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Our Board & Executive Team

Baptist World Aid
Baptist World Aid
Chief Executive Officer

Melissa Lipsett

Melissa is an experienced executive in the Christian for purpose space. Her skills in leading diverse teams and complex organisations were developed in the Australian military, refined in executive leadership within the church context, and enriched in the Christian for purpose sector. She has extensive cross-cultural experience and a deep appreciation for working alongside First Nations people.

Melissa is a strong professional and servant leader with active governance roles across the church and for purpose Christian sector. She holds a Bachelor of Ministry and a Bachelor of Applied Science, and is a Member of the Australian Institute of Company Directors.

Melissa is passionate about helping people know and reflect the love of Jesus. She is ordained in the Uniting Church but has extensive cross-denominational experience. She is a sought-after public speaker who combines her passions of excellent leadership, advocacy, pastoral and practical theology. Melissa believes ending poverty IS possible, and is determined to work toward and inspire others so that together we can make a better world for all.

Our Executive Team

  • Baptist World Aid

    Director of International Programs

  • Baptist World Aid

    Director of Risk, Governance and Business Optimisation, Company Secretary

  • Baptist World Aid

    Director of National Engagement

  • Baptist World Aid

    Chief Financial Officer

Our Board

Tara Reid

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.
Baptist World Aid

Michael Fisher

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.
Baptist World Aid

Brian Harris

Dr Brian Harris was the principal of Vose Seminary in Perth for 17 years, and currently directs the AVENIR Leadership Institute. He’s served on several not-for-profit boards, including Christian Schools Australia, the Australian College of Theology (where he chaired the academic Board for many years) and the Carey group (which he chaired from 2013 to 2020). An international visiting scholar of Spurgeon’s college, Brian is a respected theologian and social commentator.
Baptist World Aid

Alistair Macpherson

Alistair Macpherson joined the Board in 2022. He is currently the Managing Director of Vocare Law, 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.
Baptist World Aid

Ruth Bawden

Ruth joined the Board in April 2026. She has experience in leading teams and organisations through change and growth, particularly in the areas of operations, safeguarding, risk management and audit, and currently works as Executive Pastor at Syndal Baptist Church. Ruth serves as a Director, Company Secretary and Finance Risk and Audit Committee member of Syndal Baptist Church and Syndal Community Care. Ruth is a wife and parents three boys, occasionally finding time to retreat with a good book.
Baptist World Aid

Peter Chandra

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.
Baptist World Aid

Meredith Downey

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.
Baptist World Aid

Melissa Lipsett

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.
Baptist World Aid

David Scott

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.
Baptist World Aid

Savaen Cameron

Savaen Cameron is an adept leader with diverse expertise spanning chaplaincy, youth work, advocacy, community development, ministry, organisational leadership, travel and hospitality. She coaches leaders across diverse sectors, provides professional supervision at Scripture Union Australia, and holds governance roles in other not-for-profit organisations. Savaen also volunteers her leadership experience for networks such as Micah Australia and Global Leadership Network Australia. Her refugee background imbues her with profound understanding of aid and development complexities, and she is passionate about equipping individuals for purposeful impact, fostering confidence in their unique abilities and empowering them to be contributors in their world.
Baptist World Aid
Baptist World Aid
Careers

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