Board Announcement: New Directors and Co-Chairs and Deputy CEO
Head Start Homes is delighted to announce:
The appointment of Joel Larsen and Josh Moyes as our new Interim Co-Chairs. Appointed on an interim basis to support continuity and strong governance, Joel and Josh will provide steady leadership as we welcome four new Directors to our Board. Their guidance will ensure stability and a seamless transition during this period of growth and renewal for Head Start Homes.
The addition of four outstanding Directors: Pam Jackson, Leanne Pilkington, Jackie Trad, and Jo Formosa. These appointments bring a breadth and depth of expertise that will enhance our governance, strengthen delivery, and amplify our impact.
The appointment of Karen Walsh as Deputy Chief Executive Officer. This further strengthens our executive capacity to deliver Good Growth and deepen our partnerships with communities. Karen brings additional executive leadership across housing, policy, and sector collaboration.
Collectively, these Board and executive appointments position Head Start Homes to continue building on our momentum and broadening our impact for our clients and communities. We are entering a dynamic new phase, with our clients having achieved as many home ownership outcomes in the past quarter as in our first three years-a testament to the dedication of our team, the strength of our partnerships, and the power of our inclusive, people-before-property approach.
Reflecting on these appointments, Stephen Woodlands, Founder and Managing Director of Head Start Homes, shared:
“Welcoming such an accomplished group of new Directors, Pam, Leanne, Jackie, and Jo, alongside Interim Co-Chairs Joel and Josh and Deputy Chief Executive Officer Karen, is a proud moment for Head Start Homes. Their expertise and shared commitment to putting people before property will accelerate our purpose and amplify our impact as we strive towards our vision of a safe and stable home for everyone, with fair and practical pathways to home ownership.”
New Interim Co-Chairs
Joel Larsen – Interim Co-Chair and Non-Executive Director
A founding Board member and former Deputy Chair, Joel is the Executive General Manager of Consumer Finance at CommBank. Joel is an accomplished financial services executive with experience leading large consumer product and customer-facing businesses. He is committed to building a brighter future for all Australians by improving access to more affordable, sustainable, and responsible finance solutions. Joel’s deep experience in banking, governance, and community engagement has been pivotal in shaping Head Start Homes’ strategy and growth. He now steps into the Co-Chair role, bringing continuity and renewed leadership to our Board.
Josh Moyes – Interim Co-Chair and Non-Executive Director
A long-time volunteer and valued Board member, Josh is Head of Operational Excellence – Growth, Brand & Marketing at Westpac. Josh joined the Board as a Director earlier this year, bringing over 20 years of experience in regulatory and government affairs, and having held influential leadership roles within corporate settings, including Chief of Staff positions. He has also served as a Volunteer Risk and Regulatory Compliance Adviser for Head Start Homes, and as a Director and Company Secretary with Transplant Australia. Josh’s pragmatic approach and passion for creating positive change have significantly contributed to Head Start Homes’ purpose and governance.
The appointment of our Co-Chairs ensures strong governance as we expand our Board. This continuity is further strengthened by the ongoing leadership of our foundation Directors, Richard Yong and Airlie Fox, who continue to provide depth, experience, and stability during this period of renewal.
We extend our heartfelt thanks to Vanessa Chan and Jodie Stevens for their dedicated service as former Chair and Director, respectively. Their leadership and commitment are appreciated in guiding the Board during our foundational years. We are deeply grateful for their contributions and wish them every success in their future endeavours.
Welcoming Our Four New Directors
We are delighted to welcome four outstanding new Directors to the Board: Pam Jackson, Leanne Pilkington, Jackie Trad and Jo Formosa. Their diverse expertise and commitment will help drive our vision and impact.
Pam Jackson – Executive Director
A proud Bundjalung member and leader within Head Start Homes’ Executive Team, Pam has been promoted to Executive Director by the Board. Her appointment reflects the continuation of her role within the executive team for First Nations Collaboration and Liaison, while formally bringing this expertise to our Board as a fellow Director. Elevating Pam’s position to Executive Director highlights our deep commitment to working alongside First Nations communities to achieve their home ownership dreams.
This dual role is designed to further strengthen First Nations engagement, cultural safety, and community collaboration at Head Start Homes. Pam’s wisdom and deep community connections will further enhance our partnerships and impact.
Leanne Pilkington – Non-Executive Director
A nationally recognised leader in real estate, Leanne is the Chief Executive Officer and Director of Laing+Simmons and the President of the Real Estate Institute of Australia (retiring in November 2025). With over 40 years’ experience, she brings unparalleled expertise in property management, governance, and industry advocacy. Leanne’s passion for social impact and her support for Head Start Homes’ vision will strengthen our ability to deliver innovative programs, such as the Wollongong Affordable Rent-to-Buy initiative.
Jackie Trad – Non-Executive Director
Former Deputy Premier and Treasurer of Queensland, and the new CEO of the Clean Energy Council, Jackie brings deep expertise in government policy, advocacy, and stakeholder engagement. Jackie has also held ministerial portfolios for First Nations Peoples and Planning, bringing valuable experience and perspective to the Board. Her experience navigating complex policy environments and her commitment to breaking the cycle of intergenerational poverty through home ownership will be invaluable as we expand our partnerships with government and community.
Jo Formosa – Non-Executive Director
Jo brings more than 35 years of experience in the housing and human services sector and is widely respected for her leadership roles across government reform agendas, including housing and child protection.
Having served as our Interim Deputy Chief Executive Officer and Chief of Products & Partnerships at Head Start Homes, Jo has been instrumental in shaping our growth and impact. In these executive roles, Jo provided strategic leadership, operational oversight, and sector expertise for over three years, helping to establish Head Start Homes as a trusted voice in inclusive home ownership. Jo now transitions from her former executive position to the Board as a Non-Executive Director, ensuring continuity of vision and purpose.
Prior to joining Head Start Homes, Jo was Program Manager at the NSW Aboriginal Housing Office, where she co-designed and delivered the Aboriginal Housing Office Home Ownership Program-an initiative that has supported over 400 First Nations Peoples in achieving their goal of homeownership.
Welcoming Karen Walsh – Deputy Chief Executive Officer
Building on the appointment of our Interim Co‑Chairs and four new Directors, we are pleased to announce Karen Walsh as Deputy Chief Executive Officer. Karen is a nationally respected leader with over 30 years’ experience in Australia’s housing and homelessness sectors. She has held executive roles at Venture Housing, Shelter NSW, and SGCH, and previously served as Head Start Homes’ Chair and Chief of Good Growth and Sustainability.
Karen brings deep expertise in policy, sector reform, and cross-sector collaboration. Her appointment as Deputy CEO reflects our commitment to building a diverse, talented, and purpose-driven executive team to lead Head Start Homes into its next chapter.
Our Impact
To date, Head Start Homes has helped hundreds of First Nations, single mum and social housing families improve their financial capability, achieved 34 home ownership outcomes, and freed up 18 social housing homes-creating a ripple effect of opportunity and stability for even more households in need.
Stay tuned:
In the coming weeks, we’ll be sharing more about each of our new appointments through a special “Spotlight” series on our website and social media channels.
You can also learn more about our Board and team here: www.headstarthomes.org.au/ourpeople
“Welcoming such an accomplished group of new Directors, Pam, Leanne, Jackie, and Jo, alongside Interim Co-Chairs Joel and Josh and Deputy Chief Executive Officer Karen, is a proud moment for Head Start Homes. Their expertise and shared commitment to putting people before property will accelerate our purpose and amplify our impact as we strive towards our vision of a safe and stable home for everyone, with fair and practical pathways to home ownership.”
