Responsible Gambling Fund Chair and trustees

Meet the members of the Responsible Gambling Fund's Trust: the expert advisers who set the direction for GambleAware and recommend programs and initiatives for funding.

How the Responsible Gambling Fund Trust works

The purpose of the Responsible Gambling Fund is to provide expert advice and funding recommendations to the NSW Government about addressing gambling harm in the community. At least 6 times a year, the trustees meet to explore and make recommendations on:

• research
• community awareness and education
• early intervention, support and counselling services
• supporting departmental policy makers and regulators.

Meet the trustees

The Trust currently has eleven trustees. They all bring their own expertise from diverse fields including public health, law, government, gambling industry, academia, business and social research.

Chris Bertinshaw

Chris Bertinshaw is an experienced CEO and company director and has been consulting with a range of public and private companies providing advice on corporate governance and effective management for the last 30 years.

Chris currently Chairs the Board of the Illawarra Shoalhaven Local Health District. He is accredited by the NSW Government to provide governance training to non-government school ‘Responsible Persons’. He is the Managing Director of Inclusive Boards Pty Ltd, a search and development company preparing and placing people of diverse backgrounds onto company boards.

Chris has a Graduate Diploma in Corporate Governance from the Wharton School, University of Pennsylvania; a Master in E-Commerce degree from the University of New England and a Bachelor of Business degree from the University of Technology, Sydney. He holds a Diploma in Theology from the Australian College of Theology and, having gained a Company Directors’ Diploma, is a Fellow of the Australian Institute of Company Directors. Chris facilitated the AICD director education programs in Australia and overseas specialising in corporate governance, finance and strategy and risk for almost 10 years.

Anne Fitzgerald

Anne Fitzgerald is an accomplished senior executive and board director across a number of industries including registered clubs, government, the performing arts, community sector and health insurance. She has worked in the not-for-profit, commercial and government sectors and has considerable experience in developing strategy and leading multi-disciplinary teams.

Anne is currently the Chair of charity Youth off the Streets and was the recent CEO of the Talent Development Project. Prior to these roles Anne led the ClubSAFE Responsible Gambling Program for the registered clubs industry as part of her executive management position at ClubsNSW from 2001- 2020 and has seen significant change in the responsible gambling space in that time for the better.

Anne holds her MBA, a Graduate Diploma of Public Administration and a Bachelor of Arts. She is also a Graduate of the Australian Institute of Company Directors and is a qualified mediator.

Robert Lagaida

Robert Lagaida has extensive experience in the NSW public health and not for profit sectors, having previously worked as a senior executive within NSW Health for over 20 years in policy development, hospital services management, financial management, public and private partnerships, capital works program, procurement and information management. Mr Lagaida received a Public Service Medal in recognition of his contributions to the NSW public health system.

Mr Lagaida also has extensive experience in governance, board, audit and risk management portfolios. He has previously served and is currently serving as a Board Member and/or Chair on Audit and Risk Management Committees in a number of NSW Government Agencies, Local Government, aged and disability organisations and medical colleges.

Mr Lagaida holds a Bachelor of Economics, Master of Commerce and a Graduate Diploma in Information Systems. He is a Fellow with CPA Australia and a Graduate and Member of the Australian Institute of Company Directors.

Kara Lamond

Kara Lamond has extensive experience in senior leadership positions across the public, private and not for profit sectors. Kara has held leadership positions in the health and medical research sector, with extensive knowledge and experience in policy development and implementation, public health frameworks, and social determinants of health.

In her role as Chief Operating Officer at the Illawarra Health and Medical Research Institute, Kara has participated in research projects, program evaluations, and public awareness campaigns to address addiction-related challenges. Kara has extensive experience in representing health and research organisations at public events, conferences, and at high level meetings to advocate for evidence-based solutions and resources.

Kara has held numerous Non-Executive Director positions on not-for-profit boards with a strong focus on supporting community organisations to assist disadvantaged groups within our community.

Kara is a graduate of the Australia Institute of Company Directors, holds a Master of Business Administration (MBA) from University of Wollongong, Bachelor of Arts from University of Wollongong, Bachelor of Urban and Regional Planning from University of New England and a Graduate Certificate of Laws from the Australian National University.

Luke Lindsay

Luke Lindsay is the Chief Executive Officer of Stride Mental Health, Australia's oldest mental health organisation, bringing more than 25 years of experience in clinical practice, executive leadership, governance and health system reform.

Beginning his career as a senior mental health clinician, Luke has dedicated his career to improving outcomes for individuals and communities experiencing complex mental health, alcohol and other drug, suicide prevention and psychosocial challenges. His clinical background provides a strong foundation for his leadership, with extensive experience working alongside people experiencing severe mental illness, trauma, addiction and social disadvantage.

Luke has held Chief Executive Officer and senior executive roles across national and state-based not-for-profit organisations, leading large multidisciplinary teams and overseeing the delivery of mental health, gambling harm, suicide prevention, alcohol and other drug, homelessness, disability and community wellbeing services across metropolitan, regional and remote Australia. He has successfully led significant organisational transformation, service innovation, governance reform and large-scale commissioning initiatives, while maintaining a strong focus on improving consumer outcomes.

Recognised for delivering support services in gambling harm prevention and treatment, Luke has spent many years leading specialist gambling support services throughout Queensland. His work has encompassed prevention, early intervention, counselling, financial counselling, family support, community education, workforce development and service integration. He has worked closely with governments, regulators, researchers and community organisations to strengthen evidence-based responses to gambling harm and has championed public health approaches that recognise the links between gambling, mental ill health, financial distress, family violence, alcohol and other drug use, and suicide.

Luke is also a trusted advisor to government regulators, Primary Health Networks, Hospital and Health Services and peak bodies, contributing to policy development, commissioning frameworks and system reform. He is passionate about ensuring gambling harm services are accessible, person-centred and integrated within the broader health and social service system.

In addition to his executive leadership, Luke serves as a Non-Executive Director and is recognised for his expertise in governance, organisational strategy and health service transformation. He holds Masters qualifications in mental health and psychiatry, executive leadership and governance and is a Graduate of the Australian Institute of Company Directors.

Luke remains committed to reducing gambling-related harm, strengthening prevention and treatment services, and improving the wellbeing of individuals, families and communities affected by gambling.

Sara Pantzer

Sara is an experienced senior executive with more than 30 years of experience across a diverse range of industries, from global pharmaceutical and biotech companies to national standards regulation, telecommunications and finance, and Ministerial advisory roles. Her specialist skills are in public policy, strategic communications, government relations and stakeholder management.

Sara's contribution to the pharmaceutical sector has been recognised through numerous awards.

Sara also serves as a Non-Executive Director on a range of not-for-profit Boards, in the health, civil society and education sectors.

She holds a Master’s Degree in Dispute Resolution, degrees in Economics and Law, and is a graduate of the Australian Institute of Company Directors.

Anastasia Polites

Anastasia Polites is currently the senior manager of Industry Relations at Aware Super.

Anastasia was previously an employment and industrial relations lawyer for both Unions and Employer Associations. She worked for Local Government NSW and managed the legal and industrial teams at the Fire Brigade Employees’ Union and the Electrical Trades Union in NSW. Anastasia started her legal career as a legal aid and community sector lawyer in NSW and worked on cases with disadvantaged clients including those affected by problem gambling.

Anastasia has been a director on the Board of legalsuper, and the recipient of the Garry Weaven scholarship with AIST which allowed her to attend the Harvard Kennedy School.

Anastasia has a Masters of Law and Legal Practice from the University of Technology, Sydney, and also a Bachelor of Electrical Engineering and Commerce from the University of Sydney.

Steven Takacs-Gal

Steven Takacs-Gal has extensive experience in the roles of board member, executive and senior manager, having held key positions in NSW State government and not-for-profit organisations. After a long career in primary health and health promotion, Steven then went on to work in the areas of aged care, disability, youth, First Nations issues, refugee and migrant issues, child protection, natural resource management, community development, funding and procurement.

He has led funding reforms and designed new programs and services to meet the support needs of a wide range of people. In his current board roles, he chairs the board of Inner West Neighbour Aid and is a director of Accessible Diversity Services Initiative. He was an independent director of Wellington Aboriginal Corporation Health Service and founding director for Blacktown Youth Services Association.

Siobhan Toohill

Siobhan Toohill is a corporate sustainability pioneer, having established and led sustainability functions in listed finance and property over the past 20 years. As the first chief sustainability officer at a major Australian bank, she was responsible for sustainability strategy and led policy and action on climate change including net zero transition planning, natural capital and human rights. Siobhan has led a wide range of initiatives across customer vulnerability including problem gambling, Indigenous engagement, child safeguarding, strategic philanthropy and social impact.

Siobhan is a trusted advisor to business and government through a range of governance roles, including as Member, Australian Government’s Nature Repair Committee; Member, NSW Division Council Australian Institute of Company Directors; Trustee, Greater Sydney Parklands Trust, and Member, NSW Anti-Slavery Commissioner’s Advisory Panel. Siobhan was previously a member and co-chair of the UN’s Environment Program Finance Initiative’s Banking Board overseeing the UN Principles for Responsible Banking.

Siobhan’s leadership has been widely recognised, including the Australian Financial Review’s 2024 Women in Leadership Award (Banking Category) and Chief Executive Women’s 2023 Leadership Transition Scholarship (INSEAD, Fontainebleau). As part of her continued focus on leadership development Siobhan is passionate about supporting emerging sustainability leaders and social change makers.

Maria Vassiliadis

Maria has over 30 years of experience in the Federal Government, specialising in legal, regulatory, and senior executive roles. As Assistant Secretary of the Classification Branch in 2023, she led reforms aimed at addressing concerns regarding children’s exposure to gambling-related content online.

Previously, Maria worked at the eSafety Commissioner’s Office as Executive Manager of the Legal and Compliance Branch. At eSafety she led the implementation of several regulatory schemes and awareness initiatives, including Australia’s world-first cyberbullying scheme, designed to better protect children from online harms.

Maria is passionate about harm minimisation through robust regulatory frameworks, supported by evidence-based education and awareness initiatives.

Maria holds a Bachelor of Arts and Law degree from Sydney University.

Tarek Barakat

Tarek is the Deputy Secretary Hospitality and Racing, with responsibility for Liquor & Gaming NSW, the Office of Racing and the Office of Responsible Gambling.

Prior to joining Hospitality and Racing, Tarek worked at the Department of Planning, Industry and Environment as Executive Director, Strategic Projects at Property and Development NSW, before becoming Executive Director, Policy & Reform, where he led the most significant reform to the state’s Cemetery and Crematoria sector in its history.

Starting in Local Government, before moving to the Department of Justice and onto Liquor & Gaming NSW as Manager, Policy and Legislation, Tarek has also held several senior executive roles at Create NSW, including Acting Chief Executive and Chair of the Night-time Economy Taskforce, during which he led the redevelopment of the Walsh Bay Arts Precinct, the expansion of the Art Gallery of NSW, and commercial negotiations to reopen Sydney’s Theatre Royal.