Executive team

Chief Executive Officer

With more than two decades’ experience in the health and community service sectors, Debra Zanella is a passionate advocate for practical and decisive action to disrupt cycles of social disadvantage. She is currently Chief Executive Officer of Ruah Community Services a leading Western Australian Community Organisation that provides services principally in the areas of Mental Health, Homelessness & Housing Family &Domestic Violence Services. Her previous leadership experience includes senior roles in specialised Drug and Alcohol Services and Hospital Executive Management.

A Graduate of the Australian Institute of Company Directors, Debra is a Council Member for IPAA (Institute of Public Administration Australia- WA) and Director on the State Training Board for WA.  She served for 6 years on the East Metropolitan Health Service as Deputy Chair and Chair of Audit and Risk and is the previous President of the Western Australian Council of Social Services. Debra is a founding member of the WA Alliance to End Homelessness (WAAEH) and a member of the Australian Alliance to End Home Homelessness (AAEH).

Chief Corporate Officer

Graham is a chartered accountant with more than 20 years’ experience in both the commercial and not-for-profit sectors in Ireland and Australia. He has worked across a wide and diverse range of industries from sales and marketing, rail networks, construction, tourism and disability services. Graham holds a BA in Accounting, Fellowship membership with the Association of Chartered Certified Accountants (ACCA) and is a member of Chartered Accountants Australia New Zealand (CAANZ).

Chief Operations Officer

Elsie has a diverse background in the health and community sector, with a focus on strategy development and health service systems design. She has led teams across a variety of settings, including acute and community healthcare, academia, project design, management, and mobilization, and has clinical experience in both remote Australia and abroad. Her expertise in public health, combined with an understanding of economics, gives her a unique perspective on the complex issues that arise in the sector. Elsie’s experience nursing in remote and developing countries has provided her with a deep understanding of the importance of upstream solutions in addressing cycles of social disadvantage. Elsie is dedicated to improving access to healthcare, education, and other essential services for those who need it most.

Chief Integrated Services Officer

Sarah has over 15 years’experience in the not-for-profit and humanitarian aid sectors in Australia and overseas. She joined the Mental Health Law Centre in 2017 and assisted with its merger with Ruah Community Services in 2019. With the launch of Ruah Legal Services, Sarah led the team through significant service expansion. With a keen sense for systems management and a passion for monitoring and evaluation, she has helped Ruah Legal Services demonstrate the impact of its intensive, end-to-end integrated service model. Sarah is a graduate of the Australian Institute of Company Directors and has previously served on the board of the state peak body, Community Legal WA. She is currently on the board of the national peak body, Community Legal Centres Australia.

Executive Manager, Cultural Integration

Gail is a proud Bibbulmun (Nyoongar) yorga (woman) with family connections throughout Western Australia. Her career has always included roles that allow her to work with and support Aboriginal communities, complimenting her passion as an Indigenous activist. Gail co-created several Western Australian indigenous groups and programs including NAIDOC Perth, Walyalup Reconciliation Group, Djidi-djidi Aboriginal Women’s Corporation and the award-winning ‘Meals to Music’ program for Aboriginal elders and people with disabilities. She has received numerous awards for her voluntary work with the Nyoongar and mainstream communities around health and wellness for women and children, family violence, youth concerns, and poor justice outcomes. Her awards include an Order of Australia Medal in 2012, an Amnesty International Human Rights Award in 2005, and a Rotary Community Service Award in 2004.

Chief Strategy Officer

Chelsea is the Chief Strategy Officer at Ruah Community Services, turning high-level organisational goals into operational reality. With a background in Economics and Public Health and over a decade as a management consultant in the health and community sectors, she brings evidence-based expertise in strategic planning, organisational improvement, and service model design. Chelsea is dedicated to ensuring Ruah remains at the forefront of innovation and service excellence, bridging the gap between strategy and execution to deliver meaningful impact for every client.

Executive Manager Diversity Equity and Inclusion