How we're run | WaterAid Australia

Around the world, our network of dedicated staff and local partners make our work happen.

In Australia, that includes our Board, Chief Executive and Senior Management Team.

Together, every decision they make ensures our work is efficient, effective and sustainable, and takes us closer to our goal: making clean water, decent toilets and good hygiene a normal part of everyday life for everyone, everywhere.

Making change happen on a global scale

WaterAid Australia is part of a global federation, alongside six other members: America, Canada, India, Japan, the UK and Sweden. Together we work with partners around the world to unlock people’s potential with clean water, decent toilets and good hygiene.

Meet our Chair

Hon Karlene Maywald - Managing Director of Maywald Consultants Pty Ltd, Chair of WaterAid Australia

The Hon Karlene Maywald has dedicated her career to the sustainable management of water and improving access to water for all. Karlene is the Managing Director of Maywald Consultants and holds a broad portfolio of Board positions including Chair of the CRC for Solving Antimicrobial Resistance in Agriculture, Food and the Environment; Chair of the Peter Cullen Environment and Water Trust; and a Director of the Australian Water Association.

She is currently the South Australian Water Ambassador where she is focused on water policy advise, international water diplomacy and supporting Australian water businesses to improve export opportunities.

Karlene was elected to the South Australian Parliament between 1997 and 2010 and served as a cabinet minister from July 2004 until March 2010. Her portfolio responsibilities included the River Murray and Water Security,

At the National level, Karlene was a Member of the Murray Darling Basin Ministerial Council from 2004 to 2010 and she chaired the Australian National Water Commission between 2012-2015.

Meet our Chief Executive

Tom Muller – Chief Executive, WaterAid Australia

Chief Executive of WaterAid Australia, leading with a deep connection to WaterAid teams in Cambodia, Papua New Guinea and Timor-Leste. Building on his eight years as Director of Policy and Programs at WaterAid, Tom places emphasis on working through local systems and country leadership teams, that best understand the political economy in which they operate. Tom is passionate about WaterAid's focus on integrating WASH with gender, health, climate, and water resource management. Tom brings 20-plus years of international development experience to the role and is focused on building new partnerships to accelerate and sustain access to water, sanitation and hygiene.

Meet our Board members

What makes our Board of Directors so special? They give up their time and energy for free, to help us make a bigger impact and change millions more lives.

WaterAid/James Grant

Dr Robert Glasser, Visiting Fellow, Australian Strategic Policy Institute

Robert is a Visiting Fellow at the Australian Strategic Policy Institute. He also serves on the boards of the Queensland Reconstruction Authority and the Climate Action Network Australia. He was previously the United Nations Secretary-General’s Special Representative for Disaster Risk Reduction. Earlier roles include Secretary-General of CARE International, Chief Executive of CARE Australia and Assistant Director-General at AusAID.

Pat McCafferty - Managing Director of Yarra Valley Water,

Pat McCafferty is Managing Director of Yarra Valley Water, with over 30 years experience in the national and international Water Sector. He is also Chair of the Thriving Communities Partnership and past Chair of the Water Services Association of Australia. He is a signatory to the UN Global Compact and a passionate advocate of the SDGs.

Felicity Green – Co-founder, Spark Strategy

Leading the strategy practice at impact-led consulting firm Spark Strategy, Felicity works predominantly with not-for-profit organisations on strategic planning and business models. Felicity has extensive experience in profit for purpose funding models, cross-sector collaborations and social innovation.

Louise Dudley - Chief Executive Officer of Urban Utilities

Louise has been Chief Executive Officer of Urban Utilities since 2012, and prior to this, was the utility’s founding Chief Financial Officer. Preceding Urban Utilities’ formation, Louise held several senior management roles at Brisbane City Council, including Executive Manager Water Retail, where she helped facilitate Australia’s largest water sector transition that merged five local government water and sewerage businesses into Australia’s fourth-largest water retailer (Urban Utilities).

Chiedza Malunga - Monash Refugee Health and Wellbeing Lead

Chiedza is a public health professional with experience in refugee health and sexual and reproductive health and research in multicultural communities. Chiedza has worked in statewide programs across Victoria, ranging from individual and community-based programs through to policy and advocacy initiatives.

Denisha Anbu – General Manger, Governance & Assurance (and Corporate Secretary), Sydney Water

Denisha is a practising lawyer and governance professional with over 20 years experience in commercial law and corporate governance, across a variety of sectors. Denisha joined the water industry in 2012 and since then has become passionate about the essential role that water plays in creating a better life for our communities now and into the future.

Brian Krishna - Managing Director Xylem Australia and New Zealand

Brian Krishna is Managing Director Xylem Australia & New Zealand, with twenty-five years of experience in the water sector. Brian is inspired by the challenge of solving our water issues, bringing education and technology to many communities and is passionate about attracting youth into the water sector. Married with three children, he enjoys beach holidays, bush walks and family fun.

Meet our Senior Management Team

Teresa Ayles - Director of Corporate and Community Engagement

Teresa has more than 20 years’ experience as a marketing, communications and fundraising professional across the NGO, corporate and government sectors. Her career has included consulting and senior leadership roles with leading international NGO’s and publicly listed companies, as well as co-founding a successful international startup.

Meredith Hickman - Acting Director of Policy and Programs

Jeffrey Grospe - Director of Finance and IT

Jeffrey is a CPA qualified finance professional with over six years of experience in the International Development sector. As well as the Director of Finance and IT, Jeffrey currently serves as the Treasurer of the THREE Foundation and the Chair of the Reconciliation Action Plan Working Group at WaterAid Australia.

Navara Kiene - Deputy Country Director PNG

Ms Navara Kiene is the Deputy Country Director – Programs for WaterAid Papua New Guinea. Navara joined WaterAid in May 2019. Navara has over 10 years’ experience in the development field having managed contractors to implement donor-funded programs in Papua New Guinea. Navara holds a Master’s Degree in Development Practice from the University of Queensland.

Justino da Silva - Country Director Timor-Leste

Justino started with WaterAid in 2013 and has been active in local NGOs since 1999, including holding the positing of Chairman of Board of NGO Forum for five years. Justino brings his longterm focus on advocacy and experience in engaging with decision-makers and skills facilitation to lead the WaterAid Timor-Leste team.

Sophiep Chat - Country Director, Cambodia

Sophiep has worked in community development for over 20 years and believes deeply in working for humanity and social justice. Sophiep studied International Relations and Development and is also a speaker to youth groups and social entrepreneurs in Cambodia.

Jenny Mori - Director Operations PNG

Jenny has worked in international development for over 12 years, working with WaterAid for over four years. Prior to working in international development, Jenny worked as a senior finance officer in the private sector. Starting as a Senior Accountant with WaterAid PNG, Jenny moved to Operations Manager and is now Director of Operations.

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