Chief Executive
Simon Schrapel AM, BA Social Work, Grad Dip Management, MPolAdmin
Simon is the Chief Executive of Uniting Communities. Originally trained in Social Work, Simon has spent more than 30 years in social services practice, management and policy development and advocacy in both the Government and not-for-profit sectors in Australia, the United Kingdom and Sri Lanka.
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Simon joined Uniting Communities as Chief Executive in mid-2010 with a commitment to build on the organisation’s history and reputation as a progressive agency for social change, reconciliation and fostering compassionate and resilient communities.
In 2017, Simon was awarded a Member (AM) in the General Division of the Order of Australia for significant service to the community, particularly to children and families through social welfare organisations, programs and initiatives.
Uniting Communities’ Board
Dr Sue King PhD, MPolAdmin, BSocAdmin, BA
Sue is the Chair of the Board of Uniting Communities, and joined the Board in 2014. Until recently, she was the Discipline Head, Social Work and Human Services at the University of South Australia. In addition to her roles at the University, she has been President of the Australian Association of Social Workers, SA Branch and a member of a number of other Boards, including currently an aged care facility, Summerhill Inc., and in the past Relationships Australia (SA), the South Australian Housing Trust and the Children’s Services Consultative Committee.
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Sue joined the Board as she has a great respect for the work being done by Uniting Communities and a strong interest in contributing to innovations in service delivery in the current social policy context.
Cathie Brown BA, MBA, GAICD
Cathie joined the Board in 2011. Starting her professional life in journalism, she has gained extensive management and leadership experience throughout her career with proven ability to support organisations’ success through effective strategic planning, prioritisation and project management.
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She brings to the Board expertise in marketing and media management, as well as networks across government, universities and the business community. Cathie is passionate about bringing lasting, positive change to the lives of those most disadvantaged in our community.
Astrid Kuivasaari MBA, BEc, FCA, GAICD
Astrid joined the Board of Uniting Communities in 2016, and is currently employed with the Uniting Church of South Australia as General Manager (Resources).
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Having worked in non-profit organisations for 12 years, she has a keen interest in the sector and, in particular, community services and health. Astrid has completed an MBA with the University of South Australia and holds a Bachelor of Economics from the University of Adelaide. She is the former director of the Uniting Church SA Resources Board, and currently serves on various other non-profit boards and committees.
John Byrne
John joined the Board in 2012. After starting his career in physiotherapy, he has gained diverse general management experience in the corporate sector in financial services, telecommunications and allied health.
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John has over 20 years’ experience in starting and running businesses, and currently runs a small farming operation with a focus on sustainability. With a commercial lens and a keen interest in finance and property, John is also a member of Uniting Communities’ Redevelopment Steering Committee.
Mike Flynn
Mike joined the Board of Uniting Communities in 2016. He is currently working as a business consultant in the energy and resources sector, and was on the Board of the SA Chamber of Mines and Energy from 2011 to 2017.
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With qualifications in engineering and management, Mike brings with him 25 years of commercial, planning and operations experience in the oil and gas sector both in Australia and overseas. Growing up in a small town in south-east SA, Mike has a balanced appreciation of country and city living, and enjoys getting alongside people from all walks of life. Mike is passionate about helping people reach their full potential, and feels very fortunate to have the opportunity to assist and learn from the dedicated people within Uniting Communities.
Dr Jörg Strobel, MD, FRANZCP, FGLF
Jörg joined the Board of Uniting Communities in 2017 and is currently working as a Senior Consultant Psychiatrist at Country Health SA LHN Mental Health Services.
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Born in Germany, he trained as a psychiatrist and psychotherapist, and worked as a forensic psychiatrist before migrating to Australia in 1996. Since then he has worked within the public sector in SA Metro and Country Services, for about 8 years in the capacity as Clinical Director. He has an academic appointment at Flinders University with a research interest in e-Health and m-Health. This interest has led him to venture into entrepreneurship as a founding member of an IT start-up. He has served and is serving on the boards of mental health related NGOs. Personally and professionally, he has a strong commitment to social justice and is championing recovery oriented work.
Deborah Miller, FAICD, MBA
Deborah joined the Board in 2018. She has enjoyed a 30-year executive career, holding a number of senior financial controller and company secretarial roles, with experience as chair of a finance subcommittee and, for over five years, as a partner at a mid-sized accounting firm.
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Deborah enjoys being part of a dynamic Board environment that encourages a diverse view and “outside the square” thinking. Her Board portfolio covers diverse enterprises spanning property, equities, technology, professional services, finance, retail and not-for-profit organisations.
Deborah has an MBA from Adelaide University and is a Fellow of the Australian Institute of Company Directors. As well as her interests in children’s welfare, women’s rights and animal welfare, Deborah is an active volunteer at Lifeline.
Dr David Caudrey PSM
Commencing with the Board in 2019, David brings extensive experience in the disability sector to Uniting Communities. Throughout his career in the State public service, he developed and implemented disability services, and oversaw significant reform to the way people with disabilities and their families are supported in South Australia.
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After retiring, David was part-time Director of the Disability Policy Unit and is now in the role of Disability Advocate within the Office of the Public Advocate.
David is an Adjunct Associate Professor in the School of Medicine, Flinders University and, in 2013, was awarded the Public Service Medal for outstanding public service to the disability sector.
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