Dr Peter Mangles
Chairperson
Dr Peter Mangles was appointed to the Board in 2024. He is a dynamic and visionary leader with a commitment to transformative leadership across diverse sectors, including ASX-listed companies, private enterprises, and not-for-profit organisations. As a Graduate of the Australian Institute of Company Directors (GAICD), a Chartered Manager with the Chartered Management Institute (UK), and a Certified Practicing Manager with the Institute of Managers and Leaders (ANZ), Peter brings a wealth of expertise in governance, strategic leadership and operational excellence. His work across for-profit and not-for-profit sectors reflects his belief in the power of ethical governance and impactful change. From boardrooms to community initiatives, he remains deeply committed to building sustainable, high-performing organisations that prioritise stakeholder value and contribute to broader societal goals.
Ms Wendy Ah Chin
Deputy Chairperson
Wendy Ah Chin was appointed to the Board in 2023 and has extensive experience working with the Northern Territory, Queensland and the Australian Government across health, community and education portfolios. Originally from Mt. Isa, and a descendant from the Wannyi people in North West Queensland, Wendy currently works as the Chief Superintendent First Nations and Cultural Capability in the Department of Corrective Services.
Wendy has held executive roles in the Cooperative Research Centre for Aboriginal Health (now Lowitja Institute) and Yothu Yindi Foundation, and has a health science degree, a graduate certificate in public sector management and an Executive Master of Public Administration (EMPA) through the Australian & New Zealand School of Government (ANZSOG).
Ms Amanda Wren
Company Secretary
Amanda Wren was appointed to the Board in 2024. She is a qualified Chartered Accountant who has lived and worked in the Territory for more than 17 years, with comprehensive experience across large and small businesses, non-government and First Nations organisations. She has extensive expertise in financial management, compliance risk mitigation, strategic leadership and business development.
Amanda also brings lived disability experience through her son who lives with Autism. This experience brings a wealth of knowledge and understanding in navigating systems and multi-disciplinary therapies to suit her son’s needs through a range of services delivered by the NDIS and Foundational Supports.
Mr Trevor Burns
Board Director
Trevor Burns was appointed to the Board in October 2024. He is a highly respected government affairs practitioner with more than 30 years of direct experience in Canberra, including roles for global companies, Australian institutions and as a policy adviser at all levels of government. As founder of TSB Advisory Pty Ltd, Trevor has advised multiple well known domestic and international organisations on their dealings with the Australian Parliament.
Trevor has also been a board director for Rare Cancers Australia for the past decade.
Ms Marie-Louise Pearson
Board Director
Marie-Louise Pearson joined the Board in 2023 and has a strong history serving on boards and in community organisation leadership. She is a Life Member and Fellow of the Institute of Managers and Leaders, a Graduate of the Australian Institute of Company Directors, holds a Graduate Diploma in Business Administration and a Bachelor of Science in Mathematical Sciences. She is an active member of several Territory organisations and was awarded a Medal of the Order of Australia in 2021 for services through other organisations.
She is passionate about making a meaningful contribution and utilising her high-level governance skills to support high quality person-centred services.
Mr Niki Ross
Board Director
Niki Ross joined the Board in 2024. He has worked for more than 15 years within Commonwealth Departments and is currently the Chief Operating Officer for the Centre for Appropriate Technology Ltd (CfAT Ltd). Niki has travelled extensively throughout the Northern Territory and is passionate about supporting remote Aboriginal communities establishing opportunities through employment, education, and economic development. Niki is a Director on the Centre for Appropriate Technology Ltd Board, and both of CfAT Ltd subsidiary companies the Centre for Appropriate Technology Satellite Enterprises Pty Ltd and Ekistica Pty Ltd. Niki has family ties to the Kaytetye and Arrente people of Central Australia.
Ms Sarah Skopellos
Board Director
Sarah Skopellos joined the Board of Carpentaria in 2023. A person who lives with disability, Sarah is passionate about being an active community member and contributing to initiatives that improve access, inclusion and outcomes for people living with disability. Sarah sits on a range of government and not-for-profit disability committees including Integrated Disability Action Inc, the NT Disability Advisory Committee, and two NDIA review and reform working groups. Sarah also coordinates three grassroots disability support groups in Darwin and won the 2023 Disability Leadership Program scholarship from the Australian Network on Disability and the AICD.
Before retiring on medical grounds in late 2020, Sarah worked for the Northern Territory Government for 20 years in the Office of the Chief Minister, the Department of Legislative Assembly and the Department of Treasury and Finance. Sarah has extensive experience in executive support and government processes.
Mr Hamza Vayani
Board Director
Hamza Vayani joined the Board in 2022 and has held several appointments in a range of senior management roles and advisory committees at state and national level. He has a demonstrated track record as a strong advocate for culturally responsive, clinically safe and accessible healthcare and disability services with a particular focus on people from culturally and linguistically diverse communities. He is passionate about making health and social care systems integrated, accessible and easier to navigate.
Hamza is not afraid of asking the difficult questions when it comes to maintaining confidence in the accessible and clinically safe delivery of health and human services. He believes public policy and service delivery should be about choice and control for people accessing the services they need in a way that is empowering, inclusive of lived experience perspectives and based in evidence.