The Urban Communities team and board members have extensive and varied experience working in both public and private sectors.
Our Board members
Chairman: The Hon Michael Duffy
Michael is a solicitor who has held a number of senior positions within community organisations in Australia. These include positions as a Board member of Hanover Welfare Services and Chair of the Dandenong Youth Employment Project. Michael has also held senior positions within government including the position of Federal Attorney General (1990 – 1993), Minister for Trade Negotiations and Member of Cabinet (1987-1990), and Minister for Communications (1983 – 1987). In 1990 he became a Member of the Order of New Zealand for work on the Closer Economic Relations Agreement with New Zealand. He was appointed Chair of Urban Communities in 2008.
Deputy Chairman: Brian Forrest
Brian Forrest, LL.B, is currently the Deputy Chairman of the Racing Appeals and Disciplinary Board and a Director of Intralot Australia and Taranway Pty Ltd. Previously, he was the Chairman of the Victorian Casino and Gaming Authority. Brian has also served as the Deputy President of the Commonwealth Administrative Appeals Tribunal, Chairman of the Crimes Compensation Tribunal (Vic) and Deputy President of the Administrative Appeals Tribunal (Vic). Brian was a lawyer in private practice for 25 years.
Ian McHutchison (OAM)
Ian has a legal background and is a Fellow of the Chartered Institute of Company Secretaries. He is also a member of the advisory committee of the Fellowship for Indigenous Leadership (FIL) and a Board member of the Melbourne Community Foundation (MCF) and Eva Tilley Memorial Home. In 2009 he was awarded the Order of Australia Medal (OAM) for services to the community. In 2011 Ian retired from his role as Chief Executive Officer of the Adult Multicultural Educational Services, (AMES).
Kathy McLean
Kathy is a partner with executive search firm Fish & Nankivell, where she runs a practice specialising in senior roles in values-based organisations including government, education, welfare, sport and charity. Kathy has qualifications in the arts and business and has particular expertise in working at the intersection of the public and private sectors.
Barry Shepherd
Barry has been in the property industry for more than 40 years and ran his own property business prior to becoming a Director of Becton from which he recently retired. Barry was responsible for marketing all Becton's residential projects in Australia together with retirement projects. Barry was previously Chairman of the Melbourne City Council Inner City Residential Committee and was a member of the Department of Infrastructure's Industry Advisory Panel. Barry is currently involved in the development and construction of various medium sized residential apartment and town house projects around inner Melbourne. He regularly travels overseas to keep up with the latest in international medium density housing trends.
Chief Executive Officer/Company Secretary: George Housakos
George worked in the not-for-profit sector and the property industry for 15 years prior to his appointment as CEO of Urban Communities. Before taking up his position at Urban Communities, George's experience included over 10 years senior management experience in fields such as property and tenancy management, social business development and management, and research and advocacy for the alleviation of poverty in highly disadvantaged communities, such as public housing estates.
Our staff
Chief Executive Officer: George Housakos
Executive Assistant: Pam Temby
Senior Finance Manager: Jill Stevenson
Housing Services Manager: Elaine Lopez
Manager Property & Project Services: Cindy Krizmanic
Property Manager: Laura Berto
Property Manager: Kylie Hudson
Asset Manager: Ashley Lance
Site Manager East Coburg: Nick Marandos
Community Projects and Partnerships Officer: Deborah Wilson
Works Supervisor: Phil Ferrie
Accountant: Guy Mills
Assistant Accountant: Kerry Stevenson
Customer Service Officer: Nicky Chircop
