Leadership and board

The Board elected Ruth as Chair in 2023. She is a Chartered Accountant (CA) and a CA Risk Specialist. Ruth has more than 20 years of experience working in governance, finance, audit and risk across the not-for-profit, government and commercial sectors. 

Ruth is a Principal of Conus Business Consultancy Services. 

Ruth says: “What initially attracted me to Neami was the organisation’s belief that those with mental health issues could take control of their lives and be the best version of themselves. I felt I could add an often overlooked regional, rural and remote perspective of mental healthcare to the discussions at the board table. What keeps me at Neami is my absolute alignment with Neami’s values and purpose and its wonderfully inclusive culture.” 

Committees: Member – Audit and Risk Committee, Member – Strategy and Futures Committee and Member – Nominations & Remuneration Committee

Dr Shaymaa was elected Vice Chair in 2024.

Dr Shaymaa is a skilled strategist. She has more than 15 years of experience leading transformation and reform of organisations and services.  

Dr Shaymaa says: “Vulnerability and disadvantage in individuals and across our community stems for many from structural, systemic and service failures. To be part of a debate, decision or point of advocacy that has the potential to change the life experience of the most vulnerable even if for only one person is a great privilege.” 

Committees: Chair – Strategy & Futures Committee, Vice Chair – Audit & Risk Committee and Member – Quality, Safety & Clinical Governance Committee.

Silvio has extensive experience as a health service program lead and executive director, both in Australia and the National Health Service in the UK. Silvio has a strong background in developing new and substitution programs. This is across public, private and mental health settings. 

He is currently the Director of Health Nexus Consulting. 

Silvio’s purpose for joining the Board: “As a practitioner who worked closely with Neami colleagues years ago when it was still a small local service, it is a privilege to now contribute to the organisation and the great work that Neami does across the country.”

Committees: Chair – Quality, Safety & Clinical Governance, Member – Strategy & Futures Committee and Member – Nominations & Remuneration Committee

Leesa is a skilled senior leader. Leesa has worked across state and federal government, advocacy, public policy and governance for more than 25 years. This is across the not-for-profit, public works, membership-based organisations and start-up sectors. 

Leesa is a Director at Blue Sky Consulting Australia Pty Ltd. 

Leesa shares: “Joining the Neami board was an extension of my enduring commitment to see Australians receive high quality, person-centred mental health and housing support in their local communities when facing the darkest parts of their lives and working their way out the other side.” 

Committees: Chair – Nominations & Remuneration Committee and Member – Audit & Risk Committee and Member 

Fiona is a Certified Practising Accountant. She has extensive experience in financial management, governance, audit, and risk management across listed companies, NSW government and banking. Fiona lives in Central West NSW and is passionate about equity of access to healthcare. 

Fiona is Chair of Australian Mutual Bank and Deputy Chair of the Western NSW Local Health District. 

Fiona says: “I was motivated to join the Neami Board as I wish to contribute to healthcare for our communities, and I was impressed by Neami’s evidence-based approach to delivering its services.” 

Committees: Chair – Finance & Performance Committee and Member – Quality, Safety & Clinical Governance Committee

Ryan has a decade of dedicated service in the consumer and lived experience sector, across private mental health hospitals, frontline peer roles and public mental health. This experience is at both state and national levels. 

Ryan is currently the Lived Experience Coordinator at Southern NSW Local Health District. 

Ryan says he joined the Neami Board: “To contribute towards the governance of one of Australia’s largest mental health providers that is instrumental towards furthering the recovery of consumers, whilst drawing from my personal lived experience and lived experience expertise.” 

Committees: Member – Finance & Performance Committee and Member – Quality, Safety & Clinical Governance Committee

Jane is a Fellow and Past President of Chartered Accountants Australia and New Zealand. She has extensive experience in risk management, governance, audit, and finance from her over 25 years’ experience in professional services and financial services.

Jane is Partner in Grant Thornton’s risk consulting practice.

Jane’s expresses her purpose for joining the Board: “Accepting that I would never recover from my chronic mental illness but that with the right strategies and support it could be managed was a turning point in my life. Enabling this is Neami’s purpose.”

Committees: Chair – Audit & Risk Committee and Member – Finance & Performance Committee

Ashley has a background in leading purpose-driven organisations, with a focus on digital innovation, advocacy, and organisational transformation. He’s helped teams navigate growth and change, focusing on strengthening culture, strategy, and impact.

Ashley says: “I was drawn to Neami because of its commitment to supporting people to live a full life, focused on the outcomes that matter to them. I wanted to contribute my experience to an organisation that’s dedicated to people improving their quality of life on their own terms.”

Committees: Member – Finance and Performance Committee, Member – Strategy and Futures Committee

Felicite’s experience in health and community services spans a career of more than 40 years. Initially training as a Registered Nurse at Perth Children’s Hospital, Felicite worked as a clinician in paediatrics.

Felicite is a non-executive director in the WA retirement village sector, a director of a private mental health service and a deputy member of the WA Reproductive Technology Council.

Felicite says: “My motivation for joining the Neami Board is to continue to advocate for system reform at the national level and to contribute positively to the health and wellbeing of the community in an organisation with a deep respect and understanding of lived experience.”

Committees: Member – Finance and Performance Committee, Member – Quality, Safety and Clinical Governance Committee

Dr. Newchurch is a Kaurna and Narungga man and a General Practitioner with extensive experience in rural and remote healthcare, particularly in Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander health. His training has given him a deep understanding of the importance of inclusivity and the need to address systemic barriers to improve patient outcomes.

Dr. Newchurch is President of the Australian Indigenous Doctors’ Association.

Dr. Newchurch says: “I am deeply impressed by Neami’s commitment to addressing mental health. They embody their philosophy of inclusion and challenge the status quo by tackling systemic barriers. I believe my Indigenous perspectives and medical background can further enhance Neami’s work in creating meaningful change.”

Committees: Member – Audit and Risk Committee, Member – Quality, Safety and Clinical Governance Committee

Qualifications:  Bachelor of Arts/Bachelor of Law, Executive Masters of Public Administration.

Tom, supported by the leadership team, determines the future direction of Neami. He is responsible for all major decision making and reports to the board of directors. 

Qualifications and memberships: Masters Business Administration; Bachelor Social Work; GAICD; Grad Cert Public Sector Management; Harvard Business School Authentic Leadership.

Kim oversees national service delivery and operations across our Therapeutic Supports services and Mental Health Hubs.

Qualifications and memberships: Bachelor of Social Work, Advanced Diploma of Community Sector Management

Helene oversees national service delivery and operations across our Community Supports & Wellbeing and Safety & Homelessness services.

Qualifications: MIPA, AFA, MAICD, Executive Masters of Public Administration, Advanced Diploma of Accounting.

Tony oversees Information Technology, Finance, People Capability & Culture, Learning and Development, and Payroll.

Qualifications: Masters of Communication, Cranlana Executive Colloquium.

Elisabeth oversees the Research and Evaluation, Engagement, Opportunities, Strategy and Development, and Design, Participation and Inclusion, progress on our Reconciliation Action Plan, organisational strategy and business planning and internal Change Management.

Qualifications: BAppSci(NucMed), LLB, GradCertEmpLaw

Lauren oversees the legal, risk and assurance and governance functions. 

Qualifications: Master of Social Work, Bachelor of Social Work, Diploma of Government & Certificate IV leadership and management

James oversees services related to suicide prevention, family violence support, young people and homelessness.

Qualifications: Diploma of Community Services, Advanced Diploma of Community Services Management, Management/Leadership Post Graduate Certificate in Business (Public Sector Management) – current

Karen oversees services that walk alongside people to support them with holistic, community models of care.

Qualifications and memberships: Master of Business Administration; Directorship GAICD; Bachelor of Social Work

Nicole oversees services that provide therapeautic support for individuals experiencing mental health challenges.

Qualifications and memberships: Advance Diploma of Community Sector Management, Diploma of Alcohol and Other Drugs Work

Peter oversees our hubs for people experiencing distress to access free support, including their families or carers.