Our People

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 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 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 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.

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 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.

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.

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’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 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 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 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.

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

Most recently he was the Senior Manager Mental Health and AOD for Sonder and prior to that he was the Executive Manager Regional with Palmerston.

Ben is passionate about supporting and inspiring workplace teams to make positive impacts in the lives of clients and communities.

He has a proven ability to deliver organisational growth in not-for-profit health services, along with advanced governance and executive management skills.

Ben’s ability to develop and leverage strategic relationships, complement his outstanding aptitude in driving culture and reform in organisations.

Outside of work, his hobbies include woodworking, furniture making, restoring old motorcycles and cars and solo adventure motorcycle touring and camping.

A firm believer that branding and reputation are at the heart of any organisation’s success, her approach blends insight-driven strategy with a deep commitment to authenticity—ensuring brands connect meaningfully with their audiences. Latterly, her work has reached audiences including Marie Claire, the BBC and The Project.

Ciara is committed to being an ally in reconciliation for Australia’s First Nations people. As a proud Irish Catholic woman, whose own community has felt the lasting impacts of colonialism and occupation, she is dedicated to advocacy through both her work and personal values.

Ciara has a Masters in Languages and Business (German and Spanish) and a Post Grad in Education. She has lived and worked in North America, the UK and Europe. Ciara is a fierce advocate for women and young people and as a qualified image consultant, is often found passionately speaking about the power of style as a communication and confidence power tool.

Outside the office, you’ll find her in op shops, spending time with her groodle Blue, or unashamedly fan-girling her two sons from the sidelines of a rugby field.

Tim is passionate about delivering corporate strategies and assisting business operations achieve sustainable commercial success. Before joining Communicare, Tim was the Director of Finance and Secretary of Guildford Grammar School. He also worked at PricewaterhouseCoopers, ABN Group, Gull Group and CBH Group in various management positions. In his current role, he is responsible for all financial, property and risk matters to ensure programs and operations are delivered in line with Communicare’s strategic objectives. He is a Fellow of the Governance Institute of Australia a Member of the Finance and Treasury Association and Taxation Institute of Australia.

Vince has been with Communicare since July 2019, starting as ICT Services Manager. He has 30 years’ experience in ICT in Western Australia, workings as a system administrator, account manager, project manager and ICT manager, most recently spending 12 years with Sealanes, now Superior Food Group. He was appointed to the role of Director ICT and Data Integrity in July 2023.

Vince believes that providing seamless support to the Communicare team is the priority for him and his team; to implement solutions to improve the outcomes delivered by staff at Communicare’s front line. ICT is like a good wicket keeper, Vince said. You only notice them if they are not doing a good job. He said his team keeps a low profile, while providing excellent service and identifying opportunities for improved processes to utilise technology to its full potential.

Vince has a Bachelor of Arts from Melbourne University, with a double major in Political Science and completed post graduate studies again in Political Science at the University of Western Australia. Away from work, he is the coach of the WA State Blind and Low Vision Cricket Team and a life member of the Applecross Cricket Club and the Brentwood-Booragoon Football Club. He is also a baker extraordinaire, having won prizes for his much-heralded macarons.