Our Board

Charitable Recycling Australia is governed by a volunteer Board, composed of qualified executives in the charitable reuse, recycling and retail sector.

Our Directors are elected by members and elections are held each October during the Charitable Recycling Australia Annual General Meeting.

The Board comprises up to nine directors including the Chair, Vice Chair, Treasurer and State Directors.

Charitable Recycling Australia has a strong national focus, while acknowledging that many issues affecting the sector are dictated by state legislation. Our national remit ensures that we can:

Share charitable reuse, recycling and retail best practice with all member enterprises
Meaningfully measure and scale the impact generated by the sector as a whole
Advocate for government and community investment in reuse, recycling innovation

Concurrently, Territory Directors and our accompanying member meetings ensure that we stay updated on state-specific challenges and opportunities.

Chair – Terry O’Neill

Chief Executive Officer, Link Vision

Terry is CEO of Link Vision Ltd, which provides accommodation and education services for people with low or no vision. In addition to his commitment to Charitable Recycling Australia, Terry is an active member of the VIA (Vision Impaired Association) and is President of the QWCC (Queensland White Cane Committee). He has extensive general management experience in the transport, materials handling, logistics and recycling sectors throughout Australia. Terry played a pivotal role in the introduction of kerbside recycling in South East Queensland, including Brisbane City’s first kerbside contract. He also successfully operated his own PR business for several years. Terry has previously been involved with Rotary International and Ronald McDonald Charities and in his spare time, he enjoys Jazz music and being a passionate AFL supporter.

Treasurer – Mark Lane

Head of Social Enterprises, Brotherhood of St Laurence

Mark Lane has worked with the Brotherhood of St Laurence Social Enterprise team for over 5 years. Whilst Head of Social Enterprises, the operation has included recycling whitegoods, BSL community stores and associated logistics plus the 1300 DONATE pick up service. Mark also has a Bachelor of Science degree and 15 years’ experience in the Transport and Logistics industry. He has managed large warehouse and transport teams in many sectors including cold storage, apparel and shoes, automotive spare parts and telecommunications. Mark is committed to community engagement and social inclusion and using innovation to achieve a circular economy.

NSW Director – Yolanda Saiz

Executive Director, Commercial Enterprise, Fundraising and Communications, Vinnies NSW

Yolanda Saiz is currently the Executive Director, Commercial Enterprise, Fundraising and Communications, Vinnies NSW. Yolanda oversees 240 shops and a state-wide logistics network as well as all commercial enterprises including six CDS warehouse sites and various export and recycling businesses. In addition, she manages a diversified fundraising team including individual giving, bequests, events, corporate partnerships, community fundraising, grants and major gifts. She also oversees state-wide communication, media and design functions. Yolanda has close to 25 years’ experience in commercial operations, communications & media, fundraising, strategy development and implementation, community engagement. This encompasses roles in radio broadcasting, Not-For-Profits, local government, international trade and major international sporting events including the Sydney 2000 Olympics and Paralympics and two FIFA World Cups. Yolanda holds a Bachelor in Communications (Journalism and Politics).

SA Director – Martin Nordstrom

Sustainability Co-ordinator, Salvos Stores

Martin Nordstrom is a highly educated, divergent thinker. As a multidisciplinary, Martin has worked in charitable recycling, retail, volunteer management, consultancy and project management across a 15 year period. As Project Manager with Charitable Recycling Australia, Martin oversaw the completion of research which continues to inform dialogue on illegal dumping, community behaviour and the role of government. As Sustainability Coordinator at Salvos Stores, Martin is leading the conversation on what it means to be sustainable as a charitable reuse and recycling enterprise and is passionate about People, Planet and Not-for-Profit. Martin holds a Master of Sustainability, a Bachelor of Commerce (Marketing) and a Bachelor of Design Studies (Architecture).

TAS Director – Peter Freak

General Manager Social Enterprise, City Mission

Peter is Launceston City Mission’s General Manager Social Enterprise and previously Vinnnies Northern Regional Manager. He has broad financial experience in the Banking and Finance industry for 29 years. This has included varied business and retail banking roles in South Australia, Northern Territory and Tasmania. In his final banking role, he was responsible for Westpac’s Commercial and AgriBusiness banking network covering Tasmania. Peter has experience in several different types of boards, including NFP and church organisations and is now focusing his efforts in the Not-For-Profit sector. Outside of work, he enjoys golf, bush walking and spending time with his wife and two adult daughters.

VIC Director – Jeff Antcliff

GM Retail, Vinnies

Jeff is the General Manager of Vinnies Victoria Retail and is the Victorian Charitable Recycling Australia State Director. Vinnies Retail has 110 shops with over 6,000 team members, three warehouses and a fleet of trucks. Jeff is an experienced retail executive with over 30 years’ experience. His roles have included general management, network development, operations, recruitment, product management, warehousing and distribution. Jeff’s extensive franchise management experience has allowed him to grow shops and work with his teams through influence, rather than direction. He has held senior roles with Woolworths, Specsavers and Sigma Pharmaceuticals.

Omer Soker

CEO and Company Secretary (non Board role)

Omer joined Charitable Recycling Australia as CEO in March 2018, following his expertise as an association strategist and his passion for social, environmental and economic impact. He is the author of ‘The Future of Associations’; a 6-step roadmap for membership organisations and has led and consulted to a wide range of Not-For-Profit boards. Omer is a keynote speaker on strategy, innovation and engagement, as well as business ethics and organisational trust. Omer has held senior management roles in global corporations with $32 million in P&L responsibility and expertise in the retail, homewares, fashion and online sectors.