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Chief Executive Officer
Ashley de Silva
Guide Dogs NSW/ACT is pleased to announce the appointment of Ashley de Silva as its new Chief Executive Officer.
Ashley joins Guide Dogs NSW/ACT with extensive leadership experience across Australia’s not‑for‑profit and community sectors. He most recently served as Chief Executive Officer of CHOICE, Australia’s leading independent consumer advocacy organisation, and previously as CEO of ReachOut Australia, a national youth mental health service. Ashley brings a deep commitment to empowering people with low vision or blindness to live independent and connected lives.
Chief Transformation Officer
Annette Clarke
“I believe in the importance of empowering people who have low vision or blindness to live their best lives and to have choice and control related to the services they access to achieve this. Being part of the Guide Dogs team means I get to work in an exciting, ever changing environment where technology is creating new opportunities.”
Chief Services Officer
Karen Knight
“Working at Guide Dogs enables me to bring my lived experience and extensive knowledge of the blindness sector to assist people who are blind or have low vision to have access to the supports and services to live the life they choose.”
Chief Marketing and Philanthropy Officer
Marissa Pace
“After 15+ years in high-performance global sport, it’s a privilege to now apply my commercial and marketing experience to a cause that truly changes lives. At Guide Dogs, I’m focused on building meaningful connections with our Clients, supporters and communities through innovative and personalised engagement. It’s incredibly rewarding to help create a more inclusive world for people with low vision or blindness, something that touches so many of us. It’s truly an honour to be part of such a cherished Australian organisation with nearly 70 years of impact.”
Chief Financial Officer
Lorraine Ruane
“At Guide Dogs, it’s a privilege to work for a company that is mainly supported by the community to enhance the lives of people with low vision or blindness.
As a Chartered Accountant for the last 15 years, I have a strong passion for adding value to the business, ensuring the finance functions are at the heart of business decisions.”
Chief People Officer
Gemma Farquhar
“People are at the centre of what we do. Employees, volunteers and Clients are integral in ensuring we can continue to help each and everyone live the best life they can. For me, People and Culture underpin everything and I am so excited to be part of it here at Guide Dogs.
I am passionate about ensuring our people have a wonderful employee experience and that the People and Culture team support and enable the business to achieve what it needs to. I strive to build and develop high performing teams who connect to the customer vision.
Having had several years working in complex People and Culture environments I have significant experience in the end-to-end People and Culture function.”
Executive Assistant to the CEO
Kate Fisher
“My career stems from Event Management in the corporate sector, moving into the EA space once I had a family; a move I have relished. I have always had a strong desire to help people so working for Guide Dogs NSW/ACT was, and is, been a perfect fit. Working for Dale Cleaver, CEO, is an absolute privilege as we continuously work to enhance the lives of our Clients.”
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