Board Members

John Sobolewski

Board Chair

John is an accounting, finance and management professional with broad experience in the resources industry, including executive roles with WA companies. Currently Managing Director and CEO with Mintrex Pty Ltd, he previously held the roles of CFO and Company Secretary with Mintrex Pty Ltd, Galaxy Resources Limited and Vital Metals Limited, Financial Controller and Company Secretary with Croesus Mining NL, and Group Accountant and Company Secretary with Titan Resources NL. John is a Chartered Accountant and a graduate of the Australian Institute of Company Directors. John feels fortunate to be able to contribute to the efforts of such a lively organisation as Rise.

Jill Jamieson

Deputy Chair

Jill has over 15 years’ executive and management experience in WA’s tertiary education sector, most recently as the Chief Executive Officer of a large metropolitan TAFE college. Jill is an accomplished leader with a track record of managing change, driving innovation and fostering a values-driven culture. She has worked with a wide range of industry sectors to provide workforce development services and has led national and international education projects. Jill is passionate about supporting individuals in reaching their potential and collaborating with communities, employers and the not for profit sector to improve outcomes. She is committed to good governance and is a member and graduate of the Australian Institute of Company Directors.

Karen O’Neill

Treasurer

Karen is a highly experienced finance and governance professional with strong commercial acumen and operations management. Significant international operational and executive experience across a variety of industries including resources, investment banking, and professional services as well as non-executive director experience in the not for profit sector.

Karen brings a professionalism and an energy to her roles, with a motivation derived from assisting organisations to solve complex problems and realise improved and sustainable performance.  Karen is currently Managing Director of an ASX listed company. 

Jesper Sentow

Board Director

Jesper has over 20 years’ experience as a Chief Financial Officer and/or Company Secretary of stock exchange listed and private, Australian and international companies. Jesper has worked in Europe, India, and South East Asia. Over the past nine years, Jesper has operated his own management consulting business specialising in corporate financial management and strategic planning, corporate governance, and commercial improvement. Jesper is excited about being part of Rise and is looking forward to being able to contribute to Rise, its staff, and volunteers and most importantly, to its clients.

Peta Rule

Board Director

Peta is a corporate communications, government relations and media strategist who has worked in industry and government for almost 20 years. As a media manager, crisis communication, and brand strategy expert with industry and the WA Government, her work has included advising the Deputy Premier and Health Minister. Peta is now Head of Brand Media with the WA ambulance service, St John WA. Peta’s strategic and media experience is supported by a Master of Business Administration from the University of WA (2016) and she completed the Board Readiness Program run by the State Government. She started her career as a journalist for the State’s flagship daily newspaper, the West Australian, as a health and social affairs reporter. She remains well-connected within media and government.

Lauren Brazier

Board Director

Lauren is an insurance broker with 12 years of experience in Insurance and Risk Advisory services; specialising in not for profit organisations, predominantly in the health, aged care, and community service sectors. A graduate of the Emerging Leaders in Governance Program, she is currently undertaking a Master of Business Administration (MBA) at Curtin University following the award of a Women in MBA (WiMBA) scholarship. As a recipient of the WiMBA scholarship, Lauren had to articulate a compelling career plan that will make a genuine contribution to the advancement of women in Australia’s corporate leadership.

James Jegasothy

Board Director

James has more than two decades of experience working with disadvantaged communities and has held strategic leadership and governance roles in government, for purpose, and community organisations. He is currently the Director Community Engagement and Strategy at the Office of Multicultural Interests, leading community development and engagement strategies with culturally and linguistically diverse communities, and the public, for-purpose and private sectors. Outside of government James has held various leadership roles including at the Australian Red Cross, as Vice Chair of the Centre for Asylum Seekers, Refugees and Detainees, State Manager of Welcome to Australis, and as a Commissioner on the Anglican Social Responsibilities Commission. Prior to arriving in WA, he worked in refugee advocacy in NSW.

James has degrees in law and politics and is passionate about achieving equitable outcomes for vulnerable people and communities.

Melanie Chatfield

Board Director

Melanie has held professional and voluntary positions committed to reducing inequality and making a positive impact on people’s health and wellbeing. She’s currently Strategy and Policy Manager with WA Primary Health Alliance and previously held senior policy and procurement positions with WA Mental Health Commission, Drug and Alcohol Office, Disability Services Commission and Sport and Recreation Victoria.

Her qualifications include a Graduate Certificate in Public Sector Management; Bachelor of Science (Nutrition); Post Graduate Diploma (Health Promotion); and Governance Foundations - Not for Profit Director’s Course with the Australian Institute of Company Directors.