What We're All About
In performing its role, the Thrive Board is committed to a high standard of governance practice and to cultivating a culture of compliance valuing ethical behaviour, integrity, accountability, transparency, and respect.
The Board is elected each year at the Annual General Meeting and meets monthly to review progress against the strategic plan and financial reports.
Chair
Emma Parker
With years of community work experience overseas, it is a privilege to support a local organization in my own backyard as my family and I settle into the Blue Mountains. I am passionate about families getting the support they need and deserve. Outside of Thrive, I am a yoga teacher and business owner supporting mothers-to-be and new mothers through pregnancy yoga, post-natal yoga, and meditation.
Vice Chairperson
Andrew Macarthur
Seeing the immediate, tangible benefits Thrive provides to people in the community I live in is very rewarding. My family has chosen to put our time and effort towards a local, targeted and well run organisation that is nimble and responds well to the changing needs of its clients.
Working outside of the sector in private industry gives me a different insight in helping Thrive grow. I plan to continue
spreading the word on the importance in supporting a great team bringing greater results for Blue Mountains and Lithgow area residents.
Judith Finch
Being now retired as a long-time community worker though hardly at leisure, membership of the Thrive Board is an excellent way to contribute to the community while supporting an important organisation. Every family should have the best opportunity to “thrive” and I believe and have seen with my own eyes that Thrive works hard to ensure this. I am pleased to continue to learn and to contribute to a strong future for families in the Blue Mountains and Lithgow.
Treasurer
Position Vacant
Board Member (ASES Accreditation Board Rep)
Karen Tuxford
I am a retired Social Worker and I’m happy to be a board member of Thrive. My career was in government and non-government services, mainly in the areas of domestic violence and sexual assault. It is gratifying to be able to contribute to an organisation that aims to deliver practical social justice and services in my own community.
Board Member (Staff Wellbeing Delegate)
Jeremy Hutton
Jeremy Hutton is a Sydney-based artist manager, academic, and executive producer who transcends a profound engagement with political-philosophical anthropology and the notion of renaissance, seen through the lens of music, film, and the arts more broadly.
Jeremy has more than thirty years-experience working within academia, politics, and the music industry, meanwhile Triplespeak was realised in 2016 (incorporated in 2022), inspired by a PhD Research Project that explored the processes of socio-cultural transformation, sharply focused upon the historical experiences of Argentina, Australia, and Cuba.
Designed to build a cultural pathway to connect the streets of Buenos Aires with New York City and Sydney, Triplespeak set the performing arts alight in 2016 with its production of Rascasuelos Tangos Vivos at New York City’s prestigious Carnegie Hall.
Board Member
Sue Outhwaite
Board Member
Rob Lonsdale
CEO
Karen van Woudenberg
I joined as the Chief Executive Officer of Thrive Services in 2021. Prior to that I managed teams in state-wide and local charities and worked in government agencies in program development, contract management and operational management. I enjoy leading teams to achieve better outcomes for communities and I am passionate about social justice for the most vulnerable amongst us. I graduated from Southern Cross University with a Master’s in Business Administration and have an undergraduate qualification in Social Work from Sydney University. I have lived in the Blue Mountains for over 25 years. When I am not working you will find me walking off-leash dog trails with my two dogs and the occasional grandchild.
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