Our Board

Simon Tolhurst - Chair

Simon is a Partner in HWL Ebsworth’s Litigation Team and has over 25 years of experience as a lawyer with a focus on dispute resolution and competition law matters. Simon advised all levels of Government, charitable institutions and corporates, small, medium, and large.

Simon has been named in The Australian Financial Review’s Best Lawyers® as one of Australia’s best lawyers in the Litigation category and has also been recognised in Doyle’s Guide as a Leading Commercial Litigation & Dispute Resolution Lawyers. He is also part of the HWL Ebsworth National Competition Law and Anti-Trust Group which has been recognised as a leading firm by both Chambers and Legal 500.

In addition to his legal work, Simon is also Chairman of ASX listed iCollege Limited (ICT) which operates in the vocational education sector and is a director of Tyre Evolution, one of Queensland’s largest truck tyre retail businesses.

As a professional advocate, I am looking forward to using my skills to spread the word of our mission and the good work being undertaken by Share the Dignity. I am also looking forward to continuing the good work of previous board members to ensure that the organisation has a clear direction and a sustainable base to grow the Dignity.

Rochelle Courtenay - Founder and Non-Executive Managing Director

Rochelle is Share the Dignity’s founder and Managing Director; the title she is most proud of though is ‘Pad Lady’. Rochelle has led a team of volunteers collecting around 2.5 million sanitary products across Australia.

When Rochelle first learnt of homeless women going without basic sanitary items during their menstrual cycle, she decided the question was not, “why is no one doing anything” but rather, “what’s stopping me from doing something?”

In March 2015, Rochelle took matters into her own hands collecting sanitary items with her local community and distributing to local shelters. As a result, a simple idea of giving dignity to women, Share the Dignity was created and has grown to a national charity. Consequently, it has over 5,000 volunteers Australia wide, and most noteworthy, provides multiple initiatives aimed at giving dignity to women.

Jennifer Witheriff - Director

Jennifer is the founder of Energise Leadership, an Australian company specialising in organisational and leadership development, executive coaching, training and facilitation. Prior to establishing her own business seven years ago, she held leadership roles in Government.

As her company name suggest, Jen is about engaging and energising people in the practice of leadership. She is particularly passionate about women and their role as leaders in all aspects of life – at work, home and community.

Over the past five years she has conducted international development programs at the University of Queensland for women leaders of Bhutan, Sri Lanka and Pakistan. Working with these wonderful women, has consolidated her thinking about the practice of leadership and how change can occur though grass roots movements.

Jennifer is delighted and honoured to join the Board of Share the Dignity. She strongly believes in the purpose and mission of Share the Dignity which aligns deeply with her personal values. She is particularly inspired by the work of Share the Dignity because menstruation is not simply a hygiene issue, but one of women’s and girl’s empowerment. The act of sharing provides women of disadvantaged circumstances connection and respect. These are vital to build self-worth and strong personal identity.

Jennifer intends to contribute her knowledge and skills in women’s leadership development, empowerment, advocacy and social inclusion in her role on the Board of Share the Dignity.

Nick Crethar - Treasurer

Nick has been the Chief Financial Controller of the Royal Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (RSPCA) Qld Ltd since 2011, providing him with a wealth of experience in the charity and not-for-profit space. His leadership skills and insights into managing teams in this space will provide Share the Dignity with a wealth of knowledge to enhance our continuous improvement processes.

Renowned as a meticulous, visionary Executive who has demonstrated ongoing success in delivering an efficient, compliant financial operation across numerous iconic brand organisations. Leveraging off a diverse career to provide strategic and technical advice across operational, technology and commercial issues, Nick has extensive experience within the private and not-for-profit sectors. He has proven capacity to utilise financial data, influence decisions, and obtain buy-in to drive efficiencies and business growth.

Nick is passionate about making a difference to the community and is looking forward to building on the solid foundations Share the Dignity already has, by ensuring its sustainability in a way that remains aligned to our goals and vision.

Matt Smith- Director

Matt Smith has joined the Board of Share the Dignity in June 2020, as our Company Secretary. As a Partner at Prime Accounting & Business Advisory, Matt brings a wealth of experience in strategic business planning, management and financial analysis, as well as having acted in a board advisory capacity for a number of Australian companies.

Matt has a longstanding relationship with Share the Dignity, and is inspired by the passion and goodwill that the charity invokes in the community. He is looking forward to being able to continue the work set down by the previous Board members to ensure that the charity continues to remain aligned to its values.

Michelle Taupau- Director

Michelle is the National Rugby League’s Community Relations Manager and has over 20 years of experience in partnerships and programs management across both the public and private sectors. Her previous responsibilities at the NRL have included strategic partnerships and Indigenous engagement and program management. She has also managed corporate sales and partnerships for Wests Tigers Rugby League and the Australian Apprenticeship Centre for NSW Business Chamber.

In her current role as Community Relations Manager at the NRL, Michelle provides strategic direction to the business in relation to all community engagement, manages key government, corporate and community partnerships and programs, and oversees NRL Community’s social media and online channels.

Michelle brings a wealth of knowledge in stakeholder and community engagement, program delivery, commercial acquisitions, and state and federal government lobbying. Her passion is in helping others through meaningful connections and mutually beneficial, quality partnerships.

Michelle is honoured to join the Share the Dignity Board and is looking forward to using her strengths to ensure the charity goes from strength to strength in the years ahead.

Shayne Gilbert - Director

Shayne Gilbert is a founding Board Member of Share the Dignity, who has returned to the Board in June 2020. He has passionately advocated for the difference the charity makes. Shayne is an investment advisor, a passionate rugby coach, a father of four children, and a former teacher. Shayne brings to the charity a strong collaboration strategy to ensure the sustainability of the charity.

“As a father, a husband, a brother and a son, I could not help but feel empathy for the women and girls Share the Dignity helps. My experience in the financial industry, along with my studies in teaching and psychology, ensure that my strengths are put to good use to help the charity flourish and continue their good work.”