Meet the Board

Professor AJ Brown

Chair

A J Brown AM, BA LLB PhD FAAL FASSA, is a professor of public policy and law at Griffith University, Queensland, and a Fellow of the Australian Academy of Law and Academy of the Social Sciences in Australia.

A recognised expert in complex governance reform including integrity systems, public accountability and whistleblowing in Australia and internationally, he was also previously a senior investigator with the Commonwealth Ombudsman, a ministerial policy advisor in the Queensland Government, and an associate to Tony Fitzgerald AC QC, President of the Queensland Supreme Court of Appeal.

He served as a member of the Transparency International Global Board from 2017 to 2023, when he also led the development of TI’s current global strategy. In 2023, he was made a Member of the Order of Australia for his significant contribution to public policy and law, especially through whistleblower protection.

(AJ Brown is based in Queensland and was appointed to the TIA Board on 24.09.10 and assumed the TI Australia Chair in January 2024. AJ also serves on the Governance Committee and the Policy and Campaigns Committee.)

Martin Thomas

Director

Martin Thomas has been a leader in the for-purpose sector for more than a decade. He served as Chief Executive of Habitat for Humanity Australia and held senior roles at Mission Australia, World Vision and UNICEF Australia. As a former editor and journalist, Martin has strong expertise in communications and advocacy. He currently consults to the for-purpose sector.

He is a member of the Business Integrity Committee.

(Martin Thomas is based in NSW and joined the Board on 4.7.20. Martin is a member of the Policy and Campaigns Committee.)

Sara Pantzer

Director

Sara Pantzer, BEc Dip Law (SAB), Masters of Dispute Resolution, GAICD, is an independent consultant with extensive experience in public policy, advocacy and public affairs, having worked across a diverse range of industries and sectors.

She has spent the last 20 years working in the life sciences sector – pharmaceutical and biotech.  She also serves as a non-executive director with Sydney Community College and Motor Neurone Disease Association of NSW. Sara is a member of TIA’s Governance and Policy and Campaigns Committees.

(Sara Pantzer is based in NSW and joined the Board on 22.3.18, and was appointed Deputy Chair in August 2024. Sara Chairs the Governance Committee and is a member of the Finance, Risk and Performance Committee.)

Robyn McKern

Director

Robyn is a Fellow of Chartered Accountants Australia and New Zealand, is a Graduate member of the Australian Institute of Company Directors and a Registered Liquidator.  Robyn has more than 30 years’ experience in professional services across audit, restructuring, dispute services and has served as COO, CEO and Professional Practice/Risk Partner of her present firm.  Her current role is focussed on forensic investigation and expert witness service and across 2021-22 Robyn was appointed  by various regulator reviews and Royal Commissions to provide expert evidence in relation to anti-money laundering issues at casinos in Victoria, WA and NSW.   Robyn has served on the board of various not-for-profit charity and membership organisations since 2007.

(Robyn McKern joined the Board on 24.11.22. Robyn serves as Company Secretary and Chairs the Finance, Risk and Performance Committee.)

Deborah Stokes

Director

Deborah Stokes, BA Hons (Adel) and M.Phil (Cantab), has extensive experience in government and international relations at senior executive levels. Deborah was Vice-President of the Asian Development Bank which has development operations in more than 35 countries in the Asia-Pacific. Prior to this, Deborah held senior positions in Australia’s Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade including as High Commissioner to Papua New Guinea, Ambassador in Vienna serving also as Australia’s Governor on the Board of the International Atomic Energy Agency, Deputy Ambassador in Tokyo, and head of the UN and international legal affairs division in Canberra.

(Deborah Stokes is based in ACT and joined the Board on 26th August 2021.  Deborah is Chair of the Policy and Campaigns Committee.)

J.C Weliamuna

Director

J.C. Weliamuna is a legal practitioner and governance expert, currently practising law in Victoria. With a career spanning over three decades, he has served as a leading Sri Lankan barrister specialising in constitutional, administrative, and human rights law, leading over 150 landmark cases. As the former Executive Director of Transparency International Sri Lanka, Weliamuna was pivotal in pioneering anti-corruption reforms and institutional building under challenging circumstances. He has actively engaged in international human rights networks and worked extensively at the intersection of human rights and anti-corruption. He served on the international board of Transparency International and is currently a member of its International Council. Additionally, Weliamuna has collaborated with numerous international institutions on the recovery of corrupt proceeds and formulating policies to trace stolen assets. His membership in the International Anti-Corruption Conference Council underscores his ongoing commitment to promoting integrity and transparency globally.

(J.C Weliamuna is based in Victoria and joined the Board on 10.6.24. JC serves on the Governance Committee and the Policy and Campaigns Committee.)

Vanessa Chang

Director

Vanessa is currently CEO and Chair of the Victor Chang Foundation. She worked in the corporate world for ten years before pursuing her career in the third sector, where she has been for over 25 years. Vanessa holds a Master of Management in NFP organisations and an Arts Degree (majoring in political science). She brings a wealth of experience in management of not-for-profit boards. She also has a comprehensive understanding of strategic fundraising and direct response marketing including a broad range of specialist skills and technical knowledge in this area.

(Vanessa Chang is based in NSW and joined the Board on 10.6.24. Vanessa serves on the Membership and Fundraising Committee.)

Russell Wilson

Director

Russell Wilson, BA LLM(ANU) MAICD, has extensive experience in anti-money laundering and counter-terrorism financing.

Russell spent more than 10 years as the first General Counsel at Australia’s financial intelligence and anti-money laundering agency (AUSTRAC), playing a strategic role in preventing and detecting financial crime and money-laundering and in conjunction with major domestic and international financial organisations and regulators.

Russell is internationally recognised for his expertise and remains well connected to relevant government departments including Home Affairs and Attorney General’s Department.

(Russell Wilson is based in ACT and joined the Board on 22.3.18.  Russell is a member of the Policy and Campaigns Committee and the Finance, Risk and Performance Committee.)

Sophie Jaggard

Director

Sophie is a global regulatory leader in the tech sector and an Australian qualified solicitor with over 14 years’ experience in private practice and in-house legal roles in Australia and the UK.  Sophie is also a graduate of the Australian Institute of Company Directors (GAICD) and a dual certified International Data Privacy Professional (IAPP CIPP/E).  She holds a Bachelor of Laws/Bachelor of Arts (specialising in International Relations) from the Australian National University.

Sophie has over 10 years’ experience advising on anti-financial crime laws and regulatory enforcement. Sophie has held significant roles in the financial crime space in Australia, including working as the Senior Legal Counsel on CBA’s Program of Action following its 2017 AUSTRAC proceedings and advising Westpac on its financial crime transformation programme following AUSTRAC’s 2020 enforcement action. She has also led a number of whistleblowing and BEAR investigations and cross border regulatory transformation projects and has experience in designing and implementing whistleblowing programs.

(Sophie Jaggard is based in NSW and joined the Board on 10.6.24. Sophie serves on the Governance Committee.)

John Yiannis

Director

A senior finance and risk management professional with extensive experience in senior finance, corporate governance, risk management, crises management, internal audit, corporate and forensic investigations, global security and board reporting within a global Australian (ASX) listed corporation. Excellent management and financial skills spread across all elements of international business within large corporations (covering manufacturing, retail, services, construction, public transport, transport and logistics and welfare services). Currently: Board Member and Treasurer of Y Services, Member of the Finance Committee for Western Chances.

Memberships

FCPA – Fellow of CPA Australia
FGIA – Fellow of the Governance Institute of Australia
GAICD – Graduate of Australian Institute of Company Directors Company Directors Course

(John Yiannis is based in Victoria and joined the Board on 10.6.24. John serves on the Membership and Fundraising Committee and the Finance, Risk and Performance Committee.)

Dr Anton Moiseienko

Matt Fehon

Peter Willis

Grahame Leonard AM

Gill Donnelly

Mark Zirnsak