MEET OUR BOARD
Glenda Buckley
Chairperson
Qualifications
Glenda has more than 20 years’ experience in a variety of Human Service organisations including Government and Non-Government.
Experience
Glenda has more than 20 years’ experience in a variety of Human Service organisations including Government and Non-Government. Glenda in employed in an Executive role for the past 6 years and is currently the Director of Statewide Operations Network for NSW Department of Education. Glenda is passionate about supporting people and has experience in leading a NDIS service.
Patricia Hiesberger
Vice Chairperson
Qualifications
Patricia holds a Master in Business Administration (Finance and Project Management through UTS), Bachelor of Business Studies (Management – through Charles Sturt University), Industrial Engineering Associate Diploma and an Aircraft Mechanical Engineering Trade Certificate.
Experience
Patricia has over 30 years’ experience within the Transport industry – primarily Airline, Rail and Bus. She has extensive senior level experience in strategy management, project management and compliance with a strong focus on safety and reducing operating costs.
Angelo Di Benedetto
Treasurer
Qualifications
Angelo holds a Bachelor of Business degree (Accounting Major) from The University of Western Sydney. He is also a fully credentialed CPA.
Experience
Angelo has over 30 years of corporate professional experience both locally and abroad, and as well he has over 20 years’ experience working numerous different boards, in various industries and different geographies across the globe, fulfilling the roles of board member, company secretary and board chairperson.
His professional career commenced in the finance area, expanding over his career to at times include: HR management; IT Systems; Legal and Tax; Operations and Supply Chain and finally General Management which included being part of a (multinational) executive team, tasked with setting the global company’s strategic direction and needed action plans and then ensuring delivery against those targets.
NAOMI SHARPE
Secretary
Qualifications
Naomi holds various Degrees in Management, Community Services Work and a Bachelor Diploma of Business (specialising in Human Resource Management).
Experience
Naomi has over 10 years of experience in management and training as well as community services, children’s services and aged card.
Currently a transport for NSW professional in the areas of training, compliance, competency and governance. Together with over 20 years’ experience in the disability field primarily in employment and day services. An SME and current trainer in Community Services from Certificate II through to Diploma.
Maurene Horder
Director
Qualifications
Maurene has extensive experience as a Board Member and as CEO to Boards and Advisory Committees. She has worked for peak organisations in government, private enterprise, and not-for-profit. She has qualifications in Teaching, Applied Science, Association Management and is a member of the Australian Institute of Company Directors
Experience
Maurene has served on the Board of the Alzheimer Association, Karabi Community and Development Services Inc, Fairfield Resources Centre and Cabramatta Community Service. She has also helped several foundations to raise funds.
Currently, she is part-time Chair of the Board and Managing Director at the National Standards Development Organisation Ltd in which she has helped to get this socially responsible start-up organisation launched and recognised for its eco-labelling standards for building and construction products.
Carol Lawrence
Director
Qualifications
Carol holds various Graduate Degrees in Education in the USA, Graduate Diploma in Careers Education, Graduate Diploma from Sydney University in Health Education.
Experience
Employed as a teacher in Australia for over 25 years Community involvement being part of Neighbourhood watch and assisting the Arncliffe family festival for two years.
MEET OUR EXECUTIVE LEADERS
Liz Cohen
Chief Executive Officer
Transformation is key to Liz Cohen’s leadership. Liz continues her work in shaping the future of disability service providers in their journey from the traditional block-funded not-for-profit to an innovative, values-driven ‘profit for purpose’ organisation at Sunnyhaven.
Liz holds degrees in teaching and education and has more than 30 years’ experience in the disability, education, and health sectors. She has a keen interest in the way technology can support increased independence for people with disability and create efficiency and effectiveness for organisations.
Liz is the 2020 SA Telstra Businesswoman of the Year (for Purpose and Social Enterprise) and she sits on the boards of the Human Services Skills Organisation and NeckSafe.
Liz feels very privileged to have been appointed to the role of CEO at Sunnyhaven in December 2022 and looks forward to leading the organisation into the future.
Nazia Ahmed
Executive Leader – Customer Relations Manager
Qualifications
Nazia holds a Diploma in Business Management and completed various workshops which included Return to Work Coordination and Internal Auditor training.
Experience
Nazia has extensive experience in the Not-For-Profit / Disabilities Sector since 2009 and has in-depth knowledge of the disability sector including NDIS efficient service delivery and the NDIS Quality and Safeguarding Framework.
Nazia has strong operational management experience at an executive level in human resources/ training and development, quality and safety, governance and customer relations in the Disability and Community setting.
Leonie Wild
Executive Leader – Operations Manager
Qualifications
Leonie holds a Diploma in Management, Certificate IV in Disability, Certificate IV in Enrolled Nursing and Certificate IV in Training and Assessment.
Experience
Leonie has worked at Sunnyhaven in the Disability and Aged Care sector since 2001 in direct care and later accommodation management, and in 2017 went on to try different specialties in the disability sector with another provider. She has now returned to Sunnyhaven to take on the position as Operations Manager.
Leonie has a strong sense of social justice and a history of advocating for people with a disability, their families and carers. In her current role, she applies her coordination and management experience to the overseeing and expansion of community living projects across St George and Sutherland.
Jack Vignes
Executive Leader – Manager, People & Culture
Experience
As a seasoned People & Culture leader and business partner, Jack has used his strong 20 + years Human Resources background and blend of business acumen in various positions in government, private sector and not for profit organisations. Effectively balancing big picture thinking and strategic planning with hands on execution has allowed Jack to combine decisiveness and strong business acumen to achieve objectives both professionally and personally.
Abha Phillips
Executive Leader – Clinical Compliance Manager
Abha has a nursing background of 42 years with clinical specialisations in midwifery, intensive care, paediatrics, neonatology, aged care, and disability sectors with active AHPRA registration as a Registered Nurse (RN).
Abha has gained certification and has successfully trained work forces for the last 8 years as a qualified trainer/ educator. Abha also possesses qualification of certified internal and lead auditor.
Abha has worked in various roles of front-line RN, team supervisor, workplace educator, care manager, facility manager and quality clinical coordinators for aged care and NDIS care provider organisations in past roles.
Abha has also worked with the various universities towards the facilitation or RNs/EENs/Cert IV & III in various hospitals and aged care facilities. She coordinated for MBBS Students of Western Sydney University campus for community placements under the medicine in community programme.
Abha has also taken up casual time to time appointments in the auditing and consultant opportunities in supporting organisations towards their registration requirements.
Abha feels very blessed to be a part of the SH family and gives her best towards the improvement of our participants care and supporting the care team staff to render the high standard care confidently, competently, and effectively.