Chris Grange
BA MCom
Executive Chair
Director since: January 2005
Chris is the Vice-Principal (Administration) with the University of Wollongong and Secretary to the University Council. At the University, Chris is responsible for the Academic Registrar's Division, Accommodation Services, Buildings and Grounds, Financial Services and Personnel Services. He has worked at the University since 1988. One of his children attend Kids' Uni. His areas of expertise include finance, industrial relations, risk management and quality assurance.

 
Bryce Fraser
RFD, ED, BA, FAIM, FAICD(dip), MACS
Non Executive Director
Director Since 1996
A Fellow of both the Australian Institute of Management and the Australian Institute of Company Directors, Bryce is also a member of the Australian Computer Society. He is currently a consultant in business improvement through mentoring of chief executives. Until October 2002, Bryce was CEO of the Australian Health Management Group, which manages the health insurance needs of over 200,000 people. Bryce entered the private health fund industry in 1986 after eight years in local government and a prior career in the steel industry as a computer and management services professional. In December 2002, Bryce was admitted as a Fellow of the University of Wollongong.

 
Chris Mowbray
Non Executive Director
Director Since February 2008
Chris is a Bachelor of Commerce, Dean’s Scholars (Accounting – Information Systems) student at UOW. Since joining the University as a Management Cadet in 2005, Chris has completed the UniCentre's Black Opal Leadership Program and now works as a Program Facilitator. He also works as a Supervisor for the Win Entertainment and Sports Centre’s Catering department and is a committee member for Junior Chamber International (Illawarra Branch) and the Sydney Convicts Rugby Club.  

In 2007 Chris completed an overseas exchange semester at the University of Sheffield, UK. Chris works regularly with community groups and was elected to the Arcadian’s Theatre Group Committee (Board of Directors) in 2005. In 2003 Chris’ Young Achievers’ team won ‘Regional Company of the Year.’

 
Matthew Stimson
Non Executive Director
Director Since August 2006
Matthew is an Undergrad Commerce student majoring, in Finance and Management, holding Executive roles in three of the five clubs he participates in.  Matthew balances business interests with community service efforts.  Included in this is a volunteering role within St. John's Ambulance and the work performed as a member of UOW Youth Rotary and the Black Opal Leadership Program.  Matt intends to draw on his passion and experience to strengthen the Board and limit the impact of VSU legislation on the quality of University services.

 
Brian Ward
BBus, CPA, MBA, GAICD
Non Executive Director
Director Since August 2002
Brian is currently employed by the Port Kembla Port Corporation as Chief Financial Officer and Corporate Secretary with responsibility for finance and administration, human resources, information technology, treasury management, audit and insurance. Prior to joining Port Kembla Port Corporation Brian held a range of accounting positions within a variety of private sector organisations. Brian is also Treasurer of the Commerce and Business Alumni Chapter of the University of Wollongong and Chair of the Illawarra Branch of CPA Australia.

 
Mary Youssif
B.Com, M.Stud.Accy, FCPA, ACIS, RTA, JP
Non Executive Director
Director Since August 2004
Mary has held various senior and executive positions within the Coal Mining and Chemical Manufacturing Industries for 15 years. She also worked for the University of Wollongong between 1993 and 2001 in Chief Accountant and Project Management positions. During that time she was the Vice-Chancellor’s representative on the UniCentre’s Children's Services Management Committee. Currently she operates her own accounting practice locally. Mary has also holds the position as a director on the Board of Community Alliance Credit Union (The Illawarra Credit Union) for 16 years. During her time she has formed and chaired their Audit Committee, was on their Strategic Planning Committee for 4 years (chair for one year), and is currently on their Audit and Risk Management Committee.

 
Angela Taylor
BA/LLB(Hons 1), Grad Dip Leg Prac, AICD
Non Executive Director
Director Since August 2006
Angela returned to the University of Wollongong as the Head of the Legal and Commercial Unit (LCU) in August 2005.  She is the Managing Lawyer for LCU, and FOI and Privacy Officer for UOW.  The majority of Angela's work focuses on research contracts and intellectual property.  Angela possesses a diverse range of experience in the legal field, including intellectual property, litigation, criminal, family, corporations and contract law, and has worked in London, Sydney and locally.  Angela is a proud UOW graduate and was active in all aspects of university life during her student years.  She is a former President of the UOW Law Students Society and also represented UOW in national law skills competitions.  Over the last few years, Angela has also enjoyed lecturing and tutoring for UOW's Faculty of Law.  Angela is a life members of URAC and the UniCentre, and a member of the Australian Institute of Company Directors, NSW Law Society, and Multiple Births Association.  Her twin children attend Kids Uni part time, and Angela is Chair of the UniCentre Children's Services Consultative Committee.  When she is not working or teaching, Angela spends the remainder of her time with her family.

 
Debra Murphy
MBA, JP
Non Executive Director
Director Since August 2006
Debra Murphy is currently the Business Improvement and External Affairs Manager at the Port Kembla Coal Terminal. Debra is responsible for forging relationships with external stakeholders, including government and the community. Debra is also responsible for driving continuous improvement initiatives, as well as monitoring strategic planning and business plan progress. Debra's previous roles as Regional Manager of the Australian Industry Group saw her represent Industry in the Illawarra, lobby government and provide services to around 300 Ai Group member companies. Debra's career has spanned many different industry sectors, from manufacturing and mining, to health, finance and education.

Debra has a Master of Business Administration (Human Resource Management) with merit from the University of Wollongong and attained the University of Wollongong Commerce Alumni Award of Distinction in 1999. She is currently a board member of the Illawarra Area Consultative Committee and a member of the Illawarra Institute's TAFE Advisory Council.

Jessica Saad is currently working at the University of Wollongong as a Management Cadet. She is into her third year of a Bachelor of Commerce Dean's Scholars Degree majoring in Human Resource Management and Marketing.  Jessica developed a passion for business in 2003 when she became the Illawarra's Young Business Person of the Year through Young Achievement Australia.  In 2005 she entered the University of Wollongong as one of the Vice Chancellor's top 100.  In 2006 Jessica was accepted into the Golden Key Society and was elected onto the Board of Directors for the Junior Chamber International's Illawarra Chapter and also featured as a guest judge for Australian Business Week.  Jessica believes her experiences as a staff member and student at the University enhances her understanding of the University community and will aid her in her role.

Chris Whittaker
Non Executive Director
Director Since August 2007

Chris is a Dean's Merit list student completing his Commerce (Finance) and Law Degree.  He is balancing work and full time study and has worked locally for Telstra.  Chris is a partner in an Illawarra import materials firm through which he has a developing degree of professional experience in negotiation, client management and importing.  Chris is actively involved in UniCentre's Clubs and Societies and lives on campus and enjoys the University lifestyle.  Chris aims to strengthen the position of UniCentre as a provider of student services in the current VSU environment and into the future.  The quality and price competitiveness of those services as well as enhancing the University experience are his focus.

 
Jo Fisher
Non Executive Director
Director Since August 2007
Jo is the General Book Buyer for the UniShop.  She has been employed with the UniCentre since 1993.  In this time Jo has also worked in the office of Kids Uni.  Jo is currently studying part-time in a Proof-reading and Editing course and has also studied in Welfare and Librarianship.  Jo has written articles for the Bookseller and Publisher magazine as well as submitting her short stories for various literary awards.  Jo also has four children, all of whom have attended Kids Uni.

Nigel Pennington
Executive Director, Company Secretary, General Manager
Director Since April 1993
Nigel has been General Manager of Wollongong UniCentre for thirteen years.  Prior to this position, he held a similar position at James cook University, Townsville.  After graduating from the University of Queensland as a mature aged student, Nigel worked in University administration in both policy and operational areas before working in campus service organisations.  Nigel completed a Masters Degree in Commerce at the University of Wollongong in 1998 and is a member of the Australian Institute of Management, the Australian Campus Union Manager's Association, the Australian Institute of Company Directors and the Sandon Point Surf Lifesavers Association.