Our Board

Owen is the Managing Director of Illowra: an innovative company that develops and manages customised disability accommodation using a person-centred design approach.

Owen has extensive work experience in the development and construction industries in Australia and overseas; he also holds qualifications in accessible building design. Owen has a passion for bringing to life smarter building design with a focus on improved accessibility to increase independence for residents with disability. 

Jacob is the Specialist Disability Accommodation Fund Manager for Australian Unity. Since joining Australian Unity in 2021, Jacob has grown the Fund’s committed capital by over $200 million. In this role, Jacob is responsible for the execution of equity and debt funding strategies, fund performance, managing risk, new acquisition and development opportunities to maximise returns for investors and achieve the intended & sustained positive social outcomes.

Prior to joining Australian Unity, Jacob managed Bank Australia’s Impact Finance Business. In this role he was responsible for establishing over $1billion of debt funding for a range of social infrastructure assets; this included establishing the first corporate SDA debt facility in 2016.

Jacob is a member of the Property Council of Australia’s Social Infrastructure Committee, member of the Australian Property Institute’s Working Group (focussing on establishing a valuation standard for SDA) and member of the SDA Alliance’s Investor Sub-committee. As a founding board director of the SDA Alliance, Jacob believes that SDA is a person-centred scheme and as such seeks to promote only the best practice SDA projects, providers and investment.

Helen is the Operations Director for AccessAccom (an SDA provider and founding member of the SDA Alliance) specialising in the development of the integrated apartment model and customised robust housing.

With a passion for providing well-designed affordable housing, Helen has extensive experience developing and operating social, affordable and seniors housing in Australia and the UK. Helen was previously the Director of Independent Living at Uniting (where she introduced the Social and Affordable Housing Fund and National Rental Affordability Scheme funding). In the UK she was the CEO of a charitable housing association in Central London. Helen has held numerous board positions including 14 years as a non-executive Director of Bridge Housing.

Helen holds a Bachelor of Science (psychology) and is a graduate of the Australian Institute of Company Directors. Helen is a member of the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors and a Certified Housing Professional with the Australasian Housing Institute.

At the age of 19, Perry was severely injured in a rugby tackle which left him a C2 quadriplegic. Perry has since dedicated his life to helping others living with a disability, raising awareness of spinal injuries and creating a movement that has seen tens of thousands of people recognise and support the need for urgent research to cure paralysis.

It was the passing of his friend, the late Christopher Reeve, that inspired Perry to launch Australia’s own spinal research organisation: the Perry Cross Spinal Research Foundation. With Perry as its Founder and President, the Foundation has lobbied for, and raised over, $13m for spinal research. Perry is a registered Participant of the NDIS and SDA program. Perry is the Founder and CEO of Accessible Homes Australia (an SDA provider) which invests in and provides SDA pathways and home solutions to other SDA eligible Australians, like him.

Tom is the Tenant Outcomes Manager at Guardian Living - a founding member of the SDA Alliance. Tom is an experienced community services executive with over 30 years’ experience working in the not-for-profit and public sector.

Tom has extensive experience in the disability and health services interface with specialty knowledge in acquired brain injury and complex disability. With a comprehensive understanding of the NDIS, Tom has led housing, health and co-design projects since trials began, including through his previous role at the Summer Foundation.

Tom has extensive experience in organisational development, coaching, government & public sector contracting, project & event management, and team building. Tom holds an Executive Master of Public Administration from the Australia and New Zealand School of Governance.

Astrid is Managing Director of Ability Housing – a social impact organisation operating across metro and regional WA.

With a background in nursing and community services, Astrid has worked to drive positive change within disability, community services and aged care. Astrid founded Astrid Timmers & Associates (ATA) – a group encompassing HomeCare Options, ATA Management Service and ATA Training. Following ATA’s acquisition, Astrid consulted with various health and community agencies providing strategic business insights and improvements while juggling the needs of her young family.

Astrid has held a number of positions including the Co-chair of WA’s Directors of Nursing Association, Deputy Chair of Community West, and Nurse & Administration Advisor to the Department of Health. A graduate of the Australian Institute of Company Directors, Astrid’s passions are directly linked to her professional pursuits: addressing the needs of doubly disadvantaged minorities and providing culturally competent service delivery.

Laura is the Interim Chief Executive Officer at Inclusive Housing Australia, bringing over 20 years of experience in the disability sector, consulting, and government. Laura has led large NDIS and human services providers, delivered co-design and engagement for launch of the NDIS, directed significant transformation projects and worked as a commercial and market advisor.

Laura has a proven track record in strategic leadership, growth, and service design, consistently driving transformational change. Laura has extensive experience in housing options, having previously redesigned the disability and housing interface for the ACT Government and having had operational oversight of over 800 Specialist Disability Accommodation (SDA) homes at Disability Homes Victoria. With expertise in operational excellence, regulatory compliance, and stakeholder engagement, Laura is dedicated to supporting the next phase of IHA and improving the lives of individuals with disabilities through accessible and inclusive housing.

Trent is the Chief Executive Officer of Access 2 Place Housing, a not-for-profit SDA Provider and community housing provider dedicated to developing purpose-built disability housing for individuals with complex disabilities. Access 2 Place Housing is focussed on creating inclusive and accessible living environments that cater to the specific needs of its tenants. Trent is currently a Board Member of the Community Housing Industry Association in South Australia.

Prior to joining Access 2 Place Housing, Trent was the Managing Director of a leading timber and hardware business that employed 145 people, located across multiple sites. The business was successfully acquired by Metcash, an ASX-listed company, in 2019.

Trent has over 25 years’ experience in construction projects and developments, with a specific focus on residential property; he also has extensive experience building sustainable businesses and developing strong relationships with key stakeholders.

Taryn is the founder of Your Home SDA, a specialist licensed property management organisation and registered SDA provider, operating in the Northern Territory and South Australia. Taryn is also the founder of Disability Housing Pathways, a consulting and support service dedicated to facilitating access to safe, suitable, and stable accommodation for individuals living with disability.

Taryn's professional background spans law, governance, property, and real estate. Taryn has held senior leadership roles in both government and not-for-profit organisations. With over 20 years of experience in the property sector, Taryn has devoted the last five years to the disability housing sector. She is a passionate advocate for creating appropriate and accessible housing solutions, committed to empowering individuals with disabilities by promoting choice and control in their living arrangements.