Leadership and board

Ruth was elected as the chair in 2023. She is a chartered accountant and a chartered accountant risk specialist. Ruth has more than 20 years experience working in governance, finance, audit and risk in the not-for-profit, government and commercial sectors.

She is a Principal of Conus Business Consultancy Services. 

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

Qualifications: BSc (Hons), CA, GAICD, CA Risk Specialist

Elected to the board in 2014. He chairs the Neami Audit & Risk Committee. An experienced company director in the not-for-profit and public sectors, Tony has previously held senior positions in the Victorian public service.

Tony is a Principal at Thoughtpost Governance.

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

Qualifications: BCom (Hons), BA, MA, FGIA, FCIS, FCHSM, FAICD

Leesa is a non-executive Director with the Australian Physiotherapy Association, Community Options Australia and a mentor. She is an alum of the Australian Institute of Company Directors Chair’s Mentoring Programme and a fellow with the Salzburg Global Seminar. 

Committees: Chair – Nominations & Remuneration Committee and Member – Audit & Risk Committee and Member – Finance & Performance and Member – Quality, Safety & Clinical Governance Committee

Qualifications: MAICD

Rick is a member of the Neami Finance & Performance, and Strategy, Oversight & Futures Committees. He is an experienced company director in the not-for-profit and for-profit sectors. Rick is an experienced and certified management consultant and managing director.

He is Chairman of the Yaran Business Group. 

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

Qualifications: B MGT, Postgrad Dip Gov (Fraud), Fellow – Governors Leaders Foundation, MAICD, MAIMC

Dr Shaymaa chairs the Neami Strategy, Oversight & Futures Committee. She is a skilled strategist with more than 15 years of expertise in leading organisational and service transformation and reform.

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

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

Qualifications: Exec Master PA, PhD Psychology

Fiona chairs the Neami Finance & Performance Committee. She has 31 years of Commonwealth Government experience in health and social welfare policy, project management and administration. This includes nine years in the Senior Executive Service focussing on quality and accountability in aged care and system reform in mental health services. 

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

Qualifications: BA Welfare Studies, MHSS, GAICD

Silvio chairs the Neami Quality, Safety & Clinical Governance Committee. He has extensive experience as a health service program lead and executive director across Australia and the NHS in the UK. Silvio has worked extensively in developing new and substitution programs in public, private and mental health settings.

He is currently the Director of Health Nexus Consulting. 

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

Qualifications: BA (Hons), BSW, MASc, MAASW, AFCHSM

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: GAICD; MBA; BSW; 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:  Bachelor of Social Work.

Di 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: Masters 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.