Louise is an Executive Leadership Coach with over 30 years of senior executive experience in the banking and financial services sector.  Louise is a beef cattle producer in the Walcha District.

Centacare NENW Position:

• Director/ Board Chair
• Member of the Catholic, Culture & Identity Committee
• Member of the Finance, Audit & Risk Management Committee
• Member of the Governance & Remuneration Committee
• Member of the People, Quality & Safety Committee

Other Current Directorships and Committee Positions

• Non-executive director of PN Bank
• Chair PN Governance Committees
• Non-executive director of Hastings Co-op
• Trustee of the Yarrowitch Land managers
• Member of the Yarrowitch Community Group

Leesa is a Non-Executive Director with a strong background in digital transformation, strategy, and governance. She brings over 20 years’ executive experience leading complex technology and infrastructure projects, including with Westpac, and now serves on multiple boards across the aged care, health, and social services sectors. Leesa has deep expertise in artificial intelligence, cybersecurity, and risk, and is passionate about helping organisations innovate with integrity while staying anchored in purpose. She is a graduate of the Australian Institute of Company Directors and brings a values-driven approach to board leadership, with a focus on creating positive impact for communities and stakeholders

Centacare NENW Position:

• Director
• Member of the Finance, Audit & Risk Management Committee
• Member of the Governance & Remuneration Committee

Other Current Directorships and Committee Positions:

• Executive Director of DBD Enterprises Pty Ltd
• Non-executive director of Hastings Co-operative Ltd
• Non-executive Director of Evergreen Life Care Ltd

Anne has been a non-executive director for over 15 years in the not-for-profit sector, primarily in social services and aged care.  Anne has a strong focus on care and clinical governance, and quality. Anne also has extensive leadership experience having been a senior executive in health (both acute and sub-acute) for over 25 years.

Centacare NENW Position:

• Director/ Deputy Chair
• Chair of People, Quality & Safety Committee
• Chair of Catholic Culture & Identity Committee

Other Current Directorships and Committee Positions

• Non-Executive Director of Catholic Healthcare Limited
• Non-Executive Director of The Arthritis Movement
• Non-Executive Director of Family Drug Support
• Chair of the Private Hospital and Day Surgery Benchmarking Groups
• External Committee Member of Anglicare Newcastle  - Aged Care Committee

Elaine has extensive leadership experience across the private, public, and not-for-profit sectors, including aged care, disability services, and social welfare. She has senior executive experience in human resources leadership, culture transformation, and operational management. Elaine's career highlights include senior leadership roles at Catholic Healthcare, Uniting Ageing NSW.ACT, Unisson Disability Services, Scalabrini, and St Vincent de Paul Society NSW.

Centacare NENW Position:

• Director
• Member of the Catholic, Culture & Identity Committee
• Member of the People, Quality & Safety Committee

Other Current Directorships and Committee Positions

• Non-Executive Director and Committee Chair for Fresh Hope Communities.

Chris’s extensive working life with national and international businesses has been in administration in many sectors, including banking, retail, publishing, fashion, sport, and motorcycles! She spent many years serving in the Australian Army Reserve where she was a Captain in the Royal Australian Corps of Signals. Chris’s long career in various community service roles in and around the Guyra community and in Sydney includes President of the St Mary of the Angels St Vincent de Paul Conference Guyra for eight years. Chris also fulfils the role of Presiding Officer for HSC examinations at Guyra Central School. Prior to retiring in early 2021 she was the Coordinator of Guyra Neighbourhood Centre for nine years; coupled with that role Chris was also the Convener of the Guyra Interagency Group and Convener/Chair of the Local Community Services Association NENW Region. She sat on the Armidale Regional Council’s Wellbeing Committee for three years.

Centacare NENW Position:

• Director
• Member of the Catholic, Culture & Identity Committee
• Member of the People, Quality & Safety Committee

Other Current Directorships and Committee Positions:

• Secretary of the Management Committee of Armidale Neighbourhood Centre Inc.
• Chair of the Board of Guyra War Memorial Hall Crown Land Manager
• Treasurer, Wellbeing Support Officer (WSO), and a Trustee of Guyra RSL sub-Branch.

Frank is a seasoned management consultant with 25 years of experience in the health and human services sectors. He is currently the Director of Kelloway Lonsdale, his own boutique consultancy, where he provides facilitation and advisory services. Previously, Frank was a Partner at Deloitte Private Commercial Advisory, leading the For Purpose team from 2014 to 2020. His career also includes founding The Lonsdale Group, where he played a pivotal role in establishing Medicare Locals and Primary Health Networks. Frank's expertise extends to strategic planning, governance, and structured collaborations, with notable projects and advisory roles for various health organisations. Before his consulting career, Frank served as a Lieutenant Colonel in the Army, with operational experience in Lebanon and Timor. He has previously been Chair of a local community enterprise, as well as a director of both a community bank and a grief counselling centre.

Centacare NENW Position:

• Director

Other Current Directorships and Committee Positions

• Director of Kelloway Lonsdale Pty Ltd as Trustee for The Hatherley Trust (Director)
• Director of Point Lonsdale Tennis Club

Deacon Paul brings extensive experience across the insurance industry and Catholic ministry, with a strong connection to regional communities in New South Wales. After beginning his career in insurance and working in both regional & metropolitan regions, he held senior roles before establishing and operating a successful brokerage business in Tamworth for many years.

Ordained as a permanent Deacon in 2012 following extensive theological study and formation, Deacon Paul serves in parish ministry with responsibilities including preaching, sacramental, and pastoral care. He has also held diocesan leadership roles supporting faith formation, catechist coordination, and spiritual direction.

In addition, Deacon Paul has been actively involved in charitable outreach, helping coordinate support for vulnerable individuals and families across the Diocese. He combines his faith-based leadership with practical business experience and a strong commitment to community wellbeing.

Centacare NENW Position:

• Director
• Member of the Catholic, Culture & Identity Committee
• Member of the People, Quality & Safety Committee

Robert has over 30 years of senior executive experience in the financial services and for-purpose sectors nationally and internationally. Robert has experience in general management, including strategic planning, operational excellence, business development and risk identification and mitigation.

Robert has been directly responsible for children and family services, including innovative social and financial transactions, which include the NEWPIN Social Impact Bond and the Foyer Central Youth Accommodation initiative. Robert’s financial services background is complemented with a strong understanding of social/ affordable housing within the community housing sector. Robert has extensive experience in regional locations, especially in First Australian communities.

Centacare NENW Position:

• Director
• Member of the Finance, Audit & Risk Management Committee
• Chair of the Governance & Remuneration Committee

Professional Memberships:

• Non-executive director of Connecting Families Pty Ltd
• Non-executive director of Argyle Community Housing Ltd
• Non-executive director of Argyle Community Housing Victoria Ltd
• Non-executive director of Independent Living Villages Ltd
• Non-executive director of ILV Murri Street Ltd

David acquired extensive accounting and business advisory experience working in public practice before becoming Diocesan Financial Administrator (DFA) for the Diocese of Armidale in 2020. In his Diocesan role David provides leadership, financial and operational management, compliance and risk management to the Diocese of Armidale, to the Parishes and to the works of the Diocese.  As part of his role, David is an ex officio board member for each Diocesan Agency.

Centacare NENW Position:

• Director

Other Current Directorships and Committee Positions

• Director of St Albert’s College Ltd.
• Board Member of the Armidale Diocesan Investment Group
• Secretary and Member of the Armidale Diocesan Finance Council
• Member of the Armidale Catholic Schools Board
• Secretary and Board Member of the Armidale Clergy Fund

Chris Smedley has over 20 years’ experience as a Chief Executive and Managing Director in the health and human services sectors, including one of Australia’s largest mental health providers, a disability care provider, Bupa, and a network of health clinics and day hospitals.

He has been fortunate in his career to lead organisations and teams that have a clear purpose in delivering positive community outcomes.  This is a huge motivation for him.  His leadership approach is that nurturing a strong, values-based workplace culture and a positively engaged workforce, helps in delivering empathetic, person-centred client care

Chris’ previous experience as a Chartered Accountant with PwC and in corporate strategy and M&A roles with major global companies, has given him a solid foundation in financial literacy, strategic planning and governance.

Anita brings over 30 years of leadership experience across the mental health, aged care, disability, and family support sectors. As Executive Manager – Mental Health & Wellbeing, she provides strategic and operational leadership across a range of services including headspace, Youth Enhanced Services, Nurture Resilience Growth, GambleAware, Catholic Schools Office, EAP and Profit for Purpose initiatives.

Anita is passionate about high-quality, person-centred services, strong governance, and supporting leaders and teams to deliver meaningful outcomes. As a Catholic, she values Centacare’s mission and feels privileged to serve the community while empowering staff to grow and thrive.

Hannah Woods is the Executive Manager – People & Culture at Centacare New England North West, leading people strategy, workplace relations, workforce wellbeing and safety and organisational culture initiatives that support a high-performing and values-aligned workforce.

With a background in law and extensive experience across workplace relations, governance, compliance, child safe leadership, and organisational risk, she brings a strong focus on people leadership, safety and fostering respectful workplace cultures. Hannah also serves on the Board of Catholic Social Services NSW/ACT, contributing to sector-wide advocacy and the advancement of Catholic social teaching.

Kyrie Saxby leads a broad portfolio of programs that support children, families, and communities across the region. She brings extensive experience in community services, compliance, and operational leadership, with a strong focus on quality, governance, and sustainable service delivery.

Kyrie is committed to building capable teams and delivering services that are responsive, inclusive, and grounded in the needs of the community. She works collaboratively with partners and stakeholders to strengthen outcomes, with a particular focus on ensuring rural and regional communities have access to high-quality, integrated supports.