Working with purpose

Our team brings together a diverse group of people with strong skillsets to support and advocate for community based mental health services in New South Wales.

Our Board members are elected and appointed representatives who provide leadership and are passionate advocates for mental health.

We are dedicated to making a positive difference for the sector.

Meet our CEO

DR EVELYNE TADROS, Chief Executive Officer

Dr Evelyne Tadros is a passionate advocate and dedicated humanitarian who has made a difference to thousands of people and families during the course of her career by developing and implementing a range of homelessness, mental health, drug and alcohol, disability and youth programs. Evelyne is a former Mission Australia State Leader (NSW Metro) and a past Chair of Homelessness NSW.

With a Doctorate degree in Health Science, Evelyne has a deep history of improving health and wellbeing, leading operational and strategic development, policy and advocacy and systemic improvements across a range of government and non-government programs.

As an Adjunct Associate Professor at the University of New South Wales, Evelyne contributes to mental health systems reform through research, policy influence, education, and sector collaboration. This role strengthens her commitment to bridging academia, policy, and practice to drive impactful change.

Evelyne has a wealth of governance, compliance and leadership experience and is a former Board Director with St John Ambulance and Mental Health Australia. Evelyne is currently Board Director at St Vincent de Paul Society (NSW) and a Board Director (Community) with the Electricity and Water Ombudsman NSW.

Evelyne’s passion for making a positive impact and her dedication to social justice are the driving forces behind her exceptional leadership. Her strategic vision, coupled with her ability to navigate complex challenges, positions her as a catalyst for progress in the community mental health sector.

Meet our board

Our Board of Directors include elected Directors who are representatives of non-government organisations in the community and up to two appointed Directors. The Board is the governing body and responsible for the overall governance, strategic direction and management of Mental Health Coordinating Council to promote a strong community mental health sector.

Judi Higgin, Chair

MBA, B. Soc Sc, Dip Frontline Management, Adv Dip Disability Services, Adv Dip Community Sector Management

Judi is actively and passionately engaged in the human services sector for over four decades, including C-level and executive level roles. Committed to the principles of recovery, empowering individuals to achieve their potential by exercising their rights to choice and control over their own lives. Judi has strong skills, capabilities and experience in governance, strategy, finance and risk management as well as comprehensive board experience.

 

Nathan Francis, Treasurer

BBus, CA, FGIA, FCIS, GAICD

Nathan is the Group Company Secretary for HCF, Australia’s largest not-for-profit health insurer. He is a chartered accountant and company secretary and member of the Australian Institute of Company Directors, with over 25 years’ experience spanning health insurance, financial services and funds management. Prior to joining HCF, Nathan held senior executive governance and finance roles with ANZ, RT Health Fund and Charter Hall Group, having commenced his career in assurance advisory roles at PwC.

Jonathan Harms, Director

B.A., B. Laws (B.A., L.L.B)

Jonathan has worked as a plaintiff lawyer, public servant, policy adviser and stakeholder manager for state and federal ministers and government departments, Insurance Australia Group, private corporations and non-government organisations. He is admitted as a lawyer in Western Australia and New South Wales. As Chief Executive Officer of Mental Health Carers NSW (MHCN), Jonathan established the Carer Peak Advisory Committees to increase stakeholder participation in policy development and the Carer Support Worker Forum to strengthen networks for carers and carer support workers across NSW. He is also a board member of Mental Health Carers Australia.

 

Mark Orr, director

B Sc (Hons), M Hlth Serv Mgt, M e-Hlth (HI), Grad Dip Spec Ed, Grad Dip ACG, Grad Cert App Fin and Invest, FAICD, FGIA, FGC(CS), Registered Psychologist, MAAPi

Mark is is the Chief Executive Officer of Flourish Australia, an experienced Board Director and governance professional with extensive experience in senior executive roles in community-managed and public sector organisations. Mark was appointed a Member of the Order Australia in 2019 for services to community health, and is the President at Health Equity Matters, Director at Mental Health Australia and Adjunct Associate Professor at UNSW’s International Centre for Future Health Systems.

 

Shane Jakupec, director

Master of Social Work (Qualifying), Bachelor of Arts, Certificate in Governance for Not-For-Profits, Certificate IV – Training & Assessment, Dual Diploma of Community Services (AOD & Mental Health)

Shane is Senior Manager, Operations at Neami National, overseeing homelessness services across New South Wales. He has worked in the community-managed mental health sector since 2000 and in the specialist homelessness sector since 2012. His experience spans mental health, suicide prevention, transdisciplinary service models and a broad range of homelessness services. Shane is also a founding director of the End Street Sleeping Collaboration and works as a casual lecturer at the Australian College of Applied Professions, teaching in the Master of Social Work (Qualifying) program.

 

Gary Groves, director

B Policing, PG Cert/Grad Dip Crime Prevention & Criminology, Credentialled AICD, FANZSOG, HBS Fellow

Gary is currently Chief Executive Officer of ReachOut Australia, leading national digital mental health initiatives for young people. Gary has over 25 years of experience across the public service and community sectors, with a strong focus on supporting vulnerable communities and driving innovation in service delivery. He has held senior executive roles within the NSW Department of Communities and Justice, Family and Community Services and NSW Police, and has previously served as CEO of a large community services organisation delivering mental health, NDIS, aged care and family support services.

 

William (Bill) Campos, director

BScience. (Uni of Syd), M.Psych, MBA (AGSM), M.Arts (Psy), B.Ed

Bill is a registered clinical psychologist, social researcher, non-executive director and currently the chief executive officer of ICLA – Independent Community Living Australia a non-profit organization that provides mental health, disability, homelessness, aged care support and services across NSW and digitally across Australia. He has over 15 years of experience in the health, mental health and digital health sectors including leadership roles at NSW Health, Western Sydney PHN, and Aged Care. Bill is an adjunct Fellow at Macquarie University, an advisor to National Mental Health Commission, advisor to the TheMHS conference panel, previous advisor to the Australian Digital Health Agency as well as NSW Mental Health Commission.

 

Giancarlo de Vera, director

BA LLB MAICD

Giancarlo (they/them) is a proud queer, non-binary, intersectional leader with disability from a culturally and racially marginalised background. They bring over 20 years’ experience in international human rights, development and diplomacy, public policy, law reform and advocacy, and social services. Giancarlo is currently CEO of BEING – Mental Health Consumers and sits on numerous government and social service sector boards. Giancarlo has been recognised by Pro Bono Australia in their Impact 25, a publicly voted list of Australians making the most social impact in Australia and abroad, and as one of the 40 under 40 most influential Asian Australians.

 

Meet our Team

See our Organisational Chart