Mary MacKillop Spirituality Ministry Board, Team and Governance

Natalie Acton

Chair

Natalie is the Director of Operations with the Sisters of the Good Samaritan. She is a mission-focused leader with a demonstrated history of working both in the for profit and for purpose sectors.

Natalie has over ten years’ experience in the Catholic sector, in a range of settings including operations, mission and culture, governance and community engagement. She holds qualifications in theology and business law and has completed the Australian Institute of Company Directors Course. Natalie has previously served as both a Board Director and a Member of the Broken Bay Institute.

Natalie believes that there is a deep hunger, longing and need for the sacred and spiritual in today’s contemporary society, which influenced her decision to join this Board.

Robert (Rob) Kennaugh

Board Member

Rob is an accomplished and prolific leader with extensive experience leading business transformation and organisational change, including development and execution of robust strategies aimed at achieving exceptional business results and customer outcomes. He is currently the Executive Director of Transformation and Reform at icare and has completed the Australian Institute of Company Directors Course.

Rob has been a Board Director for over 20 years, presently holding Non-Executive Director positions with Community Connections Australia and Parents Beyond Break-up.

Rob has a strong personal connection to Josephite spirituality through the experience of retreats and the miraculous intervention of Saint Mary of the Cross. He is excited to serve the community in a way that connects with his personal values of serving Christ in the everyday messiness of life.

Josephine (Josie) Vescio

Board Member

Josie is the Workstream Lead for Facilities and Procurement for Catholic Schools Broken Bay. She is an experienced educational and senior system leader, committed to innovation and the pursuit of excellence in Catholic education, applying a strategic approach and building a collaborative and cohesive culture through engagement of all stakeholders in shaping a shared vision that is inspirational, aspirational, realistic, and achievable. She has a proven capacity to lead complex change — bringing forth individuals’ gifts, enabling community engagement and considering all perspectives.

This Director opportunity is attractive to Josie because it aligns with her faith commitment and experience as an educator and leader, continually striving to support those in need and fostering opportunities to provide an education and environment supported by a love for our Lord.

Brianna Ragel

Board Member

Brianna has experience and qualifications in media and communications across a range of industries. Currently with property group Stockland, Brianna has completed her Masters of Business Administration and has experience in brand development, product and service strategies and customer experience.

Brianna has been connected to the Sisters of Saint Joseph from her school days and most recently served on the Board of St Anthony’s Family Care.

Andrew (Andy) Kuppe

Board Member

Andy is the Chief Executive Officer of Edmund Rice Education Australia Victorian Schools Ltd and is committed to leading education in the development of faith, acutely aware of the nuances associated with ensuring long term goals are sustainably achieved without compromising fundamental learning, mission, pastoral and organisational vision.

Andy has qualifications in education, theology, marketing and has completed the Australian Institute of Company Directors course. He has participated as a member of a number of education, not-for-profit-and Church related Boards and committees throughout Australia.

Tyson Brennan

Board Member

Brennan Law Partners founder Tyson Brennan has extensive experience with educational institutions, particularly those in the Catholic education space. Educated in Catholic schools from Prep to Year 12, he has also worked in educational roles within Catholic schools prior to his admission as an Australian lawyer.

As a member of the Catholic Church, Tyson endeavours to uphold the Catholic ethos through the delivery of legal services. He prides himself on compassion and understanding for their clients, as well as ensuring honesty and integrity underpin his professional and personal dealings.

Xavier Crimmins

CEO

Xavier Crimmins was appointed the inaugural CEO of Mary MacKillop Spirituality Ministry in April 2024. He led the transition of bringing the seven Spirituality Centres together into one entity on 1 July 2024, as well as the development of the new Ministry’s purpose, vision, mission, values and three-year strategic plan.

Xavier’s key focus is to lead the execution and achievement of the Ministry’s strategic plan and vision.

His previous roles have included CEO and Group CEO positions with national and international human service organisations within the not-for-profit sector. He has also held Chair and Board roles for national industry representative bodies, as well as serving on a number of government advisory committees. More recently, Xavier was the former principal and owner of Social Purpose Consulting, specialising in strategic services for boards and senior executives in the areas of growth, transformation, financial sustainability and business turnaround.

Xavier sees his role with Mary Mackillop Spirituality Ministry as the perfect match, merging his strategic business skills and Catholic faith to lead the Ministry into an exciting future where all can encounter the sacred at the heart of everyday life. In achieving this, our Centres will become places of constant support where people can continue to nurture and develop their spirituality and relationship with God in an ever-changing world.

Ministry Governance

Governance

Meet Our  Board

Natalie Acton

Robert (Rob) Kennaugh

Josephine (Josie) Vescio

Brianna Ragel

Andrew (Andy) Kuppe

Tyson Brennan

Meet Our Team

Xavier Crimmins

Safeguarding of Children and Vulnerable Adults

Centres

Natalie Acton

Robert (Rob) Kennaugh

Josephine (Josie) Vescio

Brianna Ragel

Andrew (Andy) Kuppe

Tyson Brennan

Xavier Crimmins

Ministry Governance

Governance

Meet Our Board

Natalie Acton

Robert (Rob) Kennaugh

Josephine (Josie) Vescio

Brianna Ragel

Andrew (Andy) Kuppe

Tyson Brennan

Meet Our Team

Xavier Crimmins

Safeguarding of Children and Vulnerable Adults

Natalie Acton

Robert (Rob) Kennaugh

Josephine (Josie) Vescio

Brianna Ragel

Andrew (Andy) Kuppe

Tyson Brennan

Xavier Crimmins

Meet Our  Board