Our people

Chair

Katie is a Chartered Accountant with over 19 years’ experience in professional practice advising clients in a number of industries and sectors both in Australia and the UK. She is currently a Partner in Assurance at Ernst and Young, one of the Big Four professional services firms. Katie has strong technical accounting knowledge, as well as a risk management focus and a deep understanding of the role, workings and challenges of boards and committees. She brings significant experience in financial management, risk management and governance.  

Director

Debra has extensive experience in senior leadership roles in the financial services sector and was previously Chief of Staff at Aware Super. She has applied her leadership, analytical and financial skills to lead significant strategic programs in several organisations. She has led a wide variety of functional areas including strategy, policy, corporate affairs, project delivery and technology. Debra holds a Master of Business Administration and is a graduate member of the Australian Institute of Company Directors.

Treasurer

Sejla is a Partner at SW Accountants & Advisors and has 17 years’ experience in providing accounting, tax and business advisory services to a broad range of businesses. Sejla specialises in advising property developers and property investors on complex commercial, financial and tax matters. Over the past seven years, she has lent her expertise to a number of significant development projects, totalling a combined value of approximately $2.5 billion. Sejla is a Chartered Accountant with a Bachelor of Business (Swinburne University). Sejla is also an active Committee member of the Property Council of Australia (Academy, Property Development).

Director

Carmel has worked for professional membership associations for many years, including Real Estate Institute of Victoria (REIV) and the Australian Institute of Architects. She is currently Executive Officer (Vic & Tas) for the Planning Institute Australia, responsible for a range of activities, both externally and internally focussed, including policy, advocacy, education, professional development, certification, member services, communications, marketing, sponsorship, finance and administration. Carmel has been involved with WPI for 14 years.  

Director

Donna has a Diploma in Law (Legal Practitioners Admission Board), Graduate Certificate in Innovation and Entrepreneurship (Adelaide University). She is a Principal at Russell Kennedy Law Firm and her areas of practice are Property Law, Aged Care and Retirement Villages, and Due Diligence. Donna is Joint Deputy Convener, Russell Kennedy Women’s Network (2016), a member Victorian Women Lawyers and was recognised by Best Lawyers 2013 – 2018 for expertise in Retirement Villages and Senior Living Law.  

Director

Michelle has a Bachelor of Business (Property) and is a Certified Practicing Valuer. Michelle is currently CEO of Aware Real Estate and has over 25 years’ experience in the property industry, leading teams, delivering results and building quality relationships with a large range of stakeholders including executives, investors, customers and service partners. Michelle offers a highly developed strategic approach to the management of Aware Real Estate, the property investment platform responsible for the strategic performance and management of Aware Super’s directly owned Australian property portfolio. Michelle has extensive experience in commercial services, investment strategy and asset management, including senior roles at Australia Post, ISPT and JLL. She is a graduate member of the Australian Institute of Company Directors and a committee member of Property Council of Australia.

Deputy Chair

Nicole is an engineer whose professional experience includes 14 years with ExxonMobil across strategy, commercial, and technical roles, and earlier work in residential construction. She currently leads the Gippsland Pipelines Asset, managing the integrity of licensed oil and gas pipelines both offshore and onshore. Nic is an experienced director, previously serving as Deputy Chair and Governance Chair on the board of a member-owned credit union, and is a graduate member of the Australian Institute of Company Directors. 

CEO, Company Secretary

Jeanette has a Bachelor of Behavioural Science and a Graduate Diploma in Business Management. She has extensive experience across the housing sector: from running refuges and local housing groups to management roles in government departments. Under Jeanette’s leadership, WPI’s housing stock has increased from 11 dwellings to 197. By working innovatively with public, corporate, and non-government partners, Jeanette has increased the organisation’s size and influence. Jeanette facilitated WPI’s certification as a Registered Housing Agency and has moved WPI into a highly visible space in the government and public arenas, through constant advocacy for more affordable housing for women and their children.