Meet our Board
Ms Gael Fraser
Board Chair
Gael has worked as a senior executive in the public sector and as a senior political advisor to government. In these roles she has contributed to significant policy development in education and children’s services, further education, employment and training, social housing, workers compensation and personnel management and development. Also, as a private consultant for over 10 years, Gael has assisted many government and community organisations with strategic planning, managing change, social policy development and governance arrangements. She has held a number of Board positions and is a former Chair of the South Australian Council of Social Service.
Ms Kate Ireland
Deputy Chair
Kate has many years’ experience in the health, disability, housing and community sectors, including more than a decade in State board roles and nationally. She brings expertise in finance, risk management and governance. Kate is a member of the Governance and Risk Committee.
Ms Karen Hunt
Board Director
Karen has extensive experience in health and higher education, and is currently Director: Higher and International Education with the State Government. She brings expertise in stakeholder management, policy, service delivery, communication, mental health and community engagement, and is a member of the Risk Committee.
Mr Sandy Rix
Board Director
Sandy is an acknowledged leader and innovator in major project planning, urban design, feasibility and project management. He shares over 20 years of private sector consultant experience with success as Project Director for design and implementation of the initial stage of the North Terrace Boulevard, Director of the Bowden Village Project, General Manager with Renewal SA and Director of the initial Northern Economic Plan.
Mr David Lewis
Board Director
David is an experienced executive manager in the finance sector. Having extensive experience in the non-for-profit sector, David also brings expertise in strategic planning, governance and risk management.
Mr Chris Headland
Board Director
Chris possesses senior leadership experience from various roles in the aged care sector, and holds education board experience. He shares expertise in human resource management, governance and aged care in the government and not-for-profit sectors. Chris has a wealth of knowledge around Uniting Church administration and governance. He is also a member of the Property and Housing Committee.
Ms Emma Siami
Board Director
Emma has held senior roles in the public sector in South Australia, in the United Kingdom Civil Service and at an Australian trade union. She has worked towards positive outcomes in the areas of employment, education, the criminal justice system and economic development. Emma brings expertise in strategy, people management, equality and program development to empower people through systemic change.
Hon Lea Stevens
Board Director
Lea has held senior leadership and management positions in education, health, community services and regional development for 35 years. She was a secondary school Principal, local state MP, Shadow Minister in Ageing, Disability and Community Services and Minister for Health and Minister Assisting the Premier in Social Inclusion. Following retirement from politics, she was Director of a state government agency working collaboratively to improve economic and social outcomes in northern Adelaide during the wind down and closure of the automotive industry. This included leading the whole of government response to support the transition of workers from the automotive sector and establishing and supporting a large network of schools implementing positive education to build levels of wellbeing and resilience amongst student, staff and parent communities.
She currently sits on a range of profit for purpose boards.
Ms Christine Hahn
Board Director
Christine has over 20 years’ Board and Committee experience in the medical research, manufacturing and employment, disability and community services sectors. Having held senior executive and chief executive roles in the public, private and profit-for-purpose sectors in Australia, USA and the UK, she brings expertise in governance, continuous improvement and growth opportunities. Christine contributes to the development of early career business and accounting graduates, having co-written and delivered Masters’ course subjects at the University of Adelaide and is a Facilitator for the Chartered Accountants Programme. She is a member of the Finance and Audit Committee.
Dr Carolyn Astley
Board Director
Carolyn has over 20 years’ experience as a nursing clinician, 20 years’ experience in health care policy development, quality improvement, health promotion and research and is currently an Associate Professor in the College of Health Science and Nursing at Flinders University. Carolyn has 15 years’ experience as a board director across health services, disability and health associations in the profit for purpose sector. In these roles she has specialised in clinical and organisational governance, data-led analysis and decision-making, strategic planning and community and stakeholder advocacy. Carolyn is a member of the Great Client Experience committee.