GROUP EXECUTIVE TEAM

ALEX PONTELLO

Position: Group Chief Executive Officer
& Managing Director
Categories: Board Member, Group Executive Team

Alex joined Southern Cross Housing (SCH) in 2016 and brought with him over 30 years of experience in the property, construction, and housing industry, and an extensive qualification portfolio. Prior to this, Alex held many senior executive and advisory positions within private, public, and not-for-profit sectors, that supplied him with a wealth of knowledge relating to Housing NSW, property portfolio planning, NRSCH, and Community Housing Provider (CHP) accreditation. Alex holds a master’s degree in Property Development, a graduate diploma in Urban Estate Management, Clerk of Works qualifications, and is a licensed Builder and a registered Certified Practicing (property) Valuer (CPV).

As CEO, Alex is responsible for the services we provide, the governance we practice, and the growth of the organisation. He is committed to achieve and maintain SCH’s overall vision, ensuring ‘A home for everyone as a foundation to a fulfilling life’, by providing strategic focus and support to all SCH staff, based on operational decisions made by our board of directors.

Alex joined Southern Cross Housing (SCH) in 2016 and brought...

ALEX PONTELLO

Group Chief Executive Officer
& Managing Director

HANNAH MACRAE

Position: Group Chief Financial Officer

Categories: Group Executive Team

Hannah is our CFO and brings over 11 years of experience in the social housing sector, and an impressive qualification attainment summary. Whilst working in the sector, Hannah obtained a bachelor’s degree in Commerce, with a major in Accounting and a minor in Business Law.

Hannah’s extensive knowledge of the social housing sector, coupled with her detailed comprehension of the business (at a granular level), makes her an integral member of our Executive Team.

Hannah’s inspiring ability to think strategically and develop detailed financial modelings for future planning, allows Southern Cross Housing (SCH) to continually grow, thus creating more employment opportunities and increasing our service provisions to the Shoalhaven, Eurobodalla, and Snowy Monaro communities. Hannah has recently demonstrated her financial management expertise by successfully winning large tenders and implementing organisational mergers.

As the CFO, Hannah reports directly to the CEO and is required to provide clear and accurate assessments of SCH’s current and future financial situations to managers and the Board of Directors, to facilitate informed decision-making.

Hannah also serves as the SCH Company Secretary in all board meetings and has recently taken on the Humans Resource role to develop new and innovative protocols for people and culture management.

Hannah is our CFO and brings over 11 years of...

HANNAH MACRAE

Group Chief Financial Officer

EMILY MCKENZIE

Position: Group Manager
Projects & Compliance

Categories: Group Executive Team

Emily Joined Southern Cross Housing (SCH) in 2023 she has over 12 years’ experience in the private and public sector working for organisations that include the Department of Prime Minister and Cabinet, NSW Land and Housing Corporation and Downer Group. Emily has extensive experience in managing complex contractual arrangements between public and private sector organisations utilising her strong background in project management, legal services, risk, governance, and compliance.
Emily is particularly passionate about organisational psychology and leadership and the potential for improving efficiency through process improvement and business strategy.

Emily Joined Southern Cross Housing (SCH) in 2023 she has...

EMILY MCKENZIE

Group Manager
Projects & Compliance

LEADERSHIP TEAM

ERIC COULTER

Position: Deputy Chief Executive Officer

Categories: Leadership Team

Eric has worked in operational and management positions with Southern Cross Housing (SCH) for over a decade.

His experience includes working with clients from diverse backgrounds, specialising in social housing, crisis assistance, men and women’s refuges, domestic violence crisis, youth homelessness, indigenous housing, disability services and mental health services.

Eric has strong people management and communication skills, which is demonstrated by his rapport history with support within the Shoalhaven area, and he strongly believes better partnerships with external service providers leads to better outcomes.

Eric is passionate about ensuring our most vulnerable within our communities have a safe and secure house to live in, and that SCH continues to provide services to the local indigenous community.

Eric has worked in operational and management positions with Southern...

ERIC COULTER

Deputy Chief Executive Officer

AARON MOTT

Position: General Manager Property Services

Categories: Leadership Team

Aaron has worked in the social housing sector for over 6 years, gaining knowledge and skills in project and property management that led to his current role within SCH of General Manager Property Services.

Aaron joined Southern Cross Housing in 2018 after working in facilities maintenance for over 10 years, and is a qualified and licenced electrician, with further qualifications in work health and safety.

 

Aaron has worked in the social housing sector for over...

AARON MOTT

General Manager Property Services

LUKE GILLIGAN

Position: General Manager Corporate Services

Categories: Leadership Team

Luke is our experienced corporate services General Manager, with a demonstrated history of working in the not-for-profit organisation management industry.

Skilled in business intelligence, systems and dashboard development, data solutions and workflow management, Luke brings strong information technology knowledge and professionalism with qualifications focused on cybersecurity, network support, business intelligence & compliance.

Luke is our experienced corporate services General Manager, with a...

LUKE GILLIGAN

General Manager Corporate Services

HOLLIE DYKES

Position: General Manager
People & Culture

Categories: Leadership Team

Hollie joined Southern Cross Housing (SCH) in 2020 as a Payroll Officer, and soon after transitioned into the People and Culture team as the HR Coordinator.

Bringing with her over 5 years of experience as an Executive Assistant in the Real Estate industry, Hollie’s professional skill set encompasses not only her genuine enthusiasm for the community sector but also her expertise in administration, payroll processing, and HR-related matters.

Throughout her career, and in her personal experiences as a gymnast representing the Australian National Team in her youth, Hollie has developed a deep understanding of the value of hard work and determination in setting and achieving goals. Her exceptional communication and organisational skills allow her to quickly establish rapport and build meaningful relationships with a diverse range of stakeholders

Hollie joined Southern Cross Housing (SCH) in 2020 as a...

HOLLIE DYKES

General Manager
People & Culture

SHANE MEIJER

Position: General Manager
Housing Services

Categories: Leadership Team

Shane joined Southern Cross Housing (SCH) in November 2022, following a 17-year period with the NSW Government in Social Housing. He has held numerous positions within NSW Public Housing, with the most recent being Manager of Housing Operations for the NSW Department of Communities and Justice in Southern NSW. Shane is a passionate housing professional with a wealth of knowledge in social housing operations, policies, and processes. He is also extremely committed to his community, which he demonstrated through his role in keeping the community safe during the 2019/2020 bushfires, the COVID-19 pandemic, and the Northern Region Floods by participating in several local emergency management committees. Shane is dedicated to ensuring best practices and high levels of customer satisfaction.

Shane joined Southern Cross Housing (SCH) in November 2022, following...

SHANE MEIJER

General Manager
Housing Services

PETER ANDREWS

Position: General Manager
Finance

Categories: Leadership Team

Peter joined Southern Cross Housing (SCH) in 2023, bringing with him over two decades of experience in finance and three years in the Social & Affordable Housing Sector. Peter is a Chartered Accountant and most recently was employed as the Financial Controller in the building and construction space. He brings a wealth of knowledge and a strong commercial acumen developed through years of experience in the private and social sectors.

Peter is a skilled and confident General Manager of Finance, who works alongside our Group CFO to develop and oversee the Finance Team to deliver high-level results for our organisation and our tenants.

Peter joined Southern Cross Housing (SCH) in 2023, bringing with...

PETER ANDREWS

General Manager
Finance

MANAGEMENT TEAM

SARAH SPICER

Position: Manager
Access & Demand
Categories: Management Team

Sarah joined Southern Cross Housing in 2016, starting as a housing trainee within the Access & Demand department. By the end of 2022, She transitioned into the position of Access & Demand Team Manager.

Throughout her tenure at Southern Cross Housing, She has advanced her career by taking on various roles. Prior to her current managerial position, She served as a Senior Housing Officer, specialising in the Rent Choice Start Safely program. This role involved providing support to clients who have experienced domestic violence, aiding them in accessing safe accommodation and transitioning away from abusive situations.

To support her professional growth, She has obtained a Cert IV in Social Housing and a Diploma in Community Services.

Her true passion lies in leading her team to achieve positive housing outcomes for individuals facing homelessness. She is also committed to offering assistance to those at risk of homelessness within the private rental market, ensuring the sustainability of their tenancies.

Sarah joined Southern Cross Housing in 2016, starting as a...

SARAH SPICER

Manager
Access & Demand

CATHY CAMPBELL

Position: Manager
Communities Assist
Categories: Management Team

Cathy joined Southern Cross Housing in 2019 as our Communities Assist Manager, with over 20 years’ experience in the development, implementation and management of community development projects, community engagement projects and community service programs within our local government sector.

Cathy holds an Honours Degree in Environmental Science, a Diploma of Management and is currently studying a Post Graduate Certificate in Community Development.

Cathy values working with our most vulnerable sections of the community, in particular our Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples’, and knows how important it is to support each tenant holistically by reducing their barriers to living a more fulfilled life. Cathy and her dedicated team lead many internal projects by developing and implementing new community development initiative, focusing on tenant outcomes, tenant satisfaction and overall community well being.

Cathy joined Southern Cross Housing in 2019 as our Communities...

CATHY CAMPBELL

Manager
Communities Assist

JULIE HADLEY

Position: Manager
Tenancy North
Categories: Management Team

Julie arrived at SCH with more than 15 years of valuable experience in Property Management, gained through her work in the esteemed Shoalhaven Real Estate Industry. Since 2017, she has been an integral part of the Southern Cross Housing (SCH), serving as a Housing Officer within the Tenancy Team. In her current role, Julie and her colleagues manage a sizable portfolio of properties throughout the Shoalhaven region, providing essential services to support tenants and ensure they are able to maintain their tenancies. Through this work, Julie and the SCH team play a vital role in providing safe and secure homes for some of the most vulnerable members of our community.

Julie arrived at SCH with more than 15 years of...

JULIE HADLEY

Manager
Tenancy North

BLAKE DE-VISSCHER

Position: Manager
Tenancy South
Categories: Management Team

Blake joined Southern Cross Housing in 2019 and holds a Certificate IV in Community Services. Throughout his time at Southern Cross Housing, he has developed his skills and expertise by working in various positions within the tenancy team. One notable role was that of a Tenant Support Specialist, where he provided assistance and support to tenants facing challenging circumstances.

In early 2023, he relocated to Eurobodalla and assumed the position of Tenancy Team Manager. In this capacity, he is responsible for overseeing tenancy management across multiple local government areas, namely Batemans Bay, Bega Valley, and Snowy Monaro.

His passion lies in supporting his team to deliver effective tenancy management services, particularly in the realm of social and affordable housing. He is dedicated to employing early intervention strategies to sustain tenancies, ensuring that our tenants can maintain secure housing within their respective communities.

Blake joined Southern Cross Housing in 2019 and holds a...

BLAKE DE-VISSCHER

Manager
Tenancy South

JONATHON VIDAMOUR

Position: Manager
Property Services
Categories: Management Team

Jonathan started his professional career in the Project Home Sector until his commencement with Southern Cross Housing in 2016. He has since seen Southern Cross Housing grow significantly in size and scope, gaining significant experience working on the Social Housing Management Transfer of around 900 properties in the Shoalhaven from Land and Housing Corporation in 2018.

Jonathan holds a Certificate IV in Social Housing, and has gained a deep understanding of the Social & Affordable Housing Sector during his tenure. This, coupled with his personable ‘can-do’ attitude has equipped him to develop strong collaborative relationships with local Support Services and Clients across our portfolio, and meaningfully contribute towards the provision of safe and secure housing for the most vulnerable members of the Communities we service.

Jonathan started his professional career in the Project Home Sector...

JONATHON VIDAMOUR

Manager
Property Services