Derek La Ferla is a corporate lawyer and company director with more than 30 years’ experience. He has held senior leadership positions with some of Australia’s leading law firms and a variety of board positions with listed public companies and not for profit organisations. He is a fellow of the Australian Institute of Company Directors (AICD) and the WA Division Director on the AICD National Board and a member of the AICD Council (WA Division).

Working with BHP as General Manager Engineering, Nickel West, Patsy has over 30+ years experience in the Mining sector in operational and functional roles. Patsy particularly enjoys building high performing teams, with a strong focus on safety management, strategic planning and building capability.

Vanessa Torres is a global C-suite business leader with a full breadth of operating and strategic experience across the value chain in the resources industry. She has lived and worked in Australia, Canada and South America. An outstanding people leader, she attracts and inspires people to deliver transformational safety and business performance and has delivered superior results in senior executive roles.

Paul is a Partner at the law firm Herbert Smith Freehills and has over 15 years’ experience advising on public and private mergers and acquisitions, equity capital markets and corporate head office matters in a range of sectors.

Clint has over 25 years of Retail experience across Operations, Commercial and Corporate streams. Clint is an Operations Manager in WA for Woolworths and is passionate about developing Teams, driving organisational excellence and focusing on the customer.

Nick is an advisory Partner with 16 years of experience in Australia and internationally, across mergers & acquisitions, corporate finance and management consulting.

The core of my skill set lies in having executed and solved complex, strategically significant transactions and issues, often across diverse geographic and cultural settings.

With strong commercial acumen, proven leadership ability and a resilient mind set, Nick is committed to feeding real change with the organisation.

Steve is an experienced director, chair, leader, executive. His extensive experience includes: the last eleven years as Chief Executive of Perth’s largest communications & marketing business; former AFL Club President, Director with multi sector experience in Australia & New Zealand. He has a proven history of driving digital business transformation, new media strategies, business, government and political outcomes.

Steve thrives on driving the business strategy, structure & dynamic culture required to deliver exceptional results in a competitive environment.

Steve has been a long-standing supporter of Foodbank with The Brand Agency providing pro-bono services since prior to 2012.

Christina is the current Director for the Public Health Advocacy Institute of WA and has spent over 30 years working to improve nutrition through health promotion. She has particular interest in population groups who are vulnerable to poor diet and is also a Director of Mentally Healthy WA.

Kate has a wealth of business and leadership experience. Her background is in property and residential strategic marketing, digital strategy, communications planning, media planning, community creation and place making across a broad range of sectors including asset development and management (residential, retail, commercial, hospitality), residential housing, the resource sector, banking and education. Bringing decades of branding and PR communications strategy, community development and place making, philanthropy and sponsorship strategy experience, Kate will be instrumental in continuing to position Foodbank WA as the leading food relief charity and build our connection with the community as well as charity and corporate partners. Kate is also a Non-Executive Director and been on business and not for profit boards covering the arts, education, sports and business groups.

A qualified economist, with over 20 years international experience in the resource sector, Fran has worked tirelessly for more than 10 years to support the community in her role as Social Investment Manager for a multi-national mining company, managing a multi-million dollar portfolio. Fran brings strategic and financial management expertise together with an analytical and compliance based focus to Foodbank WA. She is fluent in four languages and, in her spare time, holds Director positions with a number of community based organisations.

A Certified Practicing Accountant. Rene completed Master of Professional Accounting from UWA and joined Foodbank WA in 2012. Previously worked in Corporate Social Responsibility audit team in a multi-national company. Rene is always passionate about utilising her professional skills to serve the community and help people in vulnerable circumstances.

After many years in the retail and livestock agriculture industries, there is not much about the qualities of a good cut of meat that Steve doesn’t know. Enjoying the sunshine while chasing a small ball around the golf course brings a smile to his face, as does spending quality time with his family and friends. We are looking forward to enjoying his BBQ’ing skills at the Perth branch sometime soon!

With almost 10 years at Foodbank WA David joined the organisation with more than 20 years experience working for some of Australia’s largest food manufacturers. A diverse background that spans sales leadership, marketing and communications David is currently utilising the breadth of his knowledge and skills as the HR Manager. With a focus on development of a great culture at Foodbank WA, David has overseen the implemention of a framework of policies and procedures that demonstrates a best practice approach. He holds a Bachelor of Business (HR and Marketing) and he is a member of the Australian HR Institute.

With broad leadership and strategic management experience Moira brings her not-for-profit experience and skills in marketing and communications including PR, stakeholder engagement and digital platforms to Foodbank WA. Moira is passionate about helping Foodbank WA communicate its purpose and tell its story to make a difference to the lives of West Aussies.

Ian joined Foodbank WA as Fundraising Manager in December 2019, moving into the Senior Fundraising and Partnerships role in January 2021. Throughout his prior experiences, Ian has remained driven to improve the quality of life of individuals and the broader community. Over the past decade, Ian has held key leadership and strategic positions in the not-for-profit and private sector. He has held senior management and oversight roles with various not-for-profit organisations in Perth and Western Australia, steering the philanthropic initiatives at Princess Margaret Hospital Foundation as Head of Fundraising, continuing in the role after the commencement of the new Perth Children’s Hospital.

Mike started in the newly created role centered around Infrastructure and Logistics in August 2022, helping to support the needed operational changes given the increase in demand for our services following the pandemic. Mike is an accomplished Warehousing Operations & Logistics Professional with a career spanning 20 years across the logistics and warehousing sectors. His previous roles have given him keen experience in Operations Management alongside a solid background in OHS compliance and Quality with a demonstrated capability in fostering strong working relationships with clients, vendors and various business stakeholders

Jennifer is a dedicated Public Health Nutritionist, with a career spanning over a decade at Foodbank WA since 2011. Her expertise encompasses a wide spectrum of public health, including nutrition, health promotion and research and evaluation. Jennifer’s pivotal contribution lies in her recent completion of a Master of Philosophy, guiding the inception of Foodbank WA’s parent food literacy program. Jennifer’s unwavering passion for health and nutrition drives her mission to enhance the well-being of vulnerable populations through the application of health promotion principles.

Rod has been with Foodbank WA since 2014 and quietly confesses that he has loved every minute of it. With a background in retail and business, Rod decided to make the change to supporting community services in a big way. He is actively involved in the community and is also Chair of the Great Southern Crisis Relief Agencies Group.

Leonie joined Foodbank WA in 2014 in a administrative role after many years in the retail industry. Having experienced the uncertainty of financial insecurity she knows how easily life can change and the need for compassion in stressful situations. Leonie enjoys spending time with family and her dog Charlie, while finding time for walks and reading great books.

Megan joined Foodbank Peel in 2016 after many years supporting youth in crisis within the community. She is passionate in her advocacy for West Australian’s at risk and the community services sector and combines this with her work to achieve a BA in Social Work. When not spending precious time with her family and friends, or fueling her coffee addiction Megan channels her high energy towards volunteering with the State Emergency Service.

Professing a love of regional WA, Jamie was working in a number of north west locations before joining Foodbank Geraldton in 2014 after many years of developing staff members potential with the mining industry training programs. He enjoys slapping it around the field with his hockey team, finessing a fine tasting home brew and solving tech & IT issues for his family.

After spending a few years in the mining industry, Mellany has just recently joined the Foodbank WA team. Prior to that Mellany was working for the last 15 years for the YMCA school camps where she was working as a Chef/catering coordinator in Victoria. During her spare time, Mellany has run her own business for the last 12 years and now runs her own shop in Kambalda offering beauty services. Mellany hopes to bring her business skills and food knowledge to the fore with Foodbank WA.

Alana King is one of Western Australia and Australia’s most talented leg spin bowlers. She was instrumental in the Perth Scorchers winning the WBBL Title in 2021

In January 2022,  Alana was selected to debut for Australia in her first T20 international at the Adelaide Oval. After a successful debut she then went on to debut for her maiden Test Cup for Australia in the Ashes series against England where she took five wickets on debut. She then went on to debut on the 50 over format for Australia and was a key member of the 2022 World Cup winning team in New Zealand. Alana represented Australia in the 2022 Commonwealth Games, and was a key member of the Commonwealth Games Gold Medal Winning Team.

“I am excited to join Foodbank WA as an Ambassador. I am passionate about giving back to the community and I have been impressed by the work that Foodbank WA do. When I toured their Perth warehouse I was surprised by how large it is and the sheer amount of food that they distribute.”

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.”

West Coast Eagles player Andrew Gaff started his role as a Foodbank WA ambassador when we launched the Metres for Meals campaign in 2018. He continues to play a vital role in raising awareness and funds to provide meals for those in need. 

“I value and admire Foodbank WA’s commitment to helping West Australians who are doing it tough, providing people with an important ingredient to wellbeing through means of healthy and nutritious food. The organisation gives people an opportunity to get back on their feet in challenging times. Whilst I’ve been lucky enough to still do my job these last 2 years, I’ve gained an even greater appreciation for my role and responsibility as a Foodbank WA ambassador. As struggle and uncertainty continue to surround us, Foodbank WA continues to increasingly provide food relief and support to those who need it most.”