​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​Governance / Board​​​

President

Gaurav is the Lead Partner for Deloitte’s Global Investment and Innovation Incentives (Gi3) team in Northern Australia and Government Advisory services in the Northern Territory. Gaurav is a qualified lawyer and has over 15 years’ experience working with Deloitte. Gaurav has an extensive public and private sector background, assisting a range of organisations with project business cases and feasibility analysis, accessing Government funding and financing support, and facilitating regional investment attraction. Gaurav’s areas of industry sector expertise includes transportation and infrastructure, energy and resources, utilities (power and renewables), tourism and hospitality, and agribusiness. Gaurav is deeply passionate about helping shape a better Northern Australia and making a meaningful difference to the local community. Gaurav regularly presents at conferences such as Developing Northern Australia Conference and NT Major Projects Conference, and is on the Steering Committee of the Developing Northern Australia Conference.

Vice President

Prior to his career in the Not-for-Profit sector, Ron was the principal of a CPA practice and a business proprietor. He took on the role of CEO of the YMCA of Perth in 1999 and has been actively involved with the YMCA since then at a local, national and international level. Following the successful development of the YMCA in Western Australia, he was appointed as National CEO for YMCA of Australia, a position he held for five years. In 2016 he was requested to support YMCAs in the Territory, leading to the formation of the YMCA of the Northern Territory. Following the appointment of a permanent CEO in 2019, Ron joined the Board and is currently Vice President. Ron is a graduate of the Australian Institute of Company Directors and has a post graduate Diploma in Social Impact Measurement (UWA). He is Chair of a Registered Community Housing organisation in Perth and is Co-Chair of an Aboriginal Community Controlled organisation working with vulnerable communities in the Perth area.

Director

Vicki is an established businesswoman and former Administrator of the Northern Territory. Prior to her appointment as The Administrator, Vicki was CEO of Somerville Community Services and has an extensive governance background as a member of a wide range of boards and committees locally and nationally. Vicki was Chair of National Disability Services Northern Territory, serving as National President of National Disability Services from 2012 to 2015, and Chair of the Northern Territory Government Ministerial Advisory Council on Disability Reform.

Director

Richard is a Partner in HWL Ebsworth’s Commercial group. He was admitted to the Supreme Court of South Australia in 1977 and the Supreme Court of the Northern Territory in 1980. Richard has lived in the Northern Territory for more than 43 years and holds other positions including President of the Interim Northern Territory Division Council of the Australian Institute of Company Directors, Chair of Anglicare NT and Chair of its Governance Committee, Member of the Legal Practitioners' Disciplinary Committee and Member of the NT Civil and Administrative Tribunal. He has also held previous roles as President of the Law Society of the Northern Territory and Chair of the Royal Darwin Hospital Management Board.

Director

Ashley is the Chief Operating Officer at Somerville Community Services and has over 20 years leadership experience working in the education and community services sectors in Western Australia and Victoria before moving to the Northern Territory in early 2015. He has extensive experience working in national program implementation, partnerships, communications, community engagement and government relations. Ashley is a Graduate of the Australian Institute of Company Directors and a Fellow of the Institute of Managers and Leaders.

Director

Director Deb is a Jawoyn woman, born and raised in Katherine Northern Territory. Deb has a Bachelor of Business, Master of Public Health, is a Graduate of the Australian Institute of Company Directors (AICD) and a fellow with the Australian College of Health Service Management (ACHSM). Deb is currently acting Executive Director of Social Inclusion at the Northern Territory Department of Territory Families, Housing and Communities. She has over 20 years' experience working with government policy and projects in various roles in both South Australia and the Northern Territory, primarily in the areas of Aboriginal housing and health policy.

Director

Michelle Mason is a dynamic and versatile leader with a notable career trajectory encompassing aviation, health, and journalism. Her strategic acumen, innovative vision, and compelling leadership have made a significant impact in these diverse domains, positioning her as a trusted industry influencer. She is passionate about sustainability and applies this deep-rooted passion to all areas of her life. This has driven her to steer an organisation that provides positive societal impact. Michelle's leadership lays the foundation for great governance in the organisations she is involved with. Her strategic decisions, ethical stance, and dedication to transparency and accountability set the tone for responsible and effective governance practices, ensuring long-term success and trust. Michelle's footprint stands as a testament to the power of purpose-driven leadership and the profound impact it can have on shaping industries and creating a more sustainable future for all.

Director

Jocelyn Dhu is presently the Deputy CEO for the Drug and Alcohol Services Association (DASA) in Alice Springs and has worked at DASA since 2012. Jocelyn has a strong passion and commitment in striving to reduce the harm caused by Alcohol and Other Drugs (AOD) misuse in our community. This is reflected through having worked in the AOD Sector for over 25 years in various community roles. Supporting Jocelyn’s experience, are multiple qualifications that include the Dual Diploma of Community Services, in Alcohol and Other Drugs and Mental Health from RMIT University, Diploma in Child Youth and Family Intervention together with the Certificate IV in Training and Assessment (TAE 40110). Jocelyn was born and raised in Alice Springs, with the family background of an Eastern Arrente woman from Alice Springs on her mother’s side and a Banyijima woman from Western Australia on her father’s side. Jocelyn has worked within the NT Community Corrections as a Probation and Parole Officer and also with the Department of Children and Families as a Team Leader for the Remote Aboriginal Family Community Program. In addition, Jocelyn holds an Executive Director position on the Suicide Story Advisory Group Committee with AMSANT and also on the Central Australian Youth Link-up Service Reference Group. Jocelyn continues to progress her passion within the AOD sector through continuous learning and development activities, together with presenting multiple courses for the community.

Director

Nova Peris OAM is a descendant of the Gija people of East Kimberley, the Yawuru people of West Kimberley & the Gagudju people of West Arnhem Land. While Nova’s achievements as an international athlete brought attention to the potential of Aboriginal women, undoubtedly it was her explosive time in Federal Parliament which showcased her desire to improve the lives of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people. She has been, and continues to be, a trailblazer for Aboriginal people, as well as an inspiration to mothers and women of all backgrounds. Nova competed at two Olympics, four World Championships, three Champions Trophy’s and the Commonwealth Games. In Atlanta in 1996, Nova became the first Aboriginal person to win an Olympic Gold Medal as part of the world-dominant Hockeyroos; she also became the first mother since Shirley Strickland, in 1956, to claim Olympic Gold for Australia. Transitioning her hockey career to sprinting, she became a Commonwealth Games Champion in 1998 in the individual 200m and 4x100m relay, making her the only person to win Olympic and Commonwealth Gold in two sports. She remains the only person on the planet to make back to back Olympic Games Finals in different sports at consecutive Olympics! Following a successful athletic career, in 2013, Nova became the first Aboriginal woman elected to the Australian Federal Parliament. During Nova’s senate term of three years, she travelled the length of Australia in her tireless endeavours to champion the causes and struggles facing Aboriginal people throughout the country. Pride in her Aboriginal identity is a vital ingredient in her fight for the rights of all people, Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal alike. She has served in roles that include being an International Indigenous Human Rights Ambassador and also a National Ambassador for Reconciliation Australia. She has actively participated in promotional and advocacy campaigns for domestic violence, youth depression and youth suicide. She was an inaugural Board Member and acted as National Patron for Beyond Blue. Nova has also served as the International Ambassador for the World Health Organisation & Griffith University Youth Suicide Prevention, and as an International Ambassador for Hepatitis Australia. She is the current Ambassador of the Australian Indigenous Education Foundation (AIEF) and the current Patron of the Australian Indigenous Doctors Association (AIDA). Nova has written two autobiographies: Nova — My Story and Nova: Finding My Voice. Nova more recently has had her portrait hung in the Australian Parliament in Canberra, started her own charity, The Nova Peris Foundation, and had her 2.4 metre bronze statue unveiled in Melbourne.

Director

Shari is a Director at the global advisory firm Deloitte where she works with governments, businesses, and not-for-profits to solve complex social and economic challenges, by coaching and supporting clients in the use of design thinking, co-design and business modelling methods. Shari brings deep knowledge in the area of policy design for social innovation, which is the focus of her PhD research at Curtin University. Shari holds a Masters in Community Development, and a Bachelor of Science, majoring in Health Promotion. She joined the Y NT in 2021 as a member of the Governance and Personnel committee, before becoming a Director in 2023. Shari is currently the Chair of the Y NT’s Special Purpose Committee which is exploring options relating to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander governance structures for the YNT to enhance outcomes relating to representation, decision making and service provision.

Chief Executive Officer

Matt is an executive leader with over 20 years’ experience in the not for profit / for purpose sector. Matt has held senior roles across the categories of recreation management, children services, community services, disability, youth, sport, outdoor education / camping, accommodation, international aid/development, and corporate services. Founded on executive level interpersonal qualities and with refined skills in the areas of governance & planning, strategy execution, business development, marketing and general management, Matt has led complex local, state, national and international programs and business operations. Matt’s qualifications include Executive Education at Stanford University School of Business - Not for Profit Leadership; Graduate of Australian Institute of Company Directors; Graduate of the Williamson Community Leadership Program; Fellowship at Leadership Victoria and Advanced Diploma of Management from Sydney University.

Chief Finance Officer

Chenoa is a highly experienced, certified practising account with over 20 years experience specialising in local non-for-profit, financial consultancy and auditing. She has 9 years professional experience working at Deloitte in the Northern Territory, where she provided a wide range of services to local Indigenous and not-for-profit sectors. She has a passion for working in the non-for-profit sector; with organisations that make a meaningful social impact on local communities, particularly young Indigenous communities.

Executive Manager, Children and Family Services

Liz Stiller is an experienced early childhood professional with more than 20 years’ experience working in a broad range of early years settings. Most recently Liz worked with the Department of Education NT as an authorised officer undertaking the assessment and rating of early years services as part of the national quality agenda. Originally from Melbourne, Liz has gained impressive experience working in both NFP and government organisations including Gowrie Victoria and the City of Kingston. Liz is a dynamic early childhood leader with a reputation for ensuring ethical practice and leading teams to achieve their best.

Acting Executive Manager of Youth & Community Services

As the Acting Executive Manager of Youth and Community Services, Leesa is dedicated to empowering young people and local communities in the Northern Territory. Inspired by the resilience and potential of young people, Leesa envisions a world defined by justice, sustainability, equity, and inclusivity. Leesa is instrumental in shaping a transformative vision for the organization, fostering an ecosystem where the potential of young individuals can be fully realized, propelling them towards a future of promise and possibility. She serves as an inspiration to those who believe in the power of compassionate leadership by cultivating a culture of empowerment, personal growth and progress in her team. Drawing on her rich for-purpose sector background, Leesa inspires her team to employ grassroots approaches that address complex societal challenges. With experience spanning Local Government, Professional Advisory, and Finance sectors, she possesses a deep understanding of the intricacies of community development in the Northern Territory. As a visionary executive, Leesa's impact ripples far beyond the organizational sphere, leaving an indelible mark on the lives of the young people and communities with whom she engages.

Patron

His Honour Professor Heggie is the current Chief Administrator of the Northern Territory, appointed in 2023. His Honour accepted a patronage request for the Y Northern Territory in May 2023 and is supportive of our work with children and young people across remote, regional and metropolitan communities in the Northern Territory.

Patron

Sally was a former Chief Administrator of the Northern Territory, and before that was the first woman appointed a Judge of the Supreme Court of the Northern Territory, serving from 1992 to 2009. Sally became our patron when she was Chief Administrator and has remained invested in our work since.