Wayside Chapel is led by a Board of Directors who are passionate about supporting the most vulnerable people in our community.
Simon Perrott, Chair
Simon Perrott has a wealth of experience from a career spanning over 30 years in investment banking in Australia and the UK. His career included senior executive roles with ABN AMRO and Merrill Lynch, and he remains a senior advisor to Morgans Financial Group. Simon is the Chair of Lendlease Real Estate Investments Ltd and a director of Global Commercial Trust Ltd (Singapore). He was previously a non executive director of DUET Group, and a Trustee of the Australian Cancer Research Foundation. Simon joined the Wayside Board in 2014 and believes that in a challenging world, Wayside is where compassion lives. He was appointed as Chair at the October 2022 Annual General Meeting.
Cassandra Michie, Deputy Chair
Cassandra Michie joined the Wayside Board in 2016 and was appointed as Deputy Chair in 2020 and is chair of the Finance, Risk and Operations committee. Cassandra was a partner at PwC with over 30 years of finance and accounting experience as an Australian Fellow Chartered Accountant.
She is also a trustee of the Australian Cancer Research Foundation. Cassandra has been a Wayside volunteer for years in the kitchen and is the co-creator of the Sunday roast and passionate about fairness and equity and serving the local community.
Jon Owen, Pastor and CEO
Jon Owen began as Pastor and CEO of Wayside Chapel in July 2018, taking over from Rev Graham Long after he announced his retirement from the role of 14 years. Jon was the lucky candidate, chosen from 50 potential applicants after a robust and independent selection process conducted by Wayside’s Board. Jon was already a big part of Wayside, working as Assistant Pastor and Head of People and Culture since November 2016 and all of our community was delighted with this decision.
For more on Jon Owen, click here.
Sangeeta Leach, Board Member
Sangeeta Leach brings to the Wayside board a passion for philanthropy and 25 years of experience developing robust business, marketing and brand strategies. She has spearheaded strategies for major blue-chip organisations and smaller boutique specialist firms across 4 continents in her career as a senior executive in global advertising agencies, before successfully co-founding her strategic advisory business, The Leach Partnership. Her key strengths are articulating bold visions and the pathways to success, the ability to simplify complex problems and a rich understanding of the power of diversity and inclusivity.
Nym Kim, Board Member
Nym Kim’s previous incarnations were as a television presenter hosting movies and arts at Australia Network, and Arts Presenter at SBS hosting Masterpiece, Arts on Saturday, Opera Viva and various other programs. She came to be involved with Wayside through her work in the rooftop garden and has since become a member of the Wayside Board. With a background in music and performing, Nym has represented Australia as a concert pianist, recorded with artists such as Crowded House and Vince Jones, and co-founded international film sales and financing company Arclight Films.
Cilla Robinson, Board Member
Cilla is a Partner in the King & Wood Mallesons Employee Relations & Safety team, with over 23 years’ specialist experience in employment and workplace relations law. She is recognised for her strategic advice, assisting companies navigate high-stakes situations, such as enterprise bargaining and industrial unrest, workforce restructuring and transformation, contentious employment disputes and complex employment litigation. Cilla is a regular spokesperson for issues regarding both gender and cultural diversity and is considered a leader in the Diversity Equity and Inclusion (DEI) community. She is a fellow of the Dr John Yu Culture and Diversity Leadership Fellowship and was recognised by the Australasian Lawyer as one of 50 Elite Women, for her innovative role and efforts in upholding diversity, gender equality and inclusiveness in the workplace. Cilla is also an Advisory Board Member at the Centre for the Future of the Legal Profession (University of NSW) and the Honorary Solicitor at Coogee Surf Lifesaving Club.
Doug Taylor, Board Member
Doug Taylor has more than 25 years’ experience in the social sector, including leadership roles across a range of organisations which serve people experiencing disadvantage. Doug has been CEO of The Smith Family since August 2021 and, prior to joining The Smith Family, Doug was the Deputy Executive Director at Uniting NSW and ACT. Doug’s other Board roles include as a non-executive Director of WorkVentures and Chair of Warakirri College – a school for disengaged young people in Western Sydney. Doug is a member of the Centre for Social Impact Advisory Board and is a Community Fellow with Western Sydney University.
Tim Lindley, Board Member
Tim Lindley is an experienced board member who had an executive career of over 25 years in investment banking, holding several senior roles in both Australia and internationally, including as Country Head (Australia) of Barclays Bank and as a Managing Director of Morgan Stanley (Australia).
Tim is currently a Non-Executive Director of Deep Yellow Pty Ltd (ASX:DYL) and Serendis Pty Ltd, and was previously a Non-Executive Director and Chair of the Audit and Risk committee for Onsite Rentals Group Pty Ltd and Little Wings.
Tim has passionately supported a range of not for profits and community service organizations over the last decade, as a Board member, qualified Commercial Pilot and flight instructor in Aeromedical charities (Little Wings/Angel Flight).
Paul Zahra, Board Member
A leading force in the Australian retail industry for over 40 years, Paul’s corporate roles have included Chief Executive Officer & Managing Director of ASX-listed, David Jones Limited, as well as senior leadership roles at Target Australia and Officeworks Superstores. Most recently, Paul also held the position of CEO of the Australian Retailers Association, representing Australia’s largest private employer.
Paul’s wealth of experience goes across ASX listed companies, private equity, franchising, government and not for profits.
A powerful champion for diversity and inclusion in the workplace, Paul has led numerous high profile LGBTIQ+ campaigns and initiatives. Paul is formerly the Chair of The Pinnacle Foundation, former Chair of PwC, Diversity and Inclusion Advisory Board and former Ambassador for the 30% Club.
Paul is an alumnus of Stanford University, USA and is a Graduate of the Australian Institute of Company Directors (GAICD).
