OUR PATRON
HER EXCELLENCY THE HONOURABLE MARGARET BEAZLEY AC KC
Our Patron
PETER HUNT AM
Emeritus Patron
Peter, a philanthropist and social sector leader, co-founded Women’s Community Shelters in 2011 alongside his late wife, Ellie Hunt, with the vision of providing crisis accommodation for women experiencing homelessness and domestic and family violence. Peter’s vision of an innovative “social franchise” model, enabling local communities to establish and sustain their own shelters with the support of WCS, has seen WCS grow into a network of eleven shelters, a portfolio of transitional properties and currently provides over 62,000 bed nights annually.
At the heart of WCS’s success is its groundbreaking funding model, which brings together corporate partners, philanthropic foundations, local communities, and all levels of government to create sustainable impact. Peter’s contributions to the WCS Board have reshaped the crisis shelter landscape in New South Wales, ensuring that over 1,200 women and children at risk receive critical support each year.
In recognition of his immense contributions, WCS is delighted to have Peter Hunt as Emeritus Patron of the organisation, continuing his meaningful connection to WCS and our vital work.
OUR BOARD
JULIE WHITE
CHAIR
Julie White has over 40 years’ experience in both not-for-profit and corporate sectors.
Executive Chair of Catherine Hamlin Fistula Foundation; Independent Chair of COORDINARE (SE NSW PHN) and a Board Member of Southern Highlands Community Foundation.
A member of Chief Executive Women and Australian Institute of Company Directors.
EMILY HODGSON
Emily Hodgson is Chief Financial Officer at Australian Securities and Investments Commission (ASIC).
Emily is also a member of Ashfield Council and Inner West Council Audit and Risk Committee, where she oversees the Councils’ governance, internal controls, financial reporting and internal and external audit.
Sr Mary Louise Petro
Sister Mary-Louise Petro is a Sister of Mercy, of the Parramatta Congregation.
In 1985, Mary-Louise founded The Mamre Project at St Marys, which assisted the unemployed, people with a disability, youth at risk and refugees.
Mary-Louise is currently the Congregation Leader for her order.
Terence Kwan
Terence is a partner at Fidelis Advisors, a risk advisory firm.
He has had a long relationship with Women’s Community Shelters commencing in 2016 when he led fundraising efforts with the Macquarie Group Foundation.
Terence is a Board Director for Sydney Philharmonia Choirs and is a former Director for Radio Community Chest Incorporated as well as One Disease, which works with remote indigenous communities in Australia.
David Winterbottom
– joined February 2023
David is an experienced Chartered Accountant with over 30 years of expertise in complex financial scenarios.
He specialises in not-for-profit boards and executive roles, including being the Chief Financial Officer of the Paul Ramsay Foundation since 2020.
Previously, he led KordaMenthaʼs restructuring practice for 13 years.
David also serves as a Non-Executive Director at the Catherine Hamlin Fistula Foundation.
Harriet Whyte
BOARD MEMBER
– joined March 2023
Harriet Whyte is an Executive Director with the Department of Regional NSW.
Across numerous roles with the NSW Government, Harriet has worked on policy challenges and with communities, politicians and all levels of government to improve the lives of all NSW residents.
She has previously served as NSW State Director for LGBTIQ+ mentoring charity, Out for Australia.
LAURA McMILLAN
BOARD MEMBER
Laura McMillan, Director of Communications at the Macquarie Group Foundation, brings extensive expertise to her role on the WCS Board.
An existing member of the WCS Fundraising Committee, Laura was recently appointed as Chair of Fundraising, where she will take a proactive and strategic approach to addressing the organisation’s critical fundraising needs.
Rachel Vincent
Rachel has over 25 years’ experience in commercial property with CBRE, ING Real Estate and Valad Property Group. Rachel is the Managing Director of North Sydney and Head of NSW Office Leasing at CBRE, where she fosters teams and delivers strategic marketing strategies for clients that number among the world’s largest real estate developers and investors. She is a passionate advocate for equality for women through her role as an Implementation Lead on the Property Champions of Change and has been raising money and awareness for Domestic Violence since 2016.
