Our Board of Directors volunteer their time and expertise to guide WayAhead in all of the work that we do, and we are grateful for their dedication and support.
Meg Smith, Associate Professor, OAM
President
Meg Smith recently retired as a community psychologist in the School of Social Sciences at the University of Western Sydney.
She is a part-time member of the Mental Health Review Tribunal and a board member of the Black Dog Institute. She has been active in the reform of mental health services and policy since the early 1980s when she was diagnosed with bipolar disorder.
Her current research interests are the management of bipolar disorder, cannabis use and mental illness and social and community issues for people living with mental illness.
Meg was elected to the Board in 1989.
Sharyn McGee MA (UNSW), GrDipComm (UTS), BA (Hons) (MACQ)
Chair Person
Sharyn is a retired university lecturer and sociologist.
Her academic pursuits in teaching and research were mainly in the sociology of health, including mental health and alcohol and other drugs, ageing and youth.
Sharyn is currently employed on a casual basis with the Recovery College, South Eastern Sydney Local Health District as a peer educator (consumer). In that capacity she has co-produced and co-facilitated courses such as Navigating the Mental Health System Maze and Introduction to Mindfulness.
Sharyn was elected to the Board in 2006.
Don Murray, ACA, CPA, FAICD
Treasurer
Don is an experienced finance professional with a proven track record in financial management, business reporting , change management and team building.
He has played a mentoring and leadership role across a range of industries and business sizes.
He comes with a commitment to provide financial expertise to WayAhead and to people with lived experience of mental Illness.
Don was eleceted to the Board in 2015.
David Harper
David is an Information Technology Consultant
He has provided advice and support on matters such as Way Ahead, internal I.T. maintenance and the shared services project (Partners in Change). He has interests in other organisations such as the Ryde Bipolar Support Group,(affiliated with Schizophrenia Fellowship, ASteen Social Club (affiliated with Autism Spectrum Australia) and Bipolar Australia.
David was elected to the Board in 2011.
Stephen Bourne
Stephen is a lawyer in private practice.
He has a lengthy history of working with individuals who are affected by mental health issues, especially individuals whose mental health issues have led to their involvement in the criminal justice system, or to them having children removed into statutory care due to child protection concerns and allegations. He has post-graduate qualifications in law and psychology.
As well as the WayAhead Board, Stephen is Panel Lawyer for Legal Aid NSW and Department of Family and Community Services; Director of Kirklaw Pty Ltd., and Fellow of the Australian and New Zealand Institute of Insurance and Finance.
Stephen was elected to the board in 2018.
Pam Barker
Pam is the Program Manager, Pride in Health + Wellbeing at ACON. Prior to that Pam worked as Senior Manager, Workplace Engagement at the Black Dog Institute.
Pam’s experience working as a CEO, working with boards and the not for profit sector will be an asset to WayAhead. She identifies as part of the LGBTIQ community and her experience both in the NFP and corporate business sector imbodied, with her lived experience with mental health, allows her to contribute uniquely to WayAhead’s mission and values from a board position.
Pam was elected to the board in 2018.
Ben Wymer
Ben is the Director – Business Operations with ADAPT, a company that connects and equips executives with the knowledge, relationships, and tools to gain advantage.
Ben has also experienced mental health issues and wants to make a difference through the work of WayAhead. Ben’s skills are in developing and executing business strategy, multichannel strategies to drive organisational growth, business innovation etc.
Ben was elected to the board in 2019
Emma Sedlak
Emma works as a Senior Digital Project Officer, Division of External Relations at the University of NSW.
Emma has personal experience of mental health issues and is pleased to share those experiences as well as helping WayAhead with communication and digital marketing skills. She has a PHD in creative writing and is heavily invested in leadership development and mentoring in the workplace.
She identifies as a member of the LGBTIQ+ community- loves hiking, travel and music (she sings in choirs and theatre performances).
Emma was elected to the board in 2019.