Governance

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. She serves on the Australian Broadcasting Corporation Advisory Council, is a director of the National Accreditation Authority for Translators and Interpreters and a panel assessor at the Australian Scholarships Foundation.  

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, Southeast 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 including Westin, Optus Stadium, Brookfield Place and Cheron Tower.  

 In 2022, Peter was a Medal of the Order of Australia for his service to community housing initiatives and architecture.  

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 several 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 Master 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, previously holding 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 several years covering a diverse range of portfolio areas. 

Gail is a graduate of the Australian Institute of Company Directors and member of Chief Executive Women of Australia, CEOs for Gender Equity, Murdoch Vice Chancellor’s External Advisory Board, Western Australian Planning Commission, Pastoral Lands Board and Transport Infrastructure and Station Precinct Executive Committee. 

Gail was awarded a Public Service Medal in the 2019 Queen’s Birthday Honours for her outstanding public service to land use, planning and industry development in Western Australia.  

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 board, 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 on communities across WA. Chris sits on the Board of the Community Housing Industry Association (CHIA).  

 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 which works to ensure Foundation Housing meets its corporate and strategic objectives.  

Jeremy Jacobs

Chief Financial Officer, Company Secretary

B.Comm, CPA, MAICD

Jeremy is an experienced finance executive, specialising in the provision of commercial management, and business & corporate strategy. He has worked across a diverse range of industries including not-for-profit, aged care, consulting, banking, and finance. Prior to joining Foundation Housing, Jeremy was Director Corporate Services at VCS Ltd, a Director in KPMG’s Health, Ageing & Human Services division, Head of Finance Strategy at Ansell Strategic, and led the Internal Investments department at Bankwest. 

Jeremy has also served as a Board Member within the not-for-profit sector and is currently Chair of an aged care provider in WA. 

Jeremy has responsibility for Foundation Housing’s finance, treasury, risk, governance, IT, and company secretarial functions. 

Kerryn Edwards

General Manager (Operations)

Stuart Duplock

General Manager (Commercial Development)

Stuart Duplock has almost three decades’ experience spanning the residential, commercial, retail, industrial and tourism sectors. Prior to his career in property, he spent 10 years in corporate advisory in Australia and the United Kingdom.  

Stuart has responsibility for Foundation Housing’s acquisitions, development, and property services.