The Executive Team
The Lifeline Direct Executive team's role is to establish and communicate a clear and inspiring vision and strategy to the organisation that keeps those that we help and the services we deliver at the forefront.
Provide strategic and operational leadership within the organisation to lead a motivated and engaged team who are supported to deliver on the organisational strategies effectively.
Ensure our work is align and focus on Lifeline’s core purposes; helping more people in their time of crisis, at a time, place and way that is right for them, and together striving towards our vision of an Australia free of suicide.
Darren is an accomplished executive with extensive experience leading large and complex organisations across the not-for-profit and health sectors.
Darren's experience leading a large, geographically dispersed organisation with a substantial volunteer workforce and retail network translates strongly to the operating environment of Lifeline Direct. Combined with his track record of organisational transformation and deep understanding of the governance, stakeholder and community expectations associated with high-profile not-for-profit leadership, he is well positioned to lead Lifeline Direct into its next chapter.
"My career has always been about people and purpose and the opportunity to lead an organisation that plays such a vital role in keeping those who need help safe, and to positively impact the lives of many was very inspiring. Family, friends and community is everything to me, and I feel very fortunate to be working somewhere that can make a real difference to others.
Kugan is an accomplished Executive Director - Finance with more than 25 years of executive leadership and financial management experience across the not-for-profit, payments, banking and financial services sectors.
He is passionate about supporting purpose-driven organisations that create meaningful social impact and is committed to strengthening services that ensure no person in Australia faces their darkest moments alone.
With extensive expertise in strategic finance, operational leadership and organisational transformation, Kugan brings together commercial acumen and mission-focused outcomes to support sustainable growth, service excellence and community impact.
He is highly experienced in financial controllership, strategic and operational planning, financial analysis, governance, risk management, business continuity, project management, and organisational transformation.
“Having seen the profound impact crisis support, suicide prevention, and volunteer services have on individuals and communities, I am passionate about contributing my finance and executive leadership experience to strengthen organisational sustainability, enhance volunteer and frontline support services, and help deliver meaningful outcomes for those who need support most.”
Michael Were is the Executive Director – Supporter Engagement. He leads our Retail, Community Training as well as Marketing and Fundraising teams. Each team is devoted to ensuring that we have the resources and funding needed so that we are able to deliver Crisis Support, as well as delivering suicide prevention training programs across NSW and Victoria where Lifeline Direct operates.
“Lifeline plays a crucial role in keeping our community safe. It is incredibly rewarding to play a part in ensuring that no one faces their darkest moments alone”
Alison leads our Human Resources and Compliance, Governance & Risk teams that are focused on enabling Lifeline Direct to deliver it’s services through our people.
“Everything we do at Lifeline plays a part in providing crucial services to our communities and I am privileged to lead a team that supports organisational needs, develops capability and enhances performance”
Geoffrey Norman is the Executive Director- Service Delivery. Geoffrey leads the teams delivering crisis support and specialist counselling along with the teams that ensure Lifeline delivers timely and high quality services.
“Having seen the positive impact Lifeline Services have on individuals and communities it drives me to be part of an organisation that contributes so much across Australia”
The Board of Directors
The Board of Directors play a vital role in safeguarding and enhancing the future of LLD, holding the ultimate responsibility for governing the organisation.
Through their strategic leadership, the Board provides valuable insights that help identify and understand emerging trends and issues that may impact the well-being of LLD Centres, stakeholders, and those seeking assistance.
Furthermore, the Board diligently monitors the company's performance against its strategic direction, carefully evaluating operating results to ensure effective management, and thoroughly assess and evaluate the primary risks faced by LLD.
The Board is comprised of directors nominated by Lifeline Australia as per the constitution.
Nicki is a dedicated community leader who is passionate about raising awareness, reducing stigma around mental health, and encouraging early intervention. Her impressive track record includes serving as a Councillor with the City of Stonnington and as a Non-Executive Director of Mental Health First Aid. She has also previously held leadership roles as the Chair of PANDA (Perinatal Anxiety and Depression Australia) and Emerge Women and Children Support Services and as a Non-Executive Director of On The Line Australia. Nicki joined the Lifeline Direct Board in 2023 following the amalgamation of Lifeline with On The Line Australia.
With lived experience of perinatal depression, Nicki understands firsthand the importance of accessible and quality support services for those in need. Her professional background as a management consultant specialising in change management and workforce transformation has seen her work across various industries, including government, professional services, resources, and the not-for-profit sector in Australia and London.
Shona Tarrant is a senior executive leader with experience across not for profit, retail, consulting and construction. Since 2018 she has been Group Executive, People and Culture for Chartered Accountants Australia and New Zealand, and has previously held executive leadership roles within operations, strategy and people and culture. In these roles she has supported organisations through start up, growth, transformation and change. Shona holds an MBA from Deakin University, is a graduate of the Australian Institute of Company Directors and has completed the Dr John Yu Fellowship Program at the University of Sydney Business School. This is Shona’s first Board position.
Originally from a financial executive background and currently as CEO, Jeff has broad industry experience across construction, engineering and property development market segments. Leveraging his skills obtained from being a Chartered Accountant and completing an MBA, Jeff has a passion and strong experience in implementing transformational leadership and driving strategic growth whilst ensuring strong financial and commercial discipline is maintained.
Jeff brings these skills to his past and current board roles by considering issues from multiple perspectives.
Sally Hasler (she/her) is passionate about addressing structural barriers to inequity with over 20 years' experience in executive, volunteer and board roles. Sally brings expertise in social policy, government relations, inclusion and intersectionality, stakeholder engagement and partnerships. She has lived experience of the mental health system as a consumer and carer, and a strong interest in the social determinants of health, gender outcomes and early intervention.
Sally has held executive and senior leadership roles with the Victorian and Commonwealth Governments, The Fred Hollows Foundation, and Hong Kong-based NGO, the Women’s Foundation. Sally has been a volunteer with St John Ambulance since a young age and lives on Wurundjeri County with her husband and three daughters.
Gordon Botwright has extensive executive leadership experience in both the private and not-for-profit sectors, having worked in the health, justice and security industries. He is the current Chief Executive Officer of St John Ambulance Victoria. His leadership interests lie in organistional culture, its connection to purpose and how it empowers people to maximise the impact of the organisation’s mission.
Gordon is a Non-Executive Director of Inspiro, a community health service that supports the health needs of vulnerable people in the Yarra Ranges community, and is also a member of the Emergency Services Foundation, Stakeholder Council. Previously, he served as a Non-Executive Director of On The Line Australia before its amalgamation with Lifeline Direct.
Observing the growing instances of mental health crises in the workplace and community sparked Gordon’s interest in understanding this health issue and the systems of care available to help seekers.
Jane is a senior health executive with extensive experience in strategic leadership, stakeholder engagement and evidence-based practice for the NSW Government. With a proven record of service excellence and capability building across complex systems and a clinical background in mental health, disability services, and child and family wellbeing, she is passionate about suicide prevention and supporting individuals in their time of need.
Jane started her career as a volunteer Lifeline Counsellor, supervisor and trainer and has seen firsthand, the lifesaving services that the organisation provides to individuals and communities. She is committed to using her expertise to support the mission of Lifeline, to ensure that anyone who is distressed or in crisis has someone to talk to.