The Homes Victoria advisory board
The Homes Victoria Advisory Board is established under section 11A of the Housing Act 1983. The board provides strategic advice to the Minister for Housing and the Chief Executive Officer, Homes Victoria in relation to:
- the long term strategic direction of Homes Victoria
- the financial performance and stability of Homes Victoria; and
- strategic risks and opportunities and approaches to social housing and affordable housing; and
- the corporate plan and performance indicators of Homes Victoria; and
- any other matter referred to the Advisory Board by the Minister.
The board will strengthen governance and oversight of Homes Victoria. The board is independent, accountable to the Minister for Housing and will steer development of Homes Victoria’s Corporate Plan and Annual Reports in alignment with the organisation’s commitment to greater transparency and accountability.
As a non-binding advisory body, the board has no formal decision-making or own motion powers or responsibilities over policy, service delivery or public funds.
The Hon. Harriet Shing
Minister for Housing
The Hon. Harriet Shing was appointed the Minister for Housing in October 2023. Harriet is also the Minister for Water and Equality.
Harriet was first elected to the Victorian parliament in 2014 and represents the electorate of Eastern Victoria.
Harriet was first elected to the Victorian parliament in 2014 and represents the electorate of Eastern Victoria.
Homes Victoria advisory board members
Sarah Clarke
Chair
Sarah Clarke is a leader at the forefront of building responsible, sustainable, people-focused organisational capability. She brings a focus on environmental and social governance, culture, strategy, risk, and public affairs to help meet contemporary stakeholder expectations. She has led functions in the corporate, government, and charitable sectors, delivering outcomes which align purpose with profit.
Her core capability is in navigating and solving problems in complex contexts – identifying material issues, designing pragmatic commercial responses, and influencing through engaging storytelling.
Sarah’s experience across multiple sectors and industries enables her to see the system in which companies operate, successfully forecast risks, and design strategies which enhance trusting stakeholder relationships. She has led corporate communications and sustainability portfolios in property, public and government affairs in transport, community engagement in energy mega projects, held executive roles with the Australian Government, and senior advisory roles with the Victorian Government.
Her core capability is in navigating and solving problems in complex contexts – identifying material issues, designing pragmatic commercial responses, and influencing through engaging storytelling.
Sarah’s experience across multiple sectors and industries enables her to see the system in which companies operate, successfully forecast risks, and design strategies which enhance trusting stakeholder relationships. She has led corporate communications and sustainability portfolios in property, public and government affairs in transport, community engagement in energy mega projects, held executive roles with the Australian Government, and senior advisory roles with the Victorian Government.
Danielle Dalby
Danielle Dalby has extensive experience in the industry super sector and is a skilled property lawyer and investment manager, with demonstrable experience in managing and negotiating complex, strategic transactions including the acquisition and divestment of high-value property assets.
Danielle has board experience as a former member and Chair of the Volunteer West Committee and in providing legal advice and support in relation to corporate matters. Danielle holds a Bachelor of Law from University of New England, and a Graduate Diploma in Property from Deakin University, as well as an Associate Diploma in Legal Practice and a Graduate Certificate in Applied Finance and Investment.
Danielle has board experience as a former member and Chair of the Volunteer West Committee and in providing legal advice and support in relation to corporate matters. Danielle holds a Bachelor of Law from University of New England, and a Graduate Diploma in Property from Deakin University, as well as an Associate Diploma in Legal Practice and a Graduate Certificate in Applied Finance and Investment.
Mark Gepp
Mark Gepp is a former member of the Legislative Council in the Victorian Parliament (2017 – 2022). Prior to that, he was Senior Adviser to the Minister for Emergency Services.
Mark brings a wealth of experience in government, policy, advocacy and senior leadership to this role. During his time as a member of the Victorian Parliament, his personal experiences and knowledge of public and social housing were recognised as bringing a level of expertise and understanding to this area of public policy.
Mark has also previously served on boards, including as a Trustee Director with the Australian Government Employees Superannuation Trusts (AGEST, now formally merged with Australian Super) and maintains a strong connection to the finance sector.
Mark brings a wealth of experience in government, policy, advocacy and senior leadership to this role. During his time as a member of the Victorian Parliament, his personal experiences and knowledge of public and social housing were recognised as bringing a level of expertise and understanding to this area of public policy.
Mark has also previously served on boards, including as a Trustee Director with the Australian Government Employees Superannuation Trusts (AGEST, now formally merged with Australian Super) and maintains a strong connection to the finance sector.
Tony Michele
Tony Michele has extensive experience delivering large-scale infrastructure projects, including delivery of major health infrastructure projects for the Victorian Government.
Tony is the current Chair of the Canberra Hospital Expansion Project and recently held the role of Executive Director, Delivery for the Victorian Health Building Authority.
He was also involved in the delivery of the Victorian Heart Hospital, Bendigo Hospital and the Victorian Comprehensive Cancer Centre. Tony Holds a Bachelor of Commerce from the University of Queensland, is a member of the Australian Institute of Company Directors and is a member of the Financial Services Institute of Australasia.
Tony is the current Chair of the Canberra Hospital Expansion Project and recently held the role of Executive Director, Delivery for the Victorian Health Building Authority.
He was also involved in the delivery of the Victorian Heart Hospital, Bendigo Hospital and the Victorian Comprehensive Cancer Centre. Tony Holds a Bachelor of Commerce from the University of Queensland, is a member of the Australian Institute of Company Directors and is a member of the Financial Services Institute of Australasia.
Jefa Greenaway
Jefa Greenaway is a nationally recognised Indigenous architect who brings a unique cultural perspective into design of social housing, communities and placemaking. He is a registered architect in private practice in both New South Wales and Victoria.
Over two decades he has championed Indigenous-led design thinking, particularly through the International Indigenous Design Charter, as Regional Ambassador (Oceania) of INDIGO (International Indigenous Design Alliance) and sits on numerous boards that intersect with art, architecture and cultural heritage.
Jefa has extensive experience sitting on panels, boards and committees within the State Government, not-for-profit and educational sectors. He is strongly committed to social issues, particularly around Aboriginal community engagement and empowerment and has expertise in Aboriginal placemaking. Jefa holds a Bachelor of Architecture (Hons) and a Bachelor of Applied Science.
Over two decades he has championed Indigenous-led design thinking, particularly through the International Indigenous Design Charter, as Regional Ambassador (Oceania) of INDIGO (International Indigenous Design Alliance) and sits on numerous boards that intersect with art, architecture and cultural heritage.
Jefa has extensive experience sitting on panels, boards and committees within the State Government, not-for-profit and educational sectors. He is strongly committed to social issues, particularly around Aboriginal community engagement and empowerment and has expertise in Aboriginal placemaking. Jefa holds a Bachelor of Architecture (Hons) and a Bachelor of Applied Science.
Tony Keenan
Tony Keenan has held many leadership positions in local government and the community sector and has served in a wide range of advisory roles for governments. He recently the inaugural CEO of Launch Housing, following its creation from a merger between Hanover Welfare Services and HomeGround.
Prior to that, he was the Chief Executive Officer of Hanover Welfare Services from 2006. Tony is a current non-executive Director of the Brotherhood of Saint Laurence. He has been President of the Australian Federation of AIDS Organisations, the Victorian AIDS Council, Chairperson and Director of the Australian Foyer Foundation and a Director of Victorian Council of Social Service.
Tony was awarded a Harkness Fellowship in Public Policy by the University of California – San Francisco. He is a graduate of Australia and New Zealand School of Government’s Executive Master of Public Administration (EMPA) program and a member of the Australian Institute of Company Directors.
Prior to that, he was the Chief Executive Officer of Hanover Welfare Services from 2006. Tony is a current non-executive Director of the Brotherhood of Saint Laurence. He has been President of the Australian Federation of AIDS Organisations, the Victorian AIDS Council, Chairperson and Director of the Australian Foyer Foundation and a Director of Victorian Council of Social Service.
Tony was awarded a Harkness Fellowship in Public Policy by the University of California – San Francisco. He is a graduate of Australia and New Zealand School of Government’s Executive Master of Public Administration (EMPA) program and a member of the Australian Institute of Company Directors.
Lucy Roffey
Lucy Roffey is a Director on the Coliban Region Water Corporation and has been a board member since 2015. She is the Chief Executive Officer of Central Goldfields Shire Council and has held other executive roles in local government over the last 12 years since moving to regional Victoria.
Prior to local government employment, Lucy held senior financial roles in the film industry, including Chief Operating Officer at the Australian Centre for the Moving Image from 2004-2009.
Lucy is a member of Chartered Accountants Australia and New Zealand’s Public Sector Panel, a member of the Loddon Campaspe Regional Partnership and a member of the Telstra Regional Advisory Committee. She is a Fellow of Chartered Accountants Australia and New Zealand, holds a Bachelor of Commerce from the University of Melbourne and a Graduate Diploma of Management from the University of NSW (AGSM).
Prior to local government employment, Lucy held senior financial roles in the film industry, including Chief Operating Officer at the Australian Centre for the Moving Image from 2004-2009.
Lucy is a member of Chartered Accountants Australia and New Zealand’s Public Sector Panel, a member of the Loddon Campaspe Regional Partnership and a member of the Telstra Regional Advisory Committee. She is a Fellow of Chartered Accountants Australia and New Zealand, holds a Bachelor of Commerce from the University of Melbourne and a Graduate Diploma of Management from the University of NSW (AGSM).
Meredith Sussex AM
Meredith Sussex is an expert on city planning and is committed to community engagement in the development and implementation of public policy.
Meredith is Chair of the Fishermans Bend Development Board in Victoria. She has also been a non-executive Director of a number of boards, including Housing Choices Australia (a national community housing provider), the Australian Housing and Urban Research Institute and the Port of Melbourne.
Meredith runs her own consultancy, providing specialist expertise in public policy, planning, management and governance, specialising in city planning. She has also held senior positions in the Victorian State Government, including Deputy Secretary of the Department of Premier and Cabinet. From 2002-2006 she led the Office of Commonwealth Games Coordination, for which she was awarded the Order of Australia in 2007.
She was also a lecturer in the Masters programme on Urban Governance at the University of New South Wales. Meredith holds qualifications from the University of Melbourne and the Kellogg School of Management in Chicago.
Meredith is Chair of the Fishermans Bend Development Board in Victoria. She has also been a non-executive Director of a number of boards, including Housing Choices Australia (a national community housing provider), the Australian Housing and Urban Research Institute and the Port of Melbourne.
Meredith runs her own consultancy, providing specialist expertise in public policy, planning, management and governance, specialising in city planning. She has also held senior positions in the Victorian State Government, including Deputy Secretary of the Department of Premier and Cabinet. From 2002-2006 she led the Office of Commonwealth Games Coordination, for which she was awarded the Order of Australia in 2007.
She was also a lecturer in the Masters programme on Urban Governance at the University of New South Wales. Meredith holds qualifications from the University of Melbourne and the Kellogg School of Management in Chicago.
Ex-officio members
Chris Barrett
Chris Barrett commenced as Deputy Secretary, Economic Division in the Department of Treasury and Finance, in January 2021. Chris is responsible for the provision of high-level economic and policy advice to Government on productivity, taxation and regulation, along with social, environmental and development issues.
In his prior role as Invest Victoria, Chief Executive Officer, Chris led both the Victorian Government’s approach to investment attraction and the Economic Recovery Mission in response to coronavirus (COVID-19).
Chris’ career includes nearly two decades in public service in both Canberra and Melbourne, including as Deputy Secretary, Policy and Cabinet in the Victorian Department of Premier and Cabinet.
In his prior role as Invest Victoria, Chief Executive Officer, Chris led both the Victorian Government’s approach to investment attraction and the Economic Recovery Mission in response to coronavirus (COVID-19).
Chris’ career includes nearly two decades in public service in both Canberra and Melbourne, including as Deputy Secretary, Policy and Cabinet in the Victorian Department of Premier and Cabinet.
Emma Cassar
Emma Cassar was appointed Deputy Secretary, Social Policy and Intergovernmental Relations Division of the Department of Premier and Cabinet in March 2023.
Emma holds a Doctorate in Forensic Psychology from the University of Melbourne and commenced as a forensic psychologist with Corrections Victoria in 1999. She went on to become General Manager at a number of male and female prisons in Victoria and acted in various senior executive roles before becoming Chief Executive Officer of non-profit, Open Family Australia in 2010 and State Director for Mission Australia from 2011 to 2013.
A stint in the private sector saw Emma as Business Development Director of Serco Australia and then for a number of years at KPMG as a Partner, leading the National Justice and Security sector. Emma returned to Corrections Victoria in June 2018 as Commissioner.
In July 2020, Emma took on the role of Deputy State Controller for the COVID-19 Accommodation program and at the end of 2020, was appointed COVID-19 Quarantine Victoria Commissioner.
Emma holds a Doctorate in Forensic Psychology from the University of Melbourne and commenced as a forensic psychologist with Corrections Victoria in 1999. She went on to become General Manager at a number of male and female prisons in Victoria and acted in various senior executive roles before becoming Chief Executive Officer of non-profit, Open Family Australia in 2010 and State Director for Mission Australia from 2011 to 2013.
A stint in the private sector saw Emma as Business Development Director of Serco Australia and then for a number of years at KPMG as a Partner, leading the National Justice and Security sector. Emma returned to Corrections Victoria in June 2018 as Commissioner.
In July 2020, Emma took on the role of Deputy State Controller for the COVID-19 Accommodation program and at the end of 2020, was appointed COVID-19 Quarantine Victoria Commissioner.