Governance
Senior Leadership Team
The Y Canberra Region’s Senior Leadership Team is headed by our Chief Executive Officer, and comprises Executive Officers from each business unit. Our leadership structure is designed to empower, enable innovation and continuous improvement.
Andrew O’Neil
Acting CEO
Chief Finance Officer
Joined the Y in September 1993.
Associate Diploma, Applied Science
Cara Moore
Executive Manager, Children’s Services
Joined the Y in September 2013.
Diploma, Children’s Services
Diploma, Business Management.
Joanne Hoare
Manager, People and Culture
Joined the Y in February 2016.
Diploma, Leadership & Management
Shona MacPherson
Manager, Safeguarding
Joined the Y in January 2008.
Associate Diploma, Social Science in Childcare.
Tegan Buttimore
Manager, Health & Recreation
Joined the Y in 2019.
Diploma, Sport Development.
Cert. IV, Athlete Services & Fitness.
Marcos Correa
Manager, Risk and Innovation
Joined the Y in January 2020.
Bachelor Degree, Business Administration.
Sam Duffy-Yates
Manager, Community & Youth
Joined the Y in December 2020.
Bachelor Degree, Communication & Graphic Design.
Jaee Pendse
Group Operations Manager, Accommodation
Joined the Y in January 2021.
Bachelor Degree, Hotel Management
Board of Directors
The Y Canberra Region is governed by a voluntary board of directors who have carriage for the governance of our subsidiary entities that operate our social enterprises. Our board members have an extensive range of professional and life experience that contributes significantly in their honorary capacities to ensure The Y delivers on our mission, vision and corporate stewardship.
Our Constitution allows us to have up to 9 Directors with a provision of at least two young people under the age of 31 years who are independent members of the association. The Board’s role is documented in the Board Charter.
Elisabeth Judd | Chair
Elisabeth has extensive experience working in the public and private sectors across planning, urban policy, affordable housing, the development industry and in law. She currently works as a Director in a firm that specialises in architecture and urban strategy. A mother of three children, Elisabeth values the contribution the YMCA can make to the development and wellbeing of young people in Canberra, and promoting social health and wellbeing. Elisabeth has been a member of the YMCA Canberra Board since 2017.
Aaron Froud | Deputy Chair
Aaron brings significant financial management expertise to the board of the Y and is a Partner of local accounting firm BellchambersBarrett with over 20 years’ experience in providing accounting and taxation services. He has Bachelor degrees in Economics and Commerce from ANU as well as a Graduate Diploma in Chartered Accounting. Aaron’s passion for the Y comes from a hope to see the families and communities of Canberra thrive. A director of YMCA Canberra since 2014 including a period as President, Aaron also Chairs the Board’s Finance & Risk Sub-Committee.
Robert Huntington
Robert has been working in the building services and construction industry for 18 years in a range of roles. Coming from a trade background, Rob brings diversity of thought, decision making and problem solving to the board of the Y. Robert’s contribution to the Y will complement the work he has already been doing around mental health for young men and women in the construction industry, with a focus on reducing stigma, providing a supportive work environment, and ongoing staff training. Rob joined the YMCA Canberra Board in November 2020.
Jenny McCombe OAM
Jenny has over 30 years’ experience working in the community and education sector and was previously the CEO of YMCA Canberra for 14 years. Jenny has been a director of Y Australia since Nov 2018 and is the National Board’s inaugural Safeguarding Sponsor. She is also a director of Y Safeguarding and a registered Responsible Person on the Y Safeguarding Public Fund. Jenny was appointed a Life Governor of Y Australia and also of Y Canberra. In 2015 she was awarded the Order of Australia Medal for her services to the community, in particular to youth organisations. Jenny is a strong advocate for the rights of children, and remains committed to raising the profile of women and young people in leadership roles. She holds a Bachelor of Education and Diploma of Teaching. Jenny joined the YMCA Canberra Board in October 2021
Josh Duke
A proud Dunghutti man, Josh is a Manager at Deloitte with over seven years’ experience in providing professional services to Federal Government, listed and non-listed clients across Australia. A highly accomplished Chartered Accountant, Josh was the recipient of the 2021 ACT Young Chartered Accountant of the Year award and the Indigenous Leaders Program Scholarship through the Australian Institute of Company Directors. He is a Graduate of the Australian Institute of Company Directors and serves as a Director for Bangarra Dance Theatre, Ausdance ACT and the Young Chartered Accountants’ Committee Canberra. Josh believes in the power of inspired young people and is determined to contribute to the Y’s role in enabling young people to continue to impact our community today and well into the future.
Edward Eyers
Edward has worked as a lawyer for over 20 years, in Canberra and overseas and is currently a partner at a local law firm. Edward has been familiar with the Y Canberra Region for many years now from both a community and a professional perspective.
Now a father of three, he joins the Y as a keen Board Member, with a vision to continue providing services and support to young people, enabling them to feel connected and valued. Edward joined the Y Canberra Region Board in November 2022.
Past General Secretaries and CEOs
1941 – 1945: Clive Glover
1945 – 1948: Clive Smith
1948 – 1956: Harry Black
1956 – 1959: Dennis Millikin (Acted)
1959 – 1962: Ian Frencham
1963 – 1965: Harold Jenner
1965 – 1979: Eric Boyson MBE
1979 – 1984: Len Goodman AO
1984 – 1985: Sandy Sanders
1985 – 1986: Dan Devlin & Bob Romanes (Acted)
1986 – 1991: Norman Braidwood
1991 – 1996: Ian Rentsch
1996 – 2002: Richard Tanzer
2003 – 2016: Jennifer McCombe OAM
2016 – 2018: Darren Black
2018 – 2018: Andrew O’Neil (Acting)
Past Board Presidents
1941 – 1945: Charles S Daley
1945 – 1946: Harry F. E. Whitlam
1946 – 1947: Bill Dunbar
1947 – 1950: W.J.M. Campbell
1950 – 1951: W.C. Balmford
1951 – 1952: Max Purnell
1952 – 1980: Keith Arscott MBE
1980 – 1982: George Scott
1982 – 1986: Allen Curtis
1986 – 1989: Ron Harvey CVO
1989 – 1991: Vern Davies
1991 – 1994: Steve Atkins
1994 – 1996: John Statton
1996 – 2000: Judith Cubbage
2000 – 2003: Norm Jensen
2003 – 2008: Jane Mugford
2008 – 2010: Peter McGrath
2010 – 2013: Glenn O’Sullivan
2013 – 2016: Pierre Huetter
2016 – 2017: Aaron Froud
2017 – 2019: Garry Watson AM
2019 – 2020: Charine Bennett
Cover photo by Marvin Meyer on Unsplash