Shaan Ross-Smith

Director MATE Program, Griffith University

Prior to commencing at Griffith University Shaan spent sixteen years working with prisoners though her various managerial and director roles with Queensland Corrective Services. Shaan chose to diversify this experience in 2014 to work with victims/survivors at the Domestic Violence Prevention Centre as the Integrated Response Manager, while continuing to work with perpetrators through a behaviour change program.

Shaan’s passion for ending gender-based violence saw her make the transition to the MATE program at Griffith University where she can focus on primary prevention, after years of working in the response phase. 

Shaan is also the Chair of the Board at DV Connect.

Shaan was born in Te Whanganui-a-Tara, a name that translates as "the great harbour of Tara" – now known as the capital city of New Zealand. Shaan now lives on Kombumerri country, part of the wider Yugumbeh language region. Shaan is determined to embed Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people’s culture and histories into the lives and education of herself and her children. 

 LinkedIn: ShaanRossSmith