MEET OUR TEAM

Our Leadership

THENU HERATH | CEO

Thenu stepped up to be Oaktree's CEO in January 2021, bringing three years of experience in international and community development. Alongside her role at Oaktree, Thenu is currently completing her Juris Doctor at the University of Melbourne and working with the World Economic Forum's Global Shaper community. The proud daughter of Sri Lankan immigrants, Thenu’s belief in human rights, empathy and justice is unwavering. Thenu envisions a world where governments, civil society and the private sector can come together to provide innovative solutions to the most pressing issues of our time. In her spare time (she promises she has some), you can find her learning to Salsa Dance, re-reading Dan Brown books and defending her South Australian pronunciation of the word 'graph'.

Email: t.herath@theoaktree.org

ALAN WU | CHAIR

Alan has long worked with communities to build power to make decisions that matter. He currently serves on the boards of racial justice organisation Democracy in Colour, and LGBTQIA+ mentoring organisation Out for Australia, and recently retired as the longest-serving member of the board of Oxfam Australia, one of the nation’s largest international development organisations. He is a senior adviser with the Open Government Partnership, a multilateral project to make governments more inclusive, responsive and accountable.

Previously, Alan served as Chair of Australia’s peak body for young people, and as an executive and lawyer with the Australian Government.

Our Board of Directors

FINBAR PIPER | Deputy Chair 

Finbar is a former Oaktree volunteer, working on campaigns and political engagement in 2016-17. He is now a government lawyer and holds a Juris Doctor and Bachelor of Arts from the University of Melbourne. He is an advocate for civic engagement and youth participation in decision-making forums, and was appointed as a Youth Commissioner for the National Youth Commission's Inquiry into Youth Employment and Transitions from 2018 to 2021.

ELYSE MCINERNEY | Director & Chair of the Development & Policy Subcommittee 

Elyse is a program manager with a key focus on gender equality and feminist development practice. Her previous portfolios have included projects on employment, gender-based violence, financial capability, women's leadership, regional and international advocacy, coalition strengthening, education, child protection and humanitarian response. She is particularly passionate about  ensuring lived experiences inform program practice and advocacy work.

MARTA ZAJAC | Director & Chair of the Fundraising Advisory Board

Marta is a fundraising and marketing specialist using her skills to grow progressive social change movements. Marta is the Experience Delivery Lead at the Australian Red Cross and a member of the Marketing and Growth Committee at Plan International. Prior to Red Cross, Marta has worked at Climate for Change, Human Rights Law Centre, United Nations and in the private sector, while holding numerous volunteer roles across the nonprofit sector. Marta has a Bachelor of Arts (Honours) in Public Relations and Advertising from the University of Westminster in London. Originally from Poland, she has lived across three continents for the past ten years, calling Australia home for the past four - and counting.

CAMERON MCGOWAN | Director & Chair of the Risk & Audit Subcommittee

Cameron/Cam is an Internal Audit Manager in the Risk Advisory practice at EY and works across the Non-for-profit, Health and Government practices. Cam has over 8 years of experience, having worked for EY and large multinational companies in Germany and Paris, and specialises in best in class risk management practices that add value and enable organisations to deliver on their strategic objectives.

STEVE MILLS | Director & Chair of the Financial Sustainability Subcommittee

Steven has over fifteen years’ experience in financial positions, including nearly ten in senior finance and consulting roles specialising in accounting, strategy, forecasting and change management. He has worked in the UK, US and Australia and holds a Bachelor of Business from LaTrobe University, is a Chartered Accountant (CIMA) and completed an MBA from Melbourne Business School. He enjoys mentoring and assisting young people to reach their full potential and outside of Oaktree can be found reading or out in nature.  

JACK HE | Director & Company Secretary

Jack holds a Bachelors degree in Business Administration and a Masters degree in Applied Finance. He has over 17 years of experience in the banking industry across Mergers & Acquisitions, Product Management, and Treasury. He is passionate about diversity and equality, and is a firm believer in empowering young people to take ownership for change