At Weave, our Board of industry leaders generously donate their time, energy, passion and expertise to help us build a strong connected community with opportunities, equity and justice for all.
Jonathon Captain-Webb
Chair
Jonathon is an Aboriginal man from the Gomeroi and Dunghutti people. Born and raised in the Redfern/Waterloo Aboriginal Community, Jonathon has a passion for Indigenous Affairs, Justice Reinvestment and for working with Aboriginal people, Jonathon has created sustainable relationships and delivered outcomes to Aboriginal communities. Whilst pursuing a career in Aboriginal policy reform and program implementation, he has a demonstrated history in Aboriginal Affairs operationalising strategy, in leading, designing, and the implementation of policy and programs relating to Aboriginal peoples, managing high performing teams, strategic operational planning, advisory support to c-level executives and boards, coordination and engagement of a diverse range of stakeholders to achieve organisational outcomes, and responsibility for driving strategic change.
Jonathon is currently the Director, Aboriginal Cultural Heritage at Aboriginal Affairs, Department of Premier and Cabinet.
Dr Peggy Dwyer
Vice-Chair
Dr Peggy Dwyer has proudly served on Weave’s Board since 2015, and was Chair of the Board from 2018 – 2022, recently handing over the reins to Jonathon. Peggy is a barrister at Forbes Chambers specialising in criminal law, coronial inquests and medical disciplinary matters. Prior to this, she worked as a solicitor for the Aboriginal Legal Service (ALS) in Redfern and the Northern Territory.
Peggy loved her time working with the Redfern community and first met the Weave team as ALS’ children’s court solicitor, in 2000, when Weave was called the South Sydney Youth Service. The team worked to support Peggy’s clients through Court and to deal with the underlying issues for each child — like being victims of abuse at home or bullying at school, drug use, homelessness, parents in crisis, or mental illness. Like they do today, the youth workers supported children and families whatever the problem, helping them to connect with each other and the community and empowering kids to change their own lives.
Peggy is passionate about using the law to assist people who have had a challenging start to life. While lawyers are important to help deal with the immediate crisis of a criminal charge, Peggy believes the work Weave does is truly transformative — she loves how Weave creates a safety net for young people and fosters a loving, safer community.
Christopher Whitnall
Non-Executive Director
Chair of the Fundraising Committee
Christopher Whitnall is the Founder and Managing Director of talkforce, a leadership and communication skills consultancy, providing services to the private, government, sporting and not-for-profit sectors. Christopher annually donates 15-20% of his time to non-profit organisations.
Christopher joined the Weave Board in December 2017 and is dedicated to assisting the Weave team build a strong, connected community and deliver services to young people and families that assist with their education and wellbeing.
Roxanne Saunders
Non-Executive Director
Roxanne Saunders is a proud Biripi woman from Taree on the Mid-North Coast of NSW and works in the Aboriginal People and Culture team for the Department of Planning, industry and Environment, she is committed to growing and developing public sector career pathways for Aboriginal and Torre Strait Islander employees and creating a workplace where everyone feels valued and respected, regardless of difference.
Prior to this Roxanne worked in the Diversity and Culture team for Department of Planning where she used her expertise and experience in diversity and inclusion, organisational culture, leadership, human resources and knowledge and project management to develop programs that change the way business is done.
Roxanne is a member of the local Redfern community and has been an advocate for Aboriginal people, families who have been impacted by justice systems while working for Justice Health and Forensic Mental Health Network.
Roxanne joined the Weave Board in 2020, as she is committed to making a positive difference through culturally appropriate policy development, services and programs that assist our amazing Weave team in delivering services to young people and families.
Merydith Clark
Non-Executive Director
Merydith Clark is Head of Operational Risk at HSBC Australia and brings her expertise of Risk Management and Governance oversight to Weave. Merydith is a Chartered Accountant and a qualified member of the Australian Institute of Company Directors. She has a strong interest in social justice and equality for all. Merydith joined the Weave Board in December 2018 and is also an integral member of Weave’s Audit and Risk Committee.
Helen Graney
Non-Executive Director
Helen Graney is the CEO of Jack Morton Australia and Weber Shandwick Australia. Helen has over 20 years’ experience in the field of marketing and communications. She has worked across a wide range of verticals and brands, most often engaging with the C-suite on their communication and brand experience strategies, employee engagement and internal communications programs.
A respected and resilient leader who thrives in a fast-paced, dynamic environment Helen is proud of her ability to lead through change, navigate complex challenges and galvanise teams. She is driven by a desire to deliver creative and impactful work for her clients, but her greatest passion is for mentoring and developing talent and for supporting a culture of constant curiosity within which her people can thrive and grow.
Helen joined the Board of Weave Youth & Community Services in 2015, is a supporter and coach for Global Sisters and participates monthly in Mentor Walks.
Nellie Pollard-Wharton
Non-Executive Director
Nellie Pollard-Wharton is a proud Kooma woman, mother and social worker, born in Townsville, and raised in Meanjin (Brisbane), before moving to the Eora nation. Since then, Nellie has grown up and raised her son on Gadigal, Wangal and Bedgegal lands.
She is an Associate Lecturer in the School of Population Health, Faculty of Medicine, UNSW, whilst also undertaking her HDR program focussing on Aboriginal Community Led Solutions to Prevent Unintentional Child Injury.
Nellie holds a Bachelor of Social Work (Hons) from the University of New South Wales.
As a social work student, Nellie first joined the Weave family whilst on her clinical placement at the Weave Woolloomooloo Community Hub. Since then, she has continued to follow Weave closely. She joined the Weave board in 2021 and is also a part of the Fundraising Subcommittee.
Nellie is passionate about Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander health, wellbeing, self-determination and justice. In her various roles and community work she continues to develop her practice and pedagogy to ensure that Indigenous knowledges, genuine collaboration and leadership are core components of any actions associated with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples.
Chris Mills
Non-Executive Director and Treasurer
Chris Mills is the Head of Mergers & Acquisitions at Woolworths Group where he is responsible for strategic investments across the Group, including acquisitions and divestments. Chris has more than 20 years experience in finance, with a focus on corporate development, mergers and acquisitions, and equity and debt capital markets financings across the consumer, retail, healthcare and industrials sectors. Prior to joining Woolworths Group, Chris spent more than 15 years in investment banking with Goldman Sachs, where he was Head of Consumer, Retail and Healthcare in Australia & New Zealand, and Citi.
Chris is an energetic, strategic thinker who is committed to developing teams and driving organisational improvement. He is focused on building strong relationships and delivering positive outcomes.
Chris joined the Weave Board in October 2022 as Treasurer and Chair of the Audit and Risk Committee and is committed to supporting the team at Weave to empower young people, families and communities to change their lives through its programs, services and support.