Jenny is an experienced mentor, arts leader and consultant. She has recently chaired the Review into the future, impact and sustainability of Sturt Gallery and Studios as well as being a founding Director of the Board of the Southern Highland’s regional gallery, Ngununggula. Currently she is also on the Board of the Australian National Academy of Music.
Over her career, Jenny has chaired the Bundanon Trust, NIDA and been CEO of the Australia Council for the Arts, Musica Viva and the National Portrait Gallery of Australia as well as many other roles.
Peter moved to the Southern Highlands in 2017. Originally from Sydney, he served as CEO of a large Family Office from 2000 to 2012. In conjunction with this role, Peter was a Non-Executive Director of Rural Press Limited and Landis+Gyr AG.
Andy is the CEO of The Youth Impact Foundation. The Youth Impact Foundation exists to reduce duplication between youth charities and amplify their impact through sustainable program delivery.
Andy also serves as The Managing Director of the National Leadership Forum, an annual leadership event for Young people aged 18-26 in Parliament House in Canberra. As a result of these ventures, Andy has impacted over 250,000 young people In Australia and Internationally.
Andy also serves as The Managing Director of the National Leadership Forum, an annual leadership event for Young people aged 18-26 in Parliament House in Canberra. As a result of these ventures, Andy has impacted over 250,000 young people In Australia and Internationally.
With a background in mathematical statistics, Mike initially worked in the field of operations research in the public and private sectors, specialising in optimisation of distribution systems. He later held senior marketing and management roles in the paint industry and the banking industry. In 1984, he commenced his own management consulting practice, specialising in industrial market research, marketing and business planning. He has consulted to a wide range of clients in markets across Australia and New Zealand.
Emma is a community relations and marketing specialist who was Head of Enrolments and Community Relations at a Southern Highlands’ independent school for more than 15 years. Originally a film and television producer, Emma moved to Robertson with her husband and three small children 26 years ago and has been a passionate member of the community, volunteering at numerous organisations within the Southern Highlands including Joynt Youth Action, Relay for Life and the Robertson CTC. To build a strong community, Emma understands the importance of grassroots involvement and fostering a feeling of belonging and connection.
Christopher Brown AM is Honorary Chair of not-for-profit regional think tank, the Western Sydney Leadership Dialogue. He is also Executive Chair of national strategy firm, Taylor Street Advisory. Christopher retired recently as Pro-Chancellor of Western Sydney University (WSU) after eight years as a Trustee Director and he chaired WSU’s engagement subcommittee and Academy. The university awarded him an Honorary Doctorate of Letters in recognition of his significant regional contribution in 2019 and before that was Adjunct Professor of Business at the University of Technology Sydney. Raised and educated in Parramatta, Christopher Brown AM was awarded Australian Honours for services to industry and community in 2014. He and his family now shuttle between homes on a small cattle farm in the Southern Highlands and in an old tram workshop in Rozelle.
Madeline is an Indigenous woman of the Darug mob who grew up in the Southern Highlands and is an active member of the community. She is a third-year student of the Arts, majoring in History, at Wollongong University and is actively engaged in university life, being the Southern Highlands campus Regional Representative of the Student Advisory Council and a Peer Learning Coach. Madeline is Chair of the newly founded Women & Girls Sub Committee of the Bowral Football Club. Madeline aims to continue her studies next year to commence her Masters of Secondary Teaching and continue to give back to her community as a High School teacher.
Conor has lived in the Southern Highlands for over 23 years. For the past 6 years he has been working as an Accountant serving the community in taxation and compliance. Conor is currently a member of the Berrima Residence Association overseeing the treasury function as well as member of the Charter Accountants Australia & New Zealand.
While only discovering the Southern Highlands relatively recently, Rosemary became aware of strong sense of community. She is keen to help build on the SHCF foundations to further strengthen community ties. A career in finance brings a key interest financial literacy and its importance in empowering the individual to better take charge of the journey through life.
Aaron has been a part of the Southern Highlands community since moving from Sydney in 2017. He has two children at Oxley College and has a keen interest in developing a strong and inclusive community for all. Professionally, Aaron is a town planner with a career spanning local and state government in Australia and the UK, as well as a consulting practice since 2012. Aaron consults to a wide range of clients, with a speciality for major residential projects, including affordable housing, predominantly within metropolitan Sydney.
Our Staff
After a distinguished career in the media and entertainment industries, Vanessa moved to Cooktown in FNQ fifteen years ago where she held numerous roles including; Festival Director of the 2010 Cooktown Discovery Festival, Operations Manager for the Indigenous Nyungkal Rangers and Yarrabah Arts and Cultural Precinct and General Manager of CIAF Ltd. Later, she became Creative Director of the Cooktown Expo 2020, celebrating the 250th anniversary of Cook’s landing at the Endeavour River.
In January 2022 Vanessa bought a large Bushfood Orchard on the Atherton Tablelands and managed that business as well as enjoying work as a Regional Arts Officer with RASN for all of 2024.
2025 saw Vanessa move back to her original home of the Southern Highlands where she has established herself in Robertson, working two days a week with the Southern Highlands Community Foundation as Community Liaison Manager.
In January 2022 Vanessa bought a large Bushfood Orchard on the Atherton Tablelands and managed that business as well as enjoying work as a Regional Arts Officer with RASN for all of 2024.
2025 saw Vanessa move back to her original home of the Southern Highlands where she has established herself in Robertson, working two days a week with the Southern Highlands Community Foundation as Community Liaison Manager.
With over 20 years’ experience in marketing, project management and advertising, Katie has worked across a diverse portfolio of brands including, not-for-profit, retail, construction, agribusiness, finance and education. A skilled, hands-on marketer, Katie’s passion is creating stories that capture interest and embed strong relationships between brands and their customers.
Katie moved to the Highlands in 2014, establishing a marketing consultancy and has been working with Southern Highlands Community Foundation since our rebrand in 2023. Katie’s role has been instrumental in helping to bring the SHCF story to life, embedding initiatives like Highlands Heroes and our Grants program as well as growing our profile to help support our mission.
Katie moved to the Highlands in 2014, establishing a marketing consultancy and has been working with Southern Highlands Community Foundation since our rebrand in 2023. Katie’s role has been instrumental in helping to bring the SHCF story to life, embedding initiatives like Highlands Heroes and our Grants program as well as growing our profile to help support our mission.
