Julie is recognised as a leader in the field of education and currently holds a senior leadership position as a Level 6 Principal of an Independent Public Primary School (Department of Education WA). Her primary focus in education is building capacity to ensure that all students achieve, regardless of background factors or personal circumstance.
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Julie has completed a Masters in Educational Management at the University of Western Australia. She also has training and accreditation in coaching and personal assessment profiling. Julie has taught at all levels and has been a deputy principal and principal in a number of primary schools.
She has been an Area Director (Midlands District), District Director (Mid West District), Director Schools (Fremantle Peel District), Director School Review (Expert Review Group), Assistant Regional Executive Director and Regional Executive Director (South Metropolitan Education Region). Julie was involved in the comprehensive Literacy and Numeracy Review undertaken in Western Australia.
She worked closely with Kim Scott on the focus area of writing in the upper primary years on the basis of her expertise in literacy research and policy, classroom teaching, school leadership and professional learning. Whilst in the Mid West District Julie developed and implemented a ‘Building Sustainable Leadership: A Coaching Model’ cross district partnership with Esperance Education District to address induction, professional learning specifically instructional leadership and succession planning for school principals. In 2008-2009 she assumed a key leadership role in harnessing the interactive and creative capability of secondary school leaders to develop, implement and embed a collaborative network to improve curriculum choice and student achievement.
Her commitment to and skill in building the capacity of others has resulted in her being invited to present to many forums including the Senior Women’s Leadership Program. In 2009-2010 she conceptualised and implemented a highly successful district wide ‘Women in Leadership’ program. Julie has been and continues to be a highly valued representative on a range of reference groups and working parties for the Department and outside agencies.
Leanne is retired and previously worked for the Department of Health of Western Australia for 45 years specialising in all aspects of Mental Health. Leanne previously held an Australian Health Practitioner’s Regulation Agency (AHPRA) – Nurses and Midwifery Board Registration.
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Leanne completed several advanced leadership and management training programs. During this time with Health Leanne worked extensively in senior roles of differing capacities where she provided leadership and the management of human, fiscal, and resource allocation and established the key components for infrastructure support to ensure the delivery of high quality clinical services to maintain outcomes as specified by state and national standards. Leanne exhibits a personal commitment to customer service, integrity and personal learning.
While employed with Health, Leanne worked within a team framework and demonstrated a philosophy for equity and commitment to service improvement. In all her employment positions Leanne provided a pivotal role in change management being forward thinking and being able to clearly articulate strategic direction. During this time Leanne developed strong networks in the broader health and mental health system and was able to effectively communicate with a diverse range of people and always being able to empower and motivate others to ensure an optimum level of skills within the organisation.
Over the course of her work history Leanne has been able to recognise opportunities to enhance service delivery and capitalise on these to achieve effective change outcomes. In taking these opportunities, Leanne demonstrated an ability to deliver services consistent with consumer needs, quality expectations and within the designated timeframe.
Amit is a Chartered Accountant with over 20 years’ experience in accounting and finance. During this period, his work life has taken him across Asia, Middle East and Australia working with large organisations across diverse industries ranging from banks and insurance companies to agriculture and trading businesses.
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For the past 5-1/2 years Amit has held senior finance leadership roles with Synergy, Western Australia’s largest electricity provider, providing financial governance and stewardship. A fiscally responsible and ethical manager, he has been responsible for the planning, budgeting, forecasting and statutory reporting functions. He has also overseen the implementation of multi-million dollar ERP systems and Business Intelligence tools. Prior to Synergy, he was an Executive Director with Ernst & Young providing audit and assurance services to a number of large public and private entities in Western Australia.
A father of two and an ardent cricket fan, Amit is committed about giving back to the community and making a positive difference. Amit was formally appointed to the Phoenix Board in November 2018 and brings with him solid financial expertise combined with sound commercial and business acumen.
Peter has 20 years of legal experience, working in private practice, in house and for local government and has general commercial, corporate, property, construction and major projects experience. In private practice, Peter has worked for national, international, and top-tier law firms.
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Peter is a trusted advisor to many companies, not for profit organisations, charitable and sporting organisations. Peter also sits on various Boards, providing stewardship in legal, governance, risk, and compliance.
Peter’s Board positions have included:
Peter has been recognised by being:
Deenie is an accomplished legal administration professional with over 20 years’ experience in the Supreme Court of Western Australia and government sectors, currently serving as a Legal Administrator for 11 barristers at Bar Chambers in Perth.
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Deenie is an accomplished legal administration professional with qualifications in Criminology and Secondary Education, complemented by over 20 years experience as an Associate in the Supreme Court of Western Australia and providing executive support across state and local government sectors. Deenie currently works as a Legal Administrator for 11 barristers at Bar Chambers in the Perth CBD.
Deenie also spent many years in the Pilbara where she served on not-for profit Boards, such as the Hedland Well Women’s Centre and the Pilbara Community Legal Service, and is committed to ensuring everyone has access to justice and social support.
Deenie is a mother of 2 adult children, an avid traveller, not averse to good food and wine and a reader of historical biographies – when not watching the Wallabies or Carlton play.
Geoff Wolfenden is a senior leader with extensive experience across the commercial, not-for-profit, and community sectors, bringing a strong track record in governance, strategy, and organisational leadership. He has led multisite business units across Australia, with responsibility for commercial performance, workforce management, stakeholder engagement, and operational delivery in complex environments.
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Geoff’s background includes senior roles in account management, business development, and general management across industrial, marine, and aquaculture sectors, where he developed deep expertise in building sustainable income streams, managing risk, and driving growth within resource-constrained settings. His commercial experience is complemented by a long-standing commitment to community development and social impact.
He holds a Certificate IV in Community Services and completed his practical placement with St Patrick’s Community Support Centre, gaining hands-on experience working with people experiencing homelessness and vulnerability. Geoff is also a qualified trainer and assessor (Certificate IV TAE) and has contributed to training, mentoring, and workforce development initiatives across both commercial and community settings.
Geoff has strong governance experience, including involvement in community bank governance through Gosnells Financial Services and engagement with funding and grant programs such as Telstra AFL grants supporting regional and community football initiatives. He has also worked closely with sporting, youth, and not-for-profit organisations, supporting strategic planning, board effectiveness, and collaboration across sectors.
Known for his pragmatic, values-driven approach, Geoff excels at bridging the gap between strategy and delivery. He is particularly skilled in aligning stakeholders, clarifying priorities, and translating complex challenges into practical, outcome-focused solutions that strengthen organisational sustainability and community impact.
Karen Hickling is an accomplished not-for-profit leader with extensive experience improving outcomes for children, young people and families. Her career spans community health, education services, hospitality, retail and the creative industries, where she has developed a reputation for building values-aligned partnerships that enable measurable social impact.
Karen has held key roles with Starlight Children’s Foundation Australia and Earbus Foundation, where she drove program growth, strengthened organisational presence and advanced culturally safe, community-led approaches. She has also provided strategic leadership to TEDxPerth and What Were You Wearing, contributing expertise in fundraising, impact storytelling and volunteer engagement.
Her portfolio includes government relations and major event delivery, bringing clarity, coordination and purpose to complex initiatives.
Guided by integrity, curiosity and a people-centred mindset, Karen is committed to advancing equity and justice across every aspect of her work. She currently leads strategic partnerships, advocacy and philanthropy at The Y WA.
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