Board of Directors

 

Chair

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Diane (Kargas) Bray AM

Qualifications - GPSMC, GAICD, EMFIA

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Diane has been a tireless contributor to the Canberra community and mentor for people in the charitable and not for profit sector.

In her former role as Public Trustee for the ACT, Diane founded the Capital Region Community Foundation known as GreaterGood for the perpetual benefit of Canberra and the region. Diane was the ACT Local Hero in 2004, and in 2007 was recognised by the International Women's Day Award for services to the ACT Community. In 2009 she was awarded Member of the Order of Australia for her services to philanthropy, aged care, people with disabilities and juvenile diabetes research. In 2011 she was listed on the Honour Roll of 100 inspiring women in the ACT.

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Special Responsibilities - Chair and Treasurer and experience in the trustee, philanthropic and not for profit sector.

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Directors

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Robert Wilson

 

Bob has been enthusiastic and loyal during his life and enjoys a challenge when it presents itself.  His last position with St Vincent de Paul was the most rewarding.  He retired on 9 March 2012 after 22 years as the Chief Executive Officer for the Canberra/Goulburn Central Council. Bob worked with a group of volunteers who are passionate about addressing social justice issues and inequality in our community.  Speaking out on behalf of the poor and deprived citizens we share our towns and cities with draws attention to the fact that not everyone has a comfortable life style.  Being a conduit between the supporters and the poor is a fulfilling experience and one he is proud to be a part of.   Bob continues to be a volunteer with St Vincent de Paul in his local parish conference

 

Special Responsibilities - Expertise in the not for profit, government and business sectors

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Fiona Smith du Toit

 

Qualifications - BArch (1st Class Hons), Registered Architect (ARBV)

 

Fiona is an active member of Canberra Mothercraft Society (CMS/QE11). She is a Programme Manager and Project Director with 20 years of experience in the design, delivery and management of major projects and programmes.  Fiona has held senior positions with top tier Australian architectural firms and international organisations, and works across a wide range, and scale, of projects including Olympic and Asian Games.  Fiona is engaged to lead projects with multiple stakeholders and multinational teams.  She specialises in the management of complex operational, project and cultural issues and builds productive relationships across all levels of organisations. 

 

Special Responsibilities - Experience in project management and community engagement

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Andrew Rowe

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Andrew is Sustineo's founder and the firm's Managing Director since inception in September 2010.  He is an accomplished influencer with strong strategic, operational, administrative and relationship management skills coupled with extensive experience in prudent management of organizational change within multi-stakeholder environments.  He demonstrates a successful track record in diagnosing the core business and organisational issues that undermine performance, and crafting solutions and change strategies to drive growth and increased performance. 

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Andrew has many years experience in the public sector, including in performance audit and evaluation, strategy and policy, and organisational roles.  In addition to international development assistance program and operations management, Andrew’s private sector experience includes aviation risk management, organisational evaluation and management review, and business strategy and planning.

He also has experience serving on community sector boards, including as Board chairman, and is an experienced strategic thinker with long-term vision, delivering strategic objectives through commitment to accountability and effective governance.

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Special Responsibilities: Experience in governance and strategy.

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 Elizabeth Williamson      

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Qualifications: Bachelor of Commerce and Bachelor of Arts (Honours) from the University of Western Australia and a Masters of Government & Commercial Law from the Australian National University.

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Elizabeth Williamson is an Assistant Secretary at the Department of the Prime Minister and Cabinet. She was previously a Senior Adviser to the Treasurer, the Hon. Joe Hockey MP, and has held public service roles at the Treasury and Department of Finance that included working on the federal budget and fiscal policy, international economic policy and the G20. Elizabeth holds a Bachelor of Commerce and Bachelor of Arts (Honours) from the University of Western Australia and a Masters of Government & Commercial Law from the Australian National University and is active in the community.

 

Special Responsibilities: Exprience in governance 

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Larissa Toozoff

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Qualifications: Graduate Diploma Legal Practice, Bachelor of Law and Bachelor of Science

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Larissa primarily advises on procurement and commercial contracting, focusing on construction and infrastructure projects. She also advises on general commercial law, acts as probity adviser on major commercial projects, and advises on funding grants.  Larissa also provides commercial pro bono assistance, including on corporate governance matters. 

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Special Responsibilities - Company Secretary.

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Kate Dawson                                       

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Qualifications – BA (Administration), MBA, Grad Dip Management

 

Kate has 30 years experience in human resources in the public sector.  She is studying Community Development.  Kate is also rtan experienced HR professional with a strong interest in disability and diversity. She has worked in a range of government agencies in disability, strategic human resources and HR policy.

 

Special Responsibilities - Executive Officer

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Carmel McGregor, PSM, FAHRI, FIPAA          

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Qualifications – BA (majors in psychology and sociology) University of Queensland.

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Carmel McGregor is currently an Adjunct Professor at the University of Canberra and a private consultant. She was formerly Deputy Secretary Defence People in the Department of Defence.

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Carmel was Australia’s representative and Vice Chair of the OECD’s Public Governance Committee from 2008-2012.   She is a Fellow of the Australian Institute of Management, the Australian Human Resources Institute, and the National Fellow of the Institute of Public Administration Australia, Vice President of the Institute of Public Administration Australia in the ACT, a member of the Australian Institute of Training and Development and a member of the Australian Institute of Company Directors. Carmel was selected as inaugural Woman of Influence Public Policy in the Financial Review/Westpac 100 Women of Influence.  Also in October 2012, Carmel was awarded an ANZSIG Public Service Excellence Award Honorary Adjunct Professorship.  Carmel is the recipient of a Public Service Medal in the Australia Day 2013 Honours List and also received recognition by the Institute of Chartered Accountants for Exceptional Leadership and a board member of UN Women Australia and a member of ACT/Southern NSW Rugby Board (Brumbies).

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Patricia Paterson   

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Qualifications: Bachelor of Accounting, Chartered Accountant, Advanced Diploma in Insurance Broking

 

Patricia is a Chartered Accountant and Business Advisor. She has experience advising on different types of industries but primarily assists clients with commercial and residential property portfolios and professional services firms. She was previously a Commercial Insurance Broker which provided her great insight in different types of business risk management including the not-for-profit sector. She got involved with Common Ground in January 2017 as a pro bono accounts officer and has since been an active member of the team.

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Special Responsibilities: Treasurer

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