Elisa Buggy joined the Human Rights Law Centre in October 2024 as interim Director of People and Operations. As an experienced leader with many years in senior and executive roles in both government and non-government organisations, Elisa has joined the Centre to help guide the Shared Services Review project, as well as to review and update the organisation's policies and processes with the support of the incredible operations team.
Prior to joining the Human Rights Law Centre, Elisa led not-for-profit organisations at the nexus of justice and health, including Flat Out, WestCASA and Inner Melbourne Community Legal. She is world renowned for her expertise in the application of therapeutic jurisprudence and has variously established, led, and consulted for a number of Adult and Family Drug Treatment Courts in Tasmania, Victoria, Queensland, ACT, and Western Australia. She has presented both nationally and internationally on the importance of reflective practice in multi-disciplinary teams in justice settings, as well as on introducing person-centred approaches to program development across multiple programs.
She is a published author on the subject of women who have been criminalised, and is a passionate advocate for policies that shift alcohol and other drugs out of the justice system.
Elisa holds a Bachelor of Social Work and a Masters of Business Administration with formal training in relational supervision, mediation, the law, and leadership. As well as her time at the Human Rights Law Centre, Elisa is a member of the Adult Parole Board; an independent trainer and facilitator, and a mentor and advisor to new and emerging leaders. She is an alumni of the Williamson Community Leadership Program (2016), and the Social Impact Leadership Australia program with UNSW (2022). She has previously been a Board member of both the Victorian Alcohol and other Drug Association (VAADA) and Sexual Assault Services Victoria, as well as a member of the Committee of Management for ANTaR Victoria, and multiple advisory committees.