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. In 2019, he 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 Director of Anti-Slavery Australia. 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 is nationally renowned as a thought leader in the field of human trafficking, slavery and slavery-like practices, particularly for her work on the prevention of all forms of modern slavery and the support of victims.
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”.
Brian is an experienced financial services executive and board director as well as well as having a keen involvement in social justice causes. He currently sits on the boards of MetLife Insurance, IMB Bank and Australian Ethical Investments. He is also a past director of Citibank in Australia and MyState Bank and in executive life was the CEO of Colonial First State and Virgin Money Australia. He also served as an Adjunct Professor of the University of Sydney Business School working on the Executive MBA Program. Brian also is past Chair of Monte Sant Angello Catholic Girls School having served 15 years on that board to December 2026. Since 2017 Brian has volunteered at Cana Communities which provides accommodation, employment and community to those in society who have the least options. Brian also chairs the Civil Entity Advisory Committee for the Sisters of Mercy North Sydney.
Brian holds a Bachelor of Economics degree from the University of Sydney is a Fellow of the institute of Chartered Accountants and a Graduate of the Australian Institute of Company Directors. He also completed the International Executive Program at INSEAD in France.
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.
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 Fellow of the Australian Institute of Company Directors.
Peter is passionate about building a fairer, more sustainable future.
Erin Longbottom is the National Director of Homelessness at St Vincent’s Health Australia. A registered nurse with extensive experience in homelessness and healthcare, Erin has dedicated her career to improving outcomes for people experiencing homelessness. She is recognised for her work developing innovative service models, building partnerships across sectors and influencing policy and system reform. Erin is a passionate advocate for homelessness to be recognised and addressed as a health issue and for practical, evidence-based solutions that create lasting change.
Louwana Saba is the Mission and Formation Director for the Trustees of Mary Aikenhead Ministries, a Public Juridic Person established by the Sisters of Charity. She has worked in charism-based Catholic ministries for twenty years in roles across both the education and healthcare sectors.
Louwana is a two-time graduate of ACU, having first completed her secondary teaching degree, and later, a master’s in theological studies with a specialisation in Biblical Studies. She has also 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, as is the regular volunteering she does at a local shelter. The focus is on others; seeking to bring Gospel hope and healing to communities near and far.
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.
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.
