Karen Wilson

Chief Executive Officer

Karen serves as our Chief Executive Officer. She is also the Vice President for International Ministries with the Global Leadership Network overseeing the Asia Pacific region along with global communications and marketing. In her role as the CEO for Global Leadership Network Australia/New Zealand, she works alongside a gifted staff who equip and resource leaders across every state and territory of Australia and New Zealand.

Karen has a strong involvement with the Baptist World Alliance, and she is the President for the Baptist World Alliance Women 2020-2025. An ordained minister, Karen has held many leadership roles with organisations and not for profit boards. She is married with adult children and enjoys anything that is adventurous and fun!

Phil Thomson

Executive Director

Phil serves as our Executive Director. He has an MBA, a Master of Arts (Christian Leadership), and is an endorsed minister with Churches of Christ Qld. Phil has leadership experience in business, not-for-profit and Church ministry contexts and is passionate about growing healthy leaders. Phil is also a Leadership Coach, Trainer and Speaker and enjoys serving alongside his wife Bel Thomson (Singer/Songwriter) in their itinerant ministry. Phil has two children and enjoys spending time with his family, jogging, reading and watching documentaries.  

Bronwyn Nance

National Administrator and Event Coordinator

Bronwyn has served as the GLNAus/NZ Administrator and Event Coordinator since 2016. She has over 20 years of experience in Administration and Event Management within corporate, church and not for profit sectors. Bronwyn is married to Andrew and is mum to 3 teenage boys. She enjoys nothing more than spending time with her family, which usually involves bmx-ing and dirtbikes or having coffee catchups with friends.

Nadine Hardy

Finance Manager

Nadine serves GLNAus/NZ as the Finance Manager. With a strong background in finance and administration she brings experience and proficiency to the team. She has served in leadership roles in the church community and brings to this role many years’ experience financially managing a faith-based not-for-profit organisation. Nadine is married to John. They have two children who enjoy going to the beach, and love to explore the beautiful Australian coastline in their caravan.

Fiona Cochrane

Next Gen Engagement Officer – Australia

Fiona leads all things Next Gen in Australia/New Zealand. She is also the Regional Lead for GLS Next Gen globally. Fiona is a qualified Youth Worker with over 20 years of industry experience. Operating across multiple platforms Fiona has run her own business as a Youth Consultant in the North Queensland region and worked in high schools, not-for-profits and community organisations such as the North QLD Cowboys, Department of Education, YWAM (Youth With A Mission) and the local Church. Alongside her husband John, she also serves as Co-Pastors for The Rock Church in Townsville. They have two amazing children, William and Harvey, and enjoy long walks together on the beach and listening to Christmas music all year round!

Sarah McCucheon

GLS Next Gen Lead – Australia & Relationship Manager

Sarah is passionate about empowering young people to become innovative thinkers and change agents. With an experienced background in diverse organisational planning and operations, Sarah’s roles have included everything from executive leadership to directing a full-time citywide youth initiative, pioneering a skateboarding program, and developing overseas service trips for teenagers. Sarah has over two decades working with a youth NFP and is a highly sought-after international speaker and educator in the areas of youth culture, Generation Z and youth leadership. She is also owner of the ethical clothing brand Straya Shirts and author of ‘The Relationship Status’ book.

Kristen Willett

Business Leaders Network Director

Kristen has spent the last two decades working and pioneering projects across the business, education and not-for-profit sectors in Australia and overseas. She is an experienced event manager, speaker, and holds an ordained ministers credential with the Australian Christian Churches. Her passion and focus is equipping and empowering leaders to use their influence to transform their spheres, and building relationships that create opportunities for meaningful impact. In her spare time you’ll find her walking/running near the water, having endless coffee catchups, watching some kind of sport and writing her first book.

Kellie Parsons

Design and Communications Officer

Kellie has over 8 years of professional experience in graphic design, digital marketing and visual communication in both business and the not-for-profit sectors. She is passionate about her gifts being used here at the GLNAus/NZ to see transformation in people’s lives. She also assists numerous countries in global marketing and design. Kellie has served in various local church roles including board membership, service co-ordination and media. When not designing she enjoys coffee with friends, cycling the river paths of Perth, photography and more recently flying drones over the coast.

Margaret Spicer

NZ Leadership Consultant

Margaret has education and pastoral qualifications and has held positions as a Senior Pastor, CEO of Willow Creek Association NZ and Generational Ministries Pastor at Crossway Baptist Church in Melbourne and Executive Pastor at Gracecity Church in Auckland. She is known for conference speaking, leadership coaching and strategic team building. Her passion for the local church, NextGen Ministries and families drives her desire to see leaders effectively engage people with Jesus where they live, work, play and worship. Margaret is married to Brian and is always ready for a coffee and a chat.

Lisa Gageler

Digital Design Specialist

Lisa serves in digital design for the GLN internationally. A digital marketing expert with years of experience in copywriting, graphic design, photography and communication, she is passionate about reaching and engaging people through the online world and casting vision for action. Her goals are to mobilise people towards their next steps in leadership and increase the brand awareness and reach of the GLN. In her spare time, you’ll find Lisa travelling the world with her husband Phillip, in the kitchen baking sourdough, or spending quality time with her family and grandchildren – usually involving food!