Management Team

Billy Gorter

Executive Director

Billy is a passionate activist and advocate for change, bringing more than 12 years of experience tackling conservation, social and human rights and educational issues in Australia and Cambodia to his role as Executive Director of This Life. Billy launched This Life Cambodia in 2007 based on his founding principles of listening to, engaging with and advocating along side communities. This development philosophy achieves high-impact outcomes and sets best practice for international development . Billy is internationally sought after as a speaker and is passionately committed to addressing the rights of children through education, juvenile justice and advocacy.

Se Chhin

Deputy Director

Se joined This Life in October 2008 bringing a lot of enthusiasm and knowledge from his prior role as Assistant Director in a community development organisation. He holds a Bachelor of Arts in English Translation and Interpretation from Build Bright University and a Masters of Public Administration from Royal University of Law and Economics. As Deputy Director, Se is responsible for supporting the Executive Director in developing and implementing This Life’s plans, policies and procedures and overseeing the organisation’s programs.

Linda Meus

Human Resources Manager

Linda has a substantial 20-year background in Human Resources and Finance. She has worked in the private and public sectors in various management positions working closely with management boards. She has worked closely with Australian Indigenous Communities in Central and Northern Australia and the Torres Strait Islands. As a resident of Cambodia for the last 6 years, Linda has worked as the Chief Finance Manager for This Life for 18 months before moving across to manage the HR sector in line with This Life's succession planning. Prior to joining the team at This Life, she volunteered for a small NGO based in Phnom Penh that assisted in providing housing and income generation activities for impoverished communities.

Sochann Khean

Finance Manager

Sochann brings over ten years of experience in finance, taxation, management, auditing, finance risk management and leadership to his role as Finance Manager at This Life. He has worked in the not-for-profit sector since 2008 as a senior accountant, and in 2018 he began working at This Life as an accountant. Sochann holds university qualifications in both accounting and information technology, and he is highly skilled in the use of accounting software such as QuickBooks.

Philip Gover

Impact, Learning & Effectiveness Section Lead

Philip has a passion for Sustainable Development and Social Economics. Following 3 years’ involvement with Northumbria University Sustainable Cities Institute, Philip spent 12 years working as a Senior Public Health Manager with the UK Government & National Health Service (NHS). Philip has worked in developing countries in East Africa, South East Asia and various settings across Europe, supporting a variety of Social Enterprises, Charities and Housing Associations. Philip is a graduate of Durham University, (BA Hons’ Community Development), Durham University Business School (MA Enterprise Management) and the University of Northumbria (MPH, Public Health).

Claire Backhouse

Communications Manager

Claire is an Australian from Brisbane, Queensland. She has extensive experience in marketing and communications, and has spent the last ten years in the higher education sector. Working with a research-intensive university, Claire’s focus was recruitment, engagement and development of students for the PhD program. She was also heavily involved in marketing of the Three Minute Thesis competition, helping to develop and strengthen its position as a global brand. Claire is passionate about user experience and interaction design, and loves finding ways to engage new audiences. Claire holds the following qualifications: Bachelor of Visual Art (Fine Art), Graduate Diploma in Teaching (Secondary), Graduate Certificate in Interaction Design, CELTA.

Borany Chea

Communities Section Lead

Borany and her team manage the Communities section and its programs, with a particular emphasis on improving education and ending violence against women. Previously the LSSDP Coordinator at This Life for five and a half years, Rany returned after working with Save the Children for two years. Her experience of working collaboratively with NGOs and government partners is critical in providing the technical skills, knowledge and network to ensure the successful implementation of This Life’s education initiatives. Borany holds a bachelors degree in Economic and Social Science and a Masters Degree in Development Management.

Chanda Phang

Children and Families Section Lead

Chanda just joined This Life in February, 2020. Chanda brings years of extensive experience in working to support children and families. He holds a Bachelor of Business Management from National Institute of Business and Master of Development Management from Norton University. As Children and Families Section Lead, Chanda is responsible for supporting Program Coordinators in implementing their respective programs to realise This Life’s vision, mission and goal.

William Timms

Strategic Partnerships Manager

Since 2016, William has worked in NGOs responding to the migrant crisis in the Mediterranean, with migrant workers in northern Thailand, and with those affected by AIDS and TB in southern India. He has been working with This Life since June 2019, spending a year as Billy's Executive Assistant before taking on his current position. He holds a Bachelor's degree in History and International Relations from Aberystwyth University in the UK, and a Master's degree in International Relations from Ritsumeikan University in Kyoto, Japan.