Catholic Community Fund Advisory Board - Catholic Community Fund

Catholic Community Fund Advisory Board Members

CCF welcomes new advisory board members

The Catholic Community Fund is pleased to welcome new members to its advisory board.

Father Joseph Figurado, Alf Capito, Alan Malsem, Kedra Egan and Brett Gleeson returns as Chair.

We thank retiring members Fr Gregory Barker, Ben van der Wijngaart, Peter Hill, Anna Starrett, Greg Meagher, Martien Kroeze-Kloosterziel and Greg Skinner for their contribution to the stewardship of the fund over recent years.

The Diocese and the CCF Team look forward to the formation and leadership of the new Board in leading the CCF.

Profiles of our new Advisory Board members coming soon.

Bishop Michael Kennedy – Presider

Bishop Michael Kennedy was installed as the ninth Bishop of Maitland-Newcastle on Friday 17 March 2023 at Sacred Heart Cathedral, Hamilton.Following his education in Wagga Wagga by the Christian Brothers, Bishop Michael Kennedy undertook a Diploma of Education at the Sydney Catholic College of Education and taught for several years at Xavier Catholic College in Albury.

In 1992 he commenced seminary studies at Vianney College in rural New South Wales and, in 1994, he continued his academic studies at the Urban College of Propaganda Fide in Rome, attaining a Licentiate in Sacred Theology and also then a Diploma in Mariology from the Marianum Pontifical School.

Ordained a priest in 1999, he held various positions in the Diocese of Wagga Wagga including as Assistant Priest and Parish Priest, Rector of Saint Francis’ Residential College at Charles Sturt University, Lecturer in Moral Theology, Mariology and Church History at Vianney College, Diocesan Director of Vocations, Member of Diocesan Council of Priests and College of Consultors, Diocesan Catholic Schools Commission member and Vicar Forane.

Bishop Michael Kennedy most recently served as the tenth Bishop of Armidale from February 2012 to March 2023. Additionally, in November 2012 he was appointed the Apostolic Administrator of the Wilcannia Forbes Diocese, a position he held until July 2014. He has served on various Bishops Commissions and Councils and is currently a member of the Bishops Commission.

Brett Gleeson – Chair of Diocesan Advisory Board

Brett managed radio stations in Lismore and Newcastle over a 10 year period at the start of his career. He moved into the adult education sector and served as Executive Director of WEA Hunter for 10 years. In 2002 Brett started Gleeson Consulting Services, specialising in strategic positioning and planning, governance training, project and event management and grants and sponsorship. In 2010 Brett became General Manager, Business Growth Centre, a business start-up incubator and training centre. In 2017 he was appointed General Manager, Newcastle Show Association and in 2019 Manager of Maitland Show Association.

Brett has served on numerous boards including state government, national and state peak organisations, registered club, agricultural show associations and local not-for-profit organisations.

Brett was appointed to the Diocesan Advisory Board in February 2022.

Graduate Australian Institute of Company Directors, Bachelor of Business (Management & Accounting), Diploma of Management – Human Resources, Diploma of Governance.