Honorary Specialist Consultants
A/Prof John Basson
Sydney West Area Health Service and University of NSW
Expertise: John specialises in caring for mentally disordered offenders and the long-term management of people with serious mental disorders. He came to Australia in 2004 following an outstanding career as Medical Director at Broadmoor Hospital, Berkshire, England.
Anna Bligh
CEO - YWCA NSW
Expertise: Anna was elected to the Queensland Parliament in 1995. She became the first female Premier of the State in 2007 to 2012. Anna now lives in Sydney and also serves on the Boards of Directors of Bangarra Dance Company and Medibank Private.
Bruce Bonyhady, AM
Chair - National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS)
Expertise: Bruce is keenly involved in philanthropy and providing support to people with disabilities, their families and carers. Former President of Philanthropy Australia and former Chairman of Yooralla.
Jody Broun
Executive Director - NSW Australian Red Cross
Expertise: Jody has dedicated herself to the service of Australia's first people over a 25 year career. Appointments have included Co-Chair National Congress of Australia's First People's, Executive Director of Policy and Coordination of the Aboriginal Affairs Planning Authority (WA) and Director General of the NSW Department of Aboriginal Affairs. Jody is also a well-known and highly respected artist.
Julian Burnside, AO QC
Expertise: Is an Australian barrister who specialises in commercial litigation and is also deeply involved in human rights work, particularly in relation to refugees. He is the former President of Liberty Victoria, and is Chair of Melbourne arts venue Fortyfivedownstairs, and Chair of the Mietta Foundation. Julian won the Sydney Peace Prize in 2014, and was designated a Living National Treasure in 2004. In 2009 he made an Officer in the Order of Australia.
Benjamin Chow, AO
Council of the National Museum of Australia
Expertise: Business management, urban development and community service. Key interests include planning for community spaces, multicultural inclusion especially in large Australian icons eg Scouts and Guides Australia, Surf Life Saving and the like. Board Director Chain Reaction Foundation.
Hass Dellal, OAM
Executive Director - Australian Multicultural Foundation
Expertise: Multicultural organisations, police and community relations, philanthropy and the arts. Special Adviser, National Police Ethnic Advisory Bureau.
Prof Julian Disney, AO
Director Social Justice Project, UNSW, National Chair, Anti-Poverty Week
Expertise: Housing and urban development, Tax and social justice, Social security and unemployment, Global governance and poverty.
Robert Fitzgerald, AM
Commissioner - Royal Commission into Institutional Responses to Child Sexual Abuse
Expertise: Social policy, systemic reform, NGO governance, management structure, conciliation, complaint and dispute resolution, community, government and business interface.
Dorothy Harding
Communications Consultant
Expertise: Public relations, marketing, event management and all levels of communications. Board Director Chain Reaction Foundation.
Otto Henfling
CEO - Childrenfirst
Expertise: Otto has been a senior executive in the not-for-profit sector since 2005 and was a senior Australian Government Public Servant prior to that. Otto's experience in the community sector allows him to talk with authority about issues facing the sector in implementing social policy.
John Hewson, AM
Expertise: John is an Australian economist, company director and a former politician and leader of the Liberal Party of Australia. He is Chairman, Global DC Pty Ltd and has been involved in a range of not-for-profit organisations including the Arthritis Foundation and Kids Xpress.
Melissa Hood
Co-founder & Director - The Parent Practice UK
Expertise: Parent education and relationship support, Co-Founder of the Parent Practice UK. Highly skilled in working with parents and children, author "Real Parenting for Real Kids".
Rachel Kerry
Executive Officer - Cages Foundation
Expertise: Many years experience in philanthropy and corporate community relations including Perpetual and Westpac Foundation. At Cages Foundation Rachel is responsible for the development and implementation of the strategic giving direction.
She is also Chair of the Management Committee for Curious Works.
Jim L'Estrange
CEO - Cancer Council NSW
Expertise: Leadership experience with focus on customers and community, solid media experience and passionate about men's health.
Karen Loblay
Founder and Chair of Matana Foundation for Young People
Expertise: Sapphire Paul Harris Fellow of Rotary International, professional and businesswoman, boardmember New Israel Fund Australia Foundation, with special interest in human rights, social justice, refugee advocacy and, through the foundation, disadvantaged youth.
Hugh Mackay
Psychologist, Social Researcher and writer
Expertise: Hugh has been at the forefront of social analysis in Australia for many years. He gives generously of his time in a variety of ways in community service and has been a supporter of Chain Reaction Foundation since its inception in 2002.
Karen Mahlab, AM
Founder and CEO Pro Bono Australia
Expertise: Board member of Reichstein Foundation and the Australian Arts Orchestra. Cheerleader for cross sectoral, cross cultural understandings and big picture thinking.
Prof Abd-Elmasih Malak, AM
Chair Multicultural Mental Health Australia Association, Vice-President World Federation of Mental Health, Convenor Australian Partnership of Religious Organisations.
Expertise: Abd has worked in the field of health and social welfare for the past 30 years in service provision, policy development, planning and management. He has published a wide range of papers on cross cultural issues. Board Director Chain Reaction Foundation.
Winsome Matthews
Department of Human Service, Community Services
Expertise: Winsome is a Yorta Yorta Goomaroi woman experienced in policy planning and protocol development in Aboriginal Services at national level. She is a specialist in holistic approach to sustaining and maintaining Australian Aboriginal culture. Working to improve program services and community development which facilitate self-determination and self-management underpinned by equitable social justice practises.
Andrew McCallum, AM
CEO – Association of Children’s Welfare Agencies
Expertise: Andrew comes from a teaching background and has served many years in community development including a period as President ACOSS. In addition to holding many board appointments Andrew is currently serving as CEO of ACWA. Board Director Chain Reaction Foundation.
Jan Owen, AM
CEO - Foundation for Young Australians
Expertise: Jan was Executive Director of Social Ventures Australia and founded the CREATE Foundation of which she was CEO for nine years. She serves on the Boards of the School for Social Entrepreneurs; Inspire Foundation; The Australian Centre for Social Innovation (TACSI); RMIT College of Business, Industry Advisory Board and the International Womens' Development Agency (IWDA).
Dr Sev Ozdowski, AM
Director Equity and Diversity - WSU
Expertise: Australian and international human rights, immigration and multiculturalism; sociology of law, immigration law and public administration; disability discrimination and refugee issues. Board Director Chain Reaction Foundation.
Paul Reid
Retired Partner (Oct 2014) - KPMG
Expertise: Paul was the partner in charge of KPMG’s Investment Management, Funds and Superannuation group and was a member of KPMG’s Global Investment Management and Funds Steering Committee. Paul commits much of his time to pro bono work, including services to NAPCAN, Chain Reaction Foundation and Holy Family Church Mt Druitt.
Felicity Reynolds
CEO - Mercy Foundation
Expertise: Chair Australian Common Ground Alliance and the B. Miles Womens' Foundation. Expertise in effective solving of chronic homelessness; permanent supportive housing; mental health; poverty; social research and social policy.
Chris Sidoti
International Human Rights Consultant, Senior Consultant Asia Pacific Forum, Chair of NSW Independent Liquor & Gaming Authority
Expertise: Human Rights Lawyer, activist and teacher. Formerly Australian Human Rights Commissioner, Australian Law Reform Commissioner, Foundation Director of Australian Human Rights and Equal Opportunity Commission.
Prof Michele Simons
Dean of Education - Western Sydney University
Expertise: Michele has a background in adult and vocational education. Prior to her university appointments, she worked in community services, leading a range of programs for couples, parents and families. She has served on committees for a number of national organisations and government committees focused on the provision of family services in Australia. Michele is currently a Director for Engagement Australia and sits on a number of national education and research related committees.
Patricia Turner, AM
Expertise: Pat is a proud Arrernte woman, now living and working in her family town of Alice Springs, NT. She was the inaugural CEO, National Indigenous Television (NITV) from 2007-2010. Prior to that she had a long and distinguished career as a senior public servant in Canberra for some 26 years.
Teresa Zolnierkiewicz
Head of Philanthropy, ANZ Private
Expertise: Having provided advice on the distribution of around $800 million to charitable causes in Australia over the past 12+ years she has direct experience of the impact of well-designed philanthropic ideas. Teresa's key objective in her current role is to innovate, develop a vision, and deliver sustainable philanthropy opportunities and solutions that resonate with ANZ customers, regardless of location and level of wealth. She wants to help them give.