Who We Are
Our Board
Kevin Gardner MCom, BBus, FCPA, FCIS, JP has over 35 years of senior management experience in finance, accounting, taxation, manufacturing and retail. He has well developed skills in business analysis, product strategy, sustainable business improvement, an effective communicator at all levels, including mentoring and successfully turned around loss making businesses. He recently retired as Chief Executive Officer for Sydney Eye Hospital Foundation, where he was involved in fundraising, donor acquisition and bequest programs. Board Positions: Former Chairman Lenity Australia Ltd (now retired), Former Chairman Foresight Ltd (Australian Overseas Aid and Prevention of Blindness) now Director.
Professor Jennifer Burn is the Founding Director of Anti-Slavery Australia and has over 17 years of research and practice experience in human trafficking, slavery and forced marriage. Anti-Slavery Australia is a university-based law and research centre dedicated to advancing the rights of people who have experienced all forms of modern slavery.
Jennifer has led the development of Australian best practice anti-slavery initiatives since 2003. Through her research, advocacy and practice she has pursued legislative amendments and policy developments to promote best practice responses for the prevention of modern slavery and to ensure survivors of modern slavery have access to the protection and support they need. As a practicing lawyer, Jennifer has provided direct legal representation to hundreds of men, women and children in Australia. As a member of the Law Faculty at the University of Technology Sydney, she also teaches “The Law of Human Trafficking and Slavery”.
Peter Knoblanche is an experienced director and former banking executive with a strong commitment to social purpose and community impact. He brings nearly four decades of leadership in financial services, including serving as CEO Australia and Regional Manager for Australia and New Zealand at Rabobank, the global food and agribusiness bank.
Peter is Chair of The Wheen Bee Foundation, supporting pollinator health and global food security, and serves on the boards of GrainCorp Limited and entities in the Laguna Bay Group.
He is a graduate of the Harvard Business School Advanced Management Programme, holds a Bachelor of Commerce, and is a graduate member of the Australian Institute of Company Directors.
Peter is passionate about building a fairer, more sustainable future.
Nicole is an outstanding educator who truly embodies the values of Catholic education in the Mercy tradition. She has a proven commitment to academic excellence as illustrated over many years at Monte Sant’ Angelo Mercy College.
Nicole is a role model with energy, capacity and the resilience to motivate and inspire the young women in the College. She excels in her understanding and leading of educational policy at both State and National levels, has a firm grasp of the International Baccalaureate programme and processes, and will ensure Monte stays at the head of the educational curve.
Nicole brings to this role a variety of educational leadership and teaching experiences with over twenty-five years in independent Catholic girls’ schools. She has completed both a Bachelor of Education and a Master of Education and is currently working on her PhD.
Jane is from a family where three generations have enjoyed the opportunity to attend Mercy schools and experience the Mercy charism. A former Director on the Board of Monte Sant’ Angelo Mercy College, Jane enjoyed a career with roles in high schools as an English, History and Japanese Teacher, Debating and Social Justice Coordinator, Communications and Publications Coordinator. She was also Schools Program Manager with Australian Indigenous Education Foundation. Now retired, Jane is a regular volunteer with organisations including The Asylum Seeker Centre, St Canice’s Café and The Story Factory.
Louwana Saba is the Mission and Formation Director for Mary Aikenhead Ministries. Louwana is a two time graduate of ACU, having first completed her secondary teaching degree, and more recently completing a Master in Theological Studies with a specialisation in Biblical Studies.
Prior to her current work, Louwana worked as a Religious Education teacher and Retreat Coordinator at Jesuit school, St Ignatius’ College in Sydney, and has been significantly influenced by Ignatian Spirituality both professionally and personally.
After taking leave from teaching to have children, Louwana discerned in 2017 it was time for a career shift, and now works in the Catholic health care sector. She works with the Executive team to ensure that the staff and volunteers of the hospital know about its Catholic identity, values, ethics and heritage. She has completed the Ministry Leadership Program with Catholic Health Australia
Louwana feels strongly that her position on the Board of the Mercy Foundation is an example of the call to work in church ministry, seeking to bring hope and healing to communities near and far.
Our Staff
Maeve joined the Mercy Foundation as CEO and Company Secretary in 2026. She has over 20 years’ experience in social justice, community leadership, and systems change, with a strong focus on walking alongside people experiencing displacement, homelessness, and structural disadvantage.
Prior to joining the Mercy Foundation, Maeve served as the CEO of the Western Sydney Migrant Resource Centre and previously held senior roles with Jesuit Refugee Service Australia and the Community Migrant Resource Centre in Parramatta. Her work has consistently centred on dignity, accompaniment, and long‑term change, particularly alongside women, children, migrants, and refugees.
Maeve also holds a Master of Business Administration from the University of Sydney, where she was awarded the Anstice MBA Scholarship for Community Leadership, she also has postgraduate qualifications in social development and community welfare. Her academic background reflects a strong foundation in strategic leadership, social policy, community development, and human rights.
Maeve is deeply inspired by the spirit of Catherine McAuley and her call to live mercy through practical action. She’s also a mum, passionate football player, and volunteers for refugee-led projects and children’s cancer charities.
Lara Turner is the Foundation’s Finance Manager. Lara Turner was born and educated in South Africa. She graduated from the University of KwaZulu Natal with an Honours degree in Accounting before qualifying as a Chartered Accountant with Arthur Anderson. Lara then moved to London and worked as a product accountant at BNP Paribas before becoming the Finance Manager and an Associate Director of IG Index (a FTSE 250 listed company). In 2003 Lara and her family moved to Australia.
Lara joined the Mercy Foundation in March 2004.
