Our Board

As a registered charity and public foundation, we are governed by a board of directors. Our directors are all respected members of the Southern Highlands community who generously donate their time to assist with the governance of the foundation.

Nicole Smith

Chair

With a degree in communication, and a sub-major in sociology and PR, Nicole takes a research-driven approach to marketing and business strategy. She acts as a strategic advisor to a select number of clients. At the heart of Nicole’s approach is a strong belief in supporting business to “do well by doing good”.

Hugh Mackay - AO

Patron

Hugh Mackay is a social researcher and bestselling author of 19 books, including The Good Life, The Art of Belonging and his latest, Australia Reimagined. Hugh resided in the Southern Highlands for many years and serves as the patron of the Southern Highlands Foundation.

Shelley Boyce - OAM

Patron

Shelley Boyce - JP, PHF, moved to the Southern Highlands in 1979 with her husband Philip, where they have lived, worked and raised their five children. Through her work as a legal administrator and her extensive work in Community Philanthropy and volunteering, she has had association with countless members of the community, government, local authorities and agencies in the Southern Highlands.

Michael (Mike) Walker

Director/Treasurer - MICDA

With a background in mathematical statistics, Mike initially worked in the field of operations research in the public and private sectors, specialising in optimisation of distribution systems. He later held senior marketing and management roles in the paint industry and the banking industry. In 1984, he commenced his own management consulting practice, specialising in industrial market research, marketing and business planning. He has consulted to a wide range of clients in markets across Australia and New Zealand.

Jennifer Bott - AO

Director

Jennifer Bott AO is an experienced mentor, arts manager, board member and consultant. She is currently Chairman of the Bundanon Trust and is a Board member of the Australian Museum, the Australian National Academy of Music and the Sydney Orthopaedic Research Institute. Jenny’s career has been in all aspects of the arts, philanthropy and international student exchange.

Peter Barge

Director

After 20 years living and working overseas, Peter Barge returned home to Australia in July 2010. During this period he lived in New York and Singapore twice and Chicago once. His most recent full time role was as Asia Pacific’s CEO/Chairman of Jones Lang LaSalle where he oversaw 20,000 staff spread across 60 Asia Pacific offices and 13 countries. Peter has held CEO and leadership positions in the Property, Hotel and Tourism, Education and Technology sectors.

Annabel White

Director

Annabel moved to Berrima in the Southern Highlands in 2012. Annabel has extensive experience in the philanthropic and not for profit sectors in Australia and is a keen supporter of grassroots initiatives. Annabel is passionate about working together with other community organisations, individuals and government, leveraging support to create what is needed for flourishing communities. Prior to her career in philanthropy, Annabel worked in publishing and the media.

Peter Roach

Director

Peter moved to the Southern Highlands in 2017. Originally from Sydney, he served as CEO of a large Family Office from 2000 to 2012. In conjunction with this role, Peter was a Non-Executive Director of Rural Press Limited and Landis+Gyr AG.

Julie White

Director

Although only a permanent resident of the Southern Highlands for the past 18 months, Julie has had a longstanding relationship with the area having spent many long weekends visiting friends and enjoying the many benefits that are on offer. As a country girl originally, the Highlands provides her with the sense of peace and space that she knows from her early years, but with a convenient location to continue her varied work priorities in Sydney. Currently a non-executive director - Chair of the SENSW Primary Health Care Network (COORDINARE); Chair of Women’s Community Shelters and Chair of Catherine Hamlin Fistula Foundation and an Independent Director on Ability First Australia, Julie is also a strategic adviser on social investment and staff community engagement to business and to not-for-profits in strategic planning, corporate governance, philanthropy and corporate and community engagement. She also provides professional mentoring to Chairs and CEO’s of not-for-profit organisations.

Christopher Brown AM

Director

Christopher Brown AM is Honorary Chair of not-for-profit regional think tank, the Western Sydney Leadership Dialogue. He is also Executive Chair of national strategy firm, Taylor Street Advisory. Christopher retired recently as Pro-Chancellor of Western Sydney University (WSU) after eight years as a Trustee Director and he chaired WSU’s engagement subcommittee and Academy. The university awarded him an Honorary Doctorate of Letters in recognition of his significant regional contribution in 2019 and before that was Adjunct Professor of Business at the University of Technology Sydney. Raised and educated in Parramatta, Christopher Brown AM was awarded Australian Honours for services to industry and community in 2014. He and his family now shuttle between homes on a small cattle farm in the Southern Highlands and in an old tram workshop in Rozelle.

Clayton Davis

Director

I have been Principal Lawyer and Managing Director of Stacks Davis for over 14 years. Stacks Davis specialises in insolvency law and commercial litigation from offices in Bowral and Melbourne. I graduated from the University of New South Wales with a Bachelor of Arts and a Bachelor of Laws in 1995 and was admitted to the Supreme Court of NSW in 1997, the High Court of Australia in 1998, and the Supreme Court of England and Wales in 2002. I have worked with some of the top firms around the world – including Mayer Brown in London, and Minter Ellison and Sparke Helmore in Sydney . In addition to litigation, I was invited to join the Board of Consolidated Land and Rail Australia Pty Ltd (CLARA) in 2015 and have been a director and Legal Counsel since. CLARA has a vision to build the world’s most liveable, sustainable and connected cities and is presently progressing several projects in green hydrogen manufacturing.

Bridget Cosyn

Community Liaison and Administration - MICDA

Bridget is a business women who has lived in the Southern Highlands for over 30 years. Originally having a hospitality and event management background, Bridget become involved with vocational training and education. As a member of Berrima Rotary Bridget sits on the District committee for Rotary Youth Leadership. Bridget is a member of Institute of Community Directors.

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