Linkwest Staff

Jane Harwood

Jane Harwood
CEO

(she/her/hers)

The CEO provides strategic leadership for Linkwest and works with the Linkwest Board and team to achieve the vision of vibrant, inclusive and connected communities. As CEO, Jane also advocates on behalf the sector and leads stakeholder engagement and government relations at Linkwest.

Jane has a background in community services leadership, volunteer management and most recently in stakeholder engagement in the primary care sector. Jane holds a BA in English Literature and post graduate studies in Human Resource Management and Social Impact. She is a graduate of the Leadership WA Signature Program.

Mihaela Nicolescu
Sector Development Manager

(she/her/hers)

As Sector Development Manager, Mihaela works with Centres to provide training, resources, and support. Mihaela has also initiated a number of projects aimed at increasing the capacity of Neighbourhood and Community Resource Centres, and providing solutions to issues that affect their communities. In her previous role, Mihaela worked with CRCs, which provided her with an important overview of the priorities of regional WA. Mihaela is passionate about governance, and delivers training on various aspects of governance, including compliance with the Associations Incorporation Act 2015.

Mihaela holds a Preparing to Teach in the Life Long Sector certificate, an MA in Creative Writing, and a BA in Business Administration.

Tim Allan
Operations Manager

(he/him/his)

As Operations Manager, Tim works to maintain and develop Linkwest as a sustainable and future focused organisation. This is achieved through leadership and development of Linkwest operational management and business development initiatives, and through project management of discrete programs of work or events.

To this role Tim brings a wealth of experience from a diverse not-for-profit career in volunteer/human resource management, building mutually beneficial partnerships, finance management, and relationship building across community development, education, family services, children, and youth sectors.

Tim holds a Graduate Diploma of Business Management, Certificate IV in Occupational Health and Safety, a Bachelor of Social Science, and membership to the Australian Institute of Management WA.

Sharon Gillies
Community Engagement Officer

(she/her/hers)

Sharon, who hails from the mining and hospitality sectors, has a strong background in office management and administration.

In her role as Community Engagement Officer, Sharon is the first port of call for Neighbourhood and Community Resource Centre staff, and management committee members.

Sharon also welcomes new coordinators and managers at member Centres by providing Network Inductions, and by offering an overview of the support Linkwest provides. She coordinates the Neighbourhood Centre and CRC Subcommittees, the Employee Assistance Program and the Purple Bench Project.

Adrian Young
Communications and Projects Officer

(he/him/his)

As Communications and Projects Officer, Adrian manages the design and creation of marketing materials to promote Linkwest, oversees the organisation website and online presence, and curates the overall Linkwest brand.

With an extensive background in managing communications in the not-for-profit sector, Adrian is passionate about using visual design and storytelling to foster connection and relationships between people and communities.

Joanna Murphy
Bookkeeper

(she/her/hers)

As Bookkeeper, Joanna Murphy handles the day-to-day finances of Linkwest. This involves debtors/creditors; keeping track of spending in both operational and project budgets; reporting to relevant project managers, the CEO and the board; audit preparation; and most importantly to the rest of the staff, payroll management and payroll legislation obligations.

Joanna has worn a few different hats here at Linkwest, starting in administration/marketing and progressing into the CRC Sector Support Officer role, before taking some time off to start a family. Joanna’s return to Linkwest part-time as Bookkeeper allows her to balance these two important roles.