OUR BOARD

Rachel Samuel. Founder and CEO

Rachel qualified as a medical practitioner and has worked with disadvantaged individuals in the public mental health system. She has a strong interest in community projects that help break the cycle of homelessness and disadvantage. She also has a keen interest in environmental issues including sustainability and waste reduction through community recycling programs.

Daniel Steen, Chairman

Daniel Steen is a financial professional who has worked around the world for a number of major financial institutions before returning back to Australia a few years ago. He has a Honours in Economics and number other financial certifications, and is highly experienced in risk management and investment.

Bringing a strong interest in efficiency and financial accountability, Daniel has been involved in an advisory capacity with DonateDirect since its inception.

Leonard Samuel

Leonard Samuel is an Engineer and Lawyer, and after a number of years in private legal practice became involved as a director and shareholder in a number of companies related to the Building Industry. He has also been a delegate member to Standards Australia as well has having a number of previous and current volunteer roles in Community Organisations.

He has an interest in reducing waste, and promoting efficiency in not only commercial transactions but also in the charity sector, and sees DonateDirect as a perfect vehicle to achieve this.

Steven Merriel

Steven Merriel is a Software Engineer with many years experience in the information technology sector. Currently Steven works as a director and senior engineer for a number of corporations advising and assisting them in building high quality software. He holds degrees in Environmental Science and Accounting; these have helped him foster a passion for the environment, social justice and efficiency, which he brings to his work in the charity sector.

Steven has founded or been a contributor to a number of Community Organisations and projects across Sustainability, Political Activism, Fundraising, The Arts and Environment.

Jon Cina

Jon Cina brings a strong commitment to sustainable living and social justice. He has spent 20 years working on modernising and reforming justice systems in Australia and overseas, using law and legal institutions to address inequality, disadvantage and power imbalances in communities. He currently oversees Victoria Legal Aid's public legal assistance helpline, webchat and community legal information services as well as its work to put client views and experiences at the centre of justice system service design and delivery.

Upeksha Merchant

Upeksha is a Chartered Accountant with 15 years of experience across managing Finance and Accounting Functions from multinational corporations to Start Ups.

She has volunteered at multiple charity events and associations - Vinnies CEO Sleepout, Halal Food Bank and Peter Mac. She is passionate about extending her expertise to Community Organisations that create positive Social, Economic and Environmental impact.

Eleanor Pollock

Eleanor is a management consultant at a professional services firm, specialising in the design and delivery of large-scale remediation programs across both the public and private sector. She has a background in government law and dispute resolution, and is passionate about driving beneficial outcomes for vulnerable customers.

Eleanor is committed to promoting operational efficiency within organisations and aligns strongly with DonateDirect’s purpose of sustainability and waste reduction.