Our Board
Our esteemed, highly skilled Board are authentic in their embrace of diversity.
Dr Phil Lambert PSM - Chair
Dr Phil Lambert PSM is an internationally recognised education expert. He has extensive experience in education as a Principal, Inspector, Regional Director (Sydney) and General Manager, Australian Curriculum, where he led the development of Australia’s first national curriculum. He is Adjunct Professor at the University of Sydney and Co-Patron of the Professional Teachers Council.. In the 2012 Queen’s Birthday Honours, Phil was awarded the Public Service Medal for his outstanding contribution to education. He has also been awarded the Australian College of Educators’ Sir Harold Wyndham Medal and the NSW Teachers Guild’s Phyllis Evans Medal. Phil is the Attorney General’s appointee on the NSW Children’s Court Advisory Committee, was the inaugural Deputy Chair of Our Watch, and served as a Director on the Australian Government Financial Literacy Board and the Australian Children’s Television Foundation Board.
Madenia Abdurahman - President
Madenia is a retired school principal with deep experience in the not-for-profit sector. She is currently Chair of Muslim Aid Australia.
Nim Rutnam - Deputy Chair
Nim is a solicitor, entrepreneur, human rights activist, philanthropist and a past Visiting Scholar of Conflict & Peace at the University of Sydney who has served on numerous not-for-profit boards. Nim was the past General Counsel & Executive Director, Procter & Gamble Australia & New Zealand, Group General Counsel & Joint Company Secretary, Blackmores Limited and is presently General Counsel, Compliance & Ethics Officer at Teva Pharmaceuticals, Australia & New Zealand.
Zubeda Raihman, JP, BA (ACCG), MHED, CPA - Treasurer
Zubeda has experience in management positions at Macquarie University, the Office of Financial Services and in the not-for-profit sector, particularly with interfaith and women’s organisations. Her current roles include President of the Muslim Women’s National Network of Australia, Treasurer of the Pan Pacific South East Asia Women’s Association, President of the Australian Women’s Coalition and Convenor of the Women’s Interfaith Network among others.
Greg Bloom - Director
With over a decade of experience in financial services, Greg is a Chartered Accountant and the founder of a successful mortgage broking business. Originally from South Africa, Greg moved to Australia 14 years ago and is an active member of Sydney’s Jewish community. Greg participated in the Observership Program, where he served as Shadow Director on the Mandelbaum House Board, before assuming the role of Director and Treasurer at the NSW Jewish War Memorial. A proud husband and father to three daughters, Greg is excited to re-engage with the not-for-profit sector and contribute his skills and experience towards making a positive impact.
Tina Green - Director
With more than 30 years’ experience in the private and not-for-profit sectors as Company Director, volunteer and committee member, Tina has seen the spectrum of community needs. She has worked extensively with Odyssey House Drug and Rehabilitation, Child Abuse Prevention Service (CAPS) and the Australian Youth Orchestra. Tina is a Registered Justice of the Peace and her interests lie with youth and the best ways to give them the opportunities of unbiased and broad education.
Valerie Hoogstad AM - Director
Valerie has over 25 years’ experience working in universities, both in academia and as a Director involved with International Education. Currently, Valerie is working part-time at Sydney University and as a consultant in Intercultural Communications. She is also Chair of the NSW Centre for Volunteering and a Director on the board of Odyssey House. Valerie has a Masters degree in Education and is the author of 16 textbooks related to literacy and business communications.
Osman Karolia - Director
The current principal of Arkana College, Osman has close to 30 years’ experience in schools. He is an active volunteer with Sydney’s homeless community and with programs that support young people living with a disability. Osman is a strong advocate of interfaith/intercultural programs in schools, and has participated in interfaith trips to Turkey and the Vatican. He enjoys cycling and running charity challenge events to support several causes.
Allison Langdon- Director
Allison is a journalist and author. She currently hosts A Current Affair on the Nine Network, having previously worked as co-host of breakfast news program Today, and as a reporter for 60 Minutes for a decade. Her work as a journalist has taken her all over the world to conflict zones interviewing world leaders. In 2024, Allison won a Silver Logie, named Best News or Public Affairs Presenter for her work on A Current Affair. She authored the book The Child Who Never Was: Looking for Tegan Lane, which examined the murder of newborn infant Tegan Lane by her mother Keli Lane.
Chris McDiven AM - Director
Chris is a retired teacher and businesswoman who has served on numerous not-for-profit boards. In 2011, she was awarded an Order of Australia (AM) for her service to the Liberal Party and the community through education and women’s organisations. In 2005, she was elected the first female Federal President of the Liberal Party of Australia. She was President of the Kambala School Council for ten years and Director of the Association of Independent Schools for four. In addition to her role with Together For Humanity, she is heavily involved with Rotary, and is a Trustee of the Historic Houses Trust (Sydney Living Museums).
Peter Stephinson - Director
Peter has had over 40 years of experience in business management and marketing in the private sector. Peter has worked in both the security and construction industries. His focus is on business efficiency and implementing procedures. Currently he volunteers as a Supervisor and Mentor for the Men’s Shed organisation. Peter has served on the board of Together For Humanity since 2006.
Emeritus Professor Di Yerbury AO - Director
Di was the first female Vice-Chancellor of an Australian university, 1987-2006. She has been President of several higher education associations and peak bodies, nationally and internationally. In 2001-2, Di was named Telstra NSW Businesswoman of the Year. She has been a Director/Chair of many Boards since 1983 including GIO NSW and Australia Post. Di currently chairs Crescent Wealth, Australia’s first Sharia-compliant superannuation scheme.