Our people

As Operations Manager, Gail Parker leads the team that optimises the systems, processes and services of the Summer Foundation. The team is responsible for ensuring simple, accessible and organised systems and processes are in place so staff can effectively deliver the organisation’s strategy.

Recently Gail has been involved in the introduction of the Dynamics 365 CRM, the permanent contracts project and the review and update of policies to ensure compliance.

Before joining the Summer Foundation Gail was Director Pathways and Test Operations at RMIT Training where she was responsible for system and process improvements, compliance, data analysis, student counselling, financial management and HR. Her team also provided enrolment advice to the diverse mix of international students in a highly regulated arena.

Tamsin Wilson is responsible for supporting the Summer Foundation in a variety of human resource related functions, including recruitment and HR processes and systems improvement. She has played a large role in recruitment, onboarding and induction of new staff, updating and refreshing contract templates, reviewing a variety of HR processes, as well as policy reviews.

Tamsin has worked in human resources for many years, specialising in learning and development, and organisation-wide development. She has worked for local, state and federal governments, as well as not-for-profit organisations.

Bachelor of Business, Graduate Diploma Secondary Education, Cert IV HRM, OHS & Training and Development

Wishna Gunaratnam works collaboratively across the Summer Foundation to develop, manage and support the full range of People and Capability programs and services. She is part of a small team providing advice to key stakeholders to support the Summer Foundation to attract, develop, train and retain quality, skilled and engaged employees and drive a culture that reflects our values.

Wishna has worked in the for-purpose sector for the past 9 years and brings valuable knowledge to the team. She has worked in both accounting and human resources, as well as being a casual relief teacher and working in customer service.

Diploma of Community Services 2019, Mental Health First Aid Certificate 2020, Access Consultant Cert IV 2020 (Current), Diploma of Community Development 1999

As People and Capability Support Officer, Brigid works on systems and projects that build capacity for people with disability, enabling a greater degree of choice and control. These projects involve people with disability and lived experiences, enabling enhanced project outcomes to be achieved. Brigid has worked on a variety of projects, including a collaborative HR project with the Housing Hub and Lived Experience team, responding to the Incoming Call Register, the Phone Outreach Project, and contributing to the Staying Connected webpage.

Brigid had a dramatic life change where she became a paraplegic. This led to a diversification of her career and developed a distinct focus on creating positive change for people with disability. In her career, she has worked at Liberty Resources in the USA as an advocate for people with disability in aged care. Brigid was also on the Victorian Paralympic Committee as a Project Coordinator, as well as working at the Austin Hospital and Banyule Council.

Graduate Certificate Social Investment and Philanthropy, Bachelor of Applied Science Hons (Planning)

Jocelyn Geary joined the Summer Foundation in 2019 to identify and progress opportunities to gain support for our work, and measure its impact.

Jocelyn is passionate about social justice, equity, and human rights. Her career has spanned both the corporate and not-for-profit sectors. She is motivated to achieve social impact through effective partnerships.

Julie Gibson manages all Summer Foundation facilities, resources and maintenance needs as part of her role as Operations Coordinator. She also oversees the organisation’s systems provision and development and provides administration support.

Julie joined the Summer Foundation in 2011. She previously worked as a dental nurse and in admin support for an education sector company for 13 years. While raising her children she also ran the school canteen and a pizza shop.

Liz works to support the Summer Foundation to attract, develop, train and retain quality, skilled and engaged employees. Liz contributes to driving a culture that reflects the values of the Summer Foundation and builds capability requirements for the Summer Foundation’s current and future needs.

Liz’s brings her experience in HR from variety of roles within the Victoria Government, the not-for-profit sector and FMCG environments.

Chartered institute of Management Accounting (CIMA) – United Kingdom

Mariam Matta looks after the Summer Foundation’s management and financial accounting, tax control and all reporting for projects and teams. She is also responsible for reporting for the Executive Team and the Summer Foundation Board, as well as budgeting and forecasting, overseeing and approving payroll, accounts payable and receivable. Mariam also looks after the financial aspects of all major projects.

Mariam has previously worked at major companies in the UK, engaging in management, financial and reporting accounting roles. In Australia, she has worked in the education sector and hospitality sector.

Diploma in Information Technology (Support), Cert IV in Information Technology (General), Certificate III in Information, Digital Media and Technology, Bachelor Degree in Information Technology (Deferred) – Newcastle University (Callaghan), Prepare to Work Safely in the Construction Industry (White Card)

Brandon’s role as the IT Support and Accounts Officer is to support the IT infrastructure of the Summer Foundation. This helps to ensure the smooth operation of the organisation’s IT systems in order to provide maximum performance and availability. Brandon’s role comprises of a range of duties and tasks, including IT support, training, maintenance and collaboration between Summer Foundation teams. Brandon has assisted on a range of projects, including the Housing Hub website, a new CRM and a new Intranet for the Summer Foundation.

Brandon started his career by assisting in the construction of new FITZI technology systems for Athlete’s Foot stores. He then worked for a high school, providing students and teachers with IT support, network setup and deployment of new IT equipment. Brandon has also worked as a Tech Bar Specialist for Telstra, performing a range of functions and tasks.

Neroli Padfield is responsible for 2 key roles at the Summer Foundation – managing accounts payable and accounts receivable, as well as managing monthly and fortnightly payroll.

Neroli has worked for large organisations such as Kambrook and MYOB, as well as working for small, family run businesses.