KEEP AUSTRALIA BEAUTIFUL NSW TEAM

VAL SOUTHAM

Chief Executive Officer (CEO)

DEBORAH KELLY

Administration & Program Support

VERONICA DULLENS

Programs Manager

EMMA MCVIE

Events Coordinator

SHANI PATEL

Education Programs Manager

JACQUI GORDON

Sustainability Educator

CATHERINE DOMINGUEZ FISHER

Sustainability Educator

SAMMI CARR

Sustainability Educator

BOARD MEMBERS

GERARD VELAYUTHEN

Chair

Gerard has held senior executive and non-executive board roles in aerospace, mining services and infrastructure projects. He is currently director and shareholder of Velconsult International Pty Ltd and a Fellow member of the Australian Institute of Company Directors.

He brings to KAB NSW experience in formulation and execution of business strategies, business development, financial and operational management and a proven track record as a Finance Director/Chief Operating Officer in multinational companies.

HARRY PETROPOULOS

Deputy Chair

Harry is joint Managing Director of Red Pill Holdings Pty Ltd (trading as Red Pill Performance Consultants).

Red Pill consults to public, private and NFP organisations on business performance and board governance.

Harry has been the senior torch-bearer on several significant business transformation programs. He has held leadership roles at Laminex Industries, Lion Nathan, Boral and George Weston Foods.

Harry is a registered psychologist.

VAL SOUTHAM

Executive Director

Val has been a senior executive in the environment industry for 30 years, and CEO and Executive Director of KAB NSW for three years.

She has had senior environmental affairs roles in major corporates in the packaging industry and was the Chief Executive Officer of the Waste Management Association of Australia (WMAA) for 15 years.

Val has served on multiple boards and government advisory committees including the Federal Government’s Product Stewardship Advisory Committee, the Oil Stewardship Advisory Council, the National Packaging Covenant Council and the National Packaging Industry Association.

ANDREW BEST

Director for Education

After a 37-year long career in teaching, Andrew is the recently retired principal of Harrington Park Public School.

Andrew was the recipient of the 2008 Churchill Fellowship for Environmental Education. He is a trained facilitator for the Franklin Covey Seven Habits of Highly Effective People; and Great Teams, Great Leaders, Great Results programs. Andrew was previously Chairman of Macarthur Sustainable Schools Network, a position he held for 10 years.

Andrew is currently a part time Educational Leadership Consultant/Mentor with Climate Reality Leadership Corp operating through University of Melbourne.

LAYLA MCNEIL

Director

Layla McNeil, an environmental strategist and change agent, has dedicated her career to sustainability. Her expertise in policy development, project management, and stakeholder facilitation grew from an unwavering passion for making a difference. Currently stationed at CSIRO, Layla spearheads waste reduction and resource recovery efforts, crafting impactful strategic plans that drive real-world change.

Layla’s innovation shines in her environmental communications and behaviour change campaigns, transcending norms to motivate sustainable actions. She has expansive experience in conducting environmental audits, formulating waste management strategies, and executing diverse sustainability programs.

Her journey epitomizes dedicated leadership, with a genuine Earth-centric commitment that paves the way for enduring transformations. As Layla continues to steer projects, amplify sustainability, and champion resource efficiency, she becomes a trailblazer for a more ecologically conscious future.

ALEX STONEY

Director

Alex is a seasoned executive serving as the Managing Director of Copado, a leading tech company that has achieved Unicorn status. With a primary background in sales, marketing, and partnerships, Alex brings expertise in driving business growth and fostering strategic alliances.

Beyond the boardroom, Alex is passionate about making a positive difference in the world. He is actively involved in supporting non-profit and for-good organizations, channeling his skills and resources to tackle pressing social and environmental issues. With a blend of corporate acumen and a heart for social impact, Alex brings a unique perspective and a drive for meaningful change.

LIA KINGSTON

Director

Lia is a lawyer with approximately 10 years experience advising on company law issues, with a focus on corporate governance and M&A transactions. With a strong history of providing pro bono legal support to both charities and individuals, Lia brings legal expertise in non-profit governance. In addition to the legal background, Lia has experience working in the modern slavery risk and human rights uplift and reporting space, and serves on industry working groups with a focus on human rights and corporate social responsibility.

Outside of work Lia loves writing short fiction and poetry, knitting and spinning, going for bushwalks and snorkelling, and serving as furniture for two very spoilt cats.