Board and Team

First Step Leadership Team

First Step’s Leadership Team provides collaborative, cross departmental advice and insights into operating a unique organisation with a complex clientele.

Patrick Lawrence, CEO
Benn Veenker, Manager ResetLife
Gayle Wood, Operations Manager
Dr Peter Wright, GP
Joe Fishburn RPN, Manager Mental Health Services
Kym Coupe, Team Leader Mental Health Services
Nelly Katsnelson, Fundraising and Engagement Manager
Tania Wolff, Director of Legal Services

First Step Board

First Step is governed by a Board of Directors – a diverse group of leaders who bring a variety of talents, experiences and expertise to the governance of First Step.

The Board works closely with our Leadership Team to guide their decision-making on strategic issues and hold them to account for their leadership of the organisation.

Dr Gyu Lee

Gyu works as a doctor for Monash Health embarking on psychiatry specialist training. He has worn many hats along the way before his current role as a psychiatry registrar. He joins the...

Patrick Lawrence

CEO

After an early career as a classical pianist and vocal coach, Patrick transitioned to the world of social justice through volunteering in the humanitarian sector. He joined First Step as a...

Catherine Easton

GAICD, MSF, BBus, DipTeach(Prim)

Catherine has worked in both the commercial and for-purpose sectors in service delivery, transformation and shared service roles and has over 15 years board experience. She is a...

David Donnelly

David is an experienced commercial lawyer who leads the Projects and Development practice group at law firm Allens and sits on the firm's Executive Committee. He lives in the local area and...

Christie is a clinical psychologist and consultant with over 15 years’ experience. Having worked in areas including perinatal health, recovery from trauma and eating disorders, she is passionate about...

Barbara Kelly

Barbara has worked in the alcohol, drug and mental health sectors over a 30-year span. Recently retired as the Program Director of two state-wide services specialising in treatment, clinical research and education,...

Mark Watt

AM, Chair

Mark is the CEO Big Brothers Big Sisters Australia. Brothers Big Sisters Australia (BBBS) is a not-for-profit organisation whose mentoring programs create life-changing connections between positive role models and young...

Richard Kasperczyk

PhD FAPS

Richard is passionate about creating mentally healthy workplaces. As an Organisational Psychologist, Richard brings his extensive consulting and management experience to First Step, with a dual focus on supporting...