Our People
Our Board
Our Board Directors bring unique expertise to guide, govern and oversee the work of Odyssey House NSW.
Adjunct Professor Debora Picone AO
Board Chair
Adjunct Professor Debora Picone AO is a highly respected leader in public administration, with extensive experience in the provision of healthcare services. Through a quality-led governance approach and applying the value systems of learning organisations, Professor Picone helped make the lives of people better by driving high performing organisations that improve the health of people, patient safety and access to healthcare within a balanced budget.
Debora joined the Board in 2023.
Doug Bain B.Acc, CA, GAICD
Deputy Chair
Doug has recently retired as a senior audit partner at Ernst & Young. He served a number of EY’s largest clients across a range of industries, including healthcare, real estate and infrastructure, and media. He was EY Market Segment Leader for real estate and construction and a member of the Oceania Leadership Team. He has a strong focus on governance and financial risk management.
Doug is a graduate of the Australian Institute of Company Directors. He is on the boards of Airservices Australia and Killara Golf Club. He was previously on the Audit Committee of Australian International Military Games (Invictus).
Doug joined the Board in 2023.
Kris Ashpole
Kris brings extensive experience in social impact and public health roles. Previously Head of Global Community Impact ANZ for Johnson & Johnson and on the leadership team for J&J’s Global Community Impact Alliance, Kris has dedicated her career to creating positive social change through health, community development, and humanitarian aid.
Kris was a Board Director of the Bridging the Gap Foundation (2021 to 2023), previous Chair of the Collaboration for Health in Papua New Guinea and member of the Corporate Working Group to develop Australia’s volunteering strategy 2023 to 2033. She holds a Master of Public Health, a Bachelor of Applied Science, is a Graduate of the Australian Company Directors and was honoured with a Service to the Community award by the ACT Government.
Kris joined the Odyssey Board in 2024.
Mary Digiglio
Mary has been the Managing Partner of Swaab, a Sydney based mid-sized commercial law firm, since in 2014. Mary is a graduate of the Australian Institute of Company Directors and has been a long-standing Board member of Cameron Brae Pty Ltd and the mental health NGO, Minds Count Foundation.
Mary leads by example, with an authentic leadership style and a focus on promoting and protecting the well-being of people in the legal profession. She has been a dedicated supporter of Odyssey since 2016.
Mary joined the Odyssey Board in 2023.
Professor Michael Farrell
Professor Michael Farrell is the Director of the National Drug and Alcohol Research Centre (NDARC) at the University of New South Wales and Faculty Theme Lead of Mental Health, Neuroscience, Ageing and Addictions, UNSW Medicine. Michael is a member of the World Health Organization Expert Committee on Drug and Alcohol Dependence and is a current member of the Australian National Advisory Council on Alcohol and other Drugs (ANACAD).
He has published widely on tobacco, alcohol and other drug issues and has consulted to many national governments on Drug Policy. Michael is a strong advocate for better investment and support for prevention, treatment and research.
Michael joined the Odyssey Board in 2020.
Brigid Glanville
Brigid Glanville has 25 years experience in media, government and corporate communications and is currently Director, Corporate and Government Communications at GRACosway, a leading strategic communications and public affairs advisory firm.
Working with a range of clients, she develops and delivers strategic communications plans, media relations, advice and counsel around reputational risk and crisis management.
Brigid has held senior roles for NSW Mental Health and Education Ministers during the COVID-19 pandemic. Prior to this, Brigid was the ABC’s Chief NSW Political Reporter for a decade and a presenter on ABC TV News Channel.
Brigid joined the Odyssey Board in 2024.
Douglas Isles
Douglas Isles has more than 20 years’ experience in investment management. He was appointed Head of Investment at Platinum Asset Management in March 2022, where he has worked since 2003.
Douglas joined the Odyssey Board in 2022.
Debra Kelliher
Debra Kelliher has worked in education for over 25 years. She has a Doctorate in Education from the University of New England, a Master of Arts with First Class Honours from Auckland University and is a graduate of the Australian Institute of Company Directors.
Debra runs her own consultancy AWARE Network (Authentic Women – Awake, Respected, Empowered) specialising in workplace and leadership knowledge.
Debra joined the Odyssey Board in 2021.
Tara Laybutt
Tara is an inspiring and strategic leader in risk, compliance, assurance and finance with over 30 years of experience in Australia and the US, primarily in the financial services industry.
Most recently, she served as Chief Risk and Compliance Officer at Allianz Australia where she led the organisation in transforming its risk culture and risk management practices. Tara started her career at PricewaterhouseCoopers and, more recently, was a Partner at Deloitte, following her time as Chief Audit Executive at Westpac Group.
Tara has consistently been recognised as a trusted executive and advisor to boards. She is a graduate of the Australian Institute of Company Directors and has a real desire to create positive social impact.
Tara joined the Odyssey Board in 2024.
Our Patron
Joint Patrons: Her Excellency the Honourable Margaret Beazley AC KC and Mr Dennis Wilson
In October 2019, Her Excellency the Honourable Margaret Beazley AC KC and Mr Dennis Wilson became joint patrons of Odyssey House NSW. We are honoured to have their support and are grateful for their commitment to making a difference for individuals, families and communities impacted by alcohol and other drug use.
Her Excellency, The Honourable Margaret Beazley AC KC, is the 39th Governor of New South Wales. Prior to her appointment as Governor, Her Excellency enjoyed a long and distinguished law career spanning 43 years, during which time she served as a role model for women in law at both the State and National level.
In 1996, she achieved the distinction of being the first woman appointed to the NSW Court of Appeal and, subsequently, became the first woman to be appointed as its President. She served, on a number of occasions, as Administrator of the Government of the State of NSW.
Her Excellency brings her deep commitment to education, youth leadership, human rights and social justice to the role in service of the people of New South Wales.
Her Excellency is married to Mr. Dennis Wilson, a barrister, mediator, accredited international arbitrator and Adjunct Professor of Law, at Notre Dame University, Sydney.
Our Executive Team
Carmel Tebbutt
Chief Executive Officer
Carmel brings a wealth of knowledge to Odyssey through her significant contributions in the not-for-profit sector as a former CEO of the Mental Health Coordinating Council and as a Director at Mental Health Australia.
Before moving to the for-purpose sector, Carmel enjoyed a long parliamentary career with a wide range of ministerial portfolios, including health, education and community services.
Carmel was the first female Deputy Premier of NSW. Carmel is passionate about Odyssey’s mission to reconnect lives, families and communities and utilises her skills and experience to help Odyssey grow.
David Kelly
Executive Director, Programs
David has worked in the Alcohol and Other Drug and associated sectors for over 20 years, spanning therapeutic communities, residential rehabilitation programs and community-based programs.
David previously held senior leadership and Board roles across a range of community program areas.He is currently a Board Member for Australasian Therapeutic Communities Association; the peak body the peak body for Therapeutic Communities and Residential Rehabilitation programs in Australia and New Zealand.
He holds graduate and post-graduate qualifications in Psychology, Social Health, Addiction Studies and Management, and Business Administration, including an MBA. David is passionately committed to supporting those who are experiencing marginalisation and disadvantage in a holistic way.
Caroline Lord
Executive Director, Communications and Fundraising
Caroline holds over 20 years of experience in strategic marketing, communications and fundraising across not-for-profit, education and retail sectors. She is a Certified Fundraising Executive (CFRE) and an accredited marketer through the Chartered Institute of Marketing, as well as a member of the Fundraising Institute Australia.
Caroline has managed multi-million dollar giving portfolios, specialising in gifts in wills, principal and major gifts. In her AUS/UK retail career she expanded brands nationally. Caroline is dedicated to long-term relationship building and passionate about advancing the Odyssey mission.
Rajiv Anand
Executive Director, Finance and Corporate Services
Company Secretary
Rajiv brings a wealth of experience to Odyssey, from a long career in government, including as Executive Director Corporate Services at the Justice Health and Forensic Mental Health Network. Rajiv is passionate about creating the best possible environment for our frontline staff to deliver impactful services to clients.
Cath Macgonigal
Executive Director and Principal, Odyssey College
Cath has expertise and experience as an educator and school leader in Australia and overseas. She began her career as a primary school teacher, spent seven years as Head of School in London, before returning to Australia where she took up the role of Odyssey College Principal.
Cath has a strong focus on welfare, which together with her diverse skills and desire to help others, ensures those staying in our recovery centres are nurtured throughout their journey.
Our Purpose
We offer personalised support and professional treatment to improve the health and wellbeing of individuals, families and communities impacted by substance use.
Our Impact
Over the last five decades we have helped more than 50,000 people turn their lives around.
Join Our Team
We are committed to building a team that is representative of the diverse communities we support, in an environment where everyone feels safe, respected and valued.
