Our mission is driven by a team of dedicated leaders and experienced board members who bring a wealth of expertise from across the disability and housing sectors.
Together, they provide strategic guidance and ensure that our work aligns with our commitment to enhancing the quality and accessibility of Specialist Disability Accommodation.
Michael Lynch
Chairperson & Non-Executive Director
Michael is a career banker and investor with over 30 years’ experience. Michael is currently the Managing Director of Social Infrastructure Investment Partners and Manager of the Synergis Fund - an investment fund established to invest solely in disability housing.
Michael is currently a non-executive director of Community Housing Limited and previously was a non-executive director of the Sylvanvale Foundation. Michael is passionate about developing the disability housing sector so that all Australians living with disability have access to safe, high quality and appropriate housing. Michael is also a member of the NDIS SDA Reference Group and Chairs the SDA Alliance’s Investor Sub-committee.
Michael is currently a non-executive director of Community Housing Limited and previously was a non-executive director of the Sylvanvale Foundation. Michael is passionate about developing the disability housing sector so that all Australians living with disability have access to safe, high quality and appropriate housing. Michael is also a member of the NDIS SDA Reference Group and Chairs the SDA Alliance’s Investor Sub-committee.
Laura Green
Deputy Chairperson & Non-Executive Director
Laura is Co-Founder of Reagent Property, a specialist advisory firm working in property, housing and human services. She has more than 20 years' experience across the disability sector, government and consulting. Laura was Chief Executive Officer of Inclusive Housing Australia, oversaw operations for more than 800 SDA homes at Disability Homes Victoria and redesigned the disability and housing interface for the ACT Government before the NDIS. She has also led large NDIS and human services providers, worked on the launch of the NDIS, and worked on Mergers and Acquisitions in property and human services.
Laura is known for strategic leadership, service design and a deep understanding of regulated services. She brings the views of both investors and operators to the Board, and she contributes to the SDA Alliance's SDA and SIL Working Group. She is committed to building a high-quality, sustainable SDA market that gives people with disability real options about where and how they live.
Jacob Edwards
Treasurer & Non-Executive Director
Jacob is the Specialist Disability Accommodation Fund Manager for Australian Unity. Since joining Australian Unity in 2021, Jacob has grown the Fund’s committed capital by over $300 million. In this role, Jacob is responsible for the execution of equity and debt funding strategies, fund performance, managing risk, new acquisition and development opportunities to maximise returns for investors and achieve the intended & sustained positive social outcomes.
Prior to joining Australian Unity, Jacob managed Bank Australia’s Impact Finance Business. In this role he was responsible for establishing over $1billion of debt funding for a range of social infrastructure assets; this included establishing the first corporate SDA debt facility in 2016.
Jacob is a member of the Australian Property Institute’s Working Group (focussing on establishing a valuation standard for SDA) and member of the SDA Alliance’s Investor Sub-committee. As a founding board director of the SDA Alliance, Jacob believes that SDA is a person-centred scheme and as such seeks to promote only the best practice SDA projects, providers and investment.
Jacob is a member of the Australian Property Institute’s Working Group (focussing on establishing a valuation standard for SDA) and member of the SDA Alliance’s Investor Sub-committee. As a founding board director of the SDA Alliance, Jacob believes that SDA is a person-centred scheme and as such seeks to promote only the best practice SDA projects, providers and investment.
Kristy Simmonds
Non-Executive Director
Kristy is the Chief Executive Officer of Good Housing, a leading SDA provider operating across Australia. She brings more than 25 years of experience across the disability, health and human services sectors, including experience with the NDIA during the NDIS trial period. As CEO of Good Housing, Kristy leads the organisation’s national strategy and operations, working closely with participants, support providers, government and institutional investment partners to deliver high-quality, sustainable housing solutions for people with disability.
Kristy is a strong advocate for a participant-focused and sustainable SDA sector, with a particular interest in improving housing choice, addressing ageing and legacy disability accommodation, and strengthening collaboration between government, providers and investors to support the long-term growth of SDA.
Poppy Malone
Non-Executive Director
Poppy is the Director of SDA Investments and Operations at LVP Funds, where she leads deal origination, fund and asset management, investor relations and capital raising across the group's Specialist Disability Accommodation funds. Since 2021, Poppy has helped grow the portfolio from 30 sites to more than 150 sites and over 550 beds.
Poppy brings almost 18 years' experience across health, disability services and impact investment, with a focus on scaling businesses and building operations in complex regulatory environments. She was part of the founding team at Hireup, and began her career at Cerebral Palsy Alliance.
Poppy holds a Bachelor of Psychology and a Bachelor of Health from Macquarie University, and a Certificate IV in Disability. She is passionate about building a sustainable SDA market that delivers high quality, well-matched homes for people with disability.
Helen Wood
Non-Executive Director
Helen is the Operations Director for AccessAccom (an SDA provider and founding member of the SDA Alliance) specialising in the development of the integrated apartment model, brownfield sites (including houses and villas in established Sydney communities) and customised robust housing.
With a passion for providing well-designed affordable housing, Helen has extensive experience developing and operating social, affordable and seniors housing in Australia and the UK. Helen was previously the Director of Independent Living at Uniting (where she introduced the Social and Affordable Housing Fund and National Rental Affordability Scheme funding). In the UK she was the CEO of a charitable housing association in Central London. Helen has held numerous board positions including 14 years as a non-executive Director of Bridge Housing.
Helen holds a Bachelor of Science (psychology) and is a graduate of the Australian Institute of Company Directors. Helen is a member of the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors and a Certified Housing Professional with the Australasian Housing Institute.
Tom Worsnop
Non-Executive Director
Tom is the Journey Manager at Guardian Living - a founding member of the SDA Alliance. Tom is an experienced community services executive with over 30 years’ experience working in the not-for-profit and public sector.
Tom has extensive experience in the disability and health services interface with specialty knowledge in acquired brain injury and complex disability. With a comprehensive understanding of the NDIS, Tom has led housing, health and co-design projects since trials began, including through his previous role at the Summer Foundation.
Tom has extensive experience in organisational development, coaching, government & public sector contracting, project & event management, and team building. Tom holds an Executive Master of Public Administration from the Australia and New Zealand School of Governance.
Tom has extensive experience in the disability and health services interface with specialty knowledge in acquired brain injury and complex disability. With a comprehensive understanding of the NDIS, Tom has led housing, health and co-design projects since trials began, including through his previous role at the Summer Foundation.
Tom has extensive experience in organisational development, coaching, government & public sector contracting, project & event management, and team building. Tom holds an Executive Master of Public Administration from the Australia and New Zealand School of Governance.
Jacob Collier
Non-Executive Director
Jacob is the Chief Executive Officer and co-founder of Vera Living, where he leads the strategic direction, growth and sustainability of the business. With a team of 45 staff, Jacob has piloted the company for over 8 years to manage 800+ tenancies and more than $750m of assets.
Prior to Vera, Jacob spent more than 15 years building successful businesses in the education, events and retail sectors.
Jacob holds a Bachelor of Commerce and a Bachelor of Business and currently serves on the board of Vera Living and its asset holding entity. He previously was the President of the Chamber of Commerce in the City of Sydney and a member of the Nightlife and Creative Sector Advisory Panel which informed government decision making in the arts.
Prior to Vera, Jacob spent more than 15 years building successful businesses in the education, events and retail sectors.
Jacob holds a Bachelor of Commerce and a Bachelor of Business and currently serves on the board of Vera Living and its asset holding entity. He previously was the President of the Chamber of Commerce in the City of Sydney and a member of the Nightlife and Creative Sector Advisory Panel which informed government decision making in the arts.
Trent Lines
Non-Executive Director
Trent is the Chief Executive Officer of Access 2 Place Housing, a South Australian not-for-profit SDA and community housing provider. He leads the organisation’s strategic direction, growth and service delivery, with a focus on developing high-quality, purpose-built homes that enable people with disability to live independently and safely within their communities.
With more than 25 years’ experience in construction, property development and business leadership, Trent has a strong track record in delivering housing projects, driving organisational growth, and building strategic partnerships. Prior to joining Access 2 Place, he was Managing Director of a leading timber and hardware business that was successfully acquired by ASX-listed Metcash in 2019.
Trent is Deputy Chair of the Community Housing Industry Association of South Australia (CHIA SA).
Taryn Thompson
Non-Executive Director
Taryn is the founder of Your Home SDA, a specialist licensed property management organisation and registered SDA provider, operating in the Northern Territory and South Australia. Taryn is also the founder of Disability Housing Pathways, a consulting and support service dedicated to facilitating access to safe, suitable, and stable accommodation for individuals living with disability.
Taryn's professional background spans law, governance, property, and real estate. Taryn has held senior leadership roles in both government and not-for-profit organisations. With over 20 years of experience in the property sector, Taryn has devoted the last five years to the disability housing sector. She is a passionate advocate for creating appropriate and accessible housing solutions, committed to empowering individuals with disabilities by promoting choice and control in their living arrangements.
Taryn's professional background spans law, governance, property, and real estate. Taryn has held senior leadership roles in both government and not-for-profit organisations. With over 20 years of experience in the property sector, Taryn has devoted the last five years to the disability housing sector. She is a passionate advocate for creating appropriate and accessible housing solutions, committed to empowering individuals with disabilities by promoting choice and control in their living arrangements.