Our Board

Tara joined the Board in 2017, was appointed Vice Chair in 2018 and Chair in 2020. Tara also chairs the TAI Finance and Risk Committee. She is a business consultant with over 20 years of business and management experience including as a Partner in Corporate Finance at Deloitte and her own Internet start-up business, which she sold in 2015. She is greatly involved in the community sector, most notably serving on the Board of Wesley Mission and is a member of their Finance and Audit Committee. Tara previously served on the Board of Concern Australia from 2013 – 2020 as Secretary and Chair of the Fundraising Committee. She has taught and mentored human trafficking survivors at the Freedom Hub Survivor School and Salvation Army and is currently setting up a social enterprise to help build social cohesion and reduce community isolation. Tara is a member of Northside Baptist Church.

Allan joined the Board in 2016. He is the Senior Pastor of NewHope Baptist Church in Victoria, where he has served since 1995, and the Executive Director of NewHope Community Care Inc. Allan has served on various Boards in Canada and Australia. He is a former President of the Baptist Union of Victoria and served on the BUV council for more than 15 years. He is currently Board Chair of Whitehorse Churches Care, Ltd., Vice-Chair of the Global Leadership Network Australia and an adjunct lecturer at Whitley College in Victoria.

Michael joined the Board in May 2021 and is a member of the Finance and Risk Committee. With a 25-year tenure in banking, financial markets and investment management, he has embraced senior leadership responsibilities across some of Australia’s major banks. During this time, Michael led complex and high risk businesses, furthering his belief that strong corporate governance and risk management protocols need to sit at the centre of organisations, big and small. Today, Michael specialises in financial and investment advice for institutions, not-for-profits, family offices and high/ultra-high net worth investors, and is passionate about reducing and alleviating oppression against the vulnerable. Outside of work, Michael enjoys the time he spends with his wife, Marta, and their two children, Joshua and Ava. They are members of New Hope Baptist Church.

Alistair Macpherson joined the Board in 2022. He is currently the Managing Director of Corney & Lind Lawyers, where he focuses on legal issues affecting schools, non-profit entities and other corporate clients. Prior to working in private practice, Alistair was employed as an in-house solicitor with numerous government organisations (including the Australian Federal Police), advising across the various areas of law relevant to government enterprise. He has also worked as a criminal prosecutor with the ACT DPP and the Queensland DPP. Alistair serves as a Board Member of various charities involved in the delivery of education, aged care and overseas aid services.

Heidi joined the Board in November 2016. She is an accounting professional with over 15 years of hands-on experience in the not-for-profit industry. She is currently the Team Leader of Operations at the Baptist Churches of NSW and ACT where she supports over 350 churches to meet complex compliance requirements and adhere to not-for-profit specific rules and legislation. Previously, Heidi was a Member of the not-for-profit specialist group at a Big 4 accounting firm for over 7 years, providing audit, financial advisory and other services to not-for-profit organisations. Heidi is a Member of the Australian Institute of Company Directors.

Susan served the Board from 2012-2015 and rejoined in 2020. Susan has 15 years experience in organisational development, learning and development, instructional design and project management. She currently holds an organisational development leadership role at Global Interaction. Susan serves on the Academic Board of Governance of the National Institute of Organisational Dynamics Australia. She is also a parent, Spiritual Director and member of New Community church in Victoria.

Dr Peter Chandra has over 30 years’ experience as an executive and non-executive director in not-for-profits, publicly listed, SMEs and private companies (national and international); across a range of industries including travel & hospitality, property development, IT, childcare & healthcare, and community development. Of Indian and Chinese descent, he was born and lived in Singapore for 21 years; studied & worked in England for 23 years; and then immigrated & worked in Australia since 2000.

Meredith joined the Board in November 2018 and in 2020 was appointed Chair of the Programs Performance Committee. With 20+ years of international development experience, she is currently Proposals Manager at Opportunity International Australia. In addition to her professional work, Meredith has a passion for mentoring and has volunteered as a mentor for various local not-for-profits including “Raise Foundation” who run mentoring programs for young people at risk and “Can Too Foundation” which is a health promotion charity committed to funding cancer research.

Michelle joined the Board in May 2019. Michelle is a Director of an organisation focused on leadership development, organisational culture and strategy. Michelle has 20 years’ experience as a brand, communications and coaching professional in the not-for-profit, corporate, education and international development sectors. She also serves as a Board Director for Common Grace.

Melissa is an experienced executive with a wealth of experience in the Christian not-for-profit space. Her skills in leading and managing diverse teams and complex organisations were developed in the Australian military, refined in executive leadership within the contemporary church context, and further developed in the Christian for purpose sector. She has extensive cross-cultural experience and a deep appreciation and respect for working alongside First Nations people.

Tabitha is the Director of a communications company specialising in organisational culture and team engagement with a focus on workplace wellbeing and purpose.
With a background in public relations and communications, she has worked across the property, financial services, technology, not-for-profit and government sectors, helping to shape their brands and reputation. Her specialities include internal/external brand communications strategy and messaging, crisis management, digital communication and stakeholder engagement.