Governance Committee Members

Frances has been the CEO of YWCA Canberra since 2013. She has led YWCA Canberra through a significant change process in integrated services delivery, corporate service review and evaluation frameworks. In response to identified community need, including during the COVID-19 crisis, Frances has spearheaded a range of new programs in the areas of addressing domestic and family violence and women’s homelessness, as well as empowering women to take authentic leadership journeys.

Frances is currently a Council Member for the ACT Work Safety Council as appointed by the Minister and the ACT Work Safety Commissioner. Frances also volunteers on a variety of boards and committees, including Homelessness Australia. Frances was formerly on the board of ACT Council of Social Service (ACTCOSS), is a former Board Director of WESNET, former Chair of the ACT Ministerial Advisory Committee for Women and former Co-Chair of Anti-Poverty Week in the ACT.

In 2015, Frances received an Edna Ryan Award for advancing the status of women in the ACT. In 2016, Frances was named ACT Leader of the Year at the Australian Leadership Excellence Awards run by the Australian Institute of Leadership and Management. She also attended Commission for the Status of Women in New York in 2017, 2018 and 2019.

In 2021 Frances was selected to participate in the inaugural Social Impact Leadership Australia (SILA) program, where she completed a 10-month program on leadership development and capacity building for CEOs of for-purpose organisations in Australia.

Deborah Ann Bowden is a seasoned senior leader with extensive experience across various sectors, including government, publicly listed companies, and not-for-profit organizations. She is known for her strategic advice and consistent application of good governance. Deb has successfully designed and implemented numerous strategic plans and programs, and she excels in leading, mentoring, and working with passionate people.

Qualifications:

• Chartered Company Secretary
• Certified Practicing Accountant
• Graduate Diploma of Applied Corporate Governance
• Company Directors Course Diploma
• Graduate Certificate in Professional Accounting
• Bachelor of Business (Business Management and Public Administration)

Professional Associations:

• CPA Australia
• Fellow of the Governance Institute of Australia
• Fellow of the Institute of Chartered Secretaries and Administrators
• Graduate Member of the Australian Institute of Company Directors
• Golden Key International Honour Society

Trish is a senior executive with extensive background across the public and private sectors, with a particular focus on gender equality, leadership, public sector reform and organisational development. She has a varied portfolio of consulting, facilitation and coaching roles as well as several pro-bono board and advisory positions. She also works with a wide range of executives as a coach in leadership and career development. Her consulting work focuses on organisation and team development, change and transition and culture assessment and development.

Trish is an Adjunct Fellow within the School of Professional Studies at UNSW Canberra Faculty as well as an Adjunct Professor with University of Canberra, in the Faculty of Business, Government and Law. She is Chair of the Advisory Council for the Women’s Pathways to Politics program, a joint venture between University of Canberra and the University of Melbourne.

She has a Bachelor’s degree in economics and a Master degree in Management from the Crawford School at the Australian National University (ANU) as well as a wide range of accreditations in contemporary management, leadership and organisational development tools.