Meet the Board
Our Board Members
Gwen Wood
Chair
Gwen was appointed to the Board of Centacare Employment and Training in November 2005 and was elected Chair of the Board in November 2013.
Now retired, Gwen was previously a Manager in the Department of Health. Her expertise in the outsourcing of Health services through contracts to the community sector has particular relevance to her role with Centacare.
Prior to this, she was a Lecturer and Program Manager in Vocational Education and Training (VET).
Gwen has considerable knowledge and experience with the not-for-profit sector, bringing valuable expertise to the position of Chair. She has double degrees in Education and Psychology and a Post Graduate Diploma in Business
Paul O'Connor
Board Member
Paul was appointed to the Centacare Board in June 2019 following a short period as an honorary Board member.
Paul brings to the Board extensive experience, knowledge and skills from my career in the Local and State government sectors of WA, mainly in the corporate and/or financial services areas. He is now retired after 11 years at the Shire of Mundaring and 30 years previously in State Government agencies such as Office of Energy, State Treasury, Premier’s Department, Office of Public Sector Standards and Ombudsman’s Office including some time in Ministerial Offices.
Paul holds a Bachelor of Business Degree in Accounting and he is a member of other not for profit boards outside of this sector.
Whilst Paul has a limited background in the education and training sector, he is committed to contributing to the community through the use of his strong experience and knowledge in finance, governance, human resources, information technology, information management and strategic planning at both State and Local Government levels which Paul believes will assist the Board and Centacare to become an even stronger organisation.
Colin Schotte
Board Member
Colin is a finance professional with over 30 years of experience across retail, business, commercial, institutional banking as well as fund management across most of the largest Banks in Australia.
Additionally, Colin has a strong technical background in Technology that has great synergy with his passion for process improvement to deliver better operational efficiencies. Currently, Colin is the manager of the Perth CDF and brings a solid background in Finance across many industries.
Colin holds a Bachelor of Commerce (Finance and Ecommerce) from Curtin University.
Another passion of Colin is his involvement with youth through the Scouting movement and has been involved in the development of youth for over 10 years.
Peter Le
Board Member
Peter has 20 years of legal experience, working in private practice, in house and for local government and has general commercial, corporate, property, construction and major projects experience.
In private practice, Peter has worked for national, international and top-tier law firms.
Peter is a trusted advisor to many companies, not for profit organisations, charitable and sporting organisations.
Peter also sits on various boards, providing stewardship in legal, governance, risk and compliance.
Peter’s board positions have included:
- Chair of City West Lotteries House
- Board member of Phoenix Support & Advocacy Services
- President of the Asian Australian Lawyers Association Inc (WA Branch)
- Chair of the Asia Business Council of WA Inc.
- Chair of the Lawyers in Local Government (LLG) Network
- President of Westnam United Soccer Club Inc.
Peter has been recognised by being awarded the WA Volunteer for Multicultural Communities Award 2019. He was the winner of the Piddington Society’s Senior Lawyer of the Year Award 2019 and the Law Society of WA’s Lawyer of the Year Award 2021. Peter was listed amongst the Most Influential Lawyers 2021 by Australasian Lawyers.
Tamara McGougan
Board Member
Tamara has over 40 years of experience in the education sector, including 25 years in Catholic Education WA, where she has served as a teacher, leader and Principal in both regional and metropolitan schools. As Principal, Tamara has been responsible for the religious, educational, pastoral and financial dimensions of each school.
Tamara’s leadership philosophy echoes her strong belief and commitment to wrapping a community of committed and skilled people around each person so that they are empowered to build on their strengths, to grow and transform their lives. She has a deep passion for ensuring respect for the dignity of each person, values life-long learning and has a keen interest in providing equal access and opportunities for all.
Tamara holds a Graduate Diploma of Education, a Bachelor of Education and a Master of Educational Leadership. She has been on several committees, school boards and has been a member of the Catholic Primary Principals’ Association.
Recently retired, Tamara looks forward to supporting the Board in their vision to transform lives through education, training and employment.
Marian Taylor
Board Member
Marian joined the Centacare Board in late 2020, after a long career in the State Public Sector and, particularly, in the vocational education and training sector.
Marian has extensive experience, having worked in management roles in various State Departments. In her last government role, she managed over 40 staff supporting apprentices, trainees and training providers throughout the State. Marian was responsible for policy development and the implementation of various vocational programs, including apprenticeships and traineeships. As a professionally recognized counsellor and hypnotherapist, she also provides counselling services voluntarily. These roles provided a rich and profound experience in the training sector.
Additionally, Marian’s previous experience as the Chair of the Gosnells Women’s Health Services, Board member of the Duke of Edinburgh Award and member of the Main Roads Board has provided a good grasp of Board operations.
Marian has a Masters degree in Counselling from Notre Dame University and an Advanced Diploma in Hypnotherapy, in addition to a BA in Public Administration (Murdoch) and a BA from India. She also holds current Diplomas in both Training Design and Delivery as well as Training and Assessment.
Marian comprehends the challenges and rewards of the migrant experience as she was born in Mumbai and first experienced Australia as a fairly isolated young woman, but went on and built her future within Australian society. She values and enjoys contemporary Australia in all its diversity.
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