Mark Degotardi, Chief Executive Officer
Mark joined as CEO of CHIA NSW in May 2019.
Mark brings decades of senior leadership experience in public advocacy and peak body representation to his role as CEO of CHIA NSW.
Having worked directly with State and Federal Government Ministers and departments throughout his career, he understands how to demonstrate the industry’s value to government, stakeholders and the community.
Catherine Tracey, Head of Learning & Development
Catherine brings over 25 years of experience working in senior executive roles in social and affordable housing. In the last fifteen years Catherine has used her extensive experience in housing as a catalyst for improving the educational outcomes of staff through vocational education.
As a senior executive in vocational education Catherine has led several large Registered Training Organisations to adopt highly strategic customer focussed practices. Combining her passion for social justice, housing for all and education as an avenue for advancement, Catherine joined CHIA NSW in 2018 to lead the bespoke learning and development section and RTO for members and the broader housing industry.
Adam West, Head of Business Services
Adam brings intimate knowledge of the NSW community housing industry to his role as CHIA NSW’s Head of Business Services.
Joining CHIA NSW when it was the NSW Federation of Housing Associations, Adam has played an integral role in the industry’s development in surveying services, regulation, and industry leading practice in NSW.
He is driven by providing insight to members that helps drive better tenant service and outcomes.
Adam has also championed the growth of the Aboriginal Community Housing Industry Association, which became an independent entity in the 2020-21 financial year.
Caitlin McDowell, Head of Public Affairs
Caitlin is an experienced policymaker and social researcher with responsibility for leading CHIA NSW’s policy, communications, advocacy, and events agenda.
Using evidence-based policy and advocacy, Caitlin is strongly committed to working in partnership with members to support the growth of the community housing industry and deliver better housing outcomes for tenants.
Prior to joining CHIA NSW in January 2020, Caitlin worked in key policy, research and management roles in the community housing industry, the not-for-profit sector, and the NSW Government.
Wendy Rockwell, Office Manager
Wendy has served as Office Manager at CHIA NSW since its early formation as the former NSW Federation of Housing Associations.
With many years of expertise in financial management, operations and administration, Wendy has been pivotal in driving CHIA NSW’s capacity to grow and develop our services to members.
Wendy handles all financial and administrative matters for CHIA NSW and also deals with any new or existing membership queries.
Our Board
Charles Northcote, Chair Charles brings over 35 years’ of international leadership across the construction, resources and business sectors including growing two organisations into global companies with sales exceeding a billion dollars. As CEO of BlueCHP, Charles has helped BlueCHP become the leading developer of Specialist Disability Accommodation under the NDIS, participate in the successful initial NHFIC $315m bond raising in the Australian capital markets, and raised new funding through government and private investors. Charles is the current Chairman of PowerHousing Disability Housing Community of Practice. Prior to BlueCHP Charles was part of the team that established the Mission Australia national social and affordable housing business. Charles won the Macarthur Regional Business Award for Outstanding Business Leader in 2018. Charles is a graduate of the Australian Institute of Company Directors and the Association of Corporate Treasurers UK, with a Bachelor of Commerce (NZ) and a MBA from Warwick University UK.
Maree McKenzie, Vice Chair Maree has been the CEO at Homes North Community Housing since 2007 and has overseen the transformation of the organisation from a small provider managing 150 properties to one now managing over 2,700 properties. Most recently Maree has overseen Homes North’s success contributing to the largest project to date in Australia transferring public housing to the community housing industry. Under this programme, Homes North successfully bid for the management of 1,700 public housing properties in the New England and North West of NSW and is now implementing an ambitious 20 year plan to re-imagine social housing in the region. Previously Maree worked for over 12 years in Government, in a range of areas – from leading social housing community renewal projects to managing housing and homelessness front line services. Maree is committed to the growth and development of strong not-for-profit, values-driven enterprises that support positive social change; and believes this is achieved best through a strong collegiate and collaborative network of not-for-profit and for-purpose sectors.
Robyn Evans Robyn is the General Manager Community Services and Community Housing at BaptistCare NSW & ACT. She brings with her over 10 years of experience in community services having worked in leadership positions for the Salvation Army, Be Slavery Free and the NSW Land and Housing Corporation. Robyn is passionate about being an active contributor to social changes through her extensive knowledge and expertise.
Andrew McAnulty Andrew is the CEO of Link Wentworth. With almost 30 years of experience as a policy influencer and housing practitioner, Andrew has delivered social, affordable, and large-scale urban renewal projects across Australia and the United Kingdom. Andrew’s experience highlights the innovation and vision required to create cutting edge outcomes for projects which link Government, the private sector, and the community housing industry.
Carolyn Doherty Carolyn brings over three decades of dedicated service to the Community Services Sector, with a significant portion of her career spanning more than 14 years in executive roles within the Community Housing sectors of New South Wales (NSW) and Queensland. Currently, as the CEO of Argyle Housing, Carolyn is at the forefront of delivering exceptional social and affordable housing outcomes for regional communities in NSW and the Australian Capital Territory. Her leadership is characterised by a commitment to innovation and collaboration, driving Argyle Housing’s mission through strategic partnerships aimed at enhancing housing supply in regional areas. Among her notable projects are the pioneering Regional Social Renewal project in Tolland, Wagga Wagga, and the Griffin Green initiative, a collaboration with Griffith City Council.
Paul Coe Paul is a Wiradjuri man, born and raised in Sydney amid the black power movement and schooled by key Sydney Aboriginal leaders in the fight for Aboriginal land rights and progression to Aboriginal self-determination. Paul was a leading child protection expert on the needs of Aboriginal children, pursuing systemic change to improve the alarming over-representation of Aboriginal children in out-of-home care before pivoting and focusing on Aboriginal housing outcomes. Paul is now leading Birribee Housing as it supports Aboriginal families across Sydney and regional NSW. Growing Birribee Housing into a vessel that can deliver on the vision of the parent entity, the NSW Aboriginal Land Council, and deliver self-determination for Aboriginal people through Aboriginal-led control of housing outcomes.
Ian Lynch Ian is the CEO of Pacific Link Housing. He oversees the management of over 1,400 social, affordable and market properties across the Central Coast, Lake Macquarie and Hunter regions, as well as adding to the supply of affordable housing stock through development, construction and advocacy. Ian involves himself in a number of sector-related committees and is a Board member of the Regional Development Australia Central Coast. Ian holds a Degree in Business Management through the University of Newcastle and is also CPA qualified.