Our Board
Our board has representation from the community services sector, community housing, government and the private sector.
Positions elected at WA’s Annual General Meeting held on Thursday, 6th November 2025.
Michael Chester
Chair
Michael joined Uniting WA to bring focus to the transition of disability and mental health services to the National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS).
His role then expanded to provide leadership across all operational teams, to facilitate the delivery of person-centred community services that maximise the resources in order to meet strategic objectives and achieve its purpose of providing best practice support to the most vulnerable members of the community.
A Master of Business Administration and Australian Institute of Company Directors graduate, Michael takes a relationship-focused approach to business development, stakeholder engagement and client retention.
Kathryn Moorey
Vice Chair
Kathryn’s professional background in the social housing sector spans more than 30 years with both Government and NFP’s delivering homeless, support and housing services in WA and in the UK.
Currently, Kathryn is CEO of Stellar Living Ltd, a tier 2 registered community housing provider with properties in Peel, Metro and Kalgoorlie. As CEO, she has driven the operational effectiveness to ensure capacity to deliver high quality services to accommodate future growth.
Kathryn is a graduate of the Australian Institute of Company Directors and is the Chair of Diversity South Inc, a NDIS provider of Supported Independent Living.
Michelle Thomas
Treasurer
Michelle is a Chartered Accountant and strategic communications adviser with over 25 years of experience guiding decision making across corporate and not-for-profit sectors.
Her career has spanned international mergers and acquisitions, corporate growth strategy, governance, policy advocacy and strategic corporate communications for clients of all sizes – from Australia’s largest multinational companies through to small-scale start-ups and family businesses.
A purpose-driven adviser, Michelle thrives on roles that support social impact. She is passionate about breaking down barriers and levelling playing fields. She now works with businesses and business owners to articulate and communicate their value and expertise in competitive settings, helping them to identify and unlock funding opportunities and to drive revenue growth. This includes securing grant and investor funding, and preparing responses to tendered opportunities in the private and public sectors.
To Shelter WA, Michelle brings a unique combination of financial acumen, strategic communications expertise and values-driven leadership. She is looking forward to playing a role in achieving sustainable impact and making a difference in the community housing and homelessness sectors, ultimately supporting the most vulnerable Western Australians.
Kelda Oppermann
Secretary
Kelda has 18 years experience working in the NFP sector and is the current Chief Executive Officer at Zonta House Refuge Association. Zonta House is a medium size NFP, specialist provider of FDV services and a registered Community Housing Provider – tier 3 since 2019. Kelda has been an active member in Western Australia working towards improving systems and social responses and increasing support for people through direct delivery of services, advocacy and participation in forums, working groups and committees to help influence and drive change.
Kelda’s experience in governance and working within the sector in development and delivery of holistic services including supported and transitional accommodation to individuals and children, partnerships, government advocacy and collaborative working approach will be beneficial and complimentary to the Shelter WA board and organisation. Kelda also understands and appreciates the complexities of the fast-paced work and environments facing specialist services. Kelda is purpose driven and visionary in her approach to achieving outcomes.
Andrew Hall
Board Member
Andrew is employed as the CEO at Perth Inner City Youth Service and has over 40 years in Community and Youth services spanning For Purpose organisations, Community organisations, plus Local and State governments.
Andrew has acted in roles from being a sole employee as a Detached Youthworker for 8 years on the streets, through to a CEO and General Manager. His active engagement has included Local, State and National government advisory boards including past National JPET, State Ministerial Homelessness (SAAP SAC), State Youth (MYAC), and WA Police Youth Advisory, AIHW National Homelessness data collection.
Andrew cofounded of a community CARE school for homelessness young people in the norther suburbs; Chaired the State-wide micro finances network (WANILS), and held active Board positions with Shelter WA, CHCWA, YACWA, WANSLEA, Youth Legal Service, plus a period as a Local Government elected Councillor.
Andrew holds a Masters of Business Leadership (MBL), is a Fellow of Leadership WA (FLWA), is a Certified Practicing Youth Worker (CPYW), a Justice of the Peace and recently completed the 2024 Social Impact Leadership Australia program.
Andrew is passionate about “everyone living their best life, alongside everyone else living their best life”. Having a safe affordable place to live is an important ingredient!
Kerryn Edwards
Board Member
Kerryn has over 30 years’ experience working in community housing, with senior management roles in London and Perth delivering a range of large-scale and innovative housing models.
At Foundation Housing, as General Manager (Operations) Kerryn is responsible for the management of teams working across all aspects of tenancy management, support and engagement. This includes service delivery to tenants and residents in mainstream housing, lodging, SDA and FHL’s keyworker program Elevate. This also includes a range of regional housing programs in both the Pilbara and Broome.
Kerryn is a highly values-driven leader, with a commitment to the wellbeing of staff who work in complex and demanding roles. This is balanced alongside a desire to help enhance the lives of tenants and residents through safe and secure housing, as well as access to other opportunities and supports.
At Shelter WA Kerryn hopes to bring a community landlord perspective to the State’s growth agenda, with a focus on partnering with the sector to deliver much needed quality, sustainable and affordable housing to those in need.
Corinne Hawke
Board Member
Corinne is the Director of Community Ventures and is a passionate strategist and advocate for creating meaningful social value initiatives that improve lives and strengthen communities. She has worked in the for-purpose, corporate and government sectors, and in housing and homelessness with Foundation Housing and St Bart’s.
Corinne has led the development of major social value initiatives, including –
- Leading engagement in establishment of the Federal Government’s School Student Broadband Initiative, addressing digital exclusion and supporting online learning.
- Initiating the $3.9M WA Digital Inclusion Project, aimed at building digital capability for 100,000 community service workers and digitally excluded people in WA.
- Establishing the successful St Bart’s-BHP Reconnecting Lives Partnership, providing a housing-first approach to assist people to secure long-term housing.
- Working alongside Foundation Housing in a strategic review of its Positive Tenancy Framework to improve tenancy and organisational outcomes.
Corinne is a graduate of the AICD and holds a Graduate Certificate in Business and a Bachelor of Science from The University of Western Australia.
Traci Cascioli
Board Member
Traci Cascioli is a senior executive whose expertise in strategic leadership is grounded in empathy, integrity, and a lifelong commitment to social justice. As Chief Operating Officer at St Patrick’s Community Support Centre, she has led award-winning outreach and support programs, championing collaboration, systemic reform, and inclusive service design.
Traci is passionate about community-led solutions and building equitable, cross-sector partnerships, which is demonstrated through her active contributions to initiatives including the Homelessness Commissioning Reference Group, Imagined Futures, and the WA Alliance to End Homelessness.
Traci looks forward to supporting the Shelter WA board’s vision and mission to build an effective housing and support system that enables people to thrive; and continuing her close work with government and community partners to drive sustainable impact.
Ann Curran
Board Member
Ann Curran is the CEO of Vinnies WA, a leading social enterprise delivering emergency relief, transitional housing and homelessness services.
With over 20 years’ experience in the community and health sectors, she brings deep insight into the systemic challenges facing vulnerable populations and a strong belief in housing as a human right.
Ann’s background as a CFO has shaped her commercial acumen and expertise in financial governance, risk management and strategic advocacy within complex, mission-driven organisations.
Ann is deeply committed to building safe, stable and inclusive communities and is passionate about advancing affordable, equitable and secure housing solutions through the Shelter WA board’s work.
Sharon Gough
Board Member
Sharon Gough is the Chief Executive Officer of Indigo Junction, a registered provider of Community Housing, homelessness, and family violence services in the Northeast Metropolitan region. She brings 17 years of senior leadership experience in the Community Services sector, spanning both the not-forprofit and government sectors.
Sharon is well-acquainted with the strategic priorities and advocacy efforts of Shelter WA as a sector peak body.
She is a graduate of the Australian Institute of Company Directors course and has over a decade of experience serving as a Board Director, primarily with the Youth Affairs Council of WA, the peak body for youth. Her governance strengths lie in governance and risk management.
Additionally, Sharon is a graduate of the National Social Impact Leadership Program, which supports CEOs in challenging conventional thinking to drive greater social impact and advance third-level governance opportunities across Australia.
