Our Board
CARLI LEISHMAN
CHAIRPERSON
Carli has worked in both corporate and NFP roles within the Human Services sector since 2017. Driven by social justice and human rights Carli brings her research and evaluation lens to RIAC with a focus on strong governance. Carli holds a Master of Social Work and is currently working in a research role at Mallee Family Care in Mildura. Carli’s previous experience is in the Aged Care sector where she worked in both residential and home care settings in direct practice and management. Carli is passionate about embedding evidence informed practice into human services organisations and using research and evaluation as a form of policy advocacy.
SHANNON BURDEAU
VICE CHAIRPERSON
Shannon is passionate about equity and inclusiveness – nobody should feel discriminated against or harassed due to any physical mental or other difference
Shannon choose to join RIAC’s Board to use her skills to make a difference in the community.
Shannon is currently a Company Secretary/Executive officer at Community Bank Maldon & District, a NFP social enterprise which invests 80% of its profits back in the community.
Previous senior management roles at global tax firms.
Shannon comes to us with strong governance and legal professional with 15 years experience in the corporate and NFP sectors including over 10 years volunteering on Boards
KATHRYN LONDRIGAN
SECRETARY
Kathryn brings 20+ years of consulting and industry experience specialising in solving complex, strategic problems in organisation transformation, culture change management and cost transformation/optimisation across a wide range of industries. She also has strong governance experience, across boards and advisory committees in the corporate and NFP sectors, including as Vice President.
Kathryn is passionate about ensuring all people have equal access to services, and are able live and work as they choose.
BEAU MITTNER
TREASURER
Beau is passionate about giving back to the community so people from all walks of life have a chance at living their best life. Beau has worked alongside RIAC for a number of years and has observed the organisation deliver on its program outcomes. RIAC makes a real difference in the communities in which it operates, and he felt this was a great opportunity to support his passion and give back to the local community. Beau’s financial literacy skills are a valued asset to RIAC’s Board to provide assurance to the other members that RIAC has the resources to not only grow but also continue delivering on its mission and objectives.
Beau’s passion for social equity has a strong alignment with all RIAC’s core values, partially Action, as fairness is not created within society unless people or organisations take action to advocate for it.
Beau is currently the Finance Manager for the Moira Shire Council based in Cobram and holds a Bachelor of Commerce: Accounting and Finance and a Graduate Diploma of Chartered Accounting.
Before this role Beau worked in Professional Services for 8 and a half years where he was a manager in Business Services for an Accounting Firm in Geelong. During his time in professional services, he has provided a number of services including Audit and Assurance, Governance and Risk, Virtual CFO and Taxation. Prior to moving to Geelong, Beau was a volunteer member of Surfing Victoria’s Finance and Audit Committee. As part of this role, he provided recommendations to the Board on a number of Financial Reporting, Policy and Audit related matters.
BICH JENNINGS
ORDINARY MEMBER
Bich is a passionate ally for all forms of diversity, inclusion and intersectionality.
Bich joined RIAC’s Board to apply her skills in risk and assurance to strengthen and flex the positive advocacy work within our communities.
Bich has never followed the conventional path, and thrives when navigating uncertainty, clarifying ambiguity, clearly communicating and leading people through periods of change, she often finds herself leading a change agenda. She has held formal and moral leadership positions throughout her career in Defence, operations and within her consulting capacity. Bich is a Certified Practising Risk Manager (CPRM®) and specialises in Enterprise-Wide Risk Management and risk management in operations, with local and international experience. She has led projects across the APAC region and managed cross-functional, national projects throughout the life cycle.
Bich has always been drawn to building communities for impacting change, particularly in Neurodiversity and allyship. Bich believes in RIAC’s vision, mission and there’s strong alignment between her personal values and that of RIAC’s – Respect, Independence, Acceptance and Collaboration.
LOUISE HALLIWELL
ORDINARY MEMBER
- Louise is passionate about community contribution, supporting equality and fostering diversity and inclusion. Louise believes that joining the RIAC Board is a great opportunity for her to contribute to a worthwhile organisation and be part of a team that is delivering a positive impact in her community. Louise is a Director at PwC where she leads the firm’s Responsible Business strategy across key Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG) domains. Louise also engages in the market to support entities to shape and extend their ESG strategies in the areas of social impact, net zero, sustainable supply, human rights (including modern slavery) and corporate sustainability more broadly. Louise is:
- certified in SDG impact measurement & management by Duke University;
- certified carbon literate by the Carbon Literacy Project;
- a registered Climate Active technical consultant
- a graduate of RMIT University’s Bachelor of Communications. Louise also has a familial lived experience of disability.
MARK POSWIAT
ORDINARY MEMBER
Mark joined RIAC’s board to give back to the community by contributing his skills to an organisation that seeks to create equity and make a difference by supporting those in need.
He has a wealth of knowledge and experience which includes:
- Global finance executive with over 20 years of experience.
- 12 years as CFO of multiple businesses across different industries.
- Qualified CPA, Member of the Australian Institute of Company Directors.
Our Team
Our team’s professional expertise, combined with their passion for equality enables us to provide a strategic and holistic approach to the services we offer, in order to build the capacity and well-being of individuals, families, carers and communities through advocacy and support services.
DR SANDY ROSS
CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER
Sandy’s leadership style is defined by his passion for empowering individuals and communities, backed by his diverse experience and unwavering dedication to social justice.
He’s made his mark in previous roles, such as Executive Officer at Financial Counselling Victoria for five years, where he championed financial well-being and represented financial counsellors across Victoria. Before that, Sandy held various roles at the Telecommunications Industry Ombudsman, where he worked to resolve complex consumer complaints, and with telecom providers to improve their systems and services, and worked on process and policy reforms in pursuit of fairness and better customer outcomes.
In addition to his professional work, Sandy is committed to his community. He served 18 years on the Board of the Fitzroy Learning Network and 8 years on the Board of AOD service UnitingCare ReGen, and he currently serves on the People & Services Committee of Travellers Aid Australia.
A former academic and Honorary Fellow at the University of Melbourne’s School of Social and Political Sciences, Sandy brings to the table a deep understanding of public policy, community engagement with government, and governance in the community sector.
SANDRA BOYD
REGIONAL OFFICE MANAGER
Sandra is RIAC’s Regional office manager who oversees all of our financial operations and other office requirements. Sandra is one of the cogs that keeps the machine turning, and she always provides a positive contribution to the overall operation of RIAC.
NICOLE JAMES
OPERATIONS MANAGER
Nicole started out at RIAC as a fierce NDIS Appeals and Reviews Advocate, and quickly made her way to the NDIS Appeals Manager.
Nicole’s role as Operations Manager overlooks our NDIS appeals, and general advocacy to ensure its smooth operation. Nicole has an extensive background in disability, teaching and advocacy and has a passion for social justice and change.