Our board
Sharing their expertise and experience, our board members are responsible for the overall governance and strategic direction of our organisation guide and make important decisions for how we operate at SydWest Multicultural Services. The board ensures we continue to provide our community with the culturally diverse and accessible services and support they need in accordance with our goals and objectives.
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Angela Tsoukatos
Chair
Angela is an experienced and versatile Executive General Manager with a successful track record in Australia’s largest water utility, local government and the Not for Profit sector. Angela has built several high performing senior teams who have provided services and led significant improvements in stakeholder and government relations, customer services, culture and corporate governance.
Between 2013-2017, Angela was a director on the Board of the NSW Energy and Water Ombudsman. Angela has supported and advised several boards, government forums and Customer Councils. In 2018, Angela was selected as one the Top NSW Public Sector Women.
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Dr Chandrika Subramaniyan
Director and SydWest Ambassador
Dr Chandrika Subramaniyan is an award-winning solicitor and dispute resolution provider who is well known to and recognised by the Indian and Sri Lankan communities of Sydney. Since moving to Australia in 1997, she has been deeply involved with diverse cultural communities and has a steadfast commitment to multiculturalism and fostering community harmony. In 2019 she received the Premier’s Medal for Peace and Harmony and was nominated Citizen of the Year by Cumberland City Council.
Chandrika has vast experience in addressing domestic violence and is a speaker with wealth of knowledge and experience having written almost 25 books in English and Tamil in the areas of community development, media, law and leadership. She has previously served on the SydWest Board 2011-2016 and is a board member for several other community services.
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Peter Zangari
Director
Peter is the founder and managing partner of an executive search, career coaching and public affairs business in Sydney. Peter has over 20 years’ experience working in public affairs and has worked as a ministerial advisor in the NSW Government across Treasury, Infrastructure, Transport and Housing portfolios.
Born to Italian immigrants, Peter has a traditional sense of community and provides ongoing pro-bono support to a range of NFP and community-based organisations. He is a strong advocate for mental health, skills development, and diversity.
Peter holds a Bachelor of Communications from Western Sydney University, is an Executive Central accredited career coach and has completed the Centre for Corporate Public Affairs residential institute.
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Sandra Casinader
Director
Sandra is the Group Head of Enterprise Learning and Capability for the Westpac Group where she is accountable for the organisation’s learning strategy, capability frameworks and learning governance as well as enterprise-wide data and digital programs.
Her background spans strategy, culture change, transformation and customer-facing roles, and she has more than 25 years’ experience in financial services.
Sandra’s expertise is complemented by qualifications in General Management from Melbourne Business School and a Bachelor of Business in Human Resources Management from Charles Sturt University. Sandra is a recipient of a Vincent Fairfax Fellowship and a former Board Member of Participate Australia, which merged with SydWest last year.
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Kim Heng
Director
Kim Heng is a highly driven technology and operations leader with an extensive background in leading business transformations.
Currently the Chief Operating Officer of Wilson Asset management, Kim has more than 25 plus years’ experience in financial services, the superannuation industry, information technology, program management and operations.
Kim has worked across both the private and government sectors where she has helped drive modern practices to boost organisational efficiency and effectiveness. She is passionate about bringing people together and developing relationships to inspire and energise teams to deliver outstanding outcomes.
Her educational background includes a Bachelor of Geomatic Engineering and qualifications in leadership, project management and finance.
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Brent Pitts
Director
Brent is a chartered accountant with more than 25 years’ experience across a range of business and human services sectors. For the past 10 years, he has excelled in leading change and building sustainable delivery models while achieving robust financial results.
Brent has extensive expertise in financial management, having held roles throughout his career including Chief Financial Officer, Chief Operating Officer, and A/Chief Executive Officer.
Currently the Chief Financial Officer and Executive General Manager Corporate Services at the Royal Flying Doctor Service of Australia, Brent is particularly skilled in supporting organisations maintain and grow their services in the face of industry changes.