<h2 class="wp-block-heading">Board of Directors</h2>

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<h2 class="wp-block-heading">Board of Directors</h2>

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Lionheart has a skills-based Board of dedicated volunteers, with diverse professional backgrounds and lived experience, that help provide strategic leadership in their areas of professional expertise. It's the collective will of our leadership team to grow Lionheart’s reach, expand our programs and support many more grieving families. &nbsp;

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Board Chair

Charlene Yates Bishop joined the Board of Lionheart in May 2020 to manage the portfolio for Marketing &amp; Fundraising until moving into the Chair role in May 2024.

Charlene has a diverse professional background in legal education, events management, executive search, community engagement, sales and marketing; all of which have allowed her to develop a strong business acumen. With over 20 years' experience in both Australia and Canada, including starting her own consulting practice, Charlene specialises in identifying strategic opportunities, engaging stakeholders and facilitating connections between people, businesses and projects. She understands the value of building relationships, establishing networks and the power of good communication. 

Charlene’s academic background is in International Relations having graduated from Keele University (UK) with a Bachelor of Arts in 2002. In 2004, Charlene graduated from the University of London with a Masters of Arts in Understanding &amp; Securing Human Rights.

&nbsp;

“Having lost my Father to cancer when I was 5 years old and my Mother (also to cancer) when I was 30 years old, I have experienced grief both as an adult and a child. I started my grief journey at a very young age and know how important it is to be supported and nurtured after the loss of a loved one. I’m passionate about making sure all children have access to bereavement education and are supported after the loss of a loved one.”

 

<a href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/charleneyatesbishop/">https://www.linkedin.com/in/charleneyatesbishop/</a>

Deputy Chair

Jemma Sanderson has been with Lionheart since the very beginning and is our Company Secretary.

Jemma is a Director of Cooper Partners Financial Services, heading up their self-managed super fund (SMSF) specialist services.  Jemma provides strategic advice on SMSFs, estate planning and wealth management to clients, as well as technical support and consultancy to accounting, legal and financial planning groups.  She has over 19 years’ experience in developing complex strategies for high net worth clients.

Jemma is a regular presenter on superannuation and SMSFs for the Taxation Institute, Institute of Chartered Accountants, CPA and SMSF Association across Australia.  She is the author of the Taxation Institute’s popular publication for SMSF Advisers, the SMSF Guide, now in its ninth edition, and the author and convener of the Taxation Institute’s Graduate Diploma of Applied Tax Law Advanced Superannuation Unit.  Jemma was named the SMSF Adviser of the Year at the 2019 National Women in Finance awards for the third year in a row and received the SMSF Association Chairman’s Award in February 2018 for her contribution to the industry.

Jemma has a Bachelor of Commerce from the University of Western Australia and is a Certified Financial Planner, a Specialist Member of the SMSF Association (SMSFA), Chartered Tax Adviser (CTA) and Trusts and Estate Practitioner (TEP).

&nbsp;

<a href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/jemma-sanderson-47517b22/">https://www.linkedin.com/in/jemma-sanderson-47517b22/</a>

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Board Chair
Charlene Yates Bishop joined the Board of Lionheart in May 2020 to manage the portfolio for Marketing &amp; Fundraising until moving into the Chair role in May 2024.
Charlene has a diverse professional background in legal education, events management, executive search, community engagement, sales and marketing; all of which have allowed her to develop a strong business acumen. With over 20 years&#8217; experience in both Australia and Canada, including starting her own consulting practice, Charlene specialises in identifying strategic opportunities, engaging stakeholders and facilitating connections between people, businesses and projects. She understands the value of building relationships, establishing networks and the power of good communication. 
Charlene’s academic background is in International Relations having graduated from Keele University (UK) with a Bachelor of Arts in 2002. In 2004, Charlene graduated from the University of London with a Masters of Arts in Understanding &amp; Securing Human Rights.
&nbsp;
“Having lost my Father to cancer when I was 5 years old and my Mother (also to cancer) when I was 30 years old, I have experienced grief both as an adult and a child. I started my grief journey at a very young age and know how important it is to be supported and nurtured after the loss of a loved one. I’m passionate about making sure all children have access to bereavement education and are supported after the loss of a loved one.”
 
<a href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/charleneyatesbishop/">https://www.linkedin.com/in/charleneyatesbishop/</a>

Deputy Chair
Jemma Sanderson has been with Lionheart since the very beginning and is our Company Secretary.
Jemma is a Director of Cooper Partners Financial Services, heading up their self-managed super fund (SMSF) specialist services.  Jemma provides strategic advice on SMSFs, estate planning and wealth management to clients, as well as technical support and consultancy to accounting, legal and financial planning groups.  She has over 19 years’ experience in developing complex strategies for high net worth clients.
Jemma is a regular presenter on superannuation and SMSFs for the Taxation Institute, Institute of Chartered Accountants, CPA and SMSF Association across Australia.  She is the author of the Taxation Institute’s popular publication for SMSF Advisers, the SMSF Guide, now in its ninth edition, and the author and convener of the Taxation Institute’s Graduate Diploma of Applied Tax Law Advanced Superannuation Unit.  Jemma was named the SMSF Adviser of the Year at the 2019 National Women in Finance awards for the third year in a row and received the SMSF Association Chairman’s Award in February 2018 for her contribution to the industry.
Jemma has a Bachelor of Commerce from the University of Western Australia and is a Certified Financial Planner, a Specialist Member of the SMSF Association (SMSFA), Chartered Tax Adviser (CTA) and Trusts and Estate Practitioner (TEP).
&nbsp;
<a href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/jemma-sanderson-47517b22/">https://www.linkedin.com/in/jemma-sanderson-47517b22/</a>

Treasurer

Stephen joined the Board of Lionheart in February 2021 and is our Treasurer. He is a designated Chartered Accountant and has a double major in Accounting and Finance; as well as a Diploma in Financial Services.

Stephen has 14 years of wealth management consulting experience and is currently Director &amp; Principal Wealth Adviser at The Wealth Designers. His tax and accounting knowledge stems from working in both boutique  and Big 4 accounting firms, particularly advising large family groups on complex tax and accounting matters. He has a detailed understanding of all superannuation and investment matters in Australia and overseas and specialises in self-managed superannuation funds and family trust structures.

Stephen has also worked with a multinational Australian Listed Company with a turnover in excess of $10 billion per year, where he was the Corporate Financial Controller managing nearly $500 million in turnover/$50 million profit per year. He has also held various other leadership roles in businesses with turnover up to $1 billion.

&nbsp;

“I have always been a big believer that life is to be enjoyed and to be closely shared with family and friends. What drives me every day is my wife Sarah and my two beautiful children. I am very fortunate to have such a great family and they give me a purpose in life and my work. At work I consider my clients as my extended family and I feel I am a part of their wider everyday life. Over the years I love hearing what is happening in their lives and how their families have developed and grown over time. Sometimes their toughest family moments bring us even closer together. There are always high and lows and I love providing input into how I can assist in making their overall lives better.”

https://www.linkedin.com/in/stephenkostarelas/

Stacey Wellings – Legal Affairs 

Stacey Wellings joined the Board in May 2024 and manages the Board portfolio for Legal Affairs.  

 

Stacey is a Director at leading WA family law practice Carr &amp; Co where she undertakes both legal work, general management and shareholder engagement. Stacey completed a Bachelor of Laws and Arts from Notre Dame University in 2010 and was admitted to the Supreme Court of Western Australia in 2011. 

 

Stacey practices in all areas of family law and has a particular interest in complex financial matters involving multiple corporate and trust structures and/or accounting and taxation issues. She has instructed Senior Counsel and appeared as Junior Counsel in several trials in the Family Court of Western Australia. She has also instructed Senior Counsel and/or appeared as Junior Counsel in successful appeals to the Full Court of the Family Court of Australia and the High Court of Australia. 

 

Stacey has been recommended in the Leading Family Lawyers category of Doyles list in Western Australia each year since 2017 and has been included in the niche list of Leading Family Lawyers (High-Value &amp; Complex Property) since 2019. 

 

Stacey has served on the Executive of the Family Law Practitioners’ Association of WA for over 9 years and is the current President. Seh also holds the position of Deputy Chair of the Mental Health &amp; Wellbeing Committee of the Law Society of Western Australia. Stacey was awarded the Family Law Practitioners’ Association Young Family Lawyer of the Year Award in 2016. 

 

<a href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/stacey-wellings">https://www.linkedin.com/in/stacey-wellings</a>

Treasurer
Stephen joined the Board of Lionheart in February 2021 and is our Treasurer. He is a designated Chartered Accountant and has a double major in Accounting and Finance; as well as a Diploma in Financial Services.
Stephen has 14 years of wealth management consulting experience and is currently Director &amp; Principal Wealth Adviser at The Wealth Designers. His tax and accounting knowledge stems from working in both boutique  and Big 4 accounting firms, particularly advising large family groups on complex tax and accounting matters. He has a detailed understanding of all superannuation and investment matters in Australia and overseas and specialises in self-managed superannuation funds and family trust structures.
Stephen has also worked with a multinational Australian Listed Company with a turnover in excess of $10 billion per year, where he was the Corporate Financial Controller managing nearly $500 million in turnover/$50 million profit per year. He has also held various other leadership roles in businesses with turnover up to $1 billion.
&nbsp;
“I have always been a big believer that life is to be enjoyed and to be closely shared with family and friends. What drives me every day is my wife Sarah and my two beautiful children. I am very fortunate to have such a great family and they give me a purpose in life and my work. At work I consider my clients as my extended family and I feel I am a part of their wider everyday life. Over the years I love hearing what is happening in their lives and how their families have developed and grown over time. Sometimes their toughest family moments bring us even closer together. There are always high and lows and I love providing input into how I can assist in making their overall lives better.”
https://www.linkedin.com/in/stephenkostarelas/

Stacey Wellings – Legal Affairs 
Stacey Wellings joined the Board in May 2024 and manages the Board portfolio for Legal Affairs.  
 
Stacey is a Director at leading WA family law practice Carr &amp; Co where she undertakes both legal work, general management and shareholder engagement. Stacey completed a Bachelor of Laws and Arts from Notre Dame University in 2010 and was admitted to the Supreme Court of Western Australia in 2011. 
 
Stacey practices in all areas of family law and has a particular interest in complex financial matters involving multiple corporate and trust structures and/or accounting and taxation issues. She has instructed Senior Counsel and appeared as Junior Counsel in several trials in the Family Court of Western Australia. She has also instructed Senior Counsel and/or appeared as Junior Counsel in successful appeals to the Full Court of the Family Court of Australia and the High Court of Australia. 
 
Stacey has been recommended in the Leading Family Lawyers category of Doyles list in Western Australia each year since 2017 and has been included in the niche list of Leading Family Lawyers (High-Value &amp; Complex Property) since 2019. 
 
Stacey has served on the Executive of the Family Law Practitioners’ Association of WA for over 9 years and is the current President. Seh also holds the position of Deputy Chair of the Mental Health &amp; Wellbeing Committee of the Law Society of Western Australia. Stacey was awarded the Family Law Practitioners’ Association Young Family Lawyer of the Year Award in 2016. 
 
<a href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/stacey-wellings">https://www.linkedin.com/in/stacey-wellings</a>

Board Secretary

Jodie Denham joined Lionheart as Board Secretary in August 2021, and is also on the Marketing &amp; Fundraising Committee. Prior to Lionheart, Jodie had experience as Board Secretary for a Primary School and also volunteers for various sporting clubs and contributes as a Committee Member.

Jodie is a Group General Manager at Crown Resorts responsible for Data Management, Data Quality and Automated Customer Engagement. A Data and systems professional passionate about delivering enhancements to drive strategic outcomes, Jodie has over 20 years of data and analytics experience in various roles.

Jodie has a Bachelor of Science from the University of Western Australia.

"I lost my husband to brain cancer when our son was 5 years old. I have experienced the devastating loss and grief as a wife, whilst also supporting my son through his own grief journey. I understand how vitally important it is to be loved and embraced when grieving, and hope that my lived experience allows me to contribute to this amazing organisation to empower bereaved children and families."

<a href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/jodie-denham/">https://www.linkedin.com/in/jodie-denham/</a>

Research &amp; Program Development

Professor Lauren Breen joined the Board of Lionheart in February 2020 and has the Board portfolio of Research &amp; Program Development.

Lauren is a registered psychologist and an Professor in the School of Psychology at Curtin University in Australia. Her award-winning, applied research centres on end-of-life care and grief and loss issues. She is passionate about understanding and supporting grieving children and families, communicating the diagnosis of a serious/terminal illness, preparations for bereavement, the impact of caregiving on bereavement, psychotherapies for prolonged grief disorder/complicated grief, building the community’s capacity to support grieving people, social and cultural norms of grief, and the interface between evidence-based practice and practice-based evidence.

Most notably, Lauren was successful in the inaugural round of the prestigious Australian Research Council Discovery Early Career Research Awards for her project exploring family caregiving and bereavement. She has been a chief investigator on $2million of grants and has authored over 110 book chapters and peer-reviewed journal articles.

She is a member of the Australian Center for Grief and Bereavement; Association for Death Education and Counselling (USA); the International Work Group on Death, Dying and Bereavement; Managing Editor of Death Studies; and a Fellow in Thanatology: Death, Dying and Bereavement.

&nbsp;

<a href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/lauren-breen-81308953/">https://www.linkedin.com/in/lauren-breen-81308953/</a>

Board Secretary
Jodie Denham joined Lionheart as Board Secretary in August 2021, and is also on the Marketing &amp; Fundraising Committee. Prior to Lionheart, Jodie had experience as Board Secretary for a Primary School and also volunteers for various sporting clubs and contributes as a Committee Member.
Jodie is a Group General Manager at Crown Resorts responsible for Data Management, Data Quality and Automated Customer Engagement. A Data and systems professional passionate about delivering enhancements to drive strategic outcomes, Jodie has over 20 years of data and analytics experience in various roles.
Jodie has a Bachelor of Science from the University of Western Australia.
&#8220;I lost my husband to brain cancer when our son was 5 years old. I have experienced the devastating loss and grief as a wife, whilst also supporting my son through his own grief journey. I understand how vitally important it is to be loved and embraced when grieving, and hope that my lived experience allows me to contribute to this amazing organisation to empower bereaved children and families.&#8221;
<a href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/jodie-denham/">https://www.linkedin.com/in/jodie-denham/</a>

Research &amp; Program Development
Professor Lauren Breen joined the Board of Lionheart in February 2020 and has the Board portfolio of Research &amp; Program Development.
Lauren is a registered psychologist and an Professor in the School of Psychology at Curtin University in Australia. Her award-winning, applied research centres on end-of-life care and grief and loss issues. She is passionate about understanding and supporting grieving children and families, communicating the diagnosis of a serious/terminal illness, preparations for bereavement, the impact of caregiving on bereavement, psychotherapies for prolonged grief disorder/complicated grief, building the community’s capacity to support grieving people, social and cultural norms of grief, and the interface between evidence-based practice and practice-based evidence.
Most notably, Lauren was successful in the inaugural round of the prestigious Australian Research Council Discovery Early Career Research Awards for her project exploring family caregiving and bereavement. She has been a chief investigator on $2million of grants and has authored over 110 book chapters and peer-reviewed journal articles.
She is a member of the Australian Center for Grief and Bereavement; Association for Death Education and Counselling (USA); the International Work Group on Death, Dying and Bereavement; Managing Editor of Death Studies; and a Fellow in Thanatology: Death, Dying and Bereavement.
&nbsp;
<a href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/lauren-breen-81308953/">https://www.linkedin.com/in/lauren-breen-81308953/</a>

Marketing &amp; Fundraising

Leticia Jennings joined the Board of Lionheart in November 2023 and manages the Board portfolio for Marketing &amp; Fundraising.

Leticia has recently moved back to her hometown of Perth after 16 years in Sydney working
in telecommunications, specialising in the Internet of Things as Country Manager for
Vodafone. This innovative, new tech area of business has developed her skills of leading
high-performance teams, growing a start up to a scale up and customer led decision making.

Leticia’s first job out of university was working in a not-for-profit with disadvantaged youth,
her most rewarding job yet, and is keen to get back to supporting grass roots youth
programs.

Leticia found Lionheart through a friend who is a current volunteer with Lionheart and they
would often talk about the impact of grief on people, especially children and the importance
of the work Lionheart does. Leticia experienced her older sister dying at 42 and her mum
lost her dad at 13, so understanding a little about the impact of grief, when the opportunity
to volunteer came up, she jumped at the chance.

Clinical Governance and Program Design

Nicky is a devoted health leader and senior paediatric nurse with a passion for improving the health and wellbeing of children. She graduated from the University of Southampton with Bachelor of Nursing in 2004 and dedicated her early career to caring for children and families in critical care units across the UK and Australia. She built on this strong clinical foundation to serve in senior nursing positions leading multi-disciplinary and cross-agency teams who deliver both acute clinical and community services providing specialised care to children living with highly complex medical and social circumstances.

Now serving as an executive nurse leader at Perth Children’s Hospital, Nicky is responsible for health service planning and to ensure that clinical service delivery is child and family focused. She ensures the health and wellbeing of the staff in the service, and provides clinical and corporate governance within the organisation.

Nicky brings her experience in healthcare leadership to help guide the strategic direction of Lionheart,  ensuring that its programs and services are of the highest quality. She is committed to ensuring that every child has access to the care and support they need to thrive.

&nbsp;

"Throughout my life and career, I have seen the significant and often devastating impact of grief on children, families and communities. I strongly believe that every child deserves to grow up in a safe and nurturing environment where they can be happy, healthy, and have a sense of belonging within their community. I am committed to working with Lionheart to empower children, families and communities to achieve this goal through education, connection and support."

&nbsp;

Marketing &amp; Fundraising
Leticia Jennings joined the Board of Lionheart in November 2023 and manages the Board portfolio for Marketing &amp; Fundraising.
Leticia has recently moved back to her hometown of Perth after 16 years in Sydney working 
in telecommunications, specialising in the Internet of Things as Country Manager for 
Vodafone. This innovative, new tech area of business has developed her skills of leading 
high-performance teams, growing a start up to a scale up and customer led decision making.
Leticia’s first job out of university was working in a not-for-profit with disadvantaged youth, 
her most rewarding job yet, and is keen to get back to supporting grass roots youth 
programs.
Leticia found Lionheart through a friend who is a current volunteer with Lionheart and they 
would often talk about the impact of grief on people, especially children and the importance 
of the work Lionheart does. Leticia experienced her older sister dying at 42 and her mum 
lost her dad at 13, so understanding a little about the impact of grief, when the opportunity 
to volunteer came up, she jumped at the chance.

Clinical Governance and Program Design
Nicky is a devoted health leader and senior paediatric nurse with a passion for improving the health and wellbeing of children. She graduated from the University of Southampton with Bachelor of Nursing in 2004 and dedicated her early career to caring for children and families in critical care units across the UK and Australia. She built on this strong clinical foundation to serve in senior nursing positions leading multi-disciplinary and cross-agency teams who deliver both acute clinical and community services providing specialised care to children living with highly complex medical and social circumstances.
Now serving as an executive nurse leader at Perth Children’s Hospital, Nicky is responsible for health service planning and to ensure that clinical service delivery is child and family focused. She ensures the health and wellbeing of the staff in the service, and provides clinical and corporate governance within the organisation.
Nicky brings her experience in healthcare leadership to help guide the strategic direction of Lionheart,  ensuring that its programs and services are of the highest quality. She is committed to ensuring that every child has access to the care and support they need to thrive.
&nbsp;
&#8220;Throughout my life and career, I have seen the significant and often devastating impact of grief on children, families and communities. I strongly believe that every child deserves to grow up in a safe and nurturing environment where they can be happy, healthy, and have a sense of belonging within their community. I am committed to working with Lionheart to empower children, families and communities to achieve this goal through education, connection and support.&#8221;
&nbsp;

Technology

Andrea Conte joined the board at Lionheart in  October 2022 and has the Board portfolio of Technology.

Andrea has more than 25 years’ ICT experience working in various industries, both in the United Kingdom and Australia.

Andrea is very passionate about Lionheart and its goals, having experienced loss in his life.

"I lost my mother suddenly at 26 years old - having had first hand experience in grief and the profound impact it can have on your life, I can't think of a better charity
to support and help grow".

<a href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/andreaconte1/">https://www.linkedin.com/in/andreaconte1/</a>

Technology
Andrea Conte joined the board at Lionheart in  October 2022 and has the Board portfolio of Technology.
Andrea has more than 25 years’ ICT experience working in various industries, both in the United Kingdom and Australia.
Andrea is very passionate about Lionheart and its goals, having experienced loss in his life.
&#8220;I lost my mother suddenly at 26 years old &#8211; having had first hand experience in grief and the profound impact it can have on your life, I can&#8217;t think of a better charity 
to support and help grow&#8221;.
<a href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/andreaconte1/">https://www.linkedin.com/in/andreaconte1/</a>

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