The Board

Katie is CEO of Awards WA, delivering the world’s largest youth development program - The Duke of Edinburgh’s International Award - in WA and since 2018, Ignite Award. Under this multi-service platform and with the assistance of a large volunteer network, member based Awards WA supports over 4,000 young people and over 100 partner organisations annually. Katie is an executive with a proven track record in achieving strong organisational outcomes and is known as a proactive and energetic leader in the community and member sector who thrives in providing positive strategic and functional results. As an avid sportsperson, fitness professional, wife and mother, Katie has a deep connection and commitment to a strong and active community in Western Australia.

Deputy Chair Rosalie is the Executive Officer of Paddle WA and has been in the role since 2012, she is also a well-known paddler within the WA paddling community, having done her first Avon Descent in her first year of paddling which was in 1997 and has gone on to do 13 Avon Descents in all different categories which included two (2) years in power boats. Rosalie is also a Life Member of Paddle WA and of Ascot Kayak Club. Rosalie is passionate about the outdoors, loves walking the Bib track and mountain biking when she has the time and is always up for a bungy jump. Mother of two and grandmother to six amazing young people.

Greg is an accomplished leader with 30+ years’ experience, the last 20 dedicated to safety and training. This has included senior safety roles in the mining industry for the likes of Ausdrill and Boart Longyear.  He is currently the Managing Director of Meridio Solutions a safety, risk and training organisation that assists its clients in developing real safety practices across a range of industries and fields. He is a Director of several indigenous businesses, including Big Sky Training, an aspiring RTO in the Kimberley, and Kimberley Safety and Risk, and is the current vice chair of Awards WA.

Linda has over 25 years senior executive experience, with a demonstrated history of achievement within the Western Australian government. Linda is skilled in Strategy Development, Business Planning, Finance and policy setting. Linda is passionate about promoting and driving efficiencies through innovation and change. Change, not for the sake of change but for improved and efficient outcomes. Linda has spent time working overseas, interstate and intrastate, including London, Canberra and Karratha. Linda is a graduate of the Australian Institute of Company Directors and is a Fellow Certified Practicing Accountant. Linda holds a Bachelor of Accounting and Information Systems and a post graduate Diploma in Sports Management.

Matt Wells is the Head of Outdoor Learning at Wesley College. Throughout his career as an outdoor instructor, expedition teacher and classroom teacher he has witnessed the benefits that immersing yourself in the outdoors has on young people and the patience, resilience and empathy that outdoor recreation and expedition living teaches us.  He is currently leading a collaboration between Wesley and Penrhos College for the Outdoor Education ATAR studies.

Melissa currently serves as the Industry Development Manager at FutureNow Industry Training Council, where she focuses on stakeholder engagement and research to enhance workforce development in the Tourism Industry in Western Australia.  Melissa holds a Bachelor of Education and has lectured in Tourism and Hospitality at university level for 15 years as well vocational level and high school.  In addition to her role at FutureNow, Melissa has held the position of Elected Member at the Town of Cottesloe since 2017, where she chairs the Public Open Space working group. She is also a Justice of Peace.  Melissa is passionate about the tourism industry, both the users and workforce development in the sector and is excited about the recent State Government announcement of $165 million towards Adventure Tourism in the State, recognising its potential for growth and innovation.

Following his international adventure guiding roles in Tanzania, Egypt, and South Africa, Rob joined the WA outdoor adventure industry holding management roles with highly regarded organisations including Mainpeak, Sea to Summit, and Outback Initiatives.

As Client and Team Development Manager at Rapid Teams, Rob continues to share his passion for experiential learning advocating to get away from the desk as often as possible, the more time outdoors the better!

Rob’s aim is to continue to support the industry, highlighting the myriad of benefits it brings to our community, economy, and health and wellbeing to us all.  Rob is a past Outdoors WA Ambassador.

Matt has always been passionate about being outdoors. He enjoys kayaking, mountain biking, fishing, overland touring and is eager to encourage others into the outdoors. Since 2004 he has worked as a freelance Outdoor Educator throughout WA and Australia and is currently an Outdoor Education Teacher at Christ Church Grammar School. Matt is also a sessional academic at the University of Notre Dame, WA. Matt relocated to Bendigo, Victoria in 2014 to study Outdoor Education at La Trobe University where he spent 3 years developing his personal skill set and understanding of outdoor learning. He then completed his Master’s in Applied Learning and Secondary Teaching at Deakin University, Victoria. Matt also holds certificates in Outdoor Recreation and Training and Assessment. Matt considers himself fortunate to be able to share his passion with young people in the outdoors to provide meaningful learning experiences about themselves, the people around them and the natural world all whilst having a great time outside. Matt is also involved in training upcoming outdoor leaders through a traineeship program at Christ Church Grammar School. Matt believes his skill set supplements the Outdoors WA board by bringing an understanding of the Co-Curricular Outdoor Education sector and Outdoor Recreation Traineeships as well as a personal understanding of the enjoyment and diversity of activities that outdoors WA has to offer.

Matt is a qualified Chartered Accountant with 15+ years of experience as an Accountant and in Financial Services, working in a professional practice and banking industry, with extensive experience working with stakeholders on various organisational levels, with a recognised ability to lift financial and operational performance and assist businesses with meeting their strategic objectives.  Matt is currently an analyst at a major financial institution and was the Treasurer for the University of Western Australia Outdoor Club from 2014 to 2019.  Matt spends any free time he has with his wife and their young son, trying to find Western Australia's best playgrounds, beaches, hiking trails and campsites.

Neil is a growth focused business leader with over 30 years' experience operating internationally at executive and board level.  His experiences range from leading financial technology start-ups in Europe; to investor relations roles that have seen him involved in securing over $500m in capital; to executive leadership roles across the health, agriculture and mining sectors. Neil is a former Chair of Trails WA, and currently on the boards of the World Trails Network, Outdoor Council of Australia, Outdoor Education Australia, and the School of Management and Marketing at Curtin University. He is a passionate advocate of the outdoors and has been lucky enough to have roles that have indulged this, including having had responsibility for Australia’s second largest running event, HBF Run for a Reason, and the HBF Fitness program with over 25,000 members across Perth.  He's a keen ultra trail runner, triathlete, and adventure racer, and has always roped his family into participation outdoors.