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

Tony is an experienced company director in the not-for-profit and public sectors. He has held senior positions in the Victorian public service. 

Tony is a Principal at Thoughtpost Governance. 

Tony has been on the Board for more than a decade and speaks to his belief in Neami’s impact: “Neami has always had a well-deserved reputation throughout Australia for innovative and effective work that assists a very broad range of people to improve their lives and achieve their goals in dealing with mental health and other challenges. We regularly hear of examples of this work at each Board meeting, which are truly impressive. Neami has wonderful and committed staff that deliver great services.” 

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

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 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 

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

Dr Shaymaa is Executive Manager, Strategy and Program Integration at Foundation House. 

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, Member – Audit & Risk Committee and Member – Quality, Safety & Clinical Governance Committee.

Fiona has 31 years of Commonwealth Government experience across health and social welfare policy, project management and administration. This includes nine years in the Senior Executive Service. During this time, one of Fiona’s focuses was system reform in mental health services. 

Fiona says: “I want to contribute to an organisation that works in partnership with consumers and the community to address the multiple and often complex issues that consumers face in their recovery journey.” 

Committees: Chair – Finance & Performance Committee, Member – Strategy & Futures Committee, and Member – Nominations & Remuneration 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

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

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

Jane is a Chartered Accountant and risk management specialist with 20 years’ experience in senior risk management, internal audit, and finance roles within the financial service sector. Jane has significant experience in the design, implementation, embedding and oversight of risk management, conduct and culture, assurance, and governance frameworks.

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: Member – Audit & Risk Committee and Member – Finance & Performance 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.