Meet The Team

The friendly faces behind the work we do at Cahoots.

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Meet The Team

At Cahoots, our friendly team is fundamental in providing you with the highest level of care. With a highly experienced board and committee leading us, the staff embody the values of Cahoots and are proud to do the work we do.

David Armstrong

Chief Executive Officer, Finance & Audit Subcommittee, Governance, Risk & Quality Subcommittee

David Armstrong has two decades of CEO experience leading charitable and community focused organisations such as Surf Life Saving WA, Leeuwin Ocean Adventure Foundation, Perth Football League and WA All Abilities Football Association.

Together with tertiary qualifications in communication and post graduate qualifications in business, David has consulted to state government agencies, not-for-profits and local government on governance, strategic planning, risk management, volunteer management and club development.

He has held Board roles as Chair Cycling WA and Deputy Chair Sportwest

Christine Truscott

President, Finance & Audit Subcommittee

Christine is a chemical engineer who worked in the mining industry for twenty years in a variety of positions. Her experience includes managing operating plants, running technical teams across an organisation and working with government, environmental, community and indigenous groups to allow the start-up of new mines. Christine has sat on various sporting and community committees and is currently a member of the Hockey WA Board and chairperson of their Risk Management and Governance Committee. Christine has been a member of the Cahoots Board since 2009 and Chairperson since 2010.

Damien Williams

Deputy President, Finance & Audit Subcommittee, Governance, Risk & Quality Subcommittee (Chair)

For over a decade, Damien has provided a sound working knowledge of working strategically at Executive and C Suite levels whilst maintaining day to day management accountabilities with teams ranging in size from 4 through to 150. He has worked in both Business to Business and customer facing organisations and has developed a cross functional skill set that allows for successful completion of operational deliverables across planning, resourcing, logistics, execution, quality control and customer management. He also specialises in mobile equipment mining technology; has intimate knowledge of the identification, deployment and ongoing support of technology solutions and systems.

Melinda Cahill

Secretary

Melinda joined the Cahoots Board in 2021 and is a member of the Marketing Subcommittee. As a previous owner of a successful marketing agency, Melinda has been exposed to a wide range of industry sectors including medical, legal, property, retail, leadership, charity and consulting, in Australia, USA, Mexico, Malaysia and New Zealand. Today, Melinda specialises in strategic marketing consulting, working with organisations to align marketing strategy with brand energy and purpose. She delivers clarity on positioning, branding and customer journey curation, and has a passion for differentiation that sets a brand apart from competitors and captivates attention from an audience. Melinda also has passion for purpose-driven causes, which led her to Cahoots.

“It’s an honour to be a part of Cahoots”, says Melinda, “the staff, volunteers and supporters are creating such a difference in the lives of children and young people living with disability, as well as their families. I hope to contribute meaningfully to the inspiring Cahoots mission”.

Jorrit Muller

Treasurer, Finance & Audit Subcommittee (Chair)

Jorrit joined Cahoots in 2021 as a member of the Finance and Audit Subcommittee and is well versed in accounting, finance, economics, and business. Jorrit has over 10 years of experience in commercial property development and is currently employed as a Senior Development Manager, overseeing large commercial property development projects for one of Australia’s most active ASX listed property funds. Having studied a Masters of Business Administration, a Bachelor of Economics and Construction Management, as-well-as a Graduate Certificate Property Finance and Investment, Jorrit is a valued member of the Finance and Audit Subcommittee.

“I am passionate about giving back and am excited to be a part of Cahoots, contributing to improving the lives of young people facing exceptional challenges in a meaningful way.”

Peta Kennedy

Board Director

After studying and then sailing around the world on the Endeavour Replica, Peta moved to Sydney and started a new chapter in telecommunications. She was involved in Project Management for the next 15 years, managing large scale rollouts of networks and lived in over 12 countries. Peta feels very fortunate to have experienced first-hand many different cultures and is now proud to be back in Perth with her family.

Peta is the Chairperson of both a Primary and Secondary, Special Education Support Centre school and on the Advisory Council for an all-girls school. She has two wonderful children, one who has special needs. Cahoots have been part of their family’s life for 3 years and she feels fortunate that she has been able to send her child there and ensure that they feel included, supported, and most importantly have fun there.

Life has been very exciting and kind to the family whose purpose for the next few years is to give back and serve.

Peta is very excited to have joined the Cahoots Board as a Director in 2023.

Kim Knott

Board Director, Governance, Risk & Audit Subcommittee

Kim is a risk and governance professional within the mining and shipping industry, with a passion for the not-for-profit and community sector. Her experience includes risk management, compliance, business continuity, and insurance.

Kim joined Cahoots in 2021, following her tenure as Director and Risk and Audit Committee Member of WA Blue Sky. Kim has also sat on the City of Perth’s Diversity and Inclusion Advisory Group and volunteered her expertise to other NFP organisations across WA.

David Armstrong

Chief Executive Officer, Finance & Audit Subcommittee, Governance, Risk & Quality Subcommittee

Christine Truscott

President, Finance & Audit Subcommittee

Damien Williams

Deputy President, Finance & Audit Subcommittee, Governance, Risk & Quality Subcommittee (Chair)

Jorrit Muller

Treasurer, Finance & Audit Subcommittee (Chair)

Kim Knott

Board Director, Governance, Risk & Audit Subcommittee

Nik Trajcevski

Finance and Audit Subcommittee

Geoff Patching

Finance and Audit Subcommittee

Kalpesh Kotecha

Corporate Services Manager, Finance & Audit Sub-committee

Ben Johnson

Finance and Audit Subcommittee

Marcos Tabacow

Finance and Audit Subcommittee

David Armstrong

Chief Executive Officer, Finance & Audit Subcommittee, Governance, Risk & Quality Subcommittee

Kalpesh Kotecha

Corporate Services Manager, Finance & Audit Sub-committee

Pearl Cruickshank

Operations Manager

Lilou Peaud

A/Operations Manager

Matthew Rologas

Marketing Manager

Community Engagement Team

Celine Thulliez

A/Community Engagement Manager

Sarah George

Quality and Safeguarding Lead, Family Relationships Officer

Matthew Owen

Family Relationships Officer, Facilitator

Recreational Services Team

Pearl Cruickshank

Operations Manager

Lilou Peaud

A/Operations Manager

Joel McKenna

Workforce Coordinator

Brandon Lindquist

Volunteer Coordinator, Service Officer (All Abilities)

Aris Bjarnadottir-Miller

Service Officer (High Support), Operations Administrator

Sarah Harris

Service Coordinator (High Support)

Julian Spencer

Service Coordinator (All Abilities)

Sarah George

Quality and Safeguarding Lead, Family Relationships Officer

Safar Ridhwan bin P Rahman

Volunteer Officer

Corporate Services Team

Kalpesh Kotecha

Corporate Services Manager, Finance & Audit Sub-committee

Phanny Nong

Finance and Admin Officer

Moksh Patel

Graduate Accountant

Marketing Team

Matthew Rologas

Marketing Manager

Stephanie Jackson

Business Development Lead

Marie Gooley

Marketing Coordinator

Ben Cox

Community Engagement Officer

Tamsyn Bruce

Graduate Marketing Officer

Service Delivery Team

Matthew Owen

Family Relationships Officer, Facilitator

Anja Smeets

Facilitator

Carey Benier

Facilitator

Keesha Stillman

Facilitator, Support Worker

Jen Warne

Facilitator, Support Worker

Gaukhar Baigazieva

Facilitator, Support Worker

Courtney Peebles

Facilitator, Support Worker

Kelly Brown

Facilitator, Support Worker

Kerem Adventure Camp Team

Tim Drown

Kerem Adventure Camp Manager

Oliver Clendenning

Kerem Adventure Camp - Activities Manager

Daryl Lawrence

Kerem Adventure Camp - Maintenance Officer

Jodie Espinos

Kerem Adventure Camp - Kitchen Manager

Alison Silver

Kerem Adventure Camp - Camp Chef

Keely Oakes

Kerem Adventure Camp - Activities Trainee

Interested In joining the team?

Working for Cahoots is more than just a job, it is a chance to change the lives of young people in the Western Australian community. If this sounds like you, we would love to hear from you. 

Our Social Impact

What we achieved in 2022/23

144

Programs Delivered

1596

Participant Bookings

20,000

Volunteer Hours

41

Camps

44

High Support Participants

35,000

Respite Hours

Our Supporters

Making our life changing work possible.

Families Supported By Cahoots

Mikayla

Cahoots has helped Mikayla in so many ways I couldn’t even begin to describe it. One of the biggest ones is being socially appropriate in environment outside the home. That has been the biggest help for me. As now I can take her out, and she knows how to behave not only appropriately but safely. Also interacting with other children naturally she is not a sociable person and this is helped her to socialise with children her own age. It’s also helped her with her balance and gross motor skills with arts and craft and the activities that you do. For example bowling and parks.

Bronwyn

Thank you for taking Bronwyn to Melbourne, she hasn't stopped talking about it! She has crossed another place off her map of future travels (believe me, it's a big list!!), and told many stories about the fun she had. For me, this has been the highlight and warms my soul every time I think about it.
She gave her little sister a pep talk where she told her, “you just have to face your fear and do things sometimes, as I did in Melbourne, I went out on the sky deck and did the chair ride with Shelley, I was scared but you have to face your fears, you can't let it hold you back.”
Bronwyn loves attending camp with Cahoots, she has the best time. Thank you for all the fun and adventures you send her on. She loves living life and wants to experience everything, we appreciate you helping that happen for her.

Siblings Alexandra and Andrew

“Alexandra has just been on the most recent teens camp last weekend and loved it, plus she made a friend!!! So happy for her and she really wants to attend again. Andrew loved the camp as well and can’t wait to come back!” - Mum Rikki

Anonymous volunteer

I just want to say thank you to you and the whole Cahoots team for giving me the opportunity to volunteer on the camps. I really enjoyed the young adults camp and had an amazing time.I am still new in the industry. This gave me a great learning experience, and I will carry my knowledge on.
Thank you again for everything and for all you have provided.

Learn More About Cahoots

Visit the pages below to learn more about Cahoots and the great work they do.

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