Our Team
Northern Rivers Housing’s organisational structure helps us to ensure we are fair, transparent and responsive in the delivery of our services. We have more than 50 employees across our three offices in Tweed Heads, Lismore and Grafton.
Our difference is our people. We have a team of passionate professionals who believe in the work we do to support members of our community to access stable, safe, accessible housing. We aim to be an employer of choice, focussed on nurturing an inclusive, safe, engaged and resilient workforce.
While the everyday results we achieve are rewarding, the nature of our work is complex and challenging. Our people work in a sector that requires high levels of compassion, collaboration and commitment, and recognise the individual value each person brings to our team and the impact they have on improving lives and building future communities.
Our operations are overseen by a Board of Directors and our Executive Team who have a wealth of knowledge and experience.
Interested in joining our team? Find out more about working with us.
Board Members
Our Northern Rivers Housing Board of Directors is made up of seven Directors, as allowed by the constitution. Each Director brings their own unique knowledge and qualifications. By sharing expertise gained across different fields and sectors, our Board is committed to delivering better solutions for the community while continuing to oversee the financial management, compliance and safety requirements of a contemporary housing organisation. Learn more about our Directors below.
Robyn Hordern
Robyn is a long-time resident of the far north coast with a background in small business, property acquisition, property development and maintenance, marketing and Local Government.
Robyn previously served as Councillor for the Ballina Shire, worked in State and Regional Development and mentored others through the Business Enterprise Centre.
Currently Robyn runs accessible holiday accommodation.
Robyn joined the Board in November 2012 and was elected as Chair in June 2017.
Carolyn Parker
Carolyn has 30 years’ commercial experience in business management in numerous industries including community services, asset management, retail, tourism, hospitality, and media.
Carolyn has 13 years’ Non-executive Director experience, holding leadership roles on several NFP boards. She has been Chair of NRH’s Audit, Finance and Risk Management Committee for 9 years.
Qualifications and Experience:
– Master of Business Administration
– Graduate Diploma of Strategic Leadership
– Senior Executive Business Management
– Justice of the Peace and Civil Marriage Celebrant
– Work, Health and Safety Cert IV & Training
– Corporate finance and governance and facility management
– Graduate of Australian Institute of Company Directors
Carolyn joined the Board in May 2009.
Janice Mangleson
Jan has been a long-time resident of the Byron Shire.
She and her husband Jim brought up their family on a
rural property north of Mullumbimby. They now live at
Ocean Shores. As a retired licensed real estate agent
and a former local government councillor, Jan has been
interested in affordable and social housing for many years.
Qualifications and Experience:
– MAICD
– Licensed Real Estate and Business Agent (Retired)
– Stock and Station Agent and Auctioneer (Retired)
– Former Councillor Byron Shire Council
– Former Committee member for the Affordable Housing Strategy, Social Plan, Aboriginal Consultative Committee, Disability Access and Inclusion Plan
– Chair former Brunswick Byron Area Health Service Board and Mullumbimby Hospital Site Trust.
– Member Project Reference Group (PRG) for new Byron Central Hospital and Mullumbimby Hospital Site PRG
Jan joined the Board in November 2012.
Anders Halvorsen
Anders’ technical skills relate to management accounting across the business and corporate sector. Anders has an interest in high and low level care facilities for the disabled and a strong commitment to community building. Anders is a long-term resident of Ballina.
Anders was awarded an Order of Australia Medal (General Division) in the 2021 Australia Day Honours List in recognition of his service to people with a disability, and to the community.
Qualifications and Experience:
– Chairman, Forward Ability Support, Brightsky Australia
– Director of Irene Gleeson Foundation
– Chairman, C3 Church Byron/Ballina/Yamba
– Masters in Business Administration, Member Australian Institute of Company Directors
Anders joined the Board in July 2005.
Margaret Kaszo
Marg has 25 years of experience in the Community Housing Sector as a previous CEO of a regional housing association. Her skills include asset management, property development, human resources, tenancy management, financial management, community building and government liaison. As a previous Chair of the NSWFHA, she also brings a strong background in the development of the housing sector in NSW.
Qualifications and Experience:
– Diploma of Social Sciences
– Ministerial Advisory Committee member
– Leadership and Management
– Project Management
Marg was elected Company Secretary in November 2016 and held this position until November 2019.
Philip Belletty
Phil has extensive experience in the Government and private sectors. This experience includes all aspects of management including being a CEO with over 50 Staff, reporting directly to a Not for Profit Board, facility management, developer of service delivery strategies, strategic capital investment planning, maintenance planning, asset and land acquisition, disposals and leased asset management plus marketing and extensive community engagement with indigenous communities, local community organisations and all levels of government.
25 years' Northern Territory Government experience and 12 years in the private sector has equipped him with a diverse range of experience and understanding of both fields of employment.
Qualifications and Experience:
– Graduate AICD
– Graduate Certificate in Management
Phil was elected to the Board in November 2017 upon the retirement of former Chair, John Stone.
Richard Burns
Richard is a CPA and risk/governance professional with 45 years’ experience equally spanning government, commerce and the community sector.
He is a Chartered Secretary and Fellow of the Governance Institute of Australia.
Richard became Secretary of Northern Rivers Housing in November 2019.
Executives
Our Executive Team holds deep complementary expertise across finance, business administration, people and performance, government, asset management, property development and construction, policy and housing. Our genuine and down to earth team culture is guided by our mission and values, and we are driven to always deliver better for our employees to the benefit of residents, clients, stakeholders and investors