About us

Professor Stephen Smith is the Dean of the Australian University College of Divinity and an experienced board chair, governance specialist and organisational leader. He is a Partner at The Colloquium Group and a Director of The Centre for Leadership Development, with extensive experience in leadership consulting, not-for-profit governance and organisational development.

Stephen holds doctorates in management and community and behavioural health, master’s degrees in law and business, and additional qualifications in theology and counselling. He has served in senior executive roles across education, ministry and community services, including CEO and Principal appointments, and has led significant organisational change projects in Australia and internationally. A Fellow of the Governance Institute of Australia and a Graduate Member of the Australian Institute of Company Directors, he is passionate about equipping faith-based organisations to make a positive impact in their communities.

Ruth Jothy is a values-driven executive leader with more than 20 years’ experience in commercial property management and asset stewardship across large-scale and community-focused organisations. She has led diverse property portfolios and multidisciplinary teams, with a strong focus on long-term sustainability, sound financial stewardship, and alignment to organisational purpose.

Ruth is deeply committed to serving the communities she leads, ensuring property and investment decisions deliver enduring value, dignity, and positive social impact. She holds an Executive MBA from the University of Technology Sydney (UTS) and joined Fresh Hope Communities as Chief Executive Officer in 2026, having previously held senior roles with Elanor Investors, HMC Capital, Sydney Airport and Westfield.

Alana Cooper is a senior health and aged care leader with over 25 years’ nursing experience and more than 15 years in executive and senior management roles. She is currently the Nursing Access and Demand Manager at St George Hospital, Kogarah, and has previously served as Director of Aged and Extended Care at both St George and Sutherland Hospitals. Alana brings extensive experience across acute, sub-acute and residential aged care within NSW Health, including leadership roles as a Registered Nurse, Clinical Nurse Specialist and Nursing Unit Manager.

Alana is an active member of Abide Church in the Sutherland Shire and has longstanding involvement in church leadership, including Churches of Christ. She is passionate about faith-based aged care that is dignified, compassionate and person-centred.

Tracy Harding is a senior executive and board director with over 20 years’ experience inaged care, disability, health, and community services. She is passionate about social justice, wellbeing, and empowering people to lead fulfilling lives. Tracy combines compassionate leadership with strategic insight, having led multi-site operations and major projects across New South Wales, Victoria and Queensland.

She has expertise in risk management, governance, strategic planning, compliance, and innovative service delivery. With a background in social welfare work, ministry and pastoral leadership, Tracy fosters connections that help communities thrive. She holds a Master of Business (Non-Profit), Bachelor of Social Welfare Work, Bachelor of Theology, and diplomas in Ministry, Project Management, and a Director Certificate.

Kirryn Zerna is a keynote speaker, author and corporate facilitator with over 15 years’ experience in corporate, stakeholder and team communications across diverse sectors. She is the author of The Stand Out Effect and is recognised for designing and facilitating engaging leadership and corporate events. Kirryn holds a Bachelor of Commerce, a Master of Management and is a Graduate of the Australian Institute of Company Directors (GAICD).

Kirryn served on the Fresh Hope Care Ministry Team for over 10 years and is a member of the Churches of Christ Community Care Board. She is also an elder at Northside Community Church, an affiliated Churches of Christ NSW & ACT congregation, bringing a strong commitment to Christ-centred care, governance and sustainable organisational growth.

Anthony Asher brings extensive expertise in finance, governance and public policy to the Fresh Hope Communities Board. He is an actuary and academic who has served on numerous boards and on investment, finance, audit and risk committees across the private, public and university sectors. Anthony has been actively involved in the actuarial profession for more than 40 years, currently serving on the Council of the Actuaries Institute on its Risk and Audit Committee, amongst others. He is also Chairman of the board of PPS Mutual and has a part-time research position at UNSW.

Partially retired, Anthony remains an active contributor to policy development in superannuation and retirement-related issues. He holds a Bachelor of Business Science from the University of Cape Town and a PhD from the University of the Witwatersrand.

Norman Newbon is an experienced senior executive and company director with a strong background in finance, insurance and governance. He has held senior executive roles with major publicly listed companies including GIO, AMP and Suncorp, and is a former Finance Company CEO. Norman has also served as Chair of ASX, insurance and government-related boards, bringing extensive experience as an independent director.

Norman has been closely associated with Churches of Christ for many years, serving as an Elder, Chairman of Elders and Treasurer within a Sydney congregation. He was also the inaugural independent Chair of the Churches of Christ Investment Committee, serving in that role for approximately nine years. Norman is a Fellow of the Australian Institute of Company Directors (FAICD).

Steed Leonard is an experienced leader with over 30 years of service at Restore Church in Castle Hill, where he has supported leadership transition, strategic planning and organisational development as both an elder and chairperson. Alongside his ministry leadership, Steed has held senior leadership roles within NSW government corporations and has also operated his own business, bringing a practical perspective across governance, strategy and operations.

Steed has extensive experience in mentoring, consulting and leadership development, including leading young adult ministries, small groups and mission initiatives locally and internationally. He brings a strong commitment to faith-based leadership, community building and the mission of Churches of Christ communities.