Meet our board
These expert minds are the passionate leadership team that make up the Waves of Wellness Board of Directors…
TIM OLDHAM
Chairman
Tim is an ex-banker specialising in risk management, returning to Oz from Hong Kong in 2020. He is a Non-Executive Director of Bank of China Australia Limited and Indue Limited. He loves the way WOW delivers practical results for those needing support and that our approach is supported by solid clinical research. He calls it a winning combination of heart and head! You’ll find him surfing anywhere with an open-faced left hander, a gentle offshore and ideally with his son as a surf buddy. And if you were wondering, Tim tells us you CAN surf in Hong Kong… if you search hard enough and are very patient!
STEVE BRENNEN
Director
Steve is a devoted father of two daughters and an accomplished professional in business growth. Originally from the UK but now calling Australia home, he possesses a deep personal understanding of the hurdles associated with mental health, igniting his passion for the cause. Steve's career spans pivotal C-level positions in globally recognized companies like PayPal, Uber, eBay, Virgin, and Zip, where he played a pivotal role in propelling three of these brands to industry-leading status. When not immersed in professional endeavors, Steve enjoys the coastal lifestyle of Bondi, Sydney, where he can be found riding the waves and savoring moments with his daughters.
ELIZABETH STRATFORD
Director
Libby comes from a background in Finance, as the Chief Financial Officer at UNSW Sydney she is responsible for the University’s financial direction and management. Prior to this, Libby has been a Senior Executive in the NSW Government and held senior leadership roles in the Justice, Communities, Arts, Education, Treasury and Health portfolios. Originally from Dubbo, Libby grew up far from the ocean, yet her awareness of the significant Mental Health strain on the community led her to the board of directors at WOW. When Libby isn’t crunching numbers or offering financial advice, you’ll find her snuggled up with her two chihuahuas - Josie and Javier - her self-expressed ‘replacement children’.
PHILIP WARD
Deputy Chairman
Phil is a clinical neuroscientist and UNSW professor of psychiatry who has always loved body surfing. Since working with Joel Pilgrim in 2013, Phil has been blown away by the positive outcomes that surf therapy can achieve for people living with mental health challenges. Phil is a passionate advocate for building the evidence base for this novel therapy and is inspired by the positive vibe that surrounds WOW and the people who support it.
HELEN JENKINS
Director
Helen embarked on a portfolio career in Oz after spending decades abroad as a corporate lawyer working in Europe and China. She loves the energy, sense of purpose and the depth of research and experience that are the pillars supporting WOW. Not to mention the joy and connection among program participants and facilitators. When she’s not working you’ll find her at Elwood beach on Port Philip Bay, where she is gently easing herself into year-round open water swimming. She also backs herself as a trivia master, so long as the music questions are capped at the nineties!
SARAH PATEL
Director
Sarah is a Registered Psychologist, with experience in HR, Leadership Development and Change Management. As an Executive Manager at Westpac and mum of 2 daughters, Sarah uses meditation, yoga, and hiking to help keep her mind, body and spirit balanced. Sarah became part of the Waves of Wellness tribe through her passion for helping others be the best version of themselves, and her belief in the power of nature to heal and inspire. Sarah says there’s nothing more grounding than sand between your toes and a deep breath of salt air…before you get dunked by the next wave.
LINDSEY EVANS
Director
Bio coming soon!
CO-FOUNDERS
CASSANDRA VUJOVICH-DUNN
Co-Founder
Cass is an epidemiologist and public health researcher. She holds a doctorate in Epidemiology and a Master of International Public Health. She brings 15 years’ experience in community based social and health programs. She has worked for several non-profit organisations, including co-founding the Waves of Wellness Foundation in 2016.
JOEL PILGRIM
Co-Founder/ CEO
Joel is a keen surfer of 20+ years, who is known to get webbed feet at times from excess time in the big blue. If he could sleep in the ocean, he would. Joel is a Mental Health Occupational Therapist, in the past working primarily with young people experiencing First Episode Psychosis. He’s extremely passionate about changing the mental health landscape, and talks surf therapy in his sleep. Our little secret – Joel loves musicals!
Meet OUr Team
These are the passionate people working tirelessly to make the magic happen at Waves of Wellness …
HEATHER LYNN
General Manager
Heather has 17+ years of experience in the non-profit sector, managing and delivering programs that are focused on engaging, empowering, and addressing the needs of diverse communities. She is a qualified yoga and mindfulness teacher and has a Bachelor of Behavioural Science and Bachelor of Arts (Social Justice) under her belt. Her side hustle was once running a vintage market on her rooftop and plying visitors with cupcakes as they came through!
OLIVIA HAMPSON
Programs Coordinator
Liv has a Bachelor of Psychological Science and Bachelor of Commerce (HR Major) from the University of Wollongong. She has a passion for making a difference and breaking the stigma surrounding mental health which led her to WOW. Plus, as an avid ocean swimmer she believes in the power of the big blue! When she’s not working/studying/swimming you’ll find her in the kitchen cooking up a storm.
LOUISE INGOE
Chief Financial Officer
Louise studied a Bachelor of Accounting (Honours) from Charles Darwin University while living in Alice Springs. She was drawn to WOW by its potential, recognising the effort we put into making a difference. Although she lives in Canberra she has fond memories of swimming in the hot springs in Mataranka and the waterfalls of Litchfield park. When she’s not striking numbers you’ll find her striking out at a tenpin bowling alley. Louise is a champion bowler, representing Australia 3 times!
EMILY QUAIN
Executive Assistant
Emily is Dancer turned Corporate Concierge turned Executive Assistant. Emily’s incredible passion for helping people, and changing the narrative of mental health drew her to the role at WOW. Growing up in Sydney, she loved getting out of the city and finding a beautiful beach away from the hustle and bustle (actually, it’s still one of her favourite activities). Fun fact: Emily is a massive music nerd - so much so that she can never choose between her Apple Music and Spotify accounts!
AMY BROWN
Training & Development Manager
Amy is a registered psychologist who's passion is finding fresh ways to support mental health. Amy is a firm believer in constantly learning and trying new things, mixing old methods with new ideas. Growing up by the ocean, Amy knows the power of the big blue in being able to reset and provide new perspective. While she's not exactly a surfing champ (who needs to be when you're having a blast?), she's all about stand-up paddling and swimming. And when she's not working, you'll find her chilling with family, friends, and her pup at the beach.
BECCA TIKEY
Partnerships Manager
Bio coming soon!
ROSIE O’NEILL
Fundraising and Campaigns
Rosie is a lover of all things ocean related, be it swimming, paddle boarding, free diving, or attempting to surf. Some say she’s more fish than human! Rosie is a SUP and yoga teacher and is passionate about getting people active in nature to support their health and wellbeing. With a background in brand marketing and community fundraising she is excited to have found WOW to put these skills to good use and help more people access the mental health support they need.
MADDY BARTLETT
Facilitator Newcastle
Bio coming soon!
MILLIE POUTAMA
Social Media & Content Creator
Millie is a Senior Marketing Manager & Project Manager with 15+ years of experience working with household names such as Nike. She has worked at some of the most renowned agencies in Sydney & London. Following the birth of her first child Tide she suffered unexpectedly from post-natal anxiety which led her to shift her focus towards helping people. As a keen surfer and an ocean lover, Waves of Wellness was the obvious choice. Millie lives in her eco-off-grid house in the forest and enjoys growing vegetables and playing with her chickens. She is a passionate activist for a number of causes.
ROB O’HARA
Facilitator Newcastle
Rob has a Bachelor's degree in Psychology and Philosophy from the University of Sydney. After volunteering for Waves of Wellness during his undergraduate studies, he has now joined the team as a program facilitator. Rob grew up in Bathurst NSW, but spent much time surfing on the south coast of Victoria. He loves sharing the stoke with others in the water and searching for uncrowded waves along the Australian coastline. He's also a passionate ukulele player at an advanced beginner level.
BEN CAMILLERI
Facilitator Newcastle
Country-boy Ben studied psychology at Charles Sturt Uni in Wagga Wagga and spends his time as a mental health worker at Flourish. Although he grew up on a farm in Cootamundra, he learned to surf on annual road trips to Ulladulla. Ben still loves to get away from the busy spots and counts Seal Rocks as his favourite wave to surf in the world. When he’s not in the water you may find him rollerblading behind a dog.
KELLY WRIGHT
Facilitator Newcastle
Kelly has a background in teaching, social work, and integrative nutrition. The facilitator role at WOW stood out to Kelly as she was able to combine the joys of surfing with therapy to enhance the lives of others. While she originally hailed from Sydney, she’s called many places home throughout her life. When she’s up on the QLD beaches, Birubi and Currumbin are her go-to surf spots (with a self proclaimed soft spot for that warmer water!) In a previous life, Kelly had a stint as a circus performer, and when she’s not by the sea, you'll often find her gracefully suspended in aerial silks, defying gravity.
JO HALL
Facilitator Sydney
Bio coming soon!
EMILY HEREMIA Facilitator Sydney
BIO COMING SOON!
FIONA LAKOS
Facilitator Sydney
Bio coming soon!
SIMON JOHNSTON
Facilitator Sydney
Simon is one of our legendary volunteers turned facilitators, having been a phenomenal presence in the Bondi programs for many years. He studied Exercise Science at Sydney Uni and went on to do a GradDip of Psychology at Monash. Simon learnt to surf in the gentle waves of Byron Bay and took it back to his home town of Sydney's northern beaches, although he counts the South Coast of NSW as the best place to shred. He also works for a speech/communication tech start up and has scars on his arm from a tiger attack (or a quad biking accident as a child... depending on who asks!).
PAUL KONY
Facilitator Sunshine Coast
Meet Paul, armed with a Bachelor of Science from the University of Melbourne and a Master of Public Health degree from the University of Queensland, he’s more than just a wave rider. Originally from the chilly South Coast of Victoria, Paul now calls Noosa home, sharing his love of surfing and passion for wellbeing through WOW. His favourite surf spot is still the hidden gem and quiet beach town of Mallacoota in Victoria’s north-east coast. Beyond the waves, Paul is passionate about community development, mental health, and fostering well-being through surfing, all while maintaining a quiet admiration for Chicken Joe from Surfs Up.
WILL DENNIS
Facilitator Sunshine Coast
Will’s background is in high school PE teaching and he’s a Level 2 Surf coach with 20 years of surfing behind him. He has travelled the world surf coaching and teaching, and loves the positivity and perspective surfing can bring into people's lives. Will lives by the motto "If in doubt, paddle out" and draws inspiration daily from his two biggest heroes; Mary Poppins and Kanye West.
ABBY HINCKS
Facilitator Wollongong
Abby studied a Bachelor of Occupational Therapy (Honours) at the University of Newcastle (following the path of OG Joel Pilgrim!) and works as a paediatric OT in a private practice, helping young people and their families to participate in life to the fullest. She's a born and bred Coastie, learning to surf with her dad and now spending most of her time surfing at Wamberal, Macmasters and Avoca (where she previously ran WOW programs). She was once a barista and likes to consider herself a bit of a coffee connoisseur - she'll be sure to give you a very detailed review on any coffee!
JAMES CUMMINS
Facilitator Central Coast
James is an Accredited Exercise Physiologist & Exercise Scientist, currently studying a Post GradDip in Psychology. He first caught our eye as the Founder of The Positivity Project - designing and delivering wellbeing projects in schools, community and business sectors. He’s a country boy, born and bred in Dubbo, but headed east to learn to surf in North Bondi. While he grew up riding horses and chasing cattle in the Central West, NSW he now loves riding foamies and chasing waves on the Central Coast, NSW.
TRACEY POWER
Facilitator Ballina
Tracey joined the WOW family in 2019 bringing her experience as a social worker and training in counselling. She has experience with depression, anxiety, relationships and conflict resolution - not to mention her skills in what she calls ‘beginner surfing’! Tracey counts her closest beach, Seven Mile Beach, as her favourite for a swim, surf or even sea kayaking. Every morning she inflicts her chooks with her halting, badly phrased French, yet they still lay eggs!
DONNA HORAN
Facilitator Wollongong
Donna studied Occupational Therapy at Sydney Uni and a Master of Public Health at Wollongong Uni. When she’s not bringing the WOW factor to the ‘Gong she works in Community OT, mainly in aged care and dementia support. She learnt the art of surfing along the East Coast of NSW and has since ridden waves in Mexico and Indonesia. These days you’ll find her at her local break, Sandon Point. She also likes to pretend she’s the same age as her kids, learning new things with them along the way, thus she’s a very amateur skateboarder, bass guitarist and soccer player!
MARTIN SALINAS
Facilitator Gold Coast
Martin hails from Chile where he gained a Bachelor in Psychology and a Masters in Organisational Psychology at Universidad Adolfo Ibanez. Since moving to Oz he has studied Fitness, Strength & Conditioning and picked up a Diploma in Sport Development, learning how powerful exercise can be in the journey of healing and personal change. He grew up surfing the freezing waters of Chile but these days prefers a cosy corner in Northern NSW. While he’s a frother by day, at night he tapes his mouth up make sure he breathes through his nose!
NICHOLAS KLEEMAN
Facilitator Melbourne
Bio coming soon!
SAM STONE
Clinical Pyschologist
Sam is a passionate clinical psychologist registrar who shares a huge passion for the ocean. He has experience helping people with a wide range of mental health struggles and loves combining two of his biggest passions - psychology and surfing. He completed his Masters in Clinical Psychology in 2020 and is also currently undertaking a PhD. Sam began facilitating for WOW in Perth but has since reallocated to the chillier waters of Melbourne, where he works at The Royal Melbourne Hospital. He loves chatting about all things to do with sport and music. Don't let his pommy accent fool you, he feels most at home by the water, and loves the sense of accomplishment and fun learning to surf provides.
See yourself here?
If you’d like to explore the idea of joining the WOW team we’d love to hear from you.
HONORARY LIFETIME MEMBERS
David Rothwell
Natasha Smale
Paul Borrud