CEO | Anglicare WA

Mark Glasson has over 25 years’ experience across a range of human services, which includes service delivery to families and children, community development, public policy and services to offenders. He has held senior executive positions for the Government of Western Australia and also worked in local government and community organisations.

Mark joined Anglicare WA in October 2013 and until his appointment as Chief Executive Officer held responsibility for service delivery across WA. Mark holds a Bachelor of Social Work from the University of New South Wales, a Graduate Diploma in Media Studies from Edith Cowan University and is a GAICD. Mark was the Chairperson of Shelter WA from 2015-2019 and is the Co-convenor of the Home Stretch WA Campaign and a member of the Ending Homelessness WA Alliance.

Mark was first elected to the position of WACOSS President unopposed at the 2021 Annual General Meeting.

CEO | Rise

Justine Colyer AM has been the Chief Executive Officer of Rise for the last 10 years. Since becoming CEO, she has sought to improve the range and quality of services provided to the community.

Previously, Justine held a range of senior government positions in the Departments of Housing and Corrective Services .

Justine is delighted to be part of the inclusive and successful collaboration within the community services sector, among key peak bodies and with people with lived experience.

State Director | 54 Reasons

In a community sector career spanning over two decades, Amanda Hunt has created positive change on individual, organisational and sector levels in service of Western Australians facing hardship, vulnerability and disadvantage.

With a Bachelor of Social Science (Human Services) and a Masters Degree of Business Leadership, Amanda is committed to building stronger connections across government, corporate and the community sectors, building opportunities for shared learning, creative and constructive alliances and advocating for change making at a system and community level.

Amanda is committed to respectful relationships with First Nations people and has fostered equal partnerships with Aboriginal Elders and Aboriginal Community Controlled Organisations to enable successful reconciliation in action, most recently in the Pilbara and East Kimberley regions, in her role as State Director of 54 Reasons, the Australian operating arm of Save the Children in WA.

CEO | Youth Focus

Experienced director and senior leader Derry Simpson is the CEO of Youth Focus. Derry is a champion for youth mental health and is dedicated to improving wellbeing outcomes for young people across WA. 

Before joining Youth Focus, Derry was the Director of Strategy at Telethon Kids Institute – a role that enabled her to combine her many years of brand and communications experience, with an absolute passion for improving the health and wellbeing outcomes for children everywhere. 

Previously, Derry was Managing Director of award-winning advertising agency 303MullenLowe. There she worked with a huge variety of organisations, including many not-for-profits, tackling strategic brand and business projects, and using creativity to solve the most complex of business issues. 

An exceptional facilitator, coach and leader, Derry holds a number of board and strategic advisory positions, is mentor to many young women in WA and a 2018 Telstra WA Business Woman of the Year finalist. 

Chief Financial Officer | Ruah Community Services

Graham Donnelly is a charted accountant with more than 20 years’ experience in both the commercial and not-for-profit sectors in Ireland and Australia.

He has worked across a wide and diverse range of industries from sales and marketing, rail networks, construction, tourism and disability services.

Graham holds a BA in Accounting, Fellowship membership with the Association of Chartered Certified Accountants (ACCA) and is a member of Chartered Accountants Australia New Zealand (CA ANZ).

CEO | Women’s Legal Service WA

Dr Jennie Gray is the CEO of Women’s Legal Service WA.  Jennie’s professional career in the community sector has spanned practice, management, research and policy roles, in a variety of contexts.

This includes many years designing and delivering services in regional and remote Western Australia and being employed as the Deputy CEO at WACOSS. 

Jennie is passionate about redressing gender inequality, which is at the heart of making things better for women.

CEO | Reconciliation WA

Jody Nunn is a senior executive and non-executive director with a passion for social justice and reconciliation outcomes focused on impact and innovation. She has extensive experience working in the community and creative industries which brings an innovative approach to her strategic thinking.

From stage to screen, State Government, membership bodies and now leading the state’s peak body for reconciliation, she is committed to unity and equality for our First Nations Australians through supporting self-determination and voice.

Jody is a values-driven leader with highly developed interpersonal skills focused on driving a positive culture, aligned to purpose and vision. She is committed to challenging the status quo and working with leaders who think differently to resolve complex issues in society.

In 2023, in partnership with Noongar leader Robyn Smith Walley, Jody completed a Churchill Fellowship researching international models of truth telling, healing and sustainability, with a commitment to build a blueprint for the State of Western Australia.

Jody is committed to advocacy through strong engagement and presentation skills with the ability to influence at all levels, engaging boards, committees, teams and external stakeholders. She is highly credentialed in marketing and corporate communications.

Jody has experience in reporting to and advising boards, councils and committees as a leader and non-executive director.

State Director WA, NT, SA | Mission Australia

Sue Budalich has been the Mission Australia State Director (WA, NT, SA) since 2022, leading a diverse portfolio including housing, homelessness, disability services, AoD support, FDV, youth services, emergency relief and mental health.

Sue brings extensive experience in senior executive roles within State and Commonwealth governments, along with a background in management consulting.

With over 25 years dedicated to improving community outcomes Sue has also served on several boards, which have benefitted from her expertise in governance, risk, strategic planning and capacity building.

A dynamic leader passionate about social justice, equity and addressing systemic inequality, she is known for her curiosity, advocacy and collaborative leadership. Sue believes that strong partnerships and community-led solutions are vital for achieving lasting change. With a passion for creating a more equitable society, Sue is eager to leverage her skills to help advance WACOSS’ mission for a fairer, more inclusive future.

In her spare time, you’ll find Sue spending time with family and friends, watching her nieces and nephews play sports, exploring new dining experiences, planning her next holiday and cheering for the West Coast Eagles.

Tracey Brand is an Eastern Arrernte woman, born and raised on Mparntwe country in Central Australia, who has lived and worked on Wadjak Noongar Boodjar since 2020. Since stepping into the role of CEO at HOPE Community Services in 2025, she has applied over three decades of executive experience to championing Aboriginal health and wellbeing, equity and social justice. Her leadership is driven by a passion for equity, cultural integrity, and the economic empowerment of Aboriginal communities.

Her career in the Aboriginal Community Controlled sector includes senior leadership roles with the Coalition of Peaks, Derbarl Yerrigan Health Service, the Central Australian Aboriginal Congress and Tangentyere Council. A specialist in strategic governance, community development and health service reform, Tracey also serves on several boards, including the WA Child and Adolescent Health Board, Social Reinvestment WA, Thirrilli and the Department of Communities Aboriginal Strategic Advisory Group, while maintaining her cultural obligation to community boards in her home country.

Tracey holds a Master of Business Leadership, an MBA, and a Master of Arts in Aboriginal Administration and is a member of the Australian Institute of Company Directors.

As a Lived Experience Advisor/Consultant, Trish has personal lived/living experiences of disadvantage including but not limited to housing insecurity and mental ill health including alcohol and other drug issues. She holds a passion to use these experiences and my intersecting privileges (she is a white, educated, able bodied, cis-gendered woman) to support organisations to form a bridge between people with lived/living experiences and the organisations and community that support them.

She has worked in a variety of Lived Experience roles across mental health, alcohol and other drug, homelessness and community housing sectors, bringing a Lived Experience Expertise to support organisations to realise their goals and objectives.

Aunty Charmaine Pell is a Noongar woman and her country includes Whadjuk, Boojarah, Wagyl Kaip, Ballardong and Gnaala.

Aunty Charmaine is a mother, grandmother and great grandmother. Before her retirement, she worked for 20 years in child and adolescence community services.

Aunty Charmaine supports WACOSS to improve and enhance practice, ensuring cultural security on Noongar land.

Photo supplied by Telethon Kids Institute, with thanks.