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Our Team

Our Executive

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.

Scott Langford Scott is Group CEO of SGCH, leading a team committed to an organisational vision of great places for everyone. He is a Fellow of the Australian Institute of Company Directors and has served on a number of Boards, including as Chair of the International Housing Partnership in 2017 and as Chairman of PowerHousing Australia from 2012 to March 2016. He currently serves on the NSW Community Housing Industry Council and PowerHousing Australia Boards. Prior to joining SGCH Scott was General Manager of Housing & Urban Development at Junction Australia, having made the transition into the not for profit sector after holding private sector roles in the property development and construction industries. 

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.

Debbie Georgopoulos Debbie is the CEO of the Women’s Housing Company, an organisation committed to providing social and affordable housing to women and children in NSW. She has overseen significant growth across the Company’s housing and homelessness programs, and is a strong advocate in the areas of homelessness, housing affordability and domestic and family violence. With over two decades of public policy and program experience from government and non-government organisations, Debbie held senior roles in the former NSW Department of Communities and Justice (DCJ) and Mission Australia. Whilst at DCJ, she held roles responsible for Housing Pathways, Future Directions for Social Housing, and Community Regeneration.