Governance

Jenni Beetson-Mortimer

CEO, Northern Rivers Community Gateway

Jenni is a descendent of the Ngemba people and CEO of Northern Rivers Community Gateway. She has a strong commitment to social justice, financial inclusion, ending homelessness and grassroots community services.

Jenni is CEO of the Northern Rivers Community Gateway. She is Chair of the NSW Financial Inclusion Network, Board member of Homelessness Australia, a full member of the Planning Institute of Australia, a Professional member of Australian Human Resource Institute (AHRI), MBA Australasia and the Institute of Managers and Leaders ANZ.

Jenni holds a Master of Leadership from Deakin University. She is a graduate of Social Leadership Australia and holds a Bachelor of Social Science from Southern Cross University.

Jenni is a descendent of the Ngemba people, originally from Brewarrina in Western NSW, and now lives in the NSW North Coast. Since 2000 Jenni has worked in leadership roles within the NGO sector as a CEO, Manager, Planner and Community Development Worker.

She has a strong commitment to social justice, financial inclusion, ending homelessness and grass roots community services that provide true wrap around holistic services to disadvantaged people.

Belinda Field

CEO, Eleanor Duncan Aboriginal Services

A proud Wiradjuri woman, Belinda is the CEO of NCOSS member organisation Eleanor Duncan Aboriginal Services. She believes that by embracing cultural identity and empowering her people, they can build a brighter future.

Belinda is the CEO of NCOSS member organisation Eleanor Duncan Aboriginal Services, an NCOSS member organisation and Aboriginal Community Controlled Health and Community Services Organisation on Darkinjung Country.

Under her leadership for nearly a decade, the organisation delivers providing healthcare, education, housing, employment opportunities, and social support to more than 4,000 First Nations people.
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A proud Wiradjuri woman, Belinda draws strength from her cultural heritage, which has shaped her values, perspectives, and aspirations. She is honoured to carry the responsibility of representing her people and working towards creating positive change within her community.

Belinda believes that by embracing cultural identity and empowering her people, they can overcome the challenges we face and build a brighter future together.

Wendy Foote

Associate Professor, Newcastle University

Wendy teaches and researches social work and related areas as an Associate Professor at Newcastle University. Her social work research is inspired by years of practice and a profound desire to help disadvantaged children and families in Australia.

Wendy Foote is an Associate Professor, teaching and researching in social work and related areas at the Newcastle University. Associate Professor Wendy Foote’s social work research is inspired by years of practice as a social worker. She has a profound desire to help disadvantaged children and families in Australia.

Her work examines the complex interrelation of welfare decisions and practice, policies and funding regulations, drawing a confronting picture of the current system’s strengths and weaknesses

John Leha

CEO, AbSec

John has a wealth of experience in Indigenous affairs, particularly supporting children, young people, and Aboriginal LGBTIQ people. He believes that real change happens when communities lead the way and focus on overall wellbeing.

John has a wealth of experience and knowledge in Indigenous affairs with particular focus on the most marginalised members of society, First Nations children and young people, and members of the Aboriginal LGBTIQ communities.

John knows that open conversations are needed to address the challenges First Nations communities face, like poverty and neglect. He aspires to see purposeful advocacy for and by community that centres around holistic wellbeing.

Self-determination provides guiding principles to enable First Nations leadership to lead responses through culturally sound practices and approaches to enable sustainable outcomes.

John is the chairperson of BlaQ Aboriginal Corporation (leading ACCO for First Nations LGBTIQ peoples) and a Director at Gadigal information service (Koori Radio).

Emma Maiden

General Manager Advocacy & External Relations, Uniting NSW.ACT

Emma has worked at Uniting NSW.ACT since 2019 and co-manages the Social Impact and Advocacy Directorate. She is particularly skilled in social justice campaigning, government relations and thought leadership.

Emma is the General Manager Advocacy & External Relations at Uniting NSW.ACT, where she has worked since 2019. Emma co-manages the Social Impact & Advocacy Directorate. Emma was formerly Uniting’s Head of Advocacy & Media and formerly Assistant Secretary at Unions NSW. Emma is also a non-Executive Director of HESTA and Sydney Community Forum. She is a former NED of St George Community Transport and legalsuper.

Emma is a Graduate of the Australian Institute of Company Directors. She also has a Bachelor of Economics (Hons 1) from the University of Sydney and is admitted as a Lawyer in NSW.

Emma’s skills and experiences include social justice campaigning, government relations, media, social media, thought leadership, philanthropy, creative and digital, work health and safety and employment law.

Simon Rice

Emeritus Professor

Simon has had a long career in community service organisations, particularly in community legal services and not-for-profit governance and strategy. He has used his legal experience as a board member of several not-for-profit boards and community services.

Simon has a long career in community service organisations, principally community legal services, as a worker and in not-for-profit governance and strategy.

Before joining the NCOSS Board, Simon was the Chair of the Welfare Rights Centre for two consecutive two-year terms; he has previously been a board member and/or chair of entities ranging from a community youth scheme and a tenants’ rights service, to the Intellectual Disability Rights Service and NSW Legal Aid.

As a lawyer and legal academic, Simon’s expertise is in human rights and anti-discrimination law.

Yolanda Saiz

CEO, St Vincent de Paul Society NSW

As the CEO of St Vincent de Paul Society of NSW, part of Yolanda’s role is advocating on behalf of vulnerable communities. She hopes to contribute to shaping effective policies and strengthen partnerships that promote inclusive and sustainable social outcomes.

Yolanda is currently the Chief Executive Officer at the St Vincent de Paul Society NSW where she creates and leads the vision and strategy of the organisation to achieve positive social impact for people experiencing poverty or disadvantage.

A key part of Yolanda’s role involves advocating on behalf of vulnerable communities, leading Vinnies’ external relations, and engaging with government stakeholders to drive systemic change. With close to 30 years of professional experience, she brings a strong track record in strategic planning, stakeholder management, and fostering innovation in service delivery. Her experience includes leading initiatives that address complex social issues, enhance organisational efficiency, and drive positive social outcomes.

Additionally, she has extensive experience working with government and corporate stakeholders, fostering partnerships that support advocacy and policy change. Her leadership approach focuses on collaboration, innovation, and accountability, which aligns with NCOSS’s mission to promote social justice and community wellbeing across New South Wales.

By serving on the NCOSS Board, she hopes to further champion the voices of marginalised communities, contribute to shaping effective policies, and strengthen partnerships that promote inclusive and sustainable social outcomes

Elisabeth Shaw

CEO, Relationships Australia NSW

As CEO of long standing NCOSS member Relationships Australia, Elisabeth values the opportunity to engage with the sector as a whole and be part of distilling their experienced, representative voices into advocacy and policy recommendations.

Elisabeth has worked in and around the community sector her whole career, either in executive roles or as an external consultant in areas of clinical practice oversight, staff capability training, and organisational and workforce design.

She is a clinical and counselling psychologist, senior consultant at The Ethics Centre, and a graduate of the Australian Institute of Company Directors. She holds Masters degrees in Management (Community Sector, UTS); Couple and Family Therapy (UNSW) and Professional Ethics (UNSW).

She is the Deputy Chair Board of Directors for Youth Insearch Foundation (Aust) Inc, is on the Research & Imjpact Advisory Committee of Open Dialogue Centre, is a Board Member of Relationships Australia National Board and Senior Consultant for The Ethics Centre.

Elisabeth values the opportunity to engage with the sector as a whole and be part of distilling their experienced, representative voices into advocacy and policy recommendations.