Committed community leaders driving our purpose forward.
Carlene York was appointed NSW SES Commissioner in 2019, leading the agency through the largest floods in NSW’s history. A former NSW Police Assistant Commissioner, she has received the Australian Police Medal, the Audrey Fagan Memorial Award, and was named Australian HR Director of the Year in 2017. In 2021, she became AFAC’s first female president. Since retiring in 2024, Carlene continues to champion emergency services and gender diversity through various boards.
Rachel Byrne has been Principal of Hunter Sports High School since 2016, leading it to be named Australian School of the Year in 2024 for innovation and inclusive education. Recognised as one of Australia’s top 25 educators on the Ed Leaders Impact list in 2023, Rachel brings extensive experience in youth-focused learning. She has served on the Hunter Academy of Sport board (2013–2020) and the University of Melbourne’s Faculty of Education Advisory Board (2021–2022).
Amanda Leck is a strategic leader with over 25 years’ experience in disaster management, working across all levels of government, the private sector, and community organisations to support risk reduction and resilience. She is Deputy Secretary and Group Head of Adaptation, Mitigation and Reconstruction at the NSW Reconstruction Authority, overseeing major programs including the Northern Rivers recovery. Amanda has held senior roles with Emergency Management Victoria and the Australian Institute for Disaster Resilience.
Ruth is a graduate of the Australian Institute of Company Directors and brings over 30 years of senior leadership experience across the public sector in Australia and the UK, including serving on the Board of the UK tax office. Her background spans employment, social services, education, and taxation. Most recently Deputy Secretary in the NSW Premier’s Department, Ruth was appointed Inspector-General of Taxation and Taxation Ombudsman in July 2024. She received a CBE for services to reducing unemployment during the GFC.
Wayne Phillips is Commissioner of the ACT Emergency Services Agency. A strategic leader with extensive experience in emergency management, Wayne has led complex public safety operations and major organisational reform. As Chief Superintendent with FRNSW and later Assistant Commissioner Corporate at ESA, he championed diversity and inclusion—establishing FRNSW’s Inclusion and Organisational Development Branch and its first Inclusive Culture Council. He is a national influencer through AFAC’s Champions of Change Fire & Emergency Group, working to advance gender equity and inclusive cultures across more than 30 agencies in Australia and New Zealand.
We acknowledge the Traditional Owners of the land where we work and live. Girls on Fire pay our respects to Elders past, present and emerging. We celebrate the stories, culture and traditions of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Elders of all communities who also work and live on this land.
