About Us

Chair

Helen has held a number of senior executive roles in the NSW Public Service that focused on policy and program reform in the human services sector. She began her professional life as a secondary school teacher, which included two years working as an Australian Volunteer Abroad in Tonga. She has also worked for non-government organisations in the aid and development sector.  She is a graduate of the Australian National University and the University of Sydney.

Having retired from the full-time workforce, Helen currently works as a part-time consultant providing strategic support and policy advice for the not-for-profit sector. She also volunteers every week at the Addison Road Food Pantry. She joined the Board of Jannawi Family Centre in 2021.

Secretary

Prior to her retirement, Diana was Principal at Wangee Park School for Specific Purposes for 25 years, having spent most of her 40-year professional life in Special Education. Diana was part of a team that established the Work and Leisure Centre for Adults (with a disability) in 1984 and was Chairman of the Board of Management until 2018.

Diana was a Charter Member of the Zonta Club of Sydney West, which was chartered in 1980 and is a member club of Zonta International. She currently holds the position of Secretary. Zonta Clubs are in sixty-four countries worldwide, working to ‘Build a Better World for Women and Girls’ through Service and Advocacy.”

Diana joined the Board of Jannawi Family Centre in 2019.

Robyn is a lawyer with extensive NSW legislative experience. Until her retirement in November 2019, Robyn was a senior executive lawyer in the State Government. Robyn has had more than 35 years’ experience in writing NSW legislation, including laws relating to working with children, mental health and public health.

Robyn has been involved in local community activities including as a member of the organising committee for the Arncliffe Festival, President and Deputy President of the Parents and Citizens Associations of Arncliffe Public School, Hurstville Boys High School and Oatley Senior College, and committee member of St George Junior Hockey Club. She joined the Board of the Jannawi Family Centre in 2018.

Treasurer

Veronica Macdonald is an accomplished senior executive with a distinguished career in the non-profit sector. As the CEO of Lifeline Macarthur and Western Sydney since 2022, she has led the organisation through a period of transformation and growth, strengthening crisis support services, suicide prevention initiatives, and financial counselling programs.

With a strong background in social sciences and business management, including an MBA, Veronica combines strategic leadership with a deep commitment to values-driven community service and social justice. She is passionate about ensuring that all individuals—regardless of background or circumstance—have access to the support and resources they need to thrive.

Prior to joining Lifeline, she held senior management roles at Uniting, where she spearheaded key initiatives in social justice, outreach, and community engagement across family services, youth programs, and diversity initiatives. Throughout her career, she has worked to bridge gaps in support services, advocating for equitable access to mental health and crisis intervention across communities.

Recognised for her decisive and empowering leadership style, Veronica fosters inclusive, high-performing teams and is committed to building sustainable partnerships with businesses, philanthropists, and patrons to expand Lifeline’s impact. A skilled communicator and advocate, she actively engages in public relations, community liaison, and fundraising to drive awareness of mental health and crisis support needs.

Veronica also serves as a Non-Executive Director on the Board of Jannawi Family Centre, where she is proud to support its mission of helping children and their families who have experienced trauma due to violence, neglect, or abuse.

Antoinette Holt is an experienced Human Resources Professional with 20 years’ experience in Strategic HR and Corporate Development.

During her career she has worked in a range of sectors including consulting, higher education, retail and local government. Antoinette’s current role is focused on building strategic leadership, organisational development and culture change in the public sector.

She is a graduate of Macquarie University, an IECL-certified executive coach and an accredited psychometric consultant. She is currently undertaking executive management studies at the Australian Graduate School of Management, University of NSW. 

Antoinette is passionate about supporting local community interests and promoting diversity & inclusion.

Michelle is a Senior Executive in the NSW Public Health Service and Not for Profit sector shaping strategic, and sustainable change, supporting vulnerable people. Michelle has significant achievements in bringing together diverse stakeholders to collaborate, co-design and shape the social welfare, justice, health, and mental health ecosystems, delivering whole of system reform and innovation that is more accessible, inclusive, impactful, and effective.

Michelle is a Fellow with the ACHSM and a graduate of the ACHSM Health Service Executive Program and the Australian Institute of Company Directors. Michelle is a PhD Candidate and holds postgraduate qualifications in Public Health and Psychology and undergraduate qualifications in Psychology (Honours). She has attained significant achievements comprising several nationally and internationally recognised awards, including the 2024 ACHSM Health Management Leadership Award in recognition of leadership in risk management and clinical governance, recognition by the World Federation for Mental Health, the Public Health Association of Australia and the NSW Premier’s Awards. Michelle was selected as a 2024 Mentor as part of the Franklin Women Inclusive Leadership Mentoring Program, which supports women aspiring to leadership roles. On International Women’s Day 2019, Michelle was recognised as a female leader by the former Mayor of Liverpool Council. She is published in peer review journals including the Clinician for her work with vulnerable families from diverse backgrounds.

Michelle has expertise in leadership, governance, financial and operational management of complex and strategic portfolios across dynamic services and agencies with state-wide impact. Michelle has served on the Board of Jannawi Family Centre as a Non-Executive Director since 2021 and is proud of the work of the Centre to provide support to children who have experienced trauma through violence, neglect, psychological or sexual assault.

Wafa Zaim has worked in the field of community development and education for over 40 years. She has actively pursued the promotion of good relations between the Arabic/Islamic and wider Australian community through the development of social justice issues, education programs and interfaith dialogue.

She has dedicated her life to the cause of building greater community awareness with a goal of creating a more unified and cohesive Australian society. Wafa has been delivering presentations on this subject to many organisations and groups including schools, universities and government departments. The presentations have been on a variety of topics; that clarify misconceptions and promote a more factual understanding of Arabic cultural and religious differences.

Wafa’s mechanism to community development is about forging partnerships in a consultative manner, using her vibrant approach and commitment towards building respect and understanding. She approaches her many roles with fervor, devotion, sincerity, and unwavering love,

She has been involved in various projects concerning Arabic community and has worked extensively within culturally and linguistically diverse communities – advocating for migrants, refugees, youth and the elderly. These campaigns include awareness of importance of first languages, child protection, Interfaith committee, and various government and community projects.

Dr. Michael Camit (PhD) has over 25 years of experience in developing award-winning communications and engagement with culturally and linguistically diverse and marginalised groups. His research interests are social and technological innovations as they apply to health, community engagement, empowerment of minority groups and social impact of not for profits. His international award winning work with the Pink Sari Project, increased breast screening rates in women from Indian and Sri Lankan backgrounds with very little paid advertising. Pink Sari is now run entirely by volunteers. In 2021 he was selected to be part of the inaugural Community Voices at the Judith Neilson Institute for Journalism and Ideas. He is an Honorary Fellow at the Business School at UTS.

Coming soon…