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Leadership

The National Board of Special Olympics Australia guide the strategic direction of the organisation and the CEO leads and directs the Executive Team, staff and the network of clubs, coaches and volunteers.

National Board Members

Andrew Richardson (Chair)

Andrew was appointed to the Special Olympics Australia Board in February 2020, Deputy Chair of the Board in 2022 and Chair in 2024. He holds degrees in law and computer science from the University of NSW and an MBA from the University of Rochester in New York.

Andrew has deep board and governance experience and is a Fellow of the Australian Institute of Company Directors. He has served as a non-executive director on a variety of for-purpose boards including National Disability Services, Down Syndrome NSW and Scope Australia. Andrew was appointed Managing Director and CEO of House with No Steps (now Aruma) in 2006 after holding a range of senior corporate roles and spending five years as a management consultant with McKinsey & Company. He led the organisation through a period of major cultural change, modernisation and growth before stepping down as CEO in 2022.

Special Olympics has played a big role in Andrew’s life. His daughter Louise has been a Special Olympics athlete for 30 years. Andrew has held a range of voluntary Club Committee and Sport roles during this time. He and his wife Janette currently manage and coach their local Club Bocce team.

Andrew is passionate about the difference that Special Olympics can make in the lives of people with an intellectual disability or autism and their families. He wants to see many more people benefit from Special Olympics in the years to come.


 

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Anna Mezger OAM (Vice Chair, GAICD)

Anna has 30 years’ experience in human resources, learning development, facilitation and project management. She is the founder and Director of Strategic HR Solutions. She is a graduate of the Australian Institute of Company Directors, has post graduate diplomas in Governance and Human Resource Development and holds Bachelor degrees in Commerce and Arts. Anna has a sister with an intellectual disability and a son who is a Special Olympics athlete at Melbourne Inner East Club. This first-hand experience motivates Anna’s commitment to promoting healthy, active lifestyles for people with intellectual disabilities and endorsing Special Olympics Australia as a vehicle for achievement, community engagement and inclusion. Anna is the Vice Chair of the Board and Chair of the Nominations and Remuneration Committee.

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Nicolé Banks (GAICD)

Nicolé has over 30 years of global business leadership experience across mining, consumer goods and real estate sectors. She brings strategic expertise in strategy, finance, technology, business transformation, risk management and organisational capability development, and holds qualifications from the Australian Institute of Company Directors and Cambridge Judge School of Business, and a Bachelor of Commerce. Nicolé is a mentor with the Minerva Network and is passionate about mentoring emerging leaders while advancing inclusive communities through sport. Her commitment to community sport spans decades in Australia and Singapore. As a netball coach and as a founding Board Member of Touch Singapore, she championed affordable access to players to build community connection and provide opportunities for all.

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Angela Braido 

Angela’s involvement in Special Olympics started in 2017 just before the national selections for Adelaide. Angela attended the Adelaide National Games in 2018 followed by a selection for the 2019 Special Olympics World Summer Games in Abu Dhabi. Angela’s basketball team won a gold medal against Spain.

After participating in the World Games, in 2022 Angela received the Australian Sports Medal, which was presented to her at a Special Olympics Gala luncheon by the ACT Disability Minister. In the same year, she also became an athlete leader where she has been actively involved in basketball training supporting athletes to grow their skills.

Angela loves being involved her local community, whether she’s volunteering or advocating for people with intellectual disabilities. Angela is an advocate for people with an intellectual disability in Canberra. She co- facilitates the Confident Speakers program since 2019 at the ACT Down Syndrome and Intellectual Disability Association. She works part-time the Australian Public Service. She values spending time with her family and friends. She enjoys painting, watching movies, travelling and going on bush walks.

Tanya Brown (GAICD)

Tanya is a Director of Hardie Finance Corporation and Entertainment Enterprises, running a diverse Family Office comprising a major commercial property portfolio, multiple hospitality venues and largescale festivals, employing a fluctuating workforce of staff and contractors across 6 core businesses, with extensive relationships and diverse stakeholders. Educated as a graduate from the Australian Institute of Company Directors, Harvard University Business School, University of WA and Methodist Ladies College, with experience from 25 years working in the property and hospitality industries in Australia and a further 2 years in the UK.

Tanya has previously served as Chair of the Special Olympics Australia World Games Perth 2027, member of Special Olympics Australia FARM committee and member of Special Olympics Western Australia, leading major fundraising campaigns to further the Special Olympics mission.

Competitive in sport at various stages throughout her own life across equestrian, tennis, volleyball, hockey and softball together with 7 years of classical ballet and daily yoga, Tanya believes in the transformational power of physical activity and sport and the role it has to play in a more inclusive Australia and world.

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Keiran Corry

Keiran has been an active member of Special Olympics for just over 20 years. As a swimmer he competed in many club, state, national and international events. He has been a mentor for young athletes at the Junior National Games and has also served in roles such as official and marshal at State events. As an athlete leader Keiran brings a common-sense approach to the expectations of athletes. During the COVID pandemic he contacted athletes via zoom and teleconference to check on mental health and safety. He always advocates for his fellow athletes and believes that the athletes voices must be heard and considered.

Dr Jill Rathborne

Jill has 20 years’ experience as an astronomy research scientist. She helped establish the national program to improve gender equity in STEM in Australia’s higher education and research sector and was the Director of Research for The Inclusive Organisation. She is currently a Founder of a tech company whose mission is to empower SMEs to be more successful through the use of sustainability. She brings to the Board her passion for both inclusion and sport. Jill is a member of the Nominations and Remuneration Committee.

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Jehad Rasheed

Jehad has a Promotional Marketing background and has served on the Australasian Promotional Products Association Board. Dedicated to advancing education and coaching and enhancing the community, Jehad was the Chair of the 2018 Special Olympics National Games held in Adelaide, is on the 2026 National Games Advisory Board and has been an active supporter of Special Olympics South Australia over the past 17 years.

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Richard Timbs (GAICD)

Richard is the CEO of CatholicCare Sydney. He is an experienced business executive and has held senior roles in both the private and public sectors. He is passionate about sport and a big believer in its connection to health and wellbeing. Richard has been involved with sport for much of his life as player, coach, volunteer and administrator. Richard is a director of Cricket NSW where he has been on the Board since 2017. He has served on a several board sub-committees including the Audit & Risk committee, Remuneration and Nominations committee and Constitutional Review committee. He has previously volunteered with the National Indigenous Sports Foundation, promoting health and wellbeing through sport for indigenous communities.

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Nic Watkins (GAICD)

Nic is an experienced sports administrator with a strong background in governance, digital transformation, and community sport. He has held leadership roles at club, local government, state, and national levels, combining hands-on involvement with strategic oversight. Professionally, Nic works at the intersection of sport and technology, helping sporting organisations improve systems, governance, and participant experiences through innovative digital solutions. He is deeply committed to unlocking the positive impact of sport for all Australians - championing inclusion, participation, and stronger pathways to ensure sport remains a powerful force for connection, confidence, and community.

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Scott Whyte APM

Scott is the President of Law Enforcement Torch Run (LETR) NSW and a recently elected member of the Special Olympics Australia Board (2025). A former Detective Superintendent, Scott brings over three decades of experience from his 32-year career with the NSW Police Force. His long-standing commitment to inclusion and deep connection to our movement through LETR make him a passionate advocate for people with intellectual disability and autism.

CEO & Executive

Chief Executive Officer

Jamie O'Connor

 

General Manager, Sport, Participation & Programs

Yvonne Snell 
 

General Manager, Marketing

Amy Miller

General Manager, Major Events and Partnerships

Katie James

General Manager Operations, Member Services and Integrity

Brad Mitchell