Connolly, Western Australia, Australia
I work at the intersection of financial wellbeing, community resilience and system reform. As CEO of The Spiers Centre in Western Australia, I lead an organisation focused on early intervention, financial counselling and practical support for individuals and families experiencing hardship. My focus extends beyond service delivery to strengthening the systems, partnerships and narratives that shape long-term outcomes. Throughout my career, I have sought to develop practical, scalable responses to emerging social challenges, including: • “Say G’Day” was designed to challenge public perceptions of people sleeping rough and encourage simple human acknowledgement, because dignity begins with recognition. • “It Starts with Hello” reframes financial hardship as something that can affect anyone, encouraging earlier help-seeking and reducing stigma. • "Purpose Driven Property" explores how commercial landlords and community organisations can intentionally align financial sustainability with measurable social impact. With a background in commercial property and asset management, I bring a commercial discipline to community leadership. I am particularly interested in how governance, capital, property, data and partnerships can be deliberately aligned to deliver sustainable social outcomes. I also believe narrative shapes systems. Data informs policy but stories move people. Through writing and sector commentary, I aim to humanise complex issues, translate evidence into lived experience, and contribute constructively to conversations about prevention, stigma reduction and long-term reform. My leadership philosophy centres on: • Early intervention over crisis response • Cross-sector collaboration over siloed service delivery • Strong governance and commissioning readiness • Clear, measured advocacy grounded in evidence and experience I welcome thoughtful engagement with leaders across government, philanthropy, business and community services who are interested in practical, evidence-informed approaches to strengthening financial wellbeing and community resilience.
Responsible for providing leadership and management in the areas of property, finance, human resources, administration, support services, policy development, sustainability, new initiatives, volunteer management and general operation of the UCIC. Strategic Plan: led the Strategic Planning process through to adoption and implementation. Safe Church – Protection of the Individual Policy: developed a new policy relating to ‘Protection of the Individual’, covering children, young people, vulnerable individuals and the elderly. Communications Strategy: developed a Communications Strategy, Design guidelines and Communications Planner to improve communication at all levels both internally and externally. Risk Management Strategy: developed and implemented a risk management strategy. Sustainability Strategy: initiated a number of innovative ideas to improve the church's sustainability profile including; installing a roof garden and beehives; the CBD's largest solar PV installation and redesigning the church's drainage system to harvest rainwater to flush end of trip facility toilets. The bee project will also create employment opportunities for people within the church's rehabilitation programs. Winner of Property Council of Australia Sustainability award 2017. Social Enterprise: created a number of innovative programs geared to creating employment opportunities for people who are homeless / at risk of homelessness.
Formerly Head of Industrial Agency for the UK Midlands Region at Savills, relocated (April 2013) to the Industrial team Savills, Western Australia