Board of Directors

Helen Lyons

Helen Lyons is a senior executive with over 25 years experience in Strategic and Operational Leadership including Human Resources Management.Helen started her career in the Superannuation and Investment Banking Sector where she specialised in managing superannuation portfolios, including those of Lend Lease and AMP, with a value of up to $50M funds under management and serving 500,000 customers. For the past four years, Helen has held the role of Director Human Resources at the University of Western Sydney.  She is passionate and committed to her work at the University.  Her commitment to diversity has also ensured that UWS is forging ahead in Indigenous Employment and Engagement.  Helen thrives in dynamic and creative environments where her leadership skills are fully engaged in effecting positive and critical change.  Helen has forged strong relationships with many networks and industries and is widely known as a “people connector”, assisting her peers and other people within UWS to make valuable business and community links.Helen has a son with a disability and is relentless about social inclusion opportunities.

Menaka Cooke

Menaka Cooke has been on the Junction Works Board for 2 years and brings a wealth of experience in strategic human resources, governance, reward and people performance gained in the corporate world – as HR Director of publicly listed and multi-national companies and also in not-for-profit and local govt. organisations.  She therefore understands the connection and the boundaries which exist between governance, strategic and operational issues and how all stakeholders in an organisation affect the strategic positioning, goals and achievements of the organisation.  She has won awards in the past from the AFR and BCA for ‘Best initiatives as an SME’ and ‘Corporate Work and Family Initiatives’ and continues her passion for Equal Opportunity and creating sustainable change in her role as Chair of the Status of Women for Zonta International Club District 24.  She currently runs her own Management Consultancy business along with studying for a Ph.D. in ‘ROI for Coaching’ and teaching Risk Management, Human Resources and Reward at tertiary level.

Susan Williams

Susan is a qualified accountant (CPA) and corporate governance professional (ACIS) with over 25 years experience holding executive and senior management roles with ASX listed, private and not-for-profit organisations.  She holds a degree in accounting, an MBA, a Graduate Diploma of Applied Corporate Governance and is a member of the Australian Institute of Company Directors.  Susan now runs her own business providing mentoring and advice to business owners and managers.  She is a director of The Junction Works and Garrigal Housing and is Company Secretary of Australian Small Scale Offerings Board.

Tim Hudson

Tim is a self employed investment manager with a legal and conflict management background.  He has a Bachelor and a Masters degree in Law and in the past has practised as both a solicitor and a barrister. 

Tim is passionately interested in social justice and the work of charitable organisations.  He is also a Director of Garrigal Housing Association Ltd.

Maree Mullins

Maree has been working in the community sector for the past 30 years. Intially working with young people who had entered the Juvenile Justice System and than a Generalist Youth Worker.Over the past 21 years Maree has been passionate about addressing the unmet needs of people with a disability and showcasing their abilities in a creative art forum. Maree is also dedicated to working in partnership with Aboriginal communities to acknowledge their history and their culture. She is committed to leading the Junction Works into the future and her mantra is "Manage by the mind, Lead by the heart".Maree has two children, has a degree in Community Management and Welfare, and resides in the local area. Maree has extended family with disabilities.