotal. She is the architect behind our strategies to recruit and empower volunteers and provide development and impact evaluation of our programs. Her innovative approach and leadership skills are key to expanding our reach to more communities through Australia.

Her accolades, including the 2021 University of Queensland Social Justice Club of the Year and the UQ Employability Award, speak volumes of her dedication and ability to inspire change. Fluent in English and proficient in Spanish, Kelsey's communication skills are as diverse as her experiences.

Kelsey's role is not just a job; it's a reflection of her life's passion for social justice and community development. Her energy, empathy, and innovative spirit are invaluable assets to You Belong and the communities we serve. We are excited to see how her vision and leadership will further our mission and help us create more inclusive and thriving communities for Waymakers across Australia.

Toowoomba Regional Lead

Kinda Flaha is an integral part of You Belong and our dynamic leader of the team in Toowoomba. Known for her passion for community development and refugee empowerment. Her journey is a source of inspiration and a vital asset to our organisation.

From a young age in Syria, Kinda's love for different cultures and languages led her to study English as a second language. She pursued this passion further, obtaining a Bachelor's degree in English Literature and Arts. Kinda's academic background laid the foundation for her career as an educator, where she taught English to children and adults, enriching their lives through language.

Her role as an educator extended beyond the classroom. In Syria, Kinda coordinated language programs and community service initiatives, leading a team at a local institute teaching English, Russian, and Arabic. Her team's social impact was tangible, involving projects like painting primary school walls, renovating a local library garden, and running social media campaigns to foster hope and change within Syria.

However, the escalating Syrian Civil War brought increasing danger to her hometown, forcing Kinda and her young family to seek refuge in Iraq. Their journey eventually led them to Australia, where they were granted a humanitarian visa. This new chapter in Australia has been marked by significant milestones, including Kinda, her husband Yamin, and son Ebrahim becoming Australian citizens on January 26, 2023.

In Australia, Kinda has continued to pursue her dreams, including her passion for travel, drawing, writing poetry, and cooking. This love for cooking has blossomed into a successful venture, Kinda's Kitchen, a catering business specializing in delicious and nutritious Middle Eastern cuisine.

Kinda’s lived experience as a formrr efugee is invaluable, ensuring that our organisational and programmatic impact is grounded in empathy and authenticity. Her contributions are not just vital to our success; they are a testament to the power of hope and the strength of the human spirit in overcoming adversity.

Business Operations Manager

Matthew brings over two decades of rich leadership and management experience across diverse industries. With an Executive MBA under his belt, Matthew's expertise in compliance, risk, and financial management has been instrumental in steering You Belong on a steady and progressive path.

His approach to leadership is collaborative, focusing on developing and implementing key strategies and systems that align with and enhance You Belong's expanding vision.

Beyond his role at You Belong, Matthew is deeply committed to personal and professional development, both for himself and others. He has completed courses with the International Coaching Federation (ICF) and now extends his expertise through independent personal and professional coaching, as well as business consultancy. This aspect of his career reflects his dedication to empowering individuals and organisations to reach their full potential.

Matthew's passion extends to social causes, particularly in supporting and empowering those who are socially marginalised. He has a special place in his heart for individuals who, due to circumstances beyond their control, face significant limitations in their choices and opportunities. Through his work at You Belong, he is committed to making a tangible difference in the lives of such individuals, helping to expand their horizons and open up new pathways for growth and development.

Founder & CEO

Tim Buxton, the heart and soul behind You Belong, is an impact entrepreneur deeply invested in fostering communities where everyone truly belongs. His journey, which has taken him from places like Indonesia and Iraq, to Colorado, New York and his current home — Australia — has profoundly shaped his vision of creating spaces filled with beauty, belonging, and shared joy.

Tim's story is one of meaningful connections and a purpose-driven life. His meeting with his future wife, a shared passion for humanitarian work and community development at the core, marked the beginning of a joint journey towards making a tangible difference in the world.

Living on the Gold Coast with his young family, Tim's life is a rich blend of personal and professional pursuits. He is dedicated to living a life that's not just meaningful and adventurous but also empowering for others. For Tim, it's about ensuring that our gifts and pursuits ripple outwards to benefit others, adding goodness and beauty to the world.

Family is central to Tim's universe. Striving to be the best husband, father, friend, employer, and leader he can be, drives him every day. Professionally, Tim is committed to steering You Belong towards becoming a beacon of innovative social impact. He's also passionate about developing a purpose driven travel company. Ultimately, Tim dreams of one day curating a dynamic community of entrepreneurs and entities with a mission to collectively harness their shared values and vision to create a beautiful a d better world where we all belong.