Our Board

Our Board

Noelene Jennings President

Noelene rejoined the Board in May 2018. Noelene has qualifications in Science and Computing, and a Masters degree in Commerce majoring in Industrial Relations. Noelene is currently Director Corporate Strategy & Performance with the City of Wanneroo. Prior to this role she has worked in State Government positions in South Australia and a Western Australia, and in local government in Western Australia.

Her community work includes board membership of the Lord Mayor’s Distress Relief Fund. She is an active Evaluator for the Australian Organisational Excellence Awards, is a member of the Australian Computer Society, the LG Professionals, the Institute of Public Administration of Australia and the Australian Institute of Manager.

Luke McNieceVice President

Luke joined the Board in August 2022.

Currently the CFO of a tyre wholesale business, Luke has held executive leadership roles in operations and finances in the retail, consulting, financial services and for purpose sectors. He is a CPA and a graduate member of the AICD.

Luke is currently a Board Member of Sock it to Sarcoma, has had a previous term on the Relationships Australia WA Board and been Chair of the East Perth District Football Council.

Lisa WoodVice President

Professor Lisa Wood is based with the Institute for Health Research at the University of Notre Dame Australia. Her academic qualifications include a PhD from the University of Western Australia (UWA), a Postgraduate Diploma in Health Promotion from Curtin University and a Bachelor of Commerce (Honours) from UWA. Lisa first joined the Board in July 2013. She brings to the Relationships Australia WA Board extensive experience in research, program evaluation, policy and evidence led advocacy around health and social inequalities and ‘what works’ to address these in real world contexts. 

Prior to and in tandem with her academic career, Lisa has three decades of experience working with a wide range of government and non-government organisations at both a state and national level. In addition to her role with Relationships Australia WA, Lisa is active in service and governance roles with not for profit organisations and the public health community. Many of her current areas of research and policy focus align with population groups supported by Relationships Australia WA, including her work in the areas of family and domestic violence, mental health, homelessness, Aboriginal wellbeing and social disadvantage.  

Aimee Sabbatino

Aimee joined the Relationships Australia WA board in June 2023 and is a member of the Finance Committee. 

Aimee has a Bachelor of Communications - specialising in Public Relations and Journalism, and a strong background in strategic leadership and stakeholder management which she has applied across a number of disciplines including communications, commercial management, marketing and economic development. 

With more than thirteen years of experience in her field, Aimee currently works in local government at the City of Fremantle and is a graduate of the Australian Institute of Company Directors. 

Prior to joining local government, Aimee worked in the private sector in marketing, advertising and business development, bringing a fresh perspective and deepening the corporate skillset of the board. 

Caley Burke

Caley joined the Relationships Australia WA board in January 2024. Caley has a Bachelor of Science - Paramedical Science and works for St John Ambulance Western Australia.

Caley graduated from the Emerging Leaders in Governance Program in April 2023. As a seasoned professional in the aged care industry, she brings a wealth of experience and a deep passion for making a positive impact on the lives of seniors. With a successful track record in various management roles, she has demonstrated her ability to drive business growth, optimise operations and deliver exceptional outcomes for both residents and stakeholders.

Caley has a strong foundation in strategic planning and execution, enabling her to devise and implement innovative solutions that drive long-term sustainability and growth. By aligning business objectives with comprehensive strategies, she has consistently positioned organisations for success.

Nic Merson

A Tjiwarl woman with cultural connections to the Goldfields and Pilbara regions of Western Australia, Nic is a Client Relationship Manager with Equity Trustees, a licensed professional trustee company based in Perth.  She manages and coordinates trust fund services to Aboriginal groups located in Western Australia and Queensland; is a member of the WA Football Commission’s Indigenous Steering Committee; and a Board Member of Madalah.  

Nic has extensive experience working with Aboriginal communities, organisations, and people in rural, regional and remote locations across WA, and holds an Associate Diploma in Aboriginal Community Management and Development (Curtin University, WA).

Annette Owttrim

Annette joined the Relationships Australia Western Australia Board in September 2024.  She is a Registered Nurse and holds a Master of Business Administration qualification. Annette has worked extensively within Australia and internationally in the private healthcare sector.  She is a former Tertiary Hospital Chief Executive Officer and has significant experience in clinical and corporate governance.  Her passion is “too hard healthcare”, seeking to provide health solutions in remote and austere environments.

She has been a Board member of the Remote Area Health Corps (RAHC) – a programme providing short-term placements of health professionals in remote and very remote communities in the Northern Territory as well as two start-up companies.

Annette is a Graduate of the Australian Institute of Company Directors.

Steve Allsop

Steve Allsop has been involved in the alcohol and other drug field for more than 40 years, working in government, services and universities. The past Director of two Australian national drug research centres (Perth and Adelaide) he is currently a Professor at the National Drug Research Institute, Curtin. For many years he worked in senior roles with the WA Government Drug and Alcohol Office. Other roles have included: Chair WA Network of Alcohol and other Drug Agencies; Deputy Chair, Australian National Advisory Council on Alcohol and other Drugs; Member Child Death and Domestic Violence Review Panel, Ombudsman (WA); Chair WA Network of Alcohol and other Drug Agencies; Board member National Suicide Prevention Advisory Board and member Mental Health and Welfare Advisory Group Australian Defence Force.

In 2015 he received a drug field Senior Scientist Award and in 2017 was winner of the National Honour Roll, Alcohol and Drug Excellence & Innovation Awards. Community roles have included being President of the Coolbinia Bombers Junior Football Club and member of the Community Prevention and Development team at Country Football WA.

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