Our Board of Directors
Meet our 2023/2024 Board of Directors
Julia Selby - President
"I hope to contribute to the long-term sustainability of NSTE for future generations, building on the work of others to maintain its welcoming presence as a Progressive synagogue for our community, as well as demonstrating a commitment to the wider community through tikkun olam. "
Julia has been associated with NSTE since her parents joined as early members in 1961, when she was in primary school. She became a member herself over 20 years ago when she returned to Sydney after living interstate and overseas as her career developed. Since 2017 Julia has chaired NSTE’s Jews for Social Action (JSA). Julia joined the board in 2018 and assumed the Secretary/Treasurer role in 2019. She became President in May 2021.
In her career, Julia worked in student administration and management at the National Institute of Dramatic Art (NIDA) from 2004-2015, and was also Company Secretary from 2008-2016. Prior to joining NIDA, she had a long career with the Australian Trade Commission (Austrade), including serving overseas as a Trade Commissioner, as well as having a range of roles in Australia.
Julia’s not for profit board experience includes being on the board of an independent school for more than 10 years.
Robin Braun - Vice President
Rob grew up on a dairy farm in George, South Africa where he learned to milk the cows. This was a skill which he later put to good use on a kibbutz refet when living in Israel. His schooling was at SACS in Cape Town. Rob and his wife Cathy have three children. They moved to Australia in 1998.
After working in industry for 10 years, he turned to academia and is now Professor of Telecommunications Engineering at University of Technology Sydney.
Rob is passionate about turning his skills and experience to benefit the community. He is thrilled to be able to join the Board of NSTE and make whatever contribution he can.
Agnes Heffernan - Treasurer
Agnes Heffernan joined the board in August 2021 and is Treasurer, She is a longstanding member of NSTE and is a chartered accountant, with experience both in private practice and in the education sector. She also has a long association with B'nai Brith.
Greta Davis - Vice President
Greta has been associated with Progressive Judaism all her life having grown up celebrating bat mitzvah at the Woollahra Emanuel Synagogue and then joining NSTE in 2012.
She retired in 2009 after an exhilarating career in the information technology industry where she worked for organisations such as IBM, Fujitsu and Gartner. She is passionate about music and tries to play the oboe.
Greta has extensive volunteering experience, having served as president of the Sydney Bushwalkers, treasurer of the Australian Jewish Genealogical Society, writing life stories at Montefiore Hunters Hill and three years on the phone at Lifeline. She is currently treasurer of the Lane Cove Concert Band organisation and is the Research Area Coordinator for Płock and Włoclawek for Jewish Records Indexing – Poland.
Simon Covill - Board Member
Simon joined the board in May 2023. His family’s connection with NSTE began in the 1960s when his parents migrated from the UK. Simon grew up in Newcastle, where his family lived an active Jewish life and he now lives in Newtown. Progressive Judaism is very important to Simon and he is serving on the board to support our community and its values.
Simon has experience in change management, organisational and leadership development, diversity and inclusion, coaching and communication in the public and private sectors. He served on the board of the International Association of Business Communicators, NSW Chapter.
Jonathan Goldberg - Board Member
Jonathan joined the board in May 2023. He and his wife joined NSTE after moving to Sydney from Adelaide in 2020.
Jonathan is an experienced strategy and management consultant, with a background in law and business administration. Having worked in Africa, South East Asia and Australia, Jonathan provides a global perspective to all that he does. With his knowledge of business strategy and planning, Jonathan is keen to further NSTE’s efforts to be a future-focussed and sustainable organisation. He has a passion for community involvement and a keen interest in promoting intra-community dialogue.
Josh Keller - Board Member
Karen Wagner - Board Member
Karen joined the board in May 2023. She has been a member of NSTE all her life and brings to the board her understanding of the NSTE community over many years. Her children have been actively involved in NSTE and the Jewish Community. Karen’s father, John Silk, served on the NSTE board and Karen also served on the board in 2015-16.
Karen has three biological children- Eliza, Joel and Zac, and two step daughters Celine and Marcelle. Karen enjoys walking, reading, cooking and great restaurants! Karen is a Preschool Director at KU Children's Services - working at KU St Ives Barra Brui Preschool. Karen thanks her husband Michel for supporting her in joining the NSTE Board as he knows he will be busy too!
Phone: (02) 9419 7011
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