Board of directors

Kerry O'Brien (Chair)

Kerry is a proud Koori lawyer. Kerry is a senior associate in the Employment Relations and Safety team at McCullough Robertson in Sydney. Kerry is a specialist in employment law, discrimination law and work health and safety across disputes, investigaotins and advisory work. Kerry was admitted to practice as a solicitor in NSW in 2014 after completing his legal studies at the University of New South Wales. Kerry also completed a Master of Laws from the University of Sydney in 2017. Kerry has worked in-house in state and federal government agencies, including the Fair Work Ombudsman, and at Colin Biggers & Paisley. Kerry was first appointed to the Board in 2018, and was appointed Chair of the Board in 2020.

Emma Maple-Brown 

Emma is a corporate lawyer with over 20 years’ experience working with and supporting a diverse range of pro bono clients including not for profit entities, charities, social enterprises, and vulnerable and disadvantaged individuals. Emma has worked at Justice Connect where she was Head of Access Programs and also at the University of New South Wales where she was the Director of the Office of the Pro Vice Chancellor Indigenous, Professor Megan Davis. Prior to this, she led and managed the Australian Pro Bono practice of Herbert Smith Freehills, a leading global commercial law firm. Emma has significant expertise and experience in corporate governance, access to justice, working with First Nations clients, fundraising and philanthropy. She currently serves as a Non-Executive Director on the boards of Gidget Foundation Australia, Red Room Poetry and the King's School and is company secretary for The Centre for Public Integrity . Emma has a BA (Hons)/LLB (Hons) from the University of Sydney and is a graduate of the Australian Institute of Company Directors.

Gregory Masters

Greg Masters is a consultant with more than 25 years’ experience consulting to government and community sectors. He is the Director of Nexus Management Consulting, a company he founded in 1996 to assist government and community organisations to plan, implement and evaluate strategies to improve the results they achieve for clients and the community. Prior to establishing Nexus, Greg held a number of senior management and executive roles in the areas of policy, planning and research within NSW Government agencies.

Naysla Edwards 

Naysla Edwards is Vice President of Brand, Marketing & Member Experience at American Express, one of the world’s most iconic brands. For over 20 years, Naysla has created meaningful connections that unite brands with their customers to create long-term advocacy.  Her work has spanned across travel, lifestyle, leisure, luxury and financial services industries across Australia, Singapore, France, UK and South America. Naysla is passionate about fostering innovation and building loyalty through customer insights and data, developing strategic partnerships and continuously challenging the status quo.  Naysla is a passionate advocate of Diversity and Inclusion, she is the Co-Executive sponsor of Amex Pride ANZ, leads all efforts towards elevating marketing practices to remove stereotypes and showcase a realistic Australia and is an active member of the Real Mates Program and Women Interest Network at American Express.

Laura Lombardo

Laura is a special counsel in Gilbert + Tobin’s Pro Bono group and an experienced litigator specialising in anti-discrimination, human rights and administrative and public law. Laura has represented clients in State and Federal jurisdictions, including in the High Court of Australia, in Royal Commissions and in coronial inquiries. Laura also works with not-for-profit organisations on projects that build organisational capacity and address unmet legal need in the community. Laura was previously the Principal Solicitor of the Public Interest Advocacy Centre (PIAC), a community legal centre specialising in test case litigation and policy advocacy, and has also worked as a lawyer at the North Australian Aboriginal Justice Agency (NAAJA) and in the commercial litigation group of a global top-tier law firm. Laura is a graduate of the Australian Institute of Company Directors and previously sat on the Board of the Welfare Rights Centre (NSW) (2016-2023). Laura has a Bachelor of Media and Bachelor of Laws with Honours.

Gemma McKinnon 

Gemma McKinnon (LLB, BA) is a Barkindji woman from Wilcannia in far western NSW. Gemma is the Principal Solicitor – Closing the Gap at the Aboriginal Legal Service NSW/ACT. Gemma has a background in legal practice, research, and law reform focusing on public law, social housing, and Aboriginal community engagement. Gemma has a wealth of experience working in Community Legal Centres, including as a tenant advocate at RLC. Gemma is the co-host of Blaksiders on 2Ser community radio