Board of Directors
Rosy Sullivan
Chair
Board Member since 2010
Rosy’s been an educational professional since 1987. Her career began in the public sector, in disability and welfare, where she held management and senior operational positions. In 2000, Rosy moved into the private sector, establishing a vocational training college for professionals in the property, finance and business sectors.
Rosy’s a member of the Australian Institute of Company Directors and the Australian Institute of Training and Development. Over the years, Rosy has held various board positions in charitable organisations and been a member of numerous government advisory committees.
PhD (Ed.); BA Hons (Ed. & Psych); J.P.
Lisbeth (Beth) Lawsen
Co-Chair
Board Member since June 2018
Beth joins Northern Beaches Women’s Shelter as a Board member having recently retired from a senior position in local government.
Beth gained many of her life’s experiences over the past 28 years employed in the Manly region and across the Northern Beaches, managing services on behalf of Council and delivered to community.
Her personal interest is being involved and contributing to the well-being of community generally and, in particular, within a role which cares, supports and contributes to the future personal development of women.
As a recently retired woman, mother of three adult daughters, four grandchildren and a Northern Beaches resident for more than 50 years, Beth is frequently made aware of the many challenges faced by women across this community.
Beth is keen to contribute to Northern Beaches Women’s Shelter and its services by drawing on her working and life’s experience and qualifications:
- Bachelor of Social Work UNSW
- Post Graduate Diploma of Management MGSM
- Excellence in Local Government Leadership ANU
- Alternative Dispute Resolution Post Graduate UWS (non award)
- Local Government Practice, Community, Law, Contracts
The achievements of the former Manly Community Centre (now Community Northern Beaches) and the establishment of the Shelter form an important part of the fabric of the wider community. The work of the volunteers and staff is renowned and supported by governments and across states. Beth is interested in and keen to bring ever-greater support to this highly valued service.
Luke Mitchell
Foundation Board Member
Luke’s a Chartered Accountant who’s held senior positions with large accounting firms, operating his own practice since early 2014. In addition to the usual tax compliance, he specialises in working with newly incorporated businesses to assist them with structuring, business planning, creating accounting policies and procedures and reviewing business performance.
Luke is a member of the Institute of Chartered Accountants.
Fiona Reid
Board member since 2015
Fiona Reid is a Northern Beaches local and runs a Family Law practice in the area. Fiona is an Accredited Specialist in Family Law. She has many years’ experience in all facets of family law practice including property and parenting matters, relocation, child support issues, spouse maintenance and de facto property and is a Doyle’s recommended family lawyer. Fiona has practiced exclusively in the Family Law Jurisdiction since 1999.
She sits on the panel of Independent Children’s Lawyers and is an active participant in training and educating other lawyers. Fiona’s primary area of expertise is complex parenting matters. Fiona is an experienced mediator and has completed a Master of Laws (Applied Law) majoring in Family Law and is a Graduate Fellow of the College of Law. Fiona is also a member of the Family Law Section of the Law Council of Australia.
Fiona brings this vast experience in dealing with people in crisis to her role as a Member of the Committee of Management and her in-depth knowledge and understanding is a great benefit to the on-going operation of NBWS.
Sarah Falzarano
NBWS Treasurer
Board Member since late 2021
Sarah Falzarano is Director of Finance and Company Secretary of Sydney Symphony Orchestra and was formerly Chief Financial Officer with Musica Viva Australia. After over 25 years in business, she has extensive experience in financial and risk management, strategic planning and leadership in both the for-profit and for-purpose sectors. She specialises in translating complex financial information and strategic planning frameworks for diverse audiences and assists companies to achieve outcomes within sustainable financial parameters.
Sarah Falzarano holds a Bachelor of Science (Economics) from the London School of Economics and is a Fellow of the Institute of Chartered Accountants in England & Wales. She is a Graduate of the Australian Institute of Company Directors and an alumnus of the CEMD program at AGSM. She attended Session 446 of the Salzburg Global Seminars and received a scholarship to attend a short course at the Kennedy School of Government, Harvard Business School.
Órla Keane
Board Member since late 2021
Órla is passionate about giving back, sustainability and diversity & inclusion.
Órla is active in leading IWD (International Women’s Day) events, Clean up Australia days, Cancer council biggest morning teas and the Salvation Army Christmas Appeals. In the community she supports Meals on Wheels, the Smith Family and volunteers at the North Steyne SLSC fundraising events.
Órla is a corporate leader in the IT industry with extensive experience in strategy development, people leadership, stakeholder management & revenue generation. She is an advocate for women in technology & in leadership. Órla holds a Bachelor of Commerce (International) from the University College of Dublin (Ireland). She lives in the Northern Beaches with her husband and two children.
Megan O'Leary
Board Member since late 2021
Megan is a skilled volunteer who has worked at NBWS & Dress for Success Sydney over the past 3 years. Megan is passionate about empowering women who have been disadvantaged, for whatever reason, so that they can live life on their own terms.
Prior to her volunteering life, Megan was an Investment Specialist, working with superannuation funds and institutional fund managers.
Megan has a strong interest in governance and will be assisting the Board and shelter in this and other areas. Megan will continue to volunteer at NBWS.
Rita Yates
Board Member since early 2023
Rita is an executive with experience spanning financial services, health and not for profit industries as well as the startup ecosystem. She is the co-founder and previous CEO of Insurtech Australia and sits on advisory committees for numerous startups and startup support organisations. She has a strong skill set in executive management, innovation, strategy development, partnership development and community building across both corporates and startups.
Rita has significant commercial, fundraising and events experience gained from many previous roles including the Layne Beachley Aim for the Stars Foundation, and is passionate about giving back, having volunteered for a number of organisations over the years and run multiple major school fundraisers. She is also particularly passionate about supporting women and girls in the workforce and in the community and holds a Bachelor of Applied Science (Physio).
Eloise Matthews
Board Member since early 2023
Eloise is an Employment Relations Business Partner at a local HR Consultancy Firm, HumanX HR, with extensive knowledge and passion for employment relations and human resources. She graduated with first class honours from her Bachelor of Laws in 2020 from Macquarie University and is an admitted lawyer. She grew up in Goulburn, but is now a proud resident of the Northern Beaches.
Eloise has a personal purpose of empowering women to find their freedom. As a young female growing up in rural Australia, she was acutely aware of the gendered power imbalances which permeated the community. She became interested in women’s rights advocacy, and a career in law appealed to this desire to make a tangible difference in this space.
Eloise uses her position as Board Member at the Northern Beaches Women’s Shelter to utilise her professional skills and experiences for the benefit of an organisation that supports her personal purpose.