Our Board

Mike is the former longstanding Chief Executive of Housing NSW, now part of the Department of Community Services and Justice. Since retirement from the social housing sector, Mike Allen has devoted his time to Not-For-Profit boards. He is the Chair of Afford, Chair of Link Wentworth and a Board member of Aboriginal Hostels Limited and NSWALC. Housing Ltd. Mike was recently awarded the Making a Difference: Community Service Award from Penrith City Council.

Mike has accrued over 40 years of experience in social and affordable housing management and asset services, homelessness services, and community and Aboriginal housing. He also has a strong interest in the housing needs of people with a disability. Mike was awarded the Public Service Medal in 2011. Mike has served as a not-for-profit board member since 1989, including working as a Board Director for Afford since 2015.

Carol has extensive experience in executive leadership, organisational culture, business strategy, hospital accreditation, human resources and governance in complex healthcare organisations.

Carol’s career achievements were underpinned by the depth of knowledge and experience gained in senior executive management roles across healthcare. She demonstrates a keen insight into the operation of large, complex organisations and has a deep knowledge of governance and complex people issues. Carol has carried across those skills to several board appointments during her role as Chief Executive officer.

Carol’s work record includes leading the executive team at both Westmead Private Hospital and Macquarie University Hospital where she was Chief Executive Officer.

Ross was appointed as an Afford Board Director in February 2004. He has over 30 years of experience as a Board Director and has held board positions with CivicRisk Mutual Ltd, Penrith Whitewater Stadium Ltd, and Penrith Performing and Visual Arts Ltd.

Mr Fowler holds a Bachelor of Commerce, is a Fellow of the Institute of Chartered Accountants, is a registered Company Auditor and Tax Agent and is the Principal of a Penrith-based firm of Chartered Accountants.

Ross is currently a Councillor on Penrith City Council, having been first elected in 1991 and now in his seventh consecutive term. He has served several terms as Mayor.

Mr Alan Travis joined the Afford Board in April 2009.

He retired as General Manager of Penrith City Council after working 42 years in Local Goverment. He is a Fellow and Life Member of Local Government Professionals Australia.

He currently serves as a Board Member of Nordoff – Robbins Music Therapy Australia and is Chair of Fairfield City Council’s Audit and Risk Committee.

Mr Haynes joined the Afford Board in November 2010.

He had a 37 year career in the NSW and Local Government sectors in executive management positions, retiring as Assistant Director General, Corporate and Shared Services with the Department of Human Services.

Mr Haynes is a former President of the NSW Division of Local Government Professionals Australia. He is a Director of St Vincent de Paul Housing Ltd and is an independent member on a number of Local Government Audit, Risk and Improvement Committees.

Paul has over 30 years’ experience in the financial services sector having held global COO and Managing Director roles (in Australia and London) with major investment banks including Credit Suisse, Deutsche Bank, BZW and Goldman Sachs as well as in financial infrastructure with Deutsche Boerse.

Paul now advises early-stage companies, NFPs and financial services Firms on strategy, capital management, risk management and governance.

He is on the Advisory Boards of Australian Mortgage Marketplace and Poweredbypercent.

Joseph has had a career spanning more than thirty-five years in leadership positions in affordable housing and services to people with disability in not-for-profit, mutual and Government organisations. He has served on the Board and as the Chair of several Non-Profits. He has a Business Degree and a Masters in Social Sciences. He has completed the AICD Directors course and the Harvard Business School SPNM Program (as a Non-Profit Fellow).

He currently provides education and advocacy focusing on housing for people with disability through his company, MC Two Pty Ltd. He has an acquired hearing disability.