Our Board

Gavin is the Chief Executive Officer of AWA Alliance Bank.

Gavin has over 30 years of senior leadership experience within financial services, consulting and the not for profit sector.

Gavin brings extensive experience in; strategy and organisational transformation, financial and commercial judgement, governance and risk management and leadership and culture.

Gavin is a graduate of the Australian Institute of Company Directors course (GAICD) as well as the Not for Profit Directors course, holds a Bachelor of Business Degree from Monash University and is an alumni with Leadership Victoria.

Vanessa is the Chief Executive Officer of the Geelong Regional Library Corporation.

Vanessa brings a wealth of business, local government, human resources and community development experience.

Holding a Masters in Business Management, an Associate Degree in Business Studies, a Graduate Diploma of Human Resource Development and is a Graduate of the Australian Institute of Company Directors.

Vanessa’s previous positions include Regional Director for Barwon West at the Department of Transport, CEO for the Great Ocean Road Coast Committee and Community Development roles in local Government.

Paul is passionate about improving the health outcomes of our communities so that people can live their best lives.

Having led and mentored leaders who have been responsible for areas of growth and transformation of businesses such as GMHBA, ANZ, MDAV, Ernst & Young and Oracle, he brings a strong executive background in strategy, performance, risk and technology to the board.

As a co-founder of Cunei, Paul continues to lead the transformation of health are through the adoption of modern technology and data analytical capabilities.

Paul is a Chartered Accountant and a Member of the Australian Institute of Company Directors.

Kate is Director and co-founder of Russell Resources and Russell Services Group supporting efficiencies in the health and philanthropic sectors.

Kate’s expertise comes from over 30 years of diverse business/ functional experience, building a consulting company and managing comprehensive client relationships delivering complex safety, health, leadership and culture interventions. Kate initially specialized in health, completing General and Oncology Nursing and post- graduate qualifications in Occupational Health.

More recently, Kate has focused on executive and non-executive leadership, gaining experience as a member of the Board of Russell Consulting International.

She is currently on the Board Development Committee of Menzies School of Health Research and is an Ambassador for Bridging The Gap Foundation and a graduate of the Australian Institute of Company Directors program.

Damian is the Head of the Complex Recovery and Serious Injury Division at the Transport Accident Commission (TAC).

He is an experienced senior executive who has led significant organizational change focused on adding maximum value for clients and the community.

Damian has previously worked in the disability field as both a practitioner and leader. He holds a Bachelor of Arts, Bachelor of Speech Pathology, and a Master of Business Administration.

He is also a graduate of the Australian Institute of Company Directors and the Williamson Community Leadership Program.

Melanie is a founder of Mast Lawyers, a business focused law firm which works closely with its clients and strives to have a positive impact on our community.

Melanie has extensive experience in business structuring, commercial contracts and transactions, governance issues and not-for-profit entities.

Melanie is also a current board member of
the Cherished Pets Foundation.

Nadia specialises in accounting, holding a Chartered Accountants membership with backgrounds in both external audit and business tax.

In previous years Nadia has been a treasurer for Business Professional Women; volunteered as a manager for an opportunity store with United Care Australia and various other community voluntary roles relating to under 18’s with disabilities.

Nadia has a special connection to Leisure Networks as her younger brother has been a customer of Leisure Networks for a number
of years. Through her personal experiences in growing up and assisting her parents in her brothers growth and development has placed her in a position of wanting to help other youths with disabilities grow and develop into the best version of themselves.