Our Leadership

We're fortunate to have a talented and supportive board to help us with our endeavours. 

Kathryn Farrawell - Ambassador 

Kathryn Dodd Farrawell (Auntie Kath) is a long-term resident of Glebe. She has worked with Glebe Youth Service in many capacities, especially with our mural and art projects.

She has been appointed as an Ambassador for Glebe Youth Service

Libby Hindmarsh - Chair

Elizabeth (Libby) Hindmarsh worked as a GP in Glebe for many years. She has also worked with an Aboriginal health services on Elcho Island in NT and in Liverpool NSW. She now works as a medical educator and has had previous experience working as a health educator with adolescents. She hopes to bring some of the learning from these experiences to Glebe Youth Services.

Robbie Girdler - Deputy Chair

Robbie has a wealth of experience in Corporate Finance, Strategy and Community Engagement - gained at both multinationals and boutique firms in both Australia and the United Kingdom. He grew up in Glebe and lives there with a young family.
Robbie is responsible for management of Glebe Youth Service's financial performance alongside staff and the Coordinator. He holds a Bachelor of Commerce from the University of Sydney and is a member of the Institute of Chartered Accountants.

Mitra Gusheh - CEO

 Mitra Gusheh is a social impact practitioner with 20 years of experience across the social and higher education sectors. She began her career as a youth worker in Western Sydney, where she shared responsibility for establishing the Roundabout Youth Centre. She comes to the Glebe Youth Service from her role as the Executive Manager, Social Impact at the University of Technology Sydney’s Centre for Social Justice and Inclusion. Here, she was responsible for developing the institution’s Social Impact Framework and led the community engagement portfolio for the university. Previous to this, Mitra worked for a range of not-for-profit organisations where she was responsible for the strategic design, development and implementation of large-scale social change programs. This included establishing Oxfam Australia’s national youth program, the design and implementation of an advocacy program on child rights in Sri Lanka, and the design and implementation of an ICT-project in partnership with UNESCO in Nepal. 

Ben Fisher - Secretary

Professionally, Ben is a practising lawyer in commercial disputes, insolvency and directors duties (including in the not-for-profit sector) and has performed pro bono work for asylum seekers for many years. He brings experience in negotiation, dispute resolution and corporate law.

Prior to joining the Management Committee, Ben was a director and treasurer of a not-for-profit food co-operative run by volunteers. He continues to pursue passions including sustainability, soccer and music.

Hilary Chesworth - Treasurer

Hilary has recently retired after 20 years as Administrator/Finance Manager at Redfern Legal
Centre. She is now finding life very busy, her activities including time with two toddler
grandchildren, bushwalking, volunteering at Tenants Union NSW, and overseeing financial
matters at Glebe Youth Service. Hilary has had a long involvement with GYS Management
Committee, having been Secretary and then Treasurer for ten years up till late 2017.

Mary-Frances Murphy – Committee Member

Mary-Frances is a practising banking and finance lawyer. She also undertakes pro bono work as part of her role. She brings experience in commercial strategy and negotiation, financial services, ESG and corporate law.

Lindsay Charles - Committee Member

Lindsay graduated from the University of Western Sydney with a Bachelor of Building, and
worked as a construction professional for 30 years for the NSW Department of Public Works.
She specialised in the design and construction of gaols, and was known throughout NSW for
her commitment to consultation with local Aboriginal communities. Lindsay is now retired.

Lisa Aitken – Committee Member

Lisa is an experienced social impact practitioner having worked across university, government, not-for-profit, start- up and private sectors. She has extensive experience in participatory methodologies, community engagement, leadership and strategic planning. Lisa has a Bachelor of Arts/ Bachelor of Teaching (Visual Arts), completed subjects in a Master of Education majoring in Aboriginal Education and a Bachelor of Behavioural Sciences (psychology).  Lisa is currently the Executive Manager, Community Engagement and Impact at UTS.

 

Justine Saltmarsh - Ex-officio Representative

Justine is a representative from one of GYS' corporate partners, Mirvac. She provides expert advice on corporate partnerships and development opportunities.