STAFF & BOARD
The Board
CLAIRE BRAUND
President
Claire is a businesswoman based on the NSW Central Coast. She co-founded Women on Boards in Australia in 2006 and in the UK in 2012 following a career in journalism and public relations. An experienced Non-Executive Director on small businesses and large Not-For-Profit organisations, Claire has significant expertise on board governance in many other sectors.
Claire is also a graduate of the Benevolent Society’s Sydney Social Leadership Program which has led to a lifelong interest in affordable housing and related social issues, particularly those impacting women and children. Since 2020 she has served on the board of Coast Shelter Emergency Accommodation Ltd, a registered Community Housing Provider operating crisis accommodation refuges across the region for people who are homeless, at risk of homelessness, or experiencing domestic and family violence.
Claire is a lover of the visual and performing arts and the impact they have in the development of children and advancement of society.
Elected to the Board in 2016.
PETER BRANDON
Board Member
Peter is an educator with 40 years’ experience in Music, English, Mathematics, Ancient and Modern History and Sports coaching across both primary and secondary education. He brings a working knowledge of the NSW Curriculum, the new Australian Curriculum and their implications to the Central Coast Conservatorium of Music.
Peter has a keen interest in music, having played the tenor horn in several brass bands and as a former member of orchestras in both New Zealand and Australia, including the Willoughby Symphony Orchestra.
TRACIE ELVIDGE
Treasurer
Tracie is a senior business and finance professional experienced in the SME sector. She has been a member of several leadership teams guiding strategy for financially sustainable businesses.
She holds an executive position with Macarthur Group Holdings and brings exceptional skills in strategic planning, financial management and program delivery to the board.
KATE MCCALLUM
Board Member
Kate McCallum is a leading Australian financial adviser and co-founder and director of award-winning firm, Multiforte Financial Services. She has an extensive background in Finance, having held executive positions at Westpac, BT Financial Group and Commonwealth Bank.
For much of her career, Kate has been writing and speaking on money and finance. She is a published author, media commentator, successful business woman and recipient of multiple awards in the Financial Services industry.
Kate holds a BA Hons from the University of Sydney, an MComm from the University of New South Wales, and post-graduate qualifications in financial advice and applied finance.
She is a keen swimmer, skier and sailor. Kate has studied piano and fine art, and enjoys live music, and the performing and visual arts.
Kate was elected to the Board in 2021.
JENNIFER LUSH
Board Member
Jennifer has a Diploma of Counselling and a Diploma of Life Coaching, and is currently studying to achieve her Certificate III of Business. She has been associated with the Central Coast Conservatorium since 2014 as both a parent and volunteer. Jennifer has a valuable practical perspective of the organisation, which she brings to her role on the board with the aim of achieving the organisation’s strategic goals.
HILARY DAY
Chair of Teaching and Music Committee
Hilary graduated as a physiotherapist from Cumberland College of Health Sciences and has worked for the Central Coast Local Health District for 17 years and Residential Aged Care for 17 years. She is committed to providing free public health services to the residents of the Central Coast and brings to the Central Coast Conservatorium of Music (CCCM) Board her skills as a coordinator gained through wide teamwork experience.
In her music profession, Hilary achieved her diploma in cello and was employed as the cello tutor at the Central Coast Grammar School for 18 years, as well as many years teaching privately.
ROB KITCHEN
Board Member
Rob is a civil engineer working as a Project Management Leader for Coffey International looking after all private, Local and State Government projects. He has a hands-on role as a Project Director on key projects including a new Sydney CBD hotel and SINSW projects.
He previously worked with Pacific Link Housing to increase its housing portfolio through the construction of new housing; and with the NSW State Government at the Department of Land and Property and the Department of Planning where his main project there was the $1 billion mixed use redevelopment of Gosford Waterfront.
PENNY LEE
Chair, Governance and Legal Committee
Penny is an experienced legal professional who worked as a legal adviser to the British government in London for 8 years. Prior to this, she provided legal advice to the United Nations in West Africa and currently works for the NSW Government.
Penny holds a Bachelor of Laws, a Master of Laws and an Arts degree. She specialises in governance and procedures and has developed and implemented significant strategic operational procedures for the NSW Government.
BETTINA PIDCOCK
Board Member
Bettina is an accomplished executive with a 30-year career spanning retail and wholesale banking, wealth management (including superannuation, investment, financial advice and private banking), life and general insurance. She has held positions at leading Australian Financial Institutions in marketing, communications, product management, corporate affairs and customer experience.
Bettina is a Committee Member of the Tattersall’s Club (and was the first female to hold this position), was the Chairman of the QBE Foundation and a member of the NSW Regional Council of FINSIA from 2014-2020. She holds a BSc (major in Chemistry) from the University of Sydney, an Executive MBA from the Australian Graduate School of Management, a Business Management Qualification in Sustainability from the Cambridge Institute of Sustainability Leadership, is a Senior Fellow of FINSIA and a Graduate Member of the AICD.
Elected to the Board in 2020.
