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Meet the people powering Foodbank
Hello, we’re Foodbank WA
We believe everyone should have access to healthy food. There are Western Australians going without every day, and we are working hard to change that.
About Foodbank WA
We provide food and groceries to those who struggle to afford them. We also deliver nutrition education to promote healthy eating and advocate on behalf of people that experience food stress.
- Providing 9.2 million meals last financial year to those who were doing it tough.
- Distributing food and groceries through 352 frontline charities.
- Providing breakfast and fruit to over 550 schools feeding almost 26,100 children weekly.
- Delivering nutrition education 7,092 attendances to children, adults, parents and people with disability.
We work with farmers, wholesalers, manufactures and retailers who donate and redirect surplus product to us. This also plays a vital role in tackling food waste and positively contributes to climate change by reducing CO2 emissions arising from landfill. To meet demand, we will also purchase essential food staples to ensure we have enough stock available.
Read our Strategic Plan 2024-2027.
Our purpose is to Feed. Educate. Advocate.
Our values are Respect, Compassion, Integrity, Collaboration and Responsibility.
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Derek La Ferla
Chair
State Board of Directors
Patsy Mitchell
Director
State Board of Directors
Anika Sadler
Director
State Board of Directors
Clint Johnson
Director
State Board of Directors
Nick Yeo
Director
State Board of Directors
Steve Harris
Director
State Board of Directors
Dr Christina Pollard
Director
State Board of Directors
Kate O'Hara
Chief Executive Officer
State Leadership Team
Michael Davidson
Chief Transformation Officer
State Leadership Team
Rene Wang
Head of Finance
State Leadership Team
Latisha Hoera
Head of Customer & Demand
State Leadership Team
David Warren
Head of People and Culture
State Leadership Team
Moira Aynsley
Head of Strategy, Brand and Technology
State Leadership Team
Ian de Nazareth
Head of Fundraising and Partnerships
State Leadership Team
Mike McLaren
Head of Logistics and Infrastructure
State Leadership Team
Jennifer Tartaglia
Head of Nutrition Education
State Leadership Team
Brianna Casey
Chief Executive Officer – Foodbank Australia
National Leadership Team
Sarah Pennell
Chief Operating Officer – Foodbank Australia
National Leadership Team
Duncan Makeig
Independent Chair of the Foodbank Australia Board
National Board of Directors
Tanya Barden
Independent Director Foodbank Australia Board
National Board of Directors
Mike Hill
Member Representative (QLD) Non-Executive Director Foodbank Australia Board
National Board of Directors
Fiona Simson
Independent Director Foodbank Australia Board
National Board of Directors
Christine Feldmanis
Member Representative (NSW) Non-Executive Director Foodbank Australia Board
National Board of Directors
Jeremy Pettet
Member Representative (Tasmania) Non-Executive Director Foodbank Australia Board
National Board of Directors
Mark Lollback
Independent Director Foodbank Australia Board
National Board of Directors
John Harvey
Member Representative (SA) Non-Executive Director Foodbank Australia Board
National Board of Directors
Derek La Ferla
Member Representative (WA) Non-Executive Director Foodbank Australia Board
National Board of Directors
Angus Laing
General Manager – Information Management – Foodbank Australia
National Leadership Team
Rebecca Collins
General Manager – Marketing and Communications – Foodbank Australia
National Leadership Team
Erica Goldfinch
General Manager – National Supply Chain
National Leadership Team
Brendon Smyth
General Manager – National Partnerships
National Leadership Team
Our Patrons
His Excellency the Honourable
Chris Dawson APM
Governor of Western Australia, Patron
His Excellency the Honourable Chris Dawson APM was sworn in as the 34th Governor of Western Australia on 15 July 2022.
The Dawson family have been part of the early colonial settlers over five generations of farming and law enforcement. The Governor’s great-great-grandparents arrived in the then Swan River colony in Western Australia in 1830.
Christopher John Dawson APM was educated at Perth Modern School before joining the Western Australia Police Force in 1976, going on to provide 46 years of service in Australian law enforcement.
The Governor of Western Australia has been the Patron of Foodbank WA since 2018 following the appointment of Kim Beazley AC KStJ to the role, supporting our food relief efforts and purpose to Feed. Educate. Advocate.
Mrs Darrilyn Dawson
Co-Patron
Coming from a long line of farming families in the South West, Mrs Darrilyn Dawson is a passionate supporter of the diverse contributions the country sector makes to our state.
As an Education Consultant, Mrs Dawson is passionate about early intervention at every opportunity and providing all children with the foundations to be their very best in whatever they aspire to do or be.
The Governor and Mrs Dawson have always supported each other in their respective career choices and aspirations. Mrs Dawson is looking forward to spending more time with her husband as they work together promoting Western Australia, as well as acknowledging the many wonderful people in our community.
Mrs Dawson joined the Governor as Joint Patron in 2023, joining the Governor to advocate more effectively as Joint Patrons.
Our Ambassadors
Alice Murray
Channel 7
Alice Murray is a Senior Reporter with Seven West Media. Alice first came across Foodbank WA while doing a news story on our School Breakfast Program and quickly joined as an Ambassador.
“Foodbank WA is simply an incredible organisation, and I’m so proud to be an ambassador and raise awareness of its work. How Foodbank WA gives back to Western Australians is remarkable, particularly the real charitable value for those wishing to donate funds or food. $1 dollar = 2 meals. What struck me is how everyone at Foodbank WA is united behind a common goal, and the innovative programs that have been created to achieve that goal. Everyone helps, some don’t need a ‘title’ or credit, which I think speaks to the inspiration that Foodbank WA sparks.”
Kerri Buurman
Vitality Finance
Kerri’s career began as a credit manager at one of Australia’s top banks, where she gained invaluable insights into the loan assessment process. This experience has enabled her to work closely with clients to help them achieve their financial goals. Known for her approachable and trustworthy nature, Kerri is also an accomplished public speaker. She uses her platform to educate and inspire, sharing her finance expertise and advocating for causes close to her heart.
“I first became aware of the amazing work Foodbank does for our community through a good friend around 15yrs ago. Throughout this time I have supported Foodbank in various ways including being the MC for the annual “Empty Bowls” event and the Auctioneer at the inaugural Foodbank Ball. Becoming an ambassador further enables me to raise awareness of Foodbank and the difference they make in the lives of Australians battling food insecurity. I look forward to helping Foodbank in the fight against hunger and food waste in Western Australia.”
Join the team
Want to work at Foodbank WA?
We employ people from various backgrounds in various jobs, such as transport, logistics, donor relations, programs, partnerships, fundraising, finance, IT and marketing.
If you’re keen to use your skills to help us fight hunger, check out our vacancies below.
Get involved
Whether you donate to Foodbank WA with funds or food, give your time through volunteering, or simply spread the word, your involvement helps to feed hope and grow more resilient communities.
No one can do everything–but everyone can do something!
Individuals, community groups, schools and businesses all get involved raising funds for Foodbank WA. We’d love your help too when it comes to community fundraising for food assistance.
Hold a food drive Start a fundraiser Support a fundraiserVolunteering with Foodbank WA gives you the chance to directly help people in a fun and flexible way. You could be helping shoppers choose affordable food, assisting in our warehouse, helping at a Mobile Foodbank, in our Community Kitchen preparing delicious meals, at a Foodbank stall or an event.
Individual volunteering Team volunteering Corporate challenges