Simon Schrapel AM, BA Social Work, Grad Dip Management, MPolAdmin

Simon is the Chief Executive of Uniting Communities. Originally trained in Social Work, he has spent more than 30 years in social services practice, management and policy development and advocacy. He has worked in both the Government and not-for-profit sectors in Australia, the United Kingdom and Sri Lanka.

Simon joined Uniting Communities as Chief Executive in mid-2010. His aim was to build on the organisation’s history and reputation as a progressive agency for social change, reconciliation, and fostering compassionate, resilient communities.

In 2017, Simon was awarded a Member (AM) in the General Division of the Order of Australia for significant service to the community. This recognised his commitment to supporting children and families through social welfare organisations, programs and initiatives.

Nigel Hall 

Nigel is a seasoned director and entrepreneur. He is recognised for strategic leadership, good governance, service excellence and relationship management. His qualifications are in engineering and management.

Nigel brings significant know-how to organisations, focused on people, governance and effective stewardship of information assets.

He serves on the Boards of sustainable, ethical organisations which make a difference to peoples’ lives. He is interested in leveraging his professional background in the delivery of digital technologies across a broad range of industries.

Deborah Miller, FAICD, MBA 

Deborah joined the Board in 2018. She has enjoyed a 30-year executive career, holding a number of senior financial controller and company secretarial roles. She has experience as chair of a finance subcommittee and, for over five years, as a partner at a mid-sized accounting firm.

Deborah enjoys being part of a dynamic Board environment that encourages diverse views and “outside the square” thinking. Her Board portfolio covers a range of enterprises including property, equities, technology, professional services, finance, retail and not-for-profit organisations.

Deborah has an MBA from Adelaide University and is a Fellow of the Australian Institute of Company Directors. As well as her interests in children’s welfare, women’s rights and animal welfare, Deborah is an active volunteer at Lifeline.

Mike Flynn, BE (Chem), GAICD

Mike joined the Board in 2016. He is currently working as a consultant to the energy industry. Mike was on the Board of the SA Chamber of Mines and Energy from 2011 to 2017.

With qualifications in engineering and management, Mike has more than 30 years of experience in commercial, business planning, analysis, policy, and operations in the rapidly-changing energy sector. His work takes him to all parts of Australia and overseas, and has given him an appreciation of how important affordable energy is to human flourishing.

Mike grew up in a small town in south-east SA, and has a balanced appreciation of country and city living. He enjoys working with people from all walks of life and is passionate about helping people reach their full potential.

Dr Ruth Sims 

Ruth joined the Board in 2020. She has more than 20 years’ professional experience in communication, planning and change in the higher education sector. Ruth also has leadership experience in community and professional groups.

Ruth’s PhD research extends what we know about effective leadership to explore the contribution followers and followership make to organisations. In addition to her expertise in followership Ruth holds postgraduate qualifications in education management and human resources management.

A/Prof Dr Jörg Strobel, MD, FRANZCP, FGLF

Jörg joined the Board in 2017. He trained as a psychiatrist and psychotherapist and works as a Senior Consultant Psychiatrist in the Barossa Hills Fleurieu Local Health Network and in private practice at Akkadian Health.

Born in Germany, Jörg migrated to Australia in 1996. Since then, he has worked within the public sector in SA Metro and Country Services, for eight years as Clinical Director. He has an academic affiliation with Flinders University with research interests in e-Health, m-Health and psychedelics. He also ventured into entrepreneurship with involvement in several start-ups. Personally, and professionally, he has a strong commitment to furthering human flourishing and he is championing recovery-oriented work.

Lynn Young, BA, Health Economics

Lynn joined the Board in 2022. She has worked in human services for forty years across Tasmania and South Australia. She has held executive positions in disability, aged care and housing along with senior positions in budget performance, business planning and forensic mental health.   

Post full time employment, Lynn is currently active in individual advocacy and executive coaching in the disability and ageing sector. 

Prof Keith Evans

Keith joined the Board in 2023. He has a professional background in nursing, psychotherapy, teaching, executive management, and public policy. He has worked in the public health sector as a clinician, educator, chief executive and public policy specialist in the UK, Australia, and New Zealand for over 40 years.

Keith has specialised in addictions including roles as Executive Director (DASSA), Director, Queensland Alcohol, Tobacco and Other Drug Services, and Deputy President International Council on Alcohol and Addictions), mental health, aged care, and disability, and has Chaired Australia’s Intergovernmental Committee on Drugs.

He held positions as Head of Research and Innovation and Head of Public Policy with Silver Chain Group, as well as an Adjunct Professorial appointment at The University of Adelaide Medical School within the Discipline of General Practice. Keith is a Research Fellow at the South Australian Health and Medical Research Institute (SAHMRI) working within the Registry of Senior Australians (ROSA), and is Chair of Summit Health (Adelaide Hills Division of General Practice).

Keith has a particular interest in social justice and the interface of public policy with community need.

Robyn Sutherland
Executive Director, Services

Robyn is the Executive Director, Services. She holds qualifications in counselling and business management.

With more than 30 years’ experience in the social services sector, Robyn has worked extensively with young people and their families in child protection, family reunification, child sexual abuse, alcohol and other drug addictions, and homelessness.

Over the last few years, Robyn has focused on service design and innovation. She has looked at methods for self-organisation and self-management to challenge people’s perspective on how to work together.

Lee Sauerwald
Executive Director, Corporate Services

As a Fellow CPA MBA, Lee has general management skills specialising in social, environmental and financial sustainability.

He has executive responsibility for the organisation's Corporate Services. This includes Investment, Property, Financial, Advocacy, Marketing, Communications, Hospitality, Procurement, Fleet Management and Carbon Reduction Services.

Lee led Uniting Communities to become Certified Carbon Neutral in 2015 - the first Australian Registered Charity and first South Australian organisation to do so. He was instrumental in Uniting Communities becoming the Inaugural Ambassador and a Founding Partner of Carbon Neutral Adelaide.

Lee is also a Non-Executive Board Member of the Australasian Fleet Management Association.

Richard Laidlaw
Executive Director, People & Assurance

Richard brings a depth of leadership experience to Uniting Communities, gained through a varied career with national and international exposure across various professional settings. Originally trained as a teacher, Richard has worked in senior roles covering the implementation of school-based vocational education, accounting and legal services, property, retail, and financial services.

Prior to joining Uniting Communities, Richard was the Global Head of Human Resources for an international software company.

Richard is a Churchill Fellow, holds a Doctorate in Education, and is also Fellow of the Australian Human Resources Institute

Scott Kuhlmann
Chief Information Officer

Scott is a technology leader with over 20 years’ experience delivering a wide range of innovative and tactically aligned roadmaps across a diverse range of sectors.

He has held leadership roles in governance, risk, engineering, data, architecture, cyber security, and cloud platforms, and has worked as a senior business consultant.

Scott holds a position on the SA Committee for AISA, Australia’s peak industry body in cyber security.

Sarah Watson
Executive Manager, Community Aged Care and Disability Services

Sarah has over 20 years’ experience in the community services sector. With a background in social work and post graduate qualifications in business, Sarah maintains a focus on service quality through best practice approaches and transparent governance.

Her knowledge across a range of different social service sectors including aged care, disability, mental health, alcohol and other drugs, homeless and family violence, coupled with her experience in both senior management and governance roles allows her to bring a wealth of ideas and innovations to the role.

Merridy Schofield
Executive Manager, Residential Services and Retirement Living

Merridy has extensive management experience in residential aged care, home care, disability and retirement living spanning more than 30 years in South Australia and Victoria.

With qualifications in social science, management, business and a post graduate qualification in Dementia, Merridy has a genuine passion and commitment to making a meaningful difference in the lives of older people.

Cheryl Lierton
Executive Manager, Community Services

Cheryl managed services within Uniting Communities for 12 years, before moving into the Executive role. Prior to this Cheryl worked in frontline and management roles in diverse areas including homelessness, education and juvenile justice.

Cheryl holds qualifications in Social Work, Psychology and Management. With over 20 years experience in the Community Services sector, both in South Australia and the UK, Cheryl is passionate about working with government and non-government stakeholders to design and improve services.