Our People
Our CEO and Board Members come from diverse backgrounds, and lead us co-operatively within an uncompromising values-based framework
Kylie Richards
CEO
Kylie Richards is a CPA and proven, hands-on leader who delivers strong results for clients and businesses.
As CEO of MACE Inc (Mansfield Adult Continuing Education), she leads the delivery of education and community development programs in regional Victoria.
Kylie also has 20 years’ experience as an accountant, either running her own successful accounting practice or working in accounting companies in Australia and in London.
As a qualified educational trainer, she teaches Certificates 3 and 4 in Accounting and the Diploma of Accounting.
Kylie is a CPA with a difference - a registered accountant, tax agent and ASIC company agent with international business experience – she has the ability to view matters from both the client and business side.
Janene Ridley
President
Janene has been a member of the MACE Board since 2014. She is currently the General Manager of Mount Terrible Wines Pty Ltd, a small successful business operating from Jamieson in north-east Victoria. Prior to March 2015, she was the CEO of Mansfield District Hospital. Her extensive experience in the health sector spanned over 30 years with 19 years at Executive level. Janene has a special interest in corporate governance and risk management. She holds a Masters of Health Services Management and completed the Australian Institute of Company Directors Course in October 2013.
Kerstie Lee
Vice President
Kerstie is the Executive Officer of Up2Us Landcare Alliance which is a community organisation supporting the connection of local people to make sustainable landscape change. Kerstie has qualifications in Occupational Therapy, Permaculture design and Natural Resource Management. She has a strong interest in leadership and is using this to develop her current role.
Kerstie has a passion for resilient rural communities, using this to strategically develop small organisations, such as MACE, as being key drivers for Mansfield as an self-determining community.
Imogen Smith
Secretary
Imogen has a background in service management in tertiary education and Neighbourhood houses and is a qualified Career Counsellor, Trainer and Librarian. She also brings to the board experience in compliance and quality systems administration in education, family and children’s services.
She is an advocate for “life-long” learning and is particularly interested in improving access to further education for those who live in rural communities.
She values volunteering and is currently a member of the MACE board, Fords Creek Landcare group, Mansfield Shire Municipal Emergency Planning Committee, as well trained Manager of Spontaneous volunteers (emergencies) and has over 25 years’ experience with volunteering with Motorcycle racing.
David Roff
Treasurer
David has extensive experience in local government including 8 years as CEO of Mansfield Shire .He has qualifications in local government and business and sits on several boards. He is currently Chairman of the Goulburn Valley Football Netball league. With a history of involvement in community based organisations he looks forward to his love of Mansfield , strong governance experience and interest in community affairs being put to good use.
Katie Lockey
Board Member
Katie is a lawyer and is the principal solicitor at Mal Ryan and Glen Lawyers in Mansfield. Katie is also on the Board of the Mansfield District Hospital and sits on the Audit and Risk Management Committee and the Finance Committee. Katie has a strong interest in education and is committed to the Mansfield community, its welfare and development.
Murray Chenery
Board Member
Murray is a proven marketing leader experienced in rejuvenating and building brands. He was CPA Australia’s General Manager, Brand (2012 to 2018) responsible for marketing across Australia and Asia. As Target’s General Manager, Marketing (2001 to 2012), he was a key leader in returning Target to profitability and launching the successful ‘Designers for Target’ program, which included Stella McCartney. Murray’s leadership roles include helping launch the Fly Buys program; integrating Fosseys into Target Country; and managing Coles Myer’s media buying negotiations. Previous director roles included Target and the Melbourne Fashion Festival. Murray has received many marketing and advertising excellence awards
Simon Hicks
Board Member
Simon has worked in numerous roles bridging IT and business. In 1996 Simon started working with SAP, enterprise software founded in Germany. He has taken that structured business process experience in the SAP environment to drive business process improvement. Experience across multiple implementation partners from partner and client side enables rare insights into software and partner selection, and subsequent implementation. He has worked throughout Australia and overseas through many complete project lifecycles.
Currently Simon assists businesses to make the right IT decisions or maximise their return given decisions already made.Presently, Simon is also managing a resort in the Howqua Valley which sustains his interest in the area.
Read more about our organisations values of Learning, Engagement and Community...