Leadership Team

Simon Bennett

Chief Executive Officer

Simon has over 20 years’ experience across a range of community services. He has held positions with oversight of many services across ACT and NSW including: Disability/NDIS, Aged Care, Early Childhood Education and Care, Community Housing, Homelessness, Domestic Violence, and Youth, Family and Health Services. He holds the position of Co-Chair of the ACT Children First Alliance. Prior to joining CS#1 Simon held senior executive positions with Anglicare for 15 years.

Leanne Barnes

Deputy Chief Executive Officer

Leanne is CS#1’s Deputy CEO. She has over 30 years management experience across a number of industries including the not-for profit, the building industry, utilities, IT and small business. This together with extensive administration, human resources and financial management experience gives Leanne strong business and leadership skills.

Karen Pollard

Executive Director of Children Services

Karen is the Executive Director Children’s Services. Karen comes to Community Services #1 with over 20 years’ experience in the Early Education and Care sector holding leadership roles including Area Manager, Centre Manager, coach and mentor. She has been involved across ACT and NSW in all areas of Early Education and Care.

Karen holds a diploma in Early Education and Care and a Diploma in Training and Assessment. The most satisfying part of her role is being able to coach and mentor an amazing group of directors to become leaders in the early education sector.

Zelma Boggis

Executive Director Corporate Services & CFO

A qualified CPA with experience across a range of industry areas in the not-for profit, private and government sectors. Zelma offers a portfolio of skills, which combine to enable strategic integration across the financial and operational areas, whilst complying with best practice governance and risk management frameworks.

Zelma’s collaborative style can influence, motivate and communicate across levels and stakeholder groups – thus bringing the team on the journey of organisational growth and development.