ALNF - Our People

ALNF's successful projects and programs are heavily reliant on the dedication, commitment, vision and energy provided by our Patrons, our Board Members and our Advisory Groups.

Vice Regal Patron

Her Excellency Professor Marie Bashir AC, CVO

Governor of New South Wales

Vice Patron

The Hon. Justice Kevin E. Lindgren

Federal Court of Australia

Members of The Board

Mary-Ruth Mendel - Speech Pathologist CPSP

Founder of the Australian Literacy and Numeracy Foundation. Speech Pathologist. Operates a private practice in Sydney specialising in literacy and language learning difficulties, with an international client base. Formerly principal co-owner of The Sydney Literacy Centre.

Kim Kelly

Founder of the Australian Literacy and Numeracy Foundation. Formerly principal co-owner of Monde Model Management and The Sydney Literacy Centre. At present is a Director of Maverick Developments.

Leslie Butterfield - BSc Civil Engineering

CEO of McLachlan Lister, Independent Management Consultants and Project Managers. Currently on the Board of the Queensland Micro Technology Centre. Ms Butterfield was the Inaugural NSW President and National Vice President for the National Association of Women in Construction, was inducted to Inaugural Businesswomen's Hall of Fame and was Telstra Businesswoman of the year. She is an Associate Fellow of the Australian Institute of Management and an Associate Member of the Institute of Arbitrators & Mediators.

Leo G. Christie AOM - BA LLB DIPT&CP

Former NSW Solicitor. Proprietor 2 Danks Street Galleries, art publisher, Director Longrain Restaurants Group, member of the The Salvation Army Advisory Board, Director of Melbourne Art Fair Foundation and The Blake Prize Foundation.

Gillian Collins - BA and LLB from the University of Sydney

Former Vice President, General Counsel and Company Secretary of Chubb Insurance Company of Europe in London and Claims Manager for Chubb Insurance Company of Australia. She began her career at Mallesons Stephen Jaques and is currently the principal of an insurance and risk management consultancy business, GC Consultants. Gillian is a Member of the Australian Institute of Company Directors.

Michelle Falstein-Coppola - BA and LLB (UNSW) MEL (USYD)

Michelle is a practicing lawyer with Cohen & Krass.

Members of the Public Fund

Sir Eric McClintock

Former Chairman of McClintock Associates Pty. Ltd. Formerly Chairman of Woolworth's Ltd, President of the N.S.W. branch of the Royal Life Saving Society.

Julius Mendel

Barrister-at-law.

John Phillips AO

Founding Chairman of The Australian Charities Fund, Chairman of the Foreign Investment Review Board, Chancellor of the University of Western Sydney.

Executive Educational Advisor

Eric Brace - BA [UCSD], BA BEd (Hons) Dip Ed [UNSW]

Eric began teaching in 1998 in the alternative education system in San Diego, California. In Australia, he has worked as a project officer for the Foundation of Young Australians, has provided literacy and learning support for high school students with learning difficulties and currently coordinates the Refugee Action Support and Community Action Support programs for the ALNF.

Director of Communications

Gabrielle Kemeny - BA Communications (Public Comms) UTS, BA Education USYD

Former Senior Publicist at Maria Farmer PR and Communications Director at Elsom Holdings.