Board & Governance
OzHelp Foundation Limited (OzHelp) is a public company limited by guarantee incorporated under the Corporations Act 2001. The organisation has a board of eight directors comprising lawyers, accountants, senior public servants and individuals with operational and academic experience related to suicide prevention. The OzHelp board of directors meet on a regular basis to ensure there is effective stewardship of the organisation, the strategic and business plans are being implemented and there is adequate review of the financial management, operations and risks for the organisation.
Hugh Chalmers
Chair
Hugh is a former partner and special counsel to the Canberra commercial law firm Meyer Vandenberg. Hugh has more than 35 years’ experience as a corporate lawyer in Australia and abroad. Hugh has experience as a member of numerous boards and advisory committees and is a long-standing Fellow of the Australian Institute of Company Directors and a member of the AICD National Not-For Profit Chairs Forum.
Jason Jennings
Deputy Chair
Jason is CEO of Creative Safety Initiatives, and president of the CFMEU ACT Branch. Jason is a current member of the Governance Institute of Australia Ltd and has qualifications and skills in governance and risk management. Jason also has a background in providing welfare support services to the ACT Building and Construction Industry.
Robert Johnson
Treasurer
Robert has been a partner of Hardwickes Chartered Accountants since 1987. Robert is a registered company auditor, tax agent and financial planner. Robert is also a member of the Catholic Education Committee and Financial Committee, and the Institute of Chartered Accountants.
Michael Hopkins
Director
Michael is CEO of Master Builders ACT, Civil Contractors Federation ACT and MBA Group Training Ltd. Michael’s background combines local government and industry experience, most notably leading large-scale projects throughout Australia. Michael is also the director of MBA Insurance Services.
Leanne Wells
Director
Leanne is CEO of the Consumers Health Forum of Australia and a committed health advocate with executive experience across Australian government and non-government organisations. Leanne is a board director of Coordinare South East New South Wales PHN, Pain Australia and Advancing Pharmacy Practice. Leanne is the Independent Chair of Coordinare’s Community Advisory Committee.
Lyn O’Connell
Director
Lyn is the deputy secretary of the Australian Government’s Department of Agriculture and Water Resources. Lyn is also a member of the Independent Advisory Group to Singapore Government on High Speed Rail, the advisory board of Deakin University Centre for Supply Chain and Logistics, the Institute of Public Administration Australia and a member of the Australian Institute of Company Directors.
Darren Black
Chief Executive Officer
Darren is a former army officer and UN Peacekeeper who, since leaving the military, has transitioned to community sector leadership. Darren has been the CEO of National and State community organisations for more than a decade, including the CEO of Outward Bound Australia and the NSW Police Citizens Youth Club. Darren has an MBA from Melbourne Business School and is a graduate of the Harvard Strategic Perspectives in NFP Management Program.
Louise Gilmour
Chief Operating Officer
Louise has over 21 years’ experience in variety of roles across organisational and corporate governance and compliance, operational and program management within the health sector. In the past, Louise has delivered a range of health-related programs in government and non-government organisations, with a focus on mental health and chronic disease.
Louise holds a Graduate Certificate in Management and Diploma in Project Management and is currently completing a Masters of Business Administration at the University of New England. Louise is a member of the Australian Institute of Company Directors and has recently completed the Company Directors course and has a passion for the for-purpose sector and making a difference to people’s lives.
Wendy Prowse
Business Development Director
Wendy has worked at a senior management level in the not-for-profit and private sector across the community, health and finance industry. Wendy has an established track record in strategic and business development, corporate governance, marketing, people & culture, organisational change management, research and policy. She is the chair of the ACT Red Cross Divisional Advisory Board and a director on the National Board of Australian Red Cross. Wendy is a member of the Australian Institute of Company Directors and a Fellow of the Institute of Managers and Leaders.
Jenny Permezel
Service Delivery Director
Jenny started her career in health as a registered nurse clinician, working for 20 years in a variety of hospital settings. This was followed by a move to the primary health sector in senior management and leadership roles for over 13 years. In addition to her current role as service delivery director with OzHelp, she is a volunteer crisis supporter with Lifeline and is passionate about making a difference in suicide prevention.