Current Board Members
Nick Sloan (Chairperson)
Chief Executive Officer, Western Australian Local Government Association (WALGA)
Nick Sloan is the Chief Executive Officer of the Western Australian Local Government Association (WALGA).
Prior to joining WALGA Nick was the Executive Director, Planning and Service Delivery at the Department of Local Government, Sport and Cultural Industries. Nick has extensive experience at Executive level in State Government including roles in regional WA. During this time, Nick managed complex policy agendas at both State and Local Government level.
Nick is currently a Director on the Local Government Insurance Scheme (LGIS) and a member of the Minister for Volunteering’s ‘Volunteer Community Reference Group’.
Nick is father to three boys, and actively participates in their structured and non-structured recreation activities.
Danielle Ayres
Visitor Communications and Marketing for Parks and Wildlife, Department of Biodiversity, Conservation and Attractions
Danielle manages the Visitor Communication and Marketing branch within Parks and Wildlife at the Department of Biodiversity, Conservation and Attractions. With more than fifteen years’ state government experience across the Health, Emergency Services, Regional Development and Tourism portfolios, she is a communications all-rounder with skills and experience across corporate communication, media and marketing. As a nature lover herself, Danielle is passionate about building the next generation of advocates for Western Australia's incredible natural assets.
Kate Inglis-Hodge
Program Officer, Stephen Michael Foundation
Kate has previous leadership experience in sporting and education pursuits through the Sir Charles Court Young Leaders Program, Women in Leadership Australia, Australian Olympic Committee (Pierre De Coubertin Award Recipient), State Representative AFL Women’s, League Vice-Captain East Fremantle Women’s Football Club and in her current employment with the Stephen Michael Foundation.
Enjoying a mentor-type role, Kate is experienced in facilitating community engagement and participation through a range of state-wide sporting and outdoor programs. Kate has a background in volunteering within many school and sporting communities and is passionate about recreation and the benefits of outdoor play, culminating in studying Health & Physical Education at Curtin University. Kate enjoys a rural lifestyle close to the city, where nature is at her doorstep with many outdoor opportunities to explore.
Tamar Jordan
General Manager, Strategy - Iron Ore, Rio Tinto
Tamar is the General Manager of Strategy and Productivity for Rio Tinto Iron Ore. Prior to this role Tamar lead the establishment of the Rio Tinto’s internal consulting division (PACE) in Perth. In addition to her experience as a senior mining executive Tamar also has 16 years’ experience in Tier 1 consulting. Tamar has proven strengths in strategic thinking, building high performing teams, complex stakeholder management and delivering results.
Jane McEvoy
Senior Manager Operations & Finance, Rio Tinto
Jane has over 20 years of experience in finance, accounting and governance and is currently at Rio Tinto as a Senior Manager in Finance. Jane has held several roles in her six years at Rio Tinto including Finance & Compliance Manager in Iron Ore, Senior Manager Operations & Finance and now as IS&T Finance Business Partner. Prior to joining Rio Tinto Jane was an Executive Director at EY working with a number of ASX200 and large private companies focussing on audit, SOX reporting, SEC compliance, IPO reporting (ASX and TSX), dual listing requirements, due diligence and capital raising.
Jane is a member of the Institute of Chartered Accountants, a Fellow of the Governance Institute of Australia and graduated from Curtin University with a degree in Accounting and Corporate Administration. Jane grew up in Helena Valley and fondly remembers a childhood of playing in the bush catching tadpoles, building cubbies and climbing trees.
Desiree Silva
Professor of Paediatrics, University of Western Australia
Desiree has a special interest in child development, mental health and parental mental health. All these areas are closely related to Nature Play WA. Desiree has experience being on a board and has research experience to look at how programs in Nature Play WA could be evaluated. Desiree gets on well with people, tends to create a relaxed environment and believes listening is an important skill.
Niel Smith
President, Western Australian Primary Principals' Association
Niel is the current President of the WA Primary Principals’ Association, representing over 1100 primary school leaders across the state. Previous to this role Niel was a Principal Advisor at the Leadership Institute and Principal at West Greenwood PS for 4 years. Niel has been a school leader for the past 23 years, having worked in multiple educational regions, central office and regional office.
Niel is passionate about creating school environments and cultures that allow children to succeed in all areas of interest, not purely the academic domain. In his role at West Greenwood PS, Niel was a strong advocate for this approach and his school initiated a Loose Parts play area for the school’s senior students, that featured on Channel 9’s A Current Affair, nationally and was subject to a Nature Play WA Case Study. Niel hopes to bring this enthusiasm to the Nature Play WA Board, in order to advocate for improved academic, social, physical and mental health outcomes for school students across the state.
Tim Swart
Director Recreational Camps and Trails, Department of Local Government, Sport and Cultural Industries
Tim has over 15 years’ experience in Sport and Recreation management, is a Director at Department of Local Government, Sport and Cultural Industries working with recreation camps, trails and participation initiatives with a focus on getting people moving. He leads large mobile work teams and possesses strong event management skills from previous roles in venue and hospitality project management.
Growing up at school adjacent to the Ku-ring gai National Park, surviving all the misadventure that comes with those experiences and wanting children to have the same opportunity to engage with the outdoors. Tim participates with his kids at surf club, enjoys sailing, paddling and being out there with community activity.