Rev Dr Apwee Ting joined UnitingWorld in May 2023. In the role of International Partnerships Manager, Apwee will nurture connections between the Uniting Church in Australia (UCA) and partner churches overseas, as well as facilitate theological and missional dialogue within the partnership networks. His deep familiarity with the rich cultural diversity of the UCA and passion for building relationships across cultural divides will be an invaluable asset.

For the previous seven years, Apwee has worked for the Uniting Church Assembly, firstly as the National Director of Multi/Cross-cultural Ministry and then as a valued founding member of the Assembly Resourcing Unit (ARU). In his work with the ARU, Apwee’s support for National Conferences, his wise counsel regarding relationships with partner churches overseas and the respect he has earned within the diaspora communities of the UCA have been an asset to the national work of the Church.

Programs

Peter has worked in the international development sector for over 17 years, in both programs and advocacy focused roles. Most recently he has been part of the executive team at Transform Aid International as Director of Advocacy and has also previously worked with World Vision in the UK and Australia, and in the programs team at UnitingWorld (between 2011-14).

Peter is passionate about development that is led by local partners and communities; aware and actively engaging with the structural, systemic and cultural drivers of injustice; and draws on the rich theological resources and imagination of the Christian tradition.

Living in Newcastle, Peter is loving the accessibility of great local beaches. He is uncle to six nieces between 2 and 10 years old. And may just have a slight addiction to buying books.

Debora is a physician who has worked in community development in Indonesia for 20 years. She is excited to be working alongside partners and stakeholders to see women, the poor and other marginalised groups enjoy life with dignity. Her passion is to advocate within communities so that children can have access to education, families can have access to health care and sustainable sources of income, and everyone’s voice as part of a community is heard.

Debora brings her experience and enthusiasm to the South East Asia team, and looks forward to “growing together with partners South East Asia and the other UnitingWorld teams to achieve our shared vision of transformed communities free from poverty and injustice.”

Hindra’s professional background is in construction and civil engineering, and for the past 18 years has applied his project management experience working in humanitarian organisations. Before joining UnitingWorld he worked predominantly in community development and disaster management programs in rural and urban contexts across Indonesia. Hindra’s role at UnitingWorld has him managing poverty alleviation programs; health, nutrition and hygiene programs; refugee and displaced peoples programs, and emergency and disaster preparedness programs. Hindra loves working with a wide range of people and partners from different areas and cultures and hopes his role at UnitingWorld gives him broader experiences to help him provide better service and support.

Shreshtha joined UnitingWorld in 2021 and is currently providing technical support to programs in South Asia and the Pacific.

Shreshtha has a diverse professional experience and has worked on issues ranging across women and children’s rights, disability rights, and public health with international not-for-profit organisations. She is passionate about promoting gender justice and has closely worked with community groups in India to restructure gender relations. With an extensive experience of over 14 years, she has coordinated and implemented a host of development and communication initiatives.

Shreshtha holds a Master of Development Studies from the University of Sydney and has previously completed post-graduate studies in Media and Communications. She is a nature lover and enjoys long coastal walks on the weekend.

Laura has over 25 years of experience, working in the private sector and in international humanitarian and development organisations, including the United Nations. Laura has expertise in environmental and climate change programming, as well as in broader community livelihood and resilience-building programs.

Laura is passionate about placing people at the center of programs through community-led, strength-based and culturally appropriate approaches, which build on local knowledge and particularly give voice and agency to Indigenous people.

Shivani joined UnitingWorld in 2024 as a Projects Officer. She will be supporting the Programs Team with logistics and coordination for events, and general organisation and administrative duties. She holds a Bachelor’s degree in Humanitarian and Development Studies from Western Sydney University. She has gained valuable experience through numerous internships and volunteer roles with NGOs, both in Australia and overseas. Shivani is passionate about movies, baking, and psychology.

Fundraising and Communication

Rick leads our work in nurturing and expanding the group of amazing people who make our work possible through their generosity.

Rick joined the team in 2018, following his time at the McGrath Foundation where he managed regular giving and single giving. He adds years of experience, Strategy and leadership from working in the non-profit sector. Rick is a results-driven professional with repeated success in guiding projects from start to finish.

Outside of work Rick loves travel, all things music, guessing ‘whodunnit’ in films and is a passionate, if not talented cook.

Mardi joined UnitingWorld’s Australian Partnerships Team in 2018, and started as Donor Relations Manager in 2023. She previously worked in communications and marketing with the Uniting Church in Queensland, including seven years as Director of Communications.

In her UnitingWorld role, Mardi works with Australian donors and churches to share the stories of the amazing work of our overseas partner churches and the life-changing partnerships made possible through UnitingWorld. She also works closely with UnitingWorld’s ambassadors around Australia. Based in Brisbane, Mardi is available to speak at services and events around the country (contact us at info@unitingworld.org.au).

Cyrus joined the UnitingWorld Team in 2024 and is based in South Australia. He works with communities and churches to share the work and stories of our overseas partner churches. He is available to speak at services or events in South Australia (contact us at info@unitingworld.org.au).

Cyrus is an ordained Minister in the Uniting Church and has previously worked with culturally and linguistically diverse church communities, church planting and fresh expressions. He spent 2022-2024 working on the Act2 Project within the Uniting Church’s National Assembly.

Antony McMullen has significant experience in the not-for-profit and faith-based sectors, including previous work as a social justice advocate with the UCA Synod of Victoria and Tasmania. With qualifications in theology, community services and community development, Antony is committed to bringing people together in good faith – for the common good.

He has collaborated with diverse stakeholders in a variety of ways to address economic disadvantage and foster sustainable, community-led solutions to poverty and injustice. He is a qualified spiritual director, loves music and has a particular interest in eastern Christian spirituality. He is available to speak at services or events in Victoria (contact us at info@unitingworld.org.au).

Jenny rejoined UnitingWorld in early 2023 as a Donor Relations Coordinator. She previously worked here from 2017-2020.

Jenny works with Australian donors and churches, inviting them to journey with us as we partner with the global church to address the issues of poverty, injustice and violence.

Jenny worked for the United Church in Papua and New Guinea when first married and has since had a keen interest in sharing in the work of the wider church to Uniting Church in Australia members. She is available to speak at churches and Presbyteries throughout Queensland (contact us at info@unitingworld.org.au).

Megan joined UnitingWorld’s Australian Partnerships Team at the beginning of 2023. She is working part-time here while studying to become an industrial designer.

Previously, she has spent years volunteering through her church and other organisations.  She enjoys hand crafts such as knitting, crocheting and sewing, and is passionate about sustainability and improving the world through design.  

Howard is a Volunteer Ambassador with UnitingWorld and in speaking to Churches and groups he helps to make connections for change.

Howard was a Science teacher with the NSW Department of Education and later moved to teaching Religious Education at Newington College and then Pymble Ladies’ College.  More recently, he was relieving Chaplain at MLC School Burwood.

Howard enjoys music and sings with Macquarie Singers.  He has written textbooks for High School Science and Religion courses.  He believes that an important aspect of UnitingWorld is that in providing the programs around the world the uniqueness of each individual human and their importance as the created image of God is acknowledged.

Marcus manages UnitingWorld’s print, digital and social media content. He has a background in human rights research and communications, with previous roles at the University of Sydney, Oxfam Australia and the Public Affairs unit of the United Nations Assistance to the Khmer Rouge Trials (UNAKRT) in Cambodia.

Marcus holds a Master of Human Rights from the University of Sydney and recently completed a thesis investigating the role of religion in peacebuilding and human rights monitoring in Papua and West Papua, Indonesia.

Stephanie joined UnitingWorld in 2022 as Production Coordinator in the Fundraising and Communications team. She has extensive experience in admin and comms in global non-profit organisations and voluntary roles, ranging from giant clams to Bibles to development planning. She brings her editing, proofreading and organisational skills to our team.

Stephanie is from Brisbane, but spent 7 years living in Solomon Islands, her husband’s homeland, which provides a valuable perspective that enriches her understanding of the context of many of the people around the world whom UnitingWorld serves. She also has firsthand experience in how development projects, like those from UnitingWorld and its partners, can be life-transforming and community-transforming, and is excited to be able to contribute to this work.

Mirela joined the UnitingWorld team in 2024. She brings years of experience in marketing and brand management, and is skilled in creating and executing targeted digital campaigns that drive brand awareness and customer engagement. Mirela holds a Master of Economics and is fluent in Croatian, Spanish and English.

Operations

Kath Lynch leads our organisational capacity to deliver impact. She oversees our governance and management processes that analyse, improve and demonstrate our effectiveness.

Kath joined the team in 2021, following six years in New York working with the International Rescue Committee. She brings years of operations, management and non-profit project experience to her role, from both the international development and disability sectors, and has a Master of Public Administration from New York University. Kath is dedicated to working across the organisation to identify and support opportunities to maximise UnitingWorld’s efficiency and effectiveness in achieving its mission and strategic goals.

Outside of work Kath is kept busy by her young children but tries to find time to enjoy her beloved local beach and coastal walks.

Rachelle works between teams to support staff and systems within UnitingWorld. Prior to joining the UnitingWorld team in 2024, she worked with three other Church Agency Network members in various roles, including three years working in Indonesia. Most recently she has been in the health sector, conducting aged care assessments, but is excited to be returning to international development in an operations capacity. Rachelle has a Master of International and Community Development and a Bachelor of Applied Science (Physiotherapy).

Steve Bevis has spent a lifetime working and reflecting at the interface of Christianity and society.

Steve worked for 13 years for Tearfund Australia and completed a PhD in the theology and practice of church-based community development with a focus on the Kenyan context. For six years Steve ministered in Alice Springs, working alongside first peoples and helped co-create the Alice Springs Meeting Place Foundation, an NGO working towards meeting Aboriginal need through healthier practices of social interaction across the community and a focus on shaping a shared future that is safe and respectful. Steve also chaired ITECA, a joint Uniting, Catholic, Anglican and AusSIL project to support the ministry training of local Aboriginal people across Central Australia.

Steve is an ordained Minister of the Word in the Uniting Church in Australia and is currently serving as the minister at Burwood-Croydon Uniting Church in NSW. He is also a songwriter and performer.

John is Managing Director and Equity Partner of Dewings Pty. Ltd, Adelaide, a firm of Chartered Accountants. He has been employed by that organisation for a number of years including as HR Manager and Practice Manager. From 2000 to 2002 he undertook theological study at Morling College in Sydney, graduating with a Bachelor of Ministries and has subsequently completed a Master of Divinity through the Australian College of Theology.

Ashleigh has over a decade of experience in the technology industry, holding leadership roles both locally and internationally. She has a background in digital strategy and marketing, with a focus on growth through digital transformation and equipping teams to thrive with changing technology. Ashleigh is a mentor to emerging leaders from under-represented minorities and is a founding member of Pride@SAP Singapore, an employee network group championing equality. She holds a Bachelor of Communication and Media Studies.

Vinnie is of Fijian ancestry and migrated to Australia in the early 80s. She completed a Diploma in Administration and a Bachelor in Business Management and worked in the Finance industry for more than 20 years. She pursued her Theological degree (BTH) whilst she was a candidate for ministry and has been an ordained Minister of the Word in the Uniting Church of Australia for more than 10 years.  

Vinnie is currently Senior Chaplain of MLC School in Burwood and also the Chairperson of Sydney Presbytery, which is the oversight body of more than 50 congregations, a handful of other faith communities, several community agencies and two big private schools (MLC School & Newington Boys College).  

Vinnie is a well-respected Pacific Island leader in the UCA and plays a significant role in areas of multicultural and cross-cultural ministry and mission. She is the Vice Chair of the UCA Assembly Fiji National Conference and serves in a number of Community Care Boards. She was previously the Director of Pacific Peacebuilding Initiatives and Peacebuilding International. 

Roger brings over twenty years’ experience in International Development to the UnitingWorld Board. This includes program and project management in Asia and the Pacific, senior management roles in an international development organisation, and experience in governance and compliance in a donor-funded organisation. Roger brings skills in working with donors, partner governments and organisations, and program teams. He has a Bachelor of Laws and a Master’s Degree in International Relations and is a member of the Uniting Church.

Geoff recently retired after 34 years with Australia’s Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade.  He had multiple overseas postings, including two at Ambassadorial level, and managed a number of Australia’s largest bilateral and multilateral aid programs, notably Papua New Guinea, Afghanistan, East Africa and climate change.  He has been involved in many multilateral processes including the negotiation of the Paris Climate Change Agreement.  Geoff, originally from Tasmania, has masters and honours degrees in international relations.  He is married to Joanne and has two adult children.

Catriona is an experienced development professional with proven expertise undertaking complex monitoring, evaluation and learning processes in a range of sectors including education, civil society, private sector development and governance. She has worked in the private sector, for government and as an independent consultant. Catriona believes in the importance of using evidence to drive policy and organisational change. She is committed to decolonising monitoring and evaluation practice by ensuring that frameworks are culturally appropriate and that different ways of knowing and learning are supported.

James has over 40 years’ experience in commercial law and corporate administration, working as General Counsel and Company Secretary in a number of large publicly-listed companies and major corporates. He was previously a partner in a medium-sized law firm in Sydney before leaving private practice. James holds degrees in Commerce and Law and is a Fellow of the Institute of Chartered Secretaries and the Governance Institute of Australia.  His experience is diverse, covering the manufacturing, retail, health and financial services sectors. James has extensive experience in the not-for-profit sector and serves as an Elder at St Stephen’s Uniting Church, Sydney.