Our Management Team

Helen (she/her) founded Guidestar in 2017. She is a community psychologist, Fellow of the Australian Psychological Society, Board Approved supervisor and Advanced PBS practitioner with over 25 years’ experience in senior executive roles in the not-for-profit and local government sectors. Her career has been informed by a human rights perspective, social justice, empowerment and the social/ecological model of health.  She has extensive experience in leadership roles including leading development and implementation of vision, mission and strategic direction, transformational change management processes, NDIS leadership, development of consortia, financial and risk management, clinical governance, strategic planning, workforce development, business development and service provision. She has experience working in a variety of sectors including disability, homelessness, alcohol and other drugs, local government, justice and mental health.

Helen was honoured to be a finalist in the Australian Allied Health Awards 2024 for Psychologist of the Year, a finalist on the Telstra Business Women’s Awards 2020 and a finalist in the Victoria University Alumni Awards for Professional Achievement 2018. She is a graduate of the Australian Institute of Company Directors, has served on many not-for-profit boards and has chaired a homelessness service, a local learning and employment network and a community legal centre. She is currently Chair of the Australian, New Zealand and Asian Creative Arts Therapies Association (ANZACATA), the peak professional Association for Creative Arts Therapies in Australia, New Zealand and Asia.

Catherine (she/her) joined Guidestar in 2018. She is a registered psychologist and holds qualifications in psychology, art therapy, play therapy, information management and systems, writing and literature, and community development. Prior to becoming a psychologist, Catherine worked in senior management roles in libraries as branch manager, community outreach manager, and children’s and youth services manager. She has also worked in community and disability support settings and has experience managing both large and small workplace teams. Currently completing a Master of Clinical Psychology, she is passionate about creating safe and empowering environments for people to explore their goals and life experiences. In 2010, Catherine won the State Library Victoria’s Margery C. Ramsay Award and created a Community Development Framework and Toolkit for Public Libraries.

Luke (he/him) joined Guidestar in 2018. He is an Advanced PBS Practitioner with qualifications in disability and training and assessment and has worked in various roles in disability and community mental health services for over 20 years. This has included direct support roles and case management as well as working in Federal and State funded community service programs such as Partners in Recovery and the Intensive Individualised Support Program. Luke has an interest in supporting people who have complex support needs that require innovative, person-centred support approaches and has a fundamental belief that all people have the capacity to change and live a meaningful and safe life of their choosing.

John (he/him) joined Guidestar in 2019. He holds a Bachelor of Business (Accounting) and is a CPA.  John has over 25 years’ experience in accounting, consulting and management across a number of industry sectors. John ensures that cost analysis, business modelling and financial data investigation is undertaken before any major financial or business decision is made. He is a passionate self-motivated leader with expertise in managing business change processes and empowering staff to embrace new ideas.