Meet our Board Observers for 2023

Head Start Homes welcomes its four new board observers for 2023, who have been chosen as part of the Westpac Foundation’s Board Observership Program.

The Observership Program harnesses the strong desire from senior professionals to utilise their skills, develop social leadership and build networks whilst sharing Westpac Foundation’s vision of helping create a more inclusive Australia.

The four were selected based on criteria that matched their skills, capabilities and interests with the most suitable organisation.

**Polina Kozhanow**, leading the Executive Office for Westpac’s Customer Solutions

Polina Kozhanow is leading the Executive Office for Westpac’s Customer Solutions covering customer assist, complaints, estates, remediation and regulatory projects.

An experienced financial services practitioner, Polina has more than 20 years in implementing company-wide productivity, merger and regulatory programs and initiatives for the Westpac Group, BT Financial Group and other top Australian companies.

She is a former Chair of the Women of Westpac Employee Action Group - NSW Chapter.

Polina is hoping to support Head Start Homes in its next critical phase of growth with strategy development, bringing outside in thinking to solving business problems; and identifying opportunities to connect HSH with key stakeholders across the Group.

“I’m looking forward to obtaining first hand exposure to how a board functions in practice, augmenting my governance and reporting skills,” she said.
“I’m very grateful to have this opportunity, which I’m hoping to use as a platform to build experience in NFP boards as the next stage of my career development.”

**Darryl Burke**, Head of Strategy, Practice Management and Transformation – Internal Audit at Westpac

Also with Westpac, Darryl Burke is Head of Strategy, Practice Management and Transformation – Internal Audit.

He is an accomplished senior executive with an impressive history of driving risk management, profitability, process improvement, and an exceptional client experience across the Americas, Europe, and Asia Pacific.

Darryl has worked as a top-level advisor to executives and C-suite, experienced in front to back across business units and corporate functions, steering strategic direction for risk and control, governance, regulatory remediation and change, business transformation and human capital programs.

He is known for implementing sustainable business models and operational improvements that deliver results in turnaround, high-growth, and new business launch situations.

Having lived overseas and worked in big cities for 25 years, Darryl said he had seen the realities of economic hardship in a number of communities.

“I have seen the impact of bringing confidence to these communities through advocacy, empowerment, support and education. I want to help with the same thing here,” he said.
“I think I can bring my life experience to the table as I believe in empowering people to get the step up they need, which is exactly what HSH does.
“Becoming a board observer was my way of re-engaging with the Australian community after so many years away, and an opportunity to connect and engage with the First Nations community.
“I’m looking forward to seeing the board on the inside and working with it at a grassroots level,” he said.

**Michelle Britten**, Corporate Services Project Manager at MinterEllison

Michelle Britten is a Corporate Services Project Manager with MinterEllison who is skilled in budgeting, operations management, coaching and performance management.

She is a graduate of University of Melbourne’s Business School.

Michelle hopes her operational skills and project management toolkit might be of help to HSH, as well as her workplace experience within the corporate real estate and commercial construction environments.

“In the past I have contributed to board papers and meeting preparations, and I have always wanted to be a ‘fly on the wall’ to see how these ‘engines’ run, resulting in their very considered community impacts,” Michelle said.
“I am looking forward to experiencing the HSH boardroom and learning from those who also have a seat at the table!”

**Stewart Simpson**, National Senior Marketing Manager at MinterEllison

Also from MinterEllison is Stewart Simpson, National Senior Marketing Manager, who has 15 years in top-tier leadership with major banking, professional services, eCommerce and media brands in Australia and the UK.

Stewart has expertise in orchestrating high-impact data-driven digital, automation/AI, integrated marketing communications, brand advertising, customer experience (CX) design, web UX and CVP design.

Renowned brands Stewart has worked with include: American Express, AMP, Hilton Hotels, Institute of Chartered Accountants ANZ, the International Olympic Committee (IOC), Jetstar, London Mint, Macquarie Bank, MinterEllison, Mortgage Choice, Qantas, Readers’ Digest, Velocity Frequent Flyer, Yellow Brick Road (YBR), Westpac and Woolworths.

“Around half of my career has been dedicated to supporting fulfilment of the 'Australian dream' of home ownership throughout the lifecycle in real estate, banking and mortgage demand generation,” Stewart explained.
“I am aiming to help HSH's growth trajectory by identifying opportunities to more deeply and effectively engage with partners and the community.”

Stewart said he was eager to experience the roles and responsibilities of directors both inside and outside the boardroom.

“To understand governance processes and how strategic decisions are reached by immersion is an incredible opportunity,” he said.
“I am thrilled to be able to make my contribution to supporting such a worthwhile community cause that helps single mums, First Nations Peoples and disadvantaged families to overcome homelessness and poverty in a sustainable way.”

**Stephen Woodlands**, Founder and Managing Director at Head Start Homes

HSH Founder and Manager Stephen Woodlands said he was impressed by the diversity of the observers’ experience and skills as well as their passion for our vision and mission.