As part of the recruitment process, Neami was committed to enhancing the capability and diversity of the Board to include Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples and other communities that often don’t have a voice in the governance of organisations.
Neami welcomes Dr Shaymaa Elkadi, Dr Tim Smyth, Ms Leesa Chesser and Mr Rick Callaghan.
Board Chair, Tony Nippard said,
“We are delighted to welcome four new Directors to the Neami Board, who bring important governance, experience and expertise relevant to Neami, as well as important social, geographic, and personal backgrounds relevant to the organisation. The appointment of these new Directors is a huge opportunity for Neami to continue to play a role in supporting system reform and strong outcomes for consumers and staff. They will be a great addition to our dedicated Board, and I’m looking forward to seeing what we can achieve together as we progress the organisation’s strategic directions and consumer outcomes.”
Get to know the new Directors.
Dr Shaymaa Elkadi
Dr Shaymaa Elkadi is a private consultant supporting organisations in their strategic planning as well as professional leadership and coaching. She brings experience shaping innovative pathways of service excellence for the most complex and vulnerable in our community.
Dr Tim Smyth
Dr Tim Smyth has had a long career in the health sector extending from junior clinician through to CEO of health services, culminating in appointment as Deputy Secretary, NSW Ministry of Health. Tim provides legal and consulting services to clients in the government and health and community services sectors.
Leesa Chesser
Ms Leesa Chesser is an accomplished senior leader, and experienced non-executive director with expertise in highly regulated environments, sectors undergoing transformation and service reform. Leesa mentors start-up founders at Stone & Chalk Adelaide, women in business and leaders in Vietnam, Indonesia, and Laos as a consultant to the Flinders University Gender Consortium.
Rick Callaghan
Mr Rick Callaghan is a Potaruwutj man whose extended Aboriginal family is originally from the Tatiara or Padthaway Region of South Australia. He spent nearly 20 years working for the South Australian Government and then commenced a private sector business career at KPMG and he also established his own boutique consulting firm. Rick’s core competencies involve working predominantly with First Nations peoples and mainstream businesses by assisting with entrepreneurial approaches to business creation, sustainability, and expansion.
Neami Board Directors oversee the governance, compliance review and risk assessment of the organisation with a focus on the broad issues of organisational purpose and strategic positioning. They have an overriding responsibility to ensure that Neami is optimally managed for the benefit of all stakeholders.