Senior Staff

Miranda Garnett - Chief Executive Officer

Miranda Garnett was appointed CEO of Koomarri in August 2009, having acted in the role for five months prior. She joined Koomarri in April 2008 as Chief Financial Officer.

Miranda has 11 years experience as a chartered accountant working for government, both local and federal, and the private sector. Prior to joining Koomarri she worked as a Manager in the Governance and Assurance Division of WalterTurnbull. Her work included conducting for FaHCSIA organisational reviews of funded organisations in the disability sector across Australia over a three year period.

In her accountancy career she also worked on audits of organisations in the disability sector over an eight year period.

Miranda holds a Bachelor in Commerce (Acc.) from the University of Canberra, an Advanced Diploma in Accounting from CIT and is a Chartered Accountant.

Miranda is a committee member of the NDS ACT Committee and is personally involved in assisting several local businesses.

mgarnett@koomarri.asn.au

Michael Byrne - Manager, Business Enterprises

Michael Byrne has 30 years experience in small business, marketing and project direction. He worked as a consultant to Koomarri from 2007 before taking on the role of Manager, Business Enterprises in August 2009.

Prior to joining Koomarri, Michael was director of ZOO PR & Events and Marketing Manager of ZOO Communications. For eight years was a director of Canberra’s leading events company BDW Special Events Management, which was responsible for the management of all non-horticultural aspects of Floriade.

Michael has strong business, community and media networks. He is a Board member of the Capital Region Community Foundation – GreaterGood, President of Friends of Opera in the ACT and has previously held positions as a Board member and Deputy Chair of the ACT & Region Chamber of Commerce & Industry, Chair of the Fundraising Committee of the Snowy Hydro SouthCare Gala Dinner and Auction, Chair of the 2007 ACT Festival Fund Assessment Committee, and Member of ACT Judging Panel for the 2003 & 2004 Telstra and ACT Government Business Women’s Awards.

mbyrne@koomarri.asn.au

Daryl Weiss – Manager, Employment Services Operations

Daryl Weiss joined Koomarri in June 2002 in Contract Solutions as a Training Placement Officer and was responsible for a number of supported clients. He assisted in the provision of quality client support that is consistent with best practice standards. After two years, Daryl became the Team leader at Pack ‘n’ Post where he was responsible for supported employees in both Pack ‘n’ Post and Cut Cloth.

After a further two years, Daryl joined Employment Services Branch as a Business Development Officer where he was responsible for sustaining and maintaining current business as well as expanding and developing other business opportunities for the organisation.

Daryl is now currently the Manager, Operations and his main function is to coordinate and oversee the day to day operations of the Employment Services Branch.

Prior to joining Koomarri Daryl was employed by the ACT Government Public Service for twenty years working in a number of areas including Records Management Unit, Worker's Compensation, ACT Housing, Rehabilitation Case Manager and finally with Domestic Animal Services.

Daryl has done extensive travelling for six years visiting Europe, Central and South America, Africa and Asia.

Daryl's hobbies include squash, tennis, golf and bike riding.

dweiss@koomarri.asn.au

Leon Sanft - Manager Community and Residential Services

Leon joined Koomarri in December 2008 in the role of Manager, Community and Residential Services.

For the last 20 years Leon has worked in various roles within the New Zealand Public Service, maintaining a strong focus on human services. His background includes operational and senior management, project management and policy development. His last appointment before migrating to Australia from New Zealand was as Ministerial Advisor.

Leon graduated from Victoria University of Wellington in 2005, with a Master of Business Administration (MBA) and also holds a Post Graduate Certificate in Public Policy.

lsanft@koomarri.asn.au

Rachel Knight – Chief Financial Officer

Qualifications – Bachelor of Finance (Acc.), The Australian National University and Chartered Accountant, Institute of Chartered Accountants of Australia.

Prior to joining Koomarri, Rachel worked as a Consultant at BDO Kendalls in Canberra. This included a variety of business consulting roles covering not-for-profits. Other areas of experience include:

• Statutory Audit;
• Grant Acquittal Audits and Management;
• Tender preparation and co-ordination
• Provision of accounting support
• Preparing balanced scorecards, revenue and contract analysis
• Solicitors trust audits
• Due diligence

Rachel worked with Ernst & Young in Melbourne in external audit before commencing her role with BDO Kendalls in 2007 where she worked until joining Koomarri in July 2009 as the Chief Financial Officer (CFO).

rknight@koomarri.asn.au