Board
Our board members are more than just dedicated and passionate – they bring a wealth of experience and expertise to the table, allowing us to continually improve and innovate. They are committed to advancing our cause and ensuring that everyone has equal access to opportunities and resources.

Hon. Jim McGinty
ChairpersonJim commenced as our Chairperson in April 2018. James (Jim) McGinty was a Labor member of the Western Australian Legislative Assembly from 1990 to 2009, representing the district of Fremantle. He was also the Labor Party leader and Leader of the Opposition from 1994 to 1996. He served as Attorney-General, in the governments of Carmen Lawrence, Geoff Gallop and Alan Carpenter.
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Acknowledged as one of Labor’s great reformers, Jim helped achieve the “one vote one value” for the Legislative Assembly, Gay, and Lesbian equality in the laws of WA and provision for surrogacy parenting. He established new institutions including the Corruptions and Crime Commission, the State Administrative Tribunal and the Court of Appeal.

Miriam D’Souza
Board MemberMiriam D’Souza is a projects and infrastructure lawyer based in Western Australia with over 20 years’ experience advising on major projects. Miriam is a partner at Ashurst.
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Miriam has advised on a wide range of major projects in the infrastructure, mining, waste and water sectors, working for both the private and public sectors. Miriam is particularly passionate about working on Western Australian government projects, having advised the State government on the Fiona Stanley Hospital project, the Perth Children’s hospital project, the development of Elizabeth Quay, the development of the Old Treasury Building and redevelopment of the Perth Museum.
Prior to joining the Communicare board, Miriam had been a long term volunteer of the National Association of Women in Construction (NAWIC), forming part of the founding chapter council in WA and sitting on the board of NAWIC for 4 years. Miriam is also a board member of Ruah Legal Services (formerly the Mental Health Law Centre).

Jacqueline Gray
Board MemberJacqueline is a Senior Finance Executive with over 25 years of experience in multiple industries and managing companies with a global turnover in excess of £500M. She has a successful track record with developing & implementing corporate strategy, building high performance management teams, M&A and post-merger integration.
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Jacqueline is currently serving as CFO for Proteomics International and has held numerous senior management positions with Healthcare of Australia, The Economist Group, BBC Worldwide and Arthur Andersen. Most recently, Jacqueline has been working with several emerging ASX listed companies in the medical technology, SaaS, digital marketing, Ecommerce, retail and renewables sectors. Jacqueline’s list of qualifications qualifications include a Bachelor of Business (Accounting) from Edith Cowan University, Graduate Diploma in Applied Corporate Governance from the Governance Institute of Australia, and Chartered Accountant from the Institute of Chartered Accountants.

Brendan Hodge
Board MemberBrendan joined the Communicare Board in September 2015. Brendan has over 20 years’ experience in public education and is the Associate Principal of Winterfold Primary School in Beaconsfield Western Australia.
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Brendan is a qualified coach, for ambitious school leaders and operates his own coaching business.
Brendan graduated with a Bachelor of Arts in Primary Education and holds a Graduate Diploma in Business and a Master of Business Administration from Curtin University.

Tony Pearson
Board MemberTony joined Communicare’s board in June 2020. Tony is an experienced international executive and Company Director. He is currently a Trustee of the Royal Botanic Garden & Domain Trust, a Commissioner at the Independent Planning Commission, and a non-executive director of ASX listed Cellnet and Peak Resources.
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Before these non-executive appointments, Tony was a Managing Director at HSBC, where he led the organisation’s Natural Resources business, and a Group Executive at SouthGobi Resources, based in Hong Kong.
Tony holds a Bachelor of Commerce from the University of New South Wales and has been admitted as a Member of the Australian Institute of Company Directors.

Jade Adams
Board MemberJade joined Communicare’s board in January 2020. Jade was born and raised in Darwin. Her people are the Yadhiagana/Wuthathi people of Cape York Peninsula in Queensland. Jade also is of Filipino, Chinese, Malayan and English background. The diversity of her background is something of which Jade is very proud.
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Jade has served in many public service roles across Human Services and Community Services, both state and federal, and is currently employed by the Western Australia Department of Communities as a Project Manager.
With experience in Project Management, Strategic Development, Organisation Structural Review, Business Analysis, Policy and frontline Service Delivery, Jade brings to the Communicare Board extensive experience across Community Services, particularly in Housing and Aboriginal outcomes.

Ben Wyatt MLA
PatronBen Wyatt, a proud Yamatji man, joined Communicare as our Patron in 2007. He has a Law Degree from the University of Western Australia and attended the London School of Economics and Political Science on a Scholarship where he completed a Master’s Degree.
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As one of Western Australia’s most highly regarded politicians, Ben successfully transitioned to a new career in the top-tier of business on his retirement as State Treasurer and Member for Victoria Park at the 2021 state election. Prior to his retirement, he held a number of ministerial positions and became the first person of Aboriginal heritage to become Treasurer of an Australian Parliament. Ben’s extensive knowledge of public policy, finance, international trade and Indigenous affairs brings valuable insight to his role as Communicare’s Patron.
Prior to politics, Ben was an officer in the Australian Army Reserves and went on to have a career in the legal profession as a barrister and solicitor. In recent years, Ben has taken up roles at Rio Tinto, Woodside Petroleum, the Telethon Kids Institute, the West Coast Eagles and Perth Festival. He is also a member of the Advisory Committee of Australian Capital Equity.
Executive Leadership
As strong advocates for inclusion and equality, our leadership team champions the cause of the most vulnerable members of our community.

Merinda is a highly experienced CEO with extensive management history within the health care, community and not-for-profit sectors. She is a passionate advocate for social justice and has dedicated the latter part of her career to family domestic violence, youth justice, alcohol and other drugs, counselling and mental health services.
With a strong focus on business development and a passion for collective leadership and social impact, she is committed to the growth of Communicare programs and services, which will ensure that the organisation is embedded in the communities it serves.
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Throughout her career, Merinda has aligned herself with purpose-driven organisations who demonstrate a strong commitment to reconciliation. Merinda describes herself as reconciliation ally. She is a social justice, mental health and lived/living experience advocate.
Merinda is a Board Member and Secretary of Western Australian Network of Alcohol & Other Drug Agencies (WANADA). Board Member of Community Employers WA (CEWA).
She has a Bachelor of Counselling and Bachelor of Applied Psychology from The University of Notre Dame Australia.

Helen joined Communicare in 2025 as our inaugural Deputy Chief Executive Officer, a pivotal role created to support the organisation’s continued growth, evolving service offering and long-term community impact.
With more than 30 years of leadership experience across the health and community services sectors, Helen brings extensive expertise in inclusion, social impact and business development. Her work spans government, academia, private enterprise and the not-for-profit sector. She is nationally recognised for her leadership in co-design for impact, evidence-based practice and meaningful partnerships with First Nations communities.
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Helen’s values-led approach and strong commitment to reconciliation align closely with Communicare’s purpose and aspiration to create a nation where every person is safe, included and connected and systems are designed to support the community to thrive. As Deputy CEO, she plays a key role in strengthening leadership across programs, building a future-ready structure, advocating for systems change and supporting sustainable growth and stability across the organisation.
Outside of work, Helen is a keen traveller with a love of wildlife and nature, though she now prefers comfort over camping. A self-described “curator of hobbies,” she’s always creating something, from sewing and soap making to preserving and photography. Raised on a farm and handy with any vehicle, she’s recently added “Granty” (great aunty) to her list of proud titles.

Mark is an experienced finance and operations leader, passionate about driving sustainable growth and improving financial performance through data-driven strategies. Before joining Communicare, Mark held senior executive roles at RAAFA, where he led key business initiatives including acquisitions, major capital projects, and governance reforms. He has worked across the community services, aged care, manufacturing, and financial services sectors in Western Australia.
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Mark is responsible for all financial, property, and risk matters, ensuring the delivery of Communicare’s programs and operations align with our strategic objectives. He brings extensive expertise in corporate strategy and mergers & acquisitions and is committed to delivering long-term value to the organisation and the communities we support.
Mark is a Fellow of the Association of Chartered Certified Accountants (FCCA). He has completed the Chartered Director Programme with the Institute of Directors in the UK & Ireland, and the General Managers Programme through UNSW Business School. He has also undertaken the Foundations of Directorship course with the Australian Institute of Company Directors (AICD) and holds a Certificate in Company Secretarial Essentials from the Governance Institute of Australia, reflecting his strong commitment to good governance and strategic leadership.
Outside of work, Mark is a keen adventurer and lover of the outdoors. He has reached the summit of Mount Kilimanjaro, trekked to Everest Base Camp, completed the UK’s Three Peaks Challenge, and most recently hiked the Cape-to-Cape Track. He enjoys exploring remote parts of Australia, having driven from Perth to Uluru via the unsealed Great Central Road, and regularly camps in off-grid locations like Wooroora and Ningaloo Stations.

Kelly brings more than 15 years of leadership experience across Australia and the UK, spanning domestic violence, mental health, youth, disability, aged care and homelessness.
Known for her collaborative and transformational leadership style, Kelly is passionate about delivering quality, people-centred outcomes and building strong, values-driven teams.
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Kelly most recently served as Head of Care Services at Staffordshire County Council, where she led over 300 staff across nine services, ensuring safe, effective care for more than 200 vulnerable individuals. She championed major service reforms, co-production, and operational excellence, all anchored in real-world outcomes for clients and communities.
Her return to Communicare is a meaningful one. Earlier in her career, Kelly played a key role in growing the organisation’s RTO services and worked directly with clients in the Breathing Space program for men using violence.
Outside of work, Kelly recharges by the coast, whether it’s walking her dog along the beach or soaking up the WA sun. She enjoys home improvement projects and values quality time with friends and family.

Donna is a not-for-profit business leader, acknowledged for a focus on strategic performance growth, business development, high performing team development, innovation and project management.
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Donna thrives when drawing on ideation for problem solving, design thinking and using sharp analytical skills. She brings demonstrated experience in leading within a range of frameworks including Gallup Strengths, Adaptive Leadership, Leader/Member Exchange and Agile Scrum applied to operational transformation within complex programs of work.
Donna have a proven track record in facilitating results in the areas of Business Improvement, Leadership Development, Process Transformation, Change Management, Marketing and Communications, and building healthy, resilient not-for-profit organisations. Or equally, Donna is quite happy discussing artistic achievements as an active member of the Glass Artists in Western Australia community and fused glass artist.

Stacey joined Communicare in 2019, bringing to the role over 20 years of experience she gained while working in senior leadership positions in the UK.
Stacey has held senior leadership positions in local government and the not for profit sector working in education, employment, and place-based community organisations, driving service excellence and organisational growth.
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Working extensively across the community sector Stacey’s extensive knowledge and drive to enable people to have choices in life is what gets her up in the morning.
Stacey is passionate about building high performing team and fostering genuine partnerships that deliver real community impact
In her current role, Stacey is responsible for steering organisational strategy and operations with a keen eye for sustainable growth opportunities and risk management. Stacey has developed strong commercial acumen over the last 20 years with deep community program expertise across a range of our services to include youth/family safety services/education and FDV.
Stacey brings to the table her high level of experience in leading cross functional teams across multiple sites enabling successful outcomes that change lives of people in our communities

Daniel Burt
Chief People and CultureDaniel Burt is a values-driven workforce leader with experience across the health, government, and higher education sectors. He is passionate about building inclusive, high-performing organisations through the transformation of people and culture.
Daniel has led large-scale initiatives that strengthen workforce capability, improve engagement, and align people with organisational goals. He has delivered reforms in diversity and inclusion, learning and development, workforce planning, and cultural transformation.
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Combining a strong foundation in organisational psychology with a deep understanding of complex service systems, Daniel’s approach is informed by research and collaboration and focused on delivering practical outcomes that support sustainable workforce improvement. He holds postgraduate qualifications in organisational psychology and is committed to driving meaningful, people-centered change.
Outside of work, Daniel enjoys long-distance running and is a loyal supporter of the Crystal Palace Football Club. He cherishes time spent with his young family, including his two toddlers and much-loved 14-year-old black Labrador. A self-proclaimed music buff, Daniel once played bass in a band and still has a few tracks floating around on Spotify.