Our Board

In 2007 the Noah’s Ark Board and staff reviewed the organisational goals and capabilities and established a strategic directions blueprint. The opportunity was taken to recruit new Board members and to strengthen governance, financial, staffing and operational policies and procedures.

The new Board comprises:

John Nicholas

Chairman

In 2007, John retired from his position as partner with Ernst and Young and is now a consultant and advisor to a number of organisations.

During his 12 years with Ernst and Young, John was head of the strategic markets division in Perth providing business-consulting advice to mid-sized companies and their executives. In the 11 years prior to joining Ernst and Young, John was a partner with Arthur Andersen and its antecedent firms.

He is currently a Board member and special advisor to Wunan Foundation Inc and a Board member of a number of private companies. John has previously served on the Boards of Foodbank WA Inc; Work Power Inc; Polly Farmer Foundation Inc. and the King’s Park and Botanic Garden Board.

He is a Fellow of the Institute of Chartered Accountants (FCA).

John is married with four adult children and has a particular interest in supporting disadvantaged people in our community.

Bruce Larson

Vice Chairman

Bruce has a mechanical engineering background and retired from his senior executive position with Rio Tinto after 21 years with the company. During this time he gained significant experience across a wide range of mining and related corporate functions. He now provides a consultancy service in strategic and community activities to a range of mining companies.

Bruce is currently chairman of two public companies. He was previously a Board member of Foodbank WA; WA Country Medical Foundation; Rio Tinto Aboriginal Foundation and Rio Tinto Future Fund; and a chairman of the WA Community Development Foundation.

He is a member of the Australian Institute of Company Directors.

Bruce is married with three adult daughters and seven grandchildren, and he enjoys playing golf whenever possible. He has a great interest in helping young people realise their full potential and has been involved in numerous development programs, principally through sport.

Leith Finnie

Secretary/Treasurer

Leith has been a Board member since July 2003. In 1994, she established Par Excellence, a professional presentation company providing high quality support to a wide range of organisations. Her company provides services that result in high quality tenders, corporate documents, reports and presentation materials. Her clients include large corporations, government agencies and the business community.

Leith is married with two adult children and four grandchildren. Her interest in Noah’s Ark lies in helping the organisation to reach its full potential.

Val McKelvey

Board Member

Val has worked in the education arena in both Australia and the UK for a number of years. She is currently working with the Catholic Education Office of WA as part of the Students With Disabilities team to support teachers of students with disabilities in schools in WA.

Val has been involved with not-for-profit disability/education organisations for several years and was previously a Board member of the Autism Association of WA as well as past president of Noah’s Ark. She is currently vice president of the Australian Association of Special Education and President of the Western Australian chapter. Val is a past member of the Autism Council of Australia.

After working previously as the manager of Childrens’ Services for the Autism Association of WA, Val developed a particular interest in school students with autism.

 

Marie Yuncken

Board Member

Marie is a recently retired occupational therapist having spent 20 years in developmental paediatrics at the WA State Child Development Centre. She now works part time as a private consultant with the Wembley Early Years group.

Marie joined Noah’s Ark Toy Library Committee in 1993, was president for five years from 1995.

During this time she has been active with many community organisations. She served on the Kidsafe WA Board from 1999 to 2008, the Kidsafe National Council, the Developmental Occupational Therapy Group (Treasurer), and the Board of Wesley Mission Perth.

Marie is currently involved in children’s holiday activity programs with the Mowanjum, Derby community and is a member of the Mission Planning Commission of the Uniting Church.

She is married with three adult children and one grandchild.