Tara has been Chair of our Board since March 2020. She has also served as Deputy Chair and as Chair of the Finance and Risk Committee. She has been a member of the Board since 2017.
Tara’s background includes over 20 years of experience in Corporate Finance, including partnership at Deloitte and leading a national team at Ernst & Young. Her personal entrepreneurial achievements include having started her own internet start-up business in sports nutrition, which she sold in 2015 and her current start-up business in the social services sector.
With extensive board room experience, Tara is currently serving on the Board of Wesley Mission and is a member of their Finance and Audit Committee. She previously served on the Board of Concern Australia from 2013 – 2020 as Secretary and Chair of the Fundraising Committee. Tara has taught and mentored human trafficking survivors at the Freedom Hub Survivor School and Salvation Army Safehouse. She is a graduate of the Australian Institute of Directors Company Directors Course and a member of Northside Baptist Church.
Allan joined the Board in 2016. He is the Senior Pastor of NewHope Baptist Church in Victoria, where he has served since 1995, and the Executive Director of NewHope Community Care Inc. Allan has served on various Boards in Canada and Australia. He is a former President of the Baptist Union of Victoria and served on the BUV council for more than 15 years. He is currently Board Chair of Whitehorse Churches Care, Ltd., and an adjunct lecturer at Whitley College in Victoria.
Michael joined the Board in May 2021 and is a member of the Finance and Risk Committee. With a 25-year tenure in banking, financial markets and investment management, he has embraced senior leadership responsibilities across some of Australia’s major banks. During this time, Michael led complex and high risk businesses, furthering his belief that strong corporate governance and risk management protocols need to sit at the centre of organisations, big and small. Today, Michael specialises in financial and investment advice for institutions, not-for-profits, family offices and high/ultra-high net worth investors, and is passionate about reducing and alleviating oppression against the vulnerable. Outside of work, Michael enjoys the time he spends with his wife, Marta, and their two children, Joshua and Ava.
Alistair Macpherson joined the Board in 2022. He is currently the Managing Director of Corney & Lind Lawyers, where he focuses on legal issues affecting schools, non-profit entities and other corporate clients. Prior to working in private practice, Alistair was employed as an in-house solicitor with numerous government organisations (including the Australian Federal Police), advising across the various areas of law relevant to government enterprise. He has also worked as a criminal prosecutor with the ACT DPP and the Queensland DPP. Alistair serves as a Board Member of various charities involved in the delivery of education, aged care and overseas aid services.
Susan served the Board from 2012-2015 and rejoined in 2020. Susan has 15 years experience in organisational development, learning and development, instructional design and project management. She currently holds an organisational development leadership role at Global Interaction. Susan serves on the Academic Board of Governance of the National Institute of Organisational Dynamics Australia. She is also a parent, Spiritual Director and member of New Community church in Victoria.
Dr. Peter Chandra consults and facilitates workshops in board governance, leadership & coaching, team/project management, and business & performance strategy in a multicultural environment in the UK, Asia and Australia. He has over 30 years’ experience as an executive and non-executive director in not-for-profits, ASX-listed, SMEs and private companies (national and international); across a range of industries including travel & hospitality, property development, IT, childcare & healthcare. Over the past 15 years, Peter has been a facilitator for the Australian Institute of Company Directors (AICD) in Corporate Strategy & Risk and in Board Reporting. He is from a multicultural background with parents of Indian and Chinese decent.
Meredith joined the Board in November 2018. With 20+ years of international development experience, she is currently Health and Women’s Safety Program Manager at Opportunity International Australia. In addition to her professional work, Meredith has a passion for mentoring and has volunteered as a mentor for various local not-for-profits including “Raise Foundation” who run mentoring programs for young people at risk and “Can Too Foundation” which is a health promotion charity committed to funding cancer research.
Michelle joined the Board in May 2019. Michelle is co-Director of The Future Leader Group, an organisation focused on leadership development, organisational culture and strategy. Michelle has 20 years’ experience as a brand, communications, strategy and coaching professional in the not-for-profit, corporate, education and international development sectors. She also serves as Board Chair for Seed and Board Director for Common Grace.
Melissa is an experienced executive with a wealth of experience in the Christian not-for-profit space. Her skills in leading and managing diverse teams and complex organisations were developed in the Australian military, refined in executive leadership within the contemporary church context, and further developed in the Christian for purpose sector. She has extensive cross-cultural experience and a deep appreciation and respect for working alongside First Nations people.
David is an experienced not-for-profit director with diverse skills in leadership, corporate governance, financial analysis, mergers and acquisitions, strategy, and social policy. Previously, David had a senior banking executive career with a focus on strategy and mergers and acquisitions. As part of his banking career, David was based in Hong Kong and travelled extensively for business in Asia. David’s PhD research, completed at UNSW’s Social Policy Research Centre in 2022, provides practical insights to enhance advocacy efforts for marginalised Australians.
B Arts (International Studies) M TESOL
Rachael leads the Church Pathways Team for Baptist Care SA, helping to build relationships between Baptist Care, churches, and communities, and supporting churches in engaging in unique expressions of mission. Rachael has a background as an English as a Second Language teacher and is passionate about the way language can be used to facilitate connection and relationships, especially in community settings. Rachael also works as the Community Engagement Pastor at Broadview Baptist Church, a neighbourhood church in the inner suburban ring in Adelaide.
Diploma of Music, Bachelor of Commerce
With a background in Philanthropy and Marketing and Communications, and a passion for strategic planning, Jayden currently works with Melbourne non-profit, Servants Community Housing. Jayden and his wife, Mikyla, live on-site in social housing, alongside 28 men who have experienced exclusion, acute mental illness, disability, incarceration, domestic violence and homelessness. Jayden sees this living situation as an outworking of his faith. And sees the local church playing a significant role in reshaping how society engages with vulnerable people. Jayden has a Diploma of Music, Bachelor of Commerce, and is currently completing a Masters in Public Policy and Management.
Nisha became a Specialist Advisor in 2016 after having served as a Board intern from 2012 to 2013. Nisha has over 15 years of experience in risk management and governance across a range of industries including financial services, technology, and not-for-profits. Nisha is currently the Chief Risk Officer at the University of Sydney. Nisha also serves as an Advisory Board Member for Habitat for Humanity Australia. Previously, Nisha was the Chief Risk Officer at The Salvation Army, Australia Eastern Territory and, in that capacity, was a Director on several affiliated Boards. Nisha is a Graduate Member of the Australian Institute of Company Directors.
