At Volunteering Australia, we recognise that our goals can only be realised through the collective efforts of a dedicated and empowered workforce, an exceptionally effective board, and the seamless operations of our organisation.
Our team, comprising dedicated employees and volunteers, embraces our vision to make volunteering the heart of Australian communities. We are united in our commitment to support one another and our members while striving to achieve the most significant outcomes for the volunteering ecosystem.
Our Executive Team is highlighted below:
Mark Pearce
Chief Executive Officer
Mark draws on his extensive experience in the social purpose and commercial sectors to lead Volunteering Australia to build a stronger, more connected, and resilient Australian community through volunteering.
Prior to joining Volunteering Australia, Mark was a senior executive at the National Congress of Australia's First Peoples and held senior investment banking and institutional funds management roles with Goldman Sachs, JBWere, nab, and Macquarie Bank.
Mark holds a Bachelor of Science (Politics and International Relations (Hons.)) from the London School of Economics and Political Science, a Graduate Diploma in Human Rights from the School of Advanced Studies at the University of London and is currently studying for a Master of Public Policy at the Australian National University.
Driven by a strong belief in the transformative power of compassion, Mark applies his skills and expertise as a Non-Executive Director of Community Council for Australia, a member of the Emergency Relief National Coordination Group, and sustainable food company, Growrs Ltd. In addition to a passion for human rights, Mark is active in fighting for animal rights and is Deputy Chair of Australia's leading animal protection organisation, Animals Australia.
Andrew Richards
Operations and Communications Director
Andrew has strategic responsibility for delivering Volunteering Australia's Communications including campaigns, media and stakeholder engagement. He is also responsible for Operations including, governance, finance, HR, and systems. He is also the Project Manager for the Volunteering Gateway.
He is a well-rounded professional with extensive leadership experience, working with government organisations such as CSIRO, Transport, SES, and local government, as well as in education with RTOs, universities, and community colleges.
Andrew has successfully scaled a small business from a startup and holds qualifications, including a Master of Business Administration, Bachelor of Communications, Diploma of Governance, Graduate Certificate in Computer Science and certifications in IT networking, Prince2 Project Management, and community engagement through IAP2.
On most weekends, he can be found volunteering at local cricket matches, coaching a basketball team or at school fundraisers.
Cindy West
Policy Director
Cindy has an insatiable interest in public policy and is proud to be part of an inspiring ecosystem of people and organisations who make a tangible difference in big and small ways every day.
She draws on 20 years Australian Government experience to shape and lead Volunteering Australia's national policy, advocacy and research program; from the environment, sport and the care economy to emergency response and key advocacy platforms, such as the Federal Budget and Federal Election Platform, Volunteer Nation: Positive Impact, Strong Communities.
She has Executive oversight of Australia's 10-year National Strategy for Volunteering.
Cindy worked on aged care reform, climate change, and child safety during her time as Policy Adviser at Volunteering Australia, before being promoted to Policy Director.
Cindy's public sector experience is diverse, spanning executive roles with the Departments of Agriculture, Water and the Environment, Veterans' Affairs, Human Services and the Family Court of Australia. She also spent a year seconded to the Canadian Government and has represented Australia internationally on issues, such as foreign aid, trade and capacity building, in multi-lateral and bi-lateral fora, from Guatemala, Papua New Guinea and Indonesia to the United States.
She is a member of the Child Safe Sectors Leadership Group, convened by the National Office of Child Safety, and the UN COP31 Collaboration Group advocating for a whole-of-society approach to an Australian Pacific hosted COP.
Cindy is a published writer, holds degrees from the University of Canberra and Deakin University, and is an alumnus of the Cranlana Centre for Ethical Leadership.
