Our Team

Launch Housing is a community organisation passionately committed to ending homelessness. People are at the heart of everything we do. We have more than 400 staff working across 14 locations in Melbourne and every person contributes their expertise and passion towards ending homelessness. This is what makes us a dynamic, effective and innovative organisation.

Launch Housing is governed by a board of directors with experience in the public, private and community sector.

Our Board

Adam Zaccaria

Adam Zaccaria is currently National Australia Bank Ltd’s Regional Business Bank Executive for Melbourne Central. As a career banker he has lead teams within Corporate & Institutional, Structured Finance, Strategy and Private banking. Supporting a broad range of domestic and offshore clients execute start-up, acquisition, growth and divestment strategies.

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Adam Zaccaria

Chair

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Di White

Current Senior Manager at Ernst and Young, in the Economics, Regulation and Policy Group, having worked extensively with Victorian government agencies across the areas of family violence, justice and human services. Experience in impact and outcomes measurement, service design and strategy.

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Di White

Deputy Chair

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The Hon. Katharine Williams 

Former Justice of the Supreme Court of Victoria and President of the Forensic Leave Panel. Former Barrister specialising in commercial law. Previously Non-Executive Director of Over 50s Building Society Ltd.

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The Hon. Katharine Williams 

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Natasha French

Current Investment Director at AustralianSuper, former senior leadership roles involved managing multinational development opportunities, strategic portfolio acquisitions, including development funding and implementation strategies, with significant involvement in major developments throughout Asia and Australia.

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Natasha French

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Megan Fletcher

Currently leads own strategic communications consultancy. Previous Executive leadership roles with global ASX-listed Transurban, BHP Billiton and Nufarm. Expertise in corporate affairs, including crisis management, stakeholder relations, brand and employee engagement, and enhancing reputation amongst government, infrastructure, resources and corporate advisory sectors.

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Megan Fletcher

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Fiona Schlensog

Currently serving as Family Violence Manager at Wathaurong Aboriginal Co-operative, Fiona has a rich background in managerial roles, including leadership positions at SalvoConnect Barwon. Her expertise enriches our board with a nuanced understanding of cultural safety and community well-being.

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Fiona Schlensog

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Joel Simmonds

Current partner at PricewaterhouseCoopers with 15 years of experience, specialising in providing assurance services to private companies in the property and construction sectors. Experience includes a two-year secondment to the PwC New York Real Estate Practice.

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Joel Simmonds

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Jill Riseley

Current CEO of the Melbourne Waste and Resource Recovery Group. Former leadership roles with the REA Group, Telstra and Sensis. Masters of Studies in Sustainability Leadership. Member of the Royal Botanic Gardens Board.

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Jill Riseley

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Professor Ron Wakefield

Professor of Construction and Dean, School of Property, Construction and Project Management and Deputy Pro Vice-Chancellor, College of Design and Social Context Portfolio RMIT University.

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Professor Ron Wakefield

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Pam White

Former CEO of the State Services Authority, and State Recovery Coordinator in the Department of Human Services. Former CEO to the Victorian Reconstruction and Recovery Authority after the Black Saturday bushfires. Member of the Country Fire Authority and Adult Parole Board.

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Pam White

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Our Senior Leadership Team

Bevan Warner

Experienced leader with past roles in community development, indigenous affairs and industrial relations. Former Managing Director and Board member of Victoria Legal Aid.

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Bevan Warner

Chief Executive Officer

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Laura Mahoney

Laura is a values-driven executive with extensive leadership experience across various sectors. As the Executive Director of Homelessness Solutions and Impact at Launch Housing, her focus is continuously improving services, delivering measurable impact, and advocating for better outcomes. She holds a Masters in Social Science (Environment and Planning), Bachelor of Public Policy and Management (Hons) and a Bachelor of Arts.

Connect with Laura on LinkedIn.

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Laura Mahoney

Executive Director - Homelessness Solutions and Impact

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Dr Andrew Hollows

Former Deputy Director of Australian Housing and Urban Research Institute (AHURI). PhD in Social Sciences, a Masters of Urban Policy and Planning and a Bachelor of Social Work. Former CEO of the Victorian Local Government Association.

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Dr Andrew Hollows

Chief Officer - People, Planning & Commissioning

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Howard Ralley

Experienced marketing and fundraising professional, with past Executive leadership roles with CARE Australia, Youth Support and Advocacy Service (YSAS), Save the Children Australia, and Lonely Planet.

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Howard Ralley

Chief Officer - Partnerships & Engagement

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Peter Richardson

Peter has 35 years’ experience as an accountant in the UK, Singapore and Australia ranging from private practice, education and research, general business management and the not-for profit sectors of social and affordable housing and aged care. Peter has a PhD in Accountancy and is a member of the Institute of Chartered Accountants in England and Wales.

Peter leads our Finance, ICT and Project Management Office (PMO) teams..

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Peter Richardson

Chief Commercial Officer

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