Meet the team
Georgia Verry (she/her)
CEO
Our founder Georgia (she/her) is an exercise scientist, black belt, athlete, podcaster, and facilitates all our trauma informed kickboxing classes. She is a real kick-butt kind of gal!
While she isn't much of a runner or a baller, when it comes to martial arts, she's in her element. Georgia has been throwing punches and kicks since she was 12, and she earned her black belt when she was 20. These days, she's a Muay Thai fighter with 5 professional fights under her belt.
Her love of combat sports inspired her to get a degree in exercise science, and she's been working in the industry for 7 years. Georgia has worked with a variety of clients from folks with back pain to Australia's top firefighters.
For years, Georgia struggled with body image issues and disordered eating. But after nearly ending up in the hospital from a sauna dehydration protocol before a fight, she knew something had to change. Now, she focuses on process over outcome and enjoying movement for the sake of movement. You could say she's all about the "kick" of the moment.
That's why Georgia founded The Conscious Combat Club, a program that uses martial arts to help women with PTSD heal and reconnect with their bodies. It has been a real knockout success!
When she's not throwing punches or baking up a storm, you can find Georgia rock climbing (she likes to live on the edge), exploring nature with her pup, or playing saxophone. She's got a real sweet tooth, but she also knows the importance of a well-nourished mind and body. So if you need some healthy dessert recipes, just give her a holler.
Penny McKay (she/they)
People, culture + inclusion
Meet Penny McKay, our Head of People, culture and inclusion. As a Conscious Combat Club graduate, they understand and advocate for the trauma-informed movement. In addition to lived experience, Penny brings an academic background in psychology, gender and development, and crisis response to the CCC. They are an LGBTQ+ inclusive practice advisor for the health and wellbeing sector and have lectured internationally on therapeutic family violence programs.
Penny is an awesome vegan cook, so if you're looking for some tasty plant-based recipes, they've got you covered! When they're not whipping up a storm in the kitchen, you can find them belting out their favorite tunes at karaoke or advocating for intersectional feminism.
They also supported the CCC program in El Salvador with underserved communities and contributed to several Royal Commissions concerning crisis response, mental health and family violence. At the Conscious Combat Club, Penny is committed to creating a safe, inclusive, and empowering environment for all.
Naomi Penny (she/her)
Research + survivor advocacy
Naomi is a powerhouse dedicated to supporting survivors and advancing research. As the head of research and survivor advocacy at the Conscious Combat Club, she brings a unique perspective, having graduated from the club's trauma-informed kickboxing program. Currently a provisional psychologist working on her PhD, Naomi is deeply committed to her work. Off-duty, she's a loving pet parent and a skilled gardener, nurturing both her fur-children and her green thumb.
Meesha Hall (she/her)
Relationships + purpose
Meesha (she/her) is our Relationships and Partnerships Director, with over 10 years of business development experience. A fierce Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu (BJJ) competitor and graduate of the Conscious Combat Club, she won the World & Australia National Blue Belt Jiu-Jitsu Championships in 2022. Meesha is a power connector and collaborator. She brings detailed knowledge of working capital finance, as well as project, product and vendor development. After being hospitalised by an intimate partner, Meesha turned to BJJ as a way to reclaim her power and reconnect with her body. She’s committed to creating a space where women can do the same.
Meet the board
Claire Allen (she/her)
Chairwoman
Claire (she/her) has worked extensively in the not for profit sector with a specific focus on LGBTQIA+ inclusion. She has advocated across Australia within the health sector including in domestic and family violence services, aged care, youth services and disability support services. Claire draws upon her science background to provide evidence-based, best practice frameworks for organisations to improve the inclusion of staff and service users alike. Claire has worked with government, not for profit and large multinational organisations at all levels at all levels from boards to frontline staff.
Temple Saville (she/her)
Public Officer
Temple Saville (she/her) is a Melbourne-based Barrister with over 15 years’ experience practising law. Over the years, she has served on various Committees including a Committee of Management for an Incorporated Association whose mission was to empower women within its industry. With 6 years’ experience as a kickboxing practitioner, Temple's personal interest in combat sports and professional experience in law make her a valuable addition to our board.
Amanda Comelli (she/her)
Secretary
With more than 10 years' experience as a business lawyer, Amanda Comelli (she/her) provides commercial and corporate law, tax law and estate planning advice to businesses and business owners. Amanda is a Law Society of NSW Accredited Specialist in Business Law and currently sits on the Law Society's Specialist Accreditation Advisory Committee for Business Law.Amanda is a kyokushin karate black belt with over 15 years’ training, has competed internationally and teaches women’s karate classes.
Deb Newburn (she/her)
Board member
Deborah Newburn (she/her) is an experienced Clinical Psychologist who has expertise in working with adults with eating disorders. She has exceptional clinical skills treating anorexia, bulimia, and binge eating disorder. She’s worked across public and private settings including not-for-profit with adults experiencing serious, moderate, and mild mental illness. Deborah was one of the consulting psychologists who developed the Conscious Combat Club methodology and her practice has been a key referrer throughout our timeline.
Emma Staples (she/her)
Board member
Emma Staples (she/her) is an accomplished senior leader with 20 years’ experience in sport, policy and strategic planning – across government and non-profit sectors. A gender equality advocate, Emma drives businesses and the broader sporting community to embrace diversity. She’s worked as a Senior Advisor in community sport and recreation for the Victorian Minister for Sport and Recreation and as a Health Promotion Project Manager using sport for social change in India, Fiji and remote Australian Indigenous communities.
Paige Larsen (she/her)
Board member
Paige's career spans the financial services and insurance sectors, where she has honed her skills and acquired a Bachelor of Accounting. She firmly believes in leveraging her financial acumen to empower our cause - helping women regain agency and feel secure in their own bodies. Paige serves as our financial expert with a resolute commitment to disrupting gender-based violence, drawing from her lived experiences. As an LGBTQIA+ individual, she understands the importance of fostering safe and inclusive spaces.
At Conscious Combat Club, we find strength in vulnerability and support each other to grow — not just our window of tolerance, but ourselves.
Conscious Combat
Understand the window of tolerance, why it shrinks and how to expand it.
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A safe space for women living with trauma to reclaim their body, confidence and strength through trauma informed martial arts
We acknowledge and pay respect to the Traditional Custodians of the lands on which we work, live and play. Always was, always will be Aboriginal Land.
