Michelle Blicavs

Title: Chairperson

Michelle Blicavs is a Management Consultant working with small businesses throughout the Illawarra and Sydney.  Focussing on strategic direction, marketing and finance Michelle has helped many small businesses expand and succeed.

In 2008 Michelle completed her Masters of Management with Charles Sturt University.  This has complemented her 20 years management experience in business working in a variety of sectors including transport, community and accounting.

Relocating with her family to Wollongong in 2005, Michelle developed her governance skills with not-for-profit organisations.  She also holds a Trustee Director position with an Industry Superfund where her role focuses on business and compliance.

Always passionate about seeing young people reach their potential, Michelle’s leadership role with Lighthouse Community Care saw the development of programs designed to support and encourage young homeless men and women to live successful independent lives, working and volunteering in their community.  Through this connection Michelle became aware of the Top Blokes Foundation and has become a strong supporter and advocate seeking to promote the value young men bring to our community.

Michelle believes mentoring and strong leadership is critical to raise up young men within our community who will raise strong families and provide leadership for the future of our country.  Michelle is married to Martin and they have two children Anna 10 and Joel 7.

Melissa Abu-Gazaleh

Title: Managing Director

Melissa Abu-Gazaleh is passionate about men, yes men. At age 19, she realised there was something drastically wrong with how Australian young men were not engaged in the community. So in 2006, Melissa set out to create a project that empowers young men to positively contribute to their local community through volunteering.

Melissa Abu-Gazaleh has a background in the community welfare sector recently completing a Bachelor of Communications and Media Studies majoring in Marketing and Advertising at the University of Wollongong and a Diploma in Welfare at the TAFE Institute.

In recent times, Melissa can be seen speaking at a number of different conferences and events across Australia including the Asia Pacific Regional Rotaract Conference in Sydney, Australia Regional Women’s Leadership Convention in Melbourne, Business and Professional Women’s Sydney Event, Student for Students National Leadership Conference, International Women’s Day National Conference in Perth and Local Council Year of Women in Local Government Conference and is looking forward to speaking at the National Men’s Health Conference in Perth.

Melissa’s passion for profiling and empowering young men was ignited five years ago where she first identified the potential of young males benefiting from receiving positive reinforcement. As a young person herself, Melissa has benefited from participating in community action groups and competitions that develop skills and experience for young women but is dedicated to giving young males the same opportunities for professional and personal development.

Melissa’s efforts in providing a platform for young men has been fostered through her volunteering activities that she is currently engaged in. Melissa dedicates on average 10 hours a fortnight to the Illawarra community and believes that young males who volunteer are invaluable and are worthy of recognition.

Graham Lancaster

Title: Director

Graham Lancaster is a Commercial Lawyer and Director of Access Business Lawyers. He is the Director in charge of the Dispute Resolution Division of Access Business Lawyers and he was admitted to practise in June 1990.

Graham is also a member of the Apex Club of Corrimal Inc and in his role as an Apexian has served on both State and National Boards for Apex Australia, with his most recent role being that of Constitution and By-laws Advisory Director, interpreting the constitution and rule book of Apex Australia.

Graham has a Diploma of Law through the Solicitors Admissions Board, a Diploma of Practical Legal Training, and a Bachelor of Commerce through the University of Wollongong.

Graham has also undertaken the Insolvency Education Program of the Insolvency Practitioners Association and is an Accredited Specialist in Commercial Litigation (Insolvency) through the Law Society of NSW. Graham also sits as a Board Member on the Specialist Accreditation Board of the Law Society of NSW.

Graham’s interest in developing young males stems from his work with Apex Australia which started out as an all male association and up until recently remained predominantly male. Although Apex Australia is now gender neutral, a transition that Graham was proud to be part of, he recognises the need for young men in particular to be supported in times where negative stereotypes abound in the media.

Maree Kerr

Title: Director

Maree Kerr is the General Manager of Shellharbour Private Hospital. As General Manager, Maree provides the strategic and operational direction of the hospital. Maree has strong leadership qualities which is evidenced by the financial position the Hospital now enjoys. Coupled with low attrition rates in staff turnover, an increase doctor retention and business profile, Maree and her team have turned the business into a competitor within the local private hospital industry.

In 2008 the Hospital was recognised at the Integral Energy Illawarra Business Awards in the community sector as the winner for best business in this sector. Maree’s work in establishing the first private hospital contract with the Graduate School of Management at UOW, the first hospital within Australia to be accreditated to the 9001:2008 and driving profitable growth through the business has seen the hospital thrive.

Maree has been involved in sport since a young age playing competition tennis, netball and touch football. She was president of the ladies midweek committee at Tennis Wollongong for five years, but now dedicates her time to supporting her sons in their sporting endeavours.

Maree is currently undertaking her Diploma of Business Management, has a Advanced certificate in Human resource management and also mentors students upon request.

Maree is a registered as a Justice of the Peace.

Bill Dibley

Title: Director

Bill Dibley is the NSW Operations Manager for Social Enterprises, building the increasing portfolio of Social Enterprise programs for Mission Australia both in NSW and in other states. Working in Mission Australia for 17 years now, Bill has undertaken many roles from Manager of Group Accommodation Facilities, Youth Training Officer, Retail Manager and Volunteer Manager.

During his years in Community Services, Bill has undertaken many studies including a Graduate Diploma in management ‘professional practice’ through CSU and is now finishing his Masters in Business Management.

Bill is extremely passionate about working in the community sector, building and supporting programs that make a difference and continue to support those in our local communities.

Chris Gibbs

Title: Director

Christopher Gibbs is the newest member of the Top Blokes Foundation board. His involvement in the 2010 Best Catch awards, as it was then known, opened up an opportunity for Chris to explore one of his passions; encouraging young men to give back to their community. He firmly believes that volunteering has many benefits not only for the community, but also for the volunteer.

Chris works at BlueScope Steel in Springhill as a Customer Supply and Service Coordinator, having recently graduated from the University of Wollongong with a Bachelor of Commerce, majoring in International Business and Marketing. He also fills his time up by volunteering with the House With No Steps in a one on one support program and with some project work, and with the Bernardo’s ‘Kids Friends’ program.

Chris hopes that his involvement on the board, and his previous involvement with the foundation, will enable him to encourage more young men to volunteer in the Illawarra, and help develop a stereotype breaking generation of ‘Top Blokes’. Chris is very passionate about developing, nurturing and expanding his social, personal and professional networks, along with his many hobbies, such as snowsports, waterskiing, music, motorbikes and travel.