
Unity Housing has a team of committed and highly skilled Board dedicated to leading the organisation, optimising performance and ensuring compliance with legal requirements. The contributions of our professional, multi-skilled and committed Board deliver a sound governance structure and ensure a strategic platform to take Unity Housing forward.
In collaboration with Executive and staff, the Board has developed these key strategic pillars for Unity Housing:
1. Empower Tenants
2. Develop Housing Portfolio
3. Strengthen People and Culture
4. Enhance Business Capacity
5. Nurture Partnerships

Leigh Garrett
Chairman. Director since 2008
Qualifications
Master of Business Administration; Bachelor of Education, Graduate Diploma of Occupational Health Safety and Welfare, Fellow of the Australian Institute of Company Directors, Fellow of the Australian Institute of Management
Experience
Leigh is the Chief Executive Officer of OARS Community Transitions and the Centre for Restorative Justice. He is a Non-Executive Director of the Australian Crime Prevention Council and National Indigenous Intervention Network Inc. Leigh is also a Life Member of SACOSS; a Life Member of Restorative Practices International; a Life Member of National Association of Community and Restorative Justice USA; and a Member of the European Forum of Restorative Justice.
Special Responsibilities
Chair of Governance, Nomination and Remuneration Committee.

Richard Willson
Director since 2008
Qualifications
Bachelor of Accounting; Fellow of CPA Australia; Fellow of the Australian Institute of Company Directors
Experience
Richard is an experienced Non-Executive Director, Company Secretary and Chief Financial Officer with more than 20 years’ experience predominantly within the mining and agricultural sectors for both publicly listed and private companies. Richard is a Non-Executive Director of Titomic Limited (ASX:TTT); Clara Resources Australia Limited (ASX:C7A); Thomson Resources Limited (ASX:TMZ); PNX Metals Limited (ASX:PNX); MedTEC Holdings Ltd; and Unity Housing Company Limited, and is Company Secretary of a number of ASX listed companies. Richard is the Chairman of the Audit Committee of Titomic Limited and Clara Resources Australia Limited, and is the Chairman of the Remuneration & Nomination Committee of Titomic Limited.
Special Responsibilities
Chairman of Finance and Audit Committee, Member of Governance, Nomination and Remuneration Committee.

Sacha Wainwright
Director since 2009
Qualifications
Bachelor of Laws/Bachelor of Economics (Australian National University); Graduate Diploma in Legal Practice; Graduate Australian Institute of Company Directors
Experience
Sacha is General Counsel for the Drakes Supermarket Group providing legal advice and support across all aspects of the business including compliance, risk and general corporate/commercial issues. She is a Board member of SA Olympic Council and Football SA. Sacha was previously a partner in the Commercial Property division of Minter Ellison providing advice to large national companies. Her experience includes the provision of legal advice in the areas of property and business acquisitions, property development, leasing and infrastructure projects.
Special Responsibilities
Member Governance, Nomination and Remuneration Committee.

Karen Janiszewski
Director since 2016
Qualifications
Bachelor of Science (Building); Graduate Diploma of Property; Fellow of the Australian Institute of Company Directors
Experience
Karen has 30 years of construction and development experience gained in private companies, public companies and government. She is Chair of Royal Melbourne Showgrounds, Chair of Biosciences Research Centre, and is a Board member of the Queen Elizabeth Centre and Melbourne Polytechnic. Karen was previously Director, Affordable Housing, Lend Lease Communities and has also held the role of Project Director of Kensington Banks, and has managed hotel, commercial and residential developments. Karen has led teams on project acquisitions and tenders. Previously, Karen was a Board member of King and Godfree Pty Ltd, Embracia and Uniting AgeWell, as well as an Advisory Board Member to the University of Adelaide’s Centre for Housing Urban and Regional Planning.
Special Responsibilities
Chairperson of Property Committee; Member of Finance and Audit Committee

Yvonne Sneddon
Director since 2016
Qualifications
Bachelor of Accounting; Fellow of the Australian Institute of Company Directors; Fellow of Chartered Accountants Australia and New Zealand
Experience
Yvonne is a professional non-executive Company Director, previously a partner at Deloitte and Ferrier Hodgson. Yvonne left private practice in 2004 to become a professional company director. She has more than 35 years’ experience in governance, financial reporting and commercial advice in both the private and public sectors. Yvonne has been a Director and Chair of a number of audit, governance and risk committees in the private and public sectors.
Special Responsibilities
Member of Finance and Audit Committee

David Spear
Director since 2017
Qualifications
Fellow of the Australian Institute of Company Directors; Fellow of the Australian Institute of Management; 2013 Alumni Harvard Business School Governance Program
Experience
David is a professional Company Director and Corporate Governance Consultant with national consulting firm VUCA Pty Ltd. David has more than 30 years’ experience in commercial business management, now including significant directorship experience over the last 15 years. He is currently Chairman of Tyre Stewardship Australia; Chairman of Office Brands Australia; Chairman of McLaren Vale Grape, Wine, Tourism Association; Central Adelaide Waste and Recycling Authority; and Director of VUCA Pty Ltd. David is a Fellow of the Australian Institute of Company Directors, an Alumni member of Harvard Business School Governance program 2013 and a former SA/NT State Director of the Australian Institute of Company Directors.
Special Responsibilities
Member Governance; Nomination and Remuneration Committee

Richard McLachlan
Director since 2018
Qualifications
Bachelor of Business in Property; Graduate Diploma in Marketing; Member – Australian Institute of Company Directors
Experience
Richard is currently Development Director for Australian Unity’s $1.1b Herston Quarter redevelopment project in Brisbane, Queensland. Richard has significant governance, strategy and stakeholder management experience, and has held Executive leadership roles with Defence SA and Renewal SA and has had direct responsibility for the delivery of significant project initiatives, including the development of the Techport Australia Maritime Industry Precinct, the Adelaide Riverbank Precinct Implementation Plan, and the Tonsley Innovation District. Richard also has significant non-executive experience as a Director of ECH Inc. and St Andrew’s Hospital Adelaide.
Special Responsibilities
Member Property Committee

Michele Smith
Director since 2022
Qualifications
Registered Nurse; Graduate Certificate Health Management; Fellow Australasian College of Health Service Managers; Certified Healthcare Executive; Member Australian Institute Company Directors
Experience
Michele is a Certified Healthcare Executive and Professional Company Director with 36 years’ experience in the health and human services industry. She is the inaugural Governing Board Chair of the Eyre Far North Local Health Network in SA; Non-Executive Director on the Boards of NSW based Rural and Remote Medical Services (RARMS); Voluntary Assisted Dying Review; and CARA Inc; member of RARMS risk and audit committee; member of the State-wide Clinical Services Committee, a subsidiary of the Central Adelaide Local Health Network Board (RAH) which governs the state-wide services of SA Pathology, SA Medical Imaging, Breast Screen SA, SA Dental Services and SA Pharmacy. Michele is a Registered Nurse; Fellow of the Australasian College of Health Service Management; and member of the Australian Institute of Company Directors.
Special Responsibilities
Member of Governance; Nomination and Remuneration Committee

Gregg Ryan
Director since 2022
Qualifications
Master of Business Administration; Graduate Certificate in Public Policy (Economics); Bachelor of Social Work
Experience
An experienced public administrator in human services, particularly in social housing, mental health and children’s services, Gregg has worked for Federal and State Governments, as well as for the City of Adelaide. For eight years to 2020, Gregg managed not-for-profit housing policy and financing, program and project management for the South Australian Housing Trust. He continues his involvement in community housing, urban renewal and community development as a director, consultant and in a voluntary capacity.
Special Responsibilities
Member Property Committee
Executive Team
Unity Housing’s day-to-day activities are managed by the Chief Executive Officer and supported by our Executive Team and a range of professional and dedicated staff.

Matthew Woodward
Chief Executive Officer
Responsibilities
The Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Unity Housing is responsible for the implementation of the organisation’s strategic, business and risk management plans and for ensuring that Unity Housing meets its legal, contractual, financial, compliance and performance objectives within its strategic framework and in accordance with our philosophy, purpose and mission.

Paul Reardon
Chief Operations Officer
Responsibilities
The Chief Operations Officer (COO) is responsible for providing high-level leadership to ensure the effective delivery of property and tenancy management services that are supported by Unity Housing’s community and tenant engagement strategy.

Ian Elsegood
Chief Financial Officer
Responsibilities
The Chief Financial Officer (CFO) is responsible for finance and centralised administration; enhancing business capacity through the delivery of support services and structure; ICT managed services; and providing professional analysis of opportunities and proposals.

Adam Mellow
Executive Manager Assets and Development
Responsibilities
The Executive Manager Assets and Development (EMAD) is responsible for development and delivery of Unity Housing’s strategic and practical asset management program, which includes maintenance and property management, acquisitions, developments and disposals.

Warrick Dillon
Executive Manager Group Services
Responsibilities
The Executive Manager Group Services (EMGS) is responsible for providing corporate expert advice and support in meeting Unity Housing’s strategic objectives and deliverables in relation to Corporate Communications and Marketing; Human Resources; and Quality Assurance.