Mai-Wel Board and Executive Team

Mai-Wel’s Board of Directors

Felicity Laczina - Chair of the Mai-Wel Board

Felicity Laczina – Chair of the Board

MA Business, Dip Strategic HR, Grad Cert Strategic HR, AMP194, GAICD

Elected: 12.07.21

Occupation and Qualifications: Chief Operations Officer Maitland Mutual Bank

Committees: Chair Governance and Risk Committee, Chair Remuneration and Nominations Committee

With over 25 years of experience in Human Resources and business roles, primarily in the banking and government sectors, Felicity now brings her expertise to the not-for-profit sector. She has spent nearly a decade at the executive level and holds an MBA and a Graduate Diploma from the Australian Institute of Company Directors. Her personal connection to disability, as both a sister and an aunt to family members with disability, fuels her passion for Mai-Wel’s mission to make a meaningful difference in the community.

Michael Burfitt – Deputy Chair of the Board

BA Bus, (CA), (GAICD)

Elected: 28.10.19

Occupation and Qualifications: Chief Finance Officer Maitland City Council

Committees: Chair Finance and Audit Committee

Bio

Michael is a Chartered Accountant with over 30 years of experience in financial reporting, governance, risk management, and auditing, primarily in government and not-for-profit sectors. His extensive career includes roles in superannuation and local government, most recently serving as Chief Financial Officer at Maitland City Council. As a non-executive director since 2019 and with prior experience in the non-bank financial sector, Michael brings deep financial expertise to Mai-Wel, ensuring sound governance and financial oversight. He also holds a Bachelor of Business, CA, GAICD, and is a Justice of the Peace.

Carolyn Higgs – Director

BA Hons, MA Criminology

Elected: 30.10.17

Occupation and Qualifications: Assistant Director Department of Infrastructure

Bio

A dedicated member of the Mai-Wel Board since 2017, Carolyn follows the legacy of her father, Frank, who served the organisation for 50 years. Carolyn holds a Bachelor of Arts (Hons) and a Master of Arts in Criminology from the University of Toronto. Her academic and personal experience equip her to contribute meaningfully to Mai-Wel’s mission, ensuring continued support for individuals with disabilities in the Maitland community.

Dr Sherphard Chidarikire – Director

PhD, GradCertRes, MNNP, BHlthSc(Nurs), DipHE(MH), DipEd

Elected: 17.12.24

Occupation and Qualifications: Senior Lecturer in Nursing (Mental Health), Program Convenor-Master of Mental Health Nursing, School of Nursing and Midwifery, University of Newcastle

Bio

Sherphard is a Senior Lecturer in Nursing (Mental Health) and Program Convener of the Master of Mental Health Nursing at the University of Newcastle. With over a decade of experience in mental health education, he has taught and led curriculum development at both the University of Tasmania and the University of Newcastle. As a registered mental health nurse, his extensive clinical background spans community, acute, and forensic mental health settings in Australia and the UK.

A dedicated researcher and academic leader, Sherphard has led multiple national and international research projects exploring mental health care, resilience, and interprofessional learning. His contributions to the field include the translation of the WHOQOL-BREF quality of life questionnaire into Shona, now available through the World Health Organization. Passionate about community mental health, he actively works to improve mental health outcomes, particularly in rural and remote areas.

David Belcher – Director

BA (PolSc)

Elected: 07.02.25

Occupation and Qualifications: A strategic advisor for Community Disability Alliance Hunter and a former Councillor for Lake Macquarie City Council.

Committees: Chair Quality and Safeguards Committee

Bio

David is a dedicated disability advocate and government relations specialist with over a decade of experience in policy advising and community engagement. As a well-respected former Councillor for Lake Macquarie City Council and a strategic advisor for Community Disability Alliance Hunter, David champions accessible infrastructure, inclusive communities and a human rights approach to disability.

With a strong background in community service and advocacy, David has been instrumental in various initiatives aimed at improving the lives of people with disability. His lived experience as a wheelchair user informs his approach to creating inclusive policies and services. David also develops leadership workshops and regularly contributes to disability discourse through public writing and media.

His strategic insights and commitment to community development will greatly enhance Mai-Wel’s efforts to empower individuals and create inclusive opportunities.