Leadership

CEO

MBA, GAICD

From his highly successful 25 year military career, Garth has gone on to excel in both public and private sectors roles. He is a sought-after management consultant, non-executive director and an award-winning author.

Chairman

Steve Patrick

JD; M Intl Law; MA (Intl Rel); GDLP

Steve leads the Commonwealth Defence legal practice at Hall and Wilcox Lawyers. He is a graduate of the Royal Military College – Duntroon, serving for 10 years before moving into law and public policy.

Board Deputy Chair & Risk Committee Chair

John Velegrinis

F.Fin, MAICD

A former CEO of State Trustees, John is an experienced CEO and C Suite executive, with a career of over 40 years in Financial Services domestically and internationally. During his time overseas John was instrumental in setting up national financial literacy and rural banking programs with UNDP in Fiji, which have since spread to numerous other countries.

Director & Finance Committee Chair

Vicky Carlson

BCom, Chartered Accountant and Registered Company Auditor (RCA)

Vicky is a Partner at KPMG with over 22 years’ experience providing assurance and advisory services to listed and private companies. She leads the external audit practice for KPMG Melbourne.

Director & Fundraising Committee Chair

Simon Matthews

B.A.Sc (Biotechnology), RMIT; Grad Dip Education (Melbourne University)

Simon is Chief Marketing Officer of the Richmond Football Club. Simon established the Richmond v Melbourne AFL match played on Anzac Eve commemorating the service of contemporary veterans – to showcase the amazing people who serve.

Director

Emma Pilbeam

MCapMgt (UNSW), MStratStud (ANU), BSecStud (ANU), DipGov

Emma is a Partner in Synergy Group’s Defence Sector. She has previously held a variety of leadership roles in Downer Group and KPMG. Emma is also President of the ACT Chapter of the Australian Industry and Defence Network.

Director

Commodore Brett Dowsing

JP, MScTec, GradDipStratStudies,
RAN (ret’d)

Brett was a Naval Officer for over 50 years. His career centred around operations as a seaman and helicopter pilot and with sea, air and shore-based commands at all rank levels.

Director

Maya Donevska

B.Comm, MCommM

Maya is COO at the BHP Foundation and has worked for major corporations including BHP, General Motors and Holden Australia across multiple corporate affairs disciplines. With a passion for helping others, Maya helped found St Kilda Mums (now Our Village), an organisation supporting families by providing essential recycled nursery and household items.