The Live N Learn Foundation comprises private sector, social sector and youth interests. Participating on a voluntary basis, the skills and dedication of our Board (past and present) have enabled Live N Learn to produce the highly successful service models and youth outcomes we have since 2002.
We are grateful to the contributions made by previous Directors from NSW Department of Housing, NSW Youth Accommodation Association, Peter Pychtin and North East Quadrant and Bill Dunbar of CPG Capital Partners.
OUR BOARD IS:
Lindsay Fraser - Chair since Feb 2011
Lindsay Fraser is the Asst. National Secretary of the Construction Forestry Mining and Energy Union (Construction and General Division).
He is Director of the ACTU/Lend Lease Foundation; Construction Training Australia; Construction Industrial Training Council NSW and Insulation Wools Advisory Board. The ACTU/Lend Lease Foundation and CTA are both organisations involved in youth employment and social justice issues.
Lindsay brings over 20 years Board member experience and provides Live N Learn Foundation with insights in corporate governance, legal, HRM, contractual matters.
The CFMEU is proud to be involved in this worthwhile project and has assisted in the fit-out stage and looks forward to further assisting in training young Australians. As a representative of the CFMEU, Lindsay ensures Live N Learn Foundation remains committed to delivering innovation solutions of national relevance and seeking youth employment opportunities.
Lindsay holds a Diploma in Industrial Law and A Diploma in Advanced Industrial Law (1987).
Gerard Noonan - Company Secretary, Director since 2007
Gerard Noonan is one of Australia's leading CEO's in the interactive entertainment space with 16 years experience and over 10 as Managing Director. He is Managing Director of Namco Bandai Partners (Formerly Atari Australia) where he is responsible for a staff of 50 across Australia / NZ & Asia Pacific.
Gerard is a skilled private sector manager with a record of successfully managing growth, change and innovation. In 2001 Noonan set up Atari offices in Korea & Taiwan and in 2003 acquired a local business and opened Atari Singapore. In September 2008, he set up Atari HK. The Asia Pac businesses including all export activities is head quartered out of Sydney. Over the past two years, Atari Asia Pacific (inc A+NZ) has contributed the best financial results for the Atari group on a world wide basis.
Noonan in conjunction with his executive team has developed a culture within the Atari organisation that wants to connect or help disadvantaged youth.
Throughout the 90's and early 2000's Atari supported a number of charities via financial and innovative program support. In 2007 the company entered a partnership with Create to develop a workplace mentoring program, which was recognised with a Prime Minister's Business Community Partnership Merit Award.
Aaron Maher - Director / Treasurer since July 2008
Aaron is an experienced business manager with over 15 years private and social sector management roles. He is co-founder of Wade Maher and Associates, a consultancy providing strategic marketing and business development services, which commenced in 1998.
Before becoming a Director, Aaron was Live N Learn's General Manager and guided the organisation through the implementation of the first Campus model and the creation of the Break Through service. His seven years of service to Live N Learn has offered him insights into youth disadvantage and made him a passionate advocate of Live N Learn's practical, honest and dedicated approach. He has unsurpassed understanding of the Foyer model and its application into Australia.
Aaron offers the Board skills in business strategy and planning. He holds a wealth of knowledge gained through establishing new business models, successful fund raising and is a keen student of public policy.
Aaron holds a Master of Public Affairs MPA (Sydney University) and is currently studying a Master of Arts by Research with a thesis on Social Enterprise.
Helen Gray - Director since October 2008
Helen is a highly experienced Welfare Professional with a Masters in Social Work MSW (Queens University Belfast) and a BA Hons in Social Policy and Politics. With over 10 years experience working with youth and families Helen has worked in the United Kingdom and Australia for both Statutory and not for profit Welfare Organisations.
Before becoming a Director, Helen established and managed the Break Through employment mentoring program and was Operations (Campus) Manager for Live N Learn since 1996. Having worked in the first Foyer model established in Northern Ireland Helen is committed to the concept of holistic support for vulnerable young people as a means of supporting change and developing potential.
Helen brings sector knowledge to the Live N Learn Board, holds a Diploma in Project Management and is a member of the Australian Institute of Project Management (AIPM). Helen has devoted her career to working with vulnerable youth and families and is a committed advocate for needs led and innovative youth services.
Graeme Chambers – Director since November 2011
Graeme is currently the Director of Macarthur Legal Services (MLC) a not for profit community legal centre that has been providing a range of services both legal, domestic violence assistance and tenancy advice to the Macarthur community for over 12 years. MLC’s clientele are primarily disadvantaged groups in the region. MLC has been supporting the BreakThrough Mentoring program for about 4 years by providing mentors to be involved in helping young people. Graeme also jointly manages a successful Café in the Berry area.
Graeme brings to the Board diverse experience spanning over 30 years commercial and general management experience in the financial services, manufacturing industries as well as the NSW Government, tertiary education sectors and more recently the not-for-profit community sector.
Graeme holds a Masters Degree in Commerce (Honours) from UNSW (1988) specialising in Economics / Econometrics and, also bring to the Foundation experience in applied research particularly in the areas of the macro economy, youth unemployment and disadvantaged groups.