Board and Executive

David Ligovich

Chair of Board of Directors, Chair of the Finance and Audit Committee, Member of Governance Committee

David Ligovich is the Chief Financial Officer of the Craig Mosytn Group and has over 30 years experience in finance and business management in leading private and not-for-profit businesses both within Australia and internationally. As a qualified Chartered Accountant, David is highly skilled in operational and strategic leadership, governance and risk management with technical, financial, commercial and M&A capability.

Josephine Buontempo

Deputy Chair, Chair of the Tenancy Services and Engagement, Member of the Governance Committee

Jo Buontempo has over 25 years’ senior and executive management experience in the social services, legal and government sectors.
She has worked extensively across a wide range of community corporations in rural, remote and metropolitan regions of Western Australia & led and managed organisations and services in the areas of community law, education and training, social housing, employment, disability and family, youth and children’s services. Jo is currently the Managing Director of an international migration consultancy practice and governance and strategy development consultant within the for purpose sector.

Peter Lee

Chair of the Development Committee

Peter Lee is a Principal and Board Member of Hassell, a leading international design practice with studios in Australia, China, South East Asia and the United Kingdom. A Fellow of the Royal Institute of Architects, he has extensive experience in the design and project management of major residential, commercial and retail projects.

Elena Macrides

Chair of the Governance Committee, Member of Finance and Audit Committee

Elena Macrides is a solicitor with over 20 years’ experience in legal and strategic consulting roles.  Her project experience includes commercial roles at Rio Tinto Iron Ore and she has strategy consulting experience in Perth, Sydney and Melbourne across a broad range of industries. Elena also spent a number of years in private practice as a solicitor at two national firms. She is a graduate member of the Australian Institute of Company Directors and holds a Bachelor of Science/Bachelor of Laws and Masters of Business Administration from the University of Western Australia.

Gail McGowan

Member of the Development & Assets Committee

Gail McGowan is an experienced senior executive and Board Director. She has more than 30 years experience in government and until mid 2021 was the Director General of the Department of Planning, Lands and Heritage. She has also held senior positions at the former Department of State Development, and Worksafe. In addition she worked as a policy advisor and chief of staff to State and Federal Government Ministers for a number of years covering a diverse range of portfolio areas.

Jeff Stiely

Member of the Finance and Audit Committee

Jeff Stiely has consulted for over thirty years in strategy design and implementation. His clients include CEO’s and their executive teams at firms such as Wal*Mart, Tiffany & Co, and the Gap in the US; Armani in Italy; Aeon Group in Japan, and Westfield in Australia.

Since moving to Perth in 2005, Jeff has expanded beyond retail into an array of industries, with a balance between for profit and mission-focused organisations. Social organisations include Nulsen, Foundation Housing, Lotterywest, The Anglican Church, Anglicare, St. Bart’s, Wungening Aboriginal Corporation (formally AADS), Steiner Schools, and several others.

He’s on the national speaking circuit, delivering keynotes nationally to CEO’s and boards on the above topics. Jeff is active on boards, having chaired two companies, including Kitchen Warehouse, a national retailer.

Chris Smith

Chief Executive Officer

Chris joined Foundation Housing in September 2014 from a statutory investment fund where he held various senior and executive roles in Portfolio Management and General Management. Chris has extensive experience in completing a range of commercial transactions, including establishing new businesses, acquisitions, joint ventures and management agreements.

Chris has a longstanding interest in working for better outcomes for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples and those more broadly within the community. Chris recognises the significance of Foundation Housings’ role in managing significant housing infrastructure and wants to make a positive impact in the communities across WA

As CEO of Foundation Housing, Chris is responsible for managing Foundation Housing’s strategic priorities in line with policies determined by the Board. Chris is assisted by an experienced executive team, with which works to ensure Foundation Housing meets its corporate and strategic objectives.

Jeremy Jacobs

Chief Financial Officer, Company Secretary

B.Comm, CPA, MAICD

Jeremy has responsibility for Foundation Housing’s finance, treasury, governance, company secretarial, and ICT functions. He has extensive experience in the provision of commercial management and corporate strategy across a diverse range of industries including not-for-profit, aged care, consulting, banking, and finance. Jeremy has also served as a Board Member within the not-for-profit sector.

Kerryn Edwards

General Manager (Operations)

Kerryn Edwards has responsibility for Foundation Housing’s housing operations including tenant services, property services and our fee for service arm. Kerryn also manages the community and business development team, spanning stakeholder engagement, communications, community engagement and housing projects. Kerryn has worked in social and community housing for 25 years, including 12 years in senior management at a large London based housing association, private consulting across Australia and the past seven years at Foundation Housing.

Stuart Duplock

General Manager (Commercial Development)

Stuart Duplock has responsibility for Foundation Housing’s acquisitions, development and property services. Stuart has almost three decades’ experience spanning the residential, commercial, retail and industrial and tourism sectors.