Our Board

Andrew Moffat

Andrew Moffat’s 12 years as a Director of Vision Australia – the last eight as Chair – have given him deep insights into the strategic and operational challenges of the disability sector, during a time of profound change for organisations and the clients they serve. Andrew has led large commercial businesses, but the for-purpose sector – with its complex interplay of stakeholders and often unquantifiable outcomes – makes leadership in this space especially demanding. The creation of the NDIS, aged care model changes, and responding to COVID added further challenges during his tenure as Chair.

Andrew studied both Law and Commerce degrees at the University of Melbourne, then moved to London to begin his career as an investment banker. Andrew worked with governments, private companies and financial institutions to secure funding for businesses and projects across the world, including for renewable energy businesses in India and Germany. After returning to Australia in 2005 – now with three children – Andrew became a commercial banker at two of Australia’s major banks, arming him with an understanding of financial and strategic challenges for Australian businesses.

Andrew’s for-purpose governance experience began when he joined the board of a large UK blindness organisation in 2001, and this role naturally fed into his Vision Australia leadership once back in Australia. Before leading the whole organisation, Andrew served as Chair of the Vision Australia Foundation and Chair of the Audit, Finance and Risk Committee, giving him close exposure to the financial challenges of the sector, and how to manage them effectively. Andrew has also taken leadership roles in the sport sector, as Chair of the Coaching and Development Commission of the cycling governing body, and as President of Australia’s leading fencing club.

In 2012, Andrew established his mediation practice. He is brought in when disputes emerge, sometimes within, and often between, organisations. Andrew’s experience of the for-purpose world – often characterised by huge passion for mission, but too little resource and infrastructure – has led to his appointment in many disputes within the sector. Andrew is now a Senior Fellow of the Melbourne Law School, teaching Mediation in the Juris Doctor and Masters programmes.

Andrew Moffat’s 12 years as a Director of Vision Australia

Diana Nadebaum

Diana is an innovative, dynamic, customer focused, and values driven HR, Change and Transformation Executive with a proven track record of delivering results. Inspired by the opportunity to drive growth and deliver transformation, Diana holds international experience across a range of global roles and industries, including property, technology, banking & finance, retail and automotive.

Diana completed a Bachelor of Commerce / Bachelor of Arts at The University of Melbourne, where she majored in Human Resource Management and Psychology. Diana is currently an Honorary Enterprise Fellow of the University of Melbourne. She holds two decades of generalist HR, change, transformation, leadership, and talent management experience.

Diana joined GURNER™ Group in the newly created role of Chief People Officer in 2021. GURNER™ Group has cemented itself as one of Australia’s leading innovative luxury lifestyle and design brands, creating world-class projects and living places with an emphasis on curated lifestyle and innovative architecture and design. At GURNER™ Group Diana leads the people, culture and performance agenda and is accountable for the strategic people direction, focusing on empowering, engaging, and developing the talented GURNER™ team during a key stage of growth and diversification.

Prior to joining GURNER™ Diana was the Chief People Officer for another property business, Opteon, an international provider of independent property valuation, advisory and specialist property services. At Opteon Diana was accountable for a substantial transformation, global expansion agenda and the creation of a New Work Practices model in support of a Hybrid Workforce. Diana has also held Heads of HR positions for Telstra Consumer and Telstra Business and was General Manager Talent & Acquisition for the telecommunications and technology leader. Other roles have included Group Talent Manager for Salmat and Senior HR positions for Lloyds Banking Group in the UK.

Diana is additionally currently on the Advisory Board for RESULTS International empowered to end poverty and enjoys utilising her people expertise in the non-for-profit sector.

Tim Costello

Rev Tim Costello is one of Australia’s most respected community leaders and a sought after voice on social justice issues, leadership and ethics.

Tim is currently the Executive Director of Micah Australia which works with Christian Aid agencies and Churches to raise awareness and support for overseas Aid and Development. He is also Director of Ethical Voice through which he speaks in many contexts, both Christian and secular.

For 13 years until October 2016, Tim was Chief Executive of World Vision Australia (WVA).

Other positions Tim currently holds are Senior Advisor for the Centre for Public Christianity, Chair of the Community Council of Australia; Chief Advocate of the Thriving Communities Partnership. In 2021 he was appointed by Monash University as Chair of Peninsula Campus Community Advisory Committee.

Tim is a spokesperson for the Alliance for Gambling Reform, which campaigns for law reform to prevent harm from poker machine gambling.

In earlier roles Tim was National President of the Baptist Union of Australia and Mayor of St Kilda. He has been Baptist Minister at St Kilda Baptist and Collins Street Baptist in Melbourne, as well as Executive Director of Urban Seed.

Initially Tim studied law and education at Monash University, followed by theology at the International Baptist Seminary in Rueschlikon, Switzerland. He also received a Masters Degree in Theology from the Melbourne College of Divinity.

In 2006 Tim was named Victoria’s Australian of the Year, in June 2005 was made an Officer of the Order of Australia (AO); in 2004, was named Victorian of the Year; and in 1997 was named as one of Australia’s 100 National Living Treasures

His books include:

A Lot with a Little (2019), Faith (2016), Hope (2012), Streets of Hope: Finding God in St Kilda; Tips from a Travelling Soul Searcher; and Wanna Bet? Winners and Losers in Gambling’s Luck Myth (co-written with Royce Millar).

Vanessa Ferguson

Vanessa is an accomplished people leader and board director with over 12 years of expertise in senior and executive positions, driven by a profound passion for employee experience and technology. Holding degrees in BAppSc(Psych)(Hons) and GradDipEd(Sec), Vanessa uniquely combines her educational background with extensive industry experience. Specialising in strategic planning, international perspectives, and executive human resources leadership, she has successfully built and led a global People and Culture function, overseeing teams across Asia-Pacific, the Americas, and Europe. Vanessa’s areas of expertise also extend to practices supporting Diversity, Equity and Inclusion in the workplace, employment law, and managing cultural, operational, and technical integrations related to mergers and acquisitions. With her experience as a Non-Executive Director and Chair of the Remuneration Committee for an ASX listed entity, Vanessa is well-versed in robust corporate governance practices, risk management, and driving strong performance across executive teams.