Our Board

Chair: Mrs Catherine Walter AM

Mrs Walter is a Solicitor and Company Director.  She practised law for 20 years and was Managing Partner of one of the major law firms in Melbourne and thereafter a Commissioner for the City of Melbourne. Mrs Walter has chaired and participated in government think tanks in the areas of education, the Arts and corporate and financial regulation.  For nearly 20 years she has been a non-executive director on Boards spanning the private sector, not-for-profit and government sectors and across a range of industries: resources and energy, funds management, banking, insurance, superannuation, telecoms, education, the Arts and health services. Mrs Walter is currently Chairman of the Australian Synchrotron, a Director of the Reserve Bank’s Payment Systems Board, Australian Foundation Investment Company, Victorian Opera and Walter & Eliza Hall Institute of Medical Research. Mrs Walter holds a first class Honours Degree in Law, a Masters Degree in Law and a Masters of Business Administration from the University of Melbourne. She is a Fellow of the Australian Institute of Company Directors.

Board Member: Helen Kapalos

Helen Kapalos began her career as a reporter on ABC Radio in Newcastle in 1994 before moving to SBS after winning a national scholarship. During her time at Nine Network’s regional affiliate NBN, she wrote, directed and produced an award-winning documentary on the closure of Newcastle’s BHP steel works. Soon after she was approached by the Nine Network to join their news team, where she reported on several breaking local and national stories. She played a key role in the 2004 Athens Olympics coverage and upon her return was appointed host of Late News program Nightline. She also presented the news on the flagship current affairs program Sunday, alongside host Jana Wendt. In 2008, Helen Joined Network Ten, where she presented the flagship 5pm news service with industry stalwart Mal Walden till November, 2012. During that time, she was called on to report on breaking stories for the Network, including the 2009 devastating Black Saturday bushfires, the appointment of the country’s first female PM, the Victoria floods and Christchurch earthquake. In January 2013, Helen joined the Seven Network, where she was appointed the Melbourne and Sydney host of Public Affairs program Today Tonight.

Board Member: Louise Staley

Louise Staley is a Research Fellow and Director Food and Environment Unit at the Institute of Public Affairs, a company director and a grain farmer. Louise is also a director of [Fed Square Pty Ltd/Grampians Medicare Local/East Grampians Health Service] and [Fed Square Pty Ltd/Grampians Medicare Local/East Grampians Health Service]. Prior to relocating to rural Victoria, Louise was a senior portfolio manager at AXA Australia where she specialised in telecommunications investment. She has previously been Deputy Chair of the Australian Film Commission and a board member of the Australian Institute of Family Studies. Louise holds an Arts Degree, a Postgraduate Diploma in Finance from the University of Melbourne, and a Masters in Public Policy from Flinders University. She is a Fellow of the Australian Institute of Company Directors and a Chartered Financial Analyst.