Dain Kirwan (he/him) and Eliza Parnell (she/her)

Dain Kirwan (he/him)

Dain Kirwan is a senior leader in the Western Australian public service, having worked across diverse portfolios in strategy and policy roles for almost 20 years. Dain is the Department of Communities regional executive director for the Kimberley based in Broome on Yawuru country, leading the community engagement across all Department of Communities portfolios.

After reading about the work for The Pinnacle Foundation, Dain became a mentor in 2020 and joined the WA Committee in 2021. Having gone through high school and university with no visible LGBTQIA+ peers or mentors, Dain is enthusiastic about providing support and visibility to LGBTQIA+ young people as they complete their studies and join the workforce.

Dain holds a Bachelor of Behaviour Science from Notre Dame University Australia and a Master of Social Work from the University of Western Australia.

Eliza Parnell (she/her)

Eliza Parnell has been part of The Pinnacle Foundation community for many years, first becoming involved as a scholar and recipient of a Commonwealth Bank Scholarship. While studying a Bachelor of Laws and a Bachelor of Commerce (Finance), Eliza experienced first‑hand the difference that access to education, mentorship, and a supportive community can make.

Eliza now works as a mergers & acquisitions lawyer bringing together her legal training, commercial mindset, and genuine interest in people. She is passionate about inclusive leadership and supporting scholars to thrive academically, professionally and personally.

In her spare time, Eliza is usually planning her next travel adventure, watching any kind of sport that’s on the TV, hitting the Pilates studio, or coaching at Perth’s LGBTQIA+ volleyball club.