New South Wales
About Whitelion New South Wales
Whitelion has been supporting young people in New South Wales since 2009.
To learn more about Whitelion in New South Wales contact:
Melanie LennonNSW State Manager0419 229 857NSWAdmin@whitelion.asn.au
To find a service in New South Wales click on your region, below.
Our Ambassadors
New South Wales Ambassadors
Tania Montesin (Chair) Rod Jones Karen Porter Chris Payne Ricky Chanana Jilly Field New South Wales Ambassadors
As an operations executive, Tania currently works as a management consultant with Dupont Sustainable Solutions. With over two decades’ experience in Manufacturing and Supply Chain management in diverse industries.
Her engagement with the young people at Whitelion dates to 2013, through her previous employer, Asahi, a national sponsor. Tania’s passion for supporting sustainable outcomes for young people is demonstrated through her fundraising efforts over the years, both company-based and through the major fund-raising programs, including Bailout and Three Peaks. Tania has sponsored work experience placements for young people in her manufacturing sites and provided industry exposure to young people in FMCG.
Tania is also on the board for NAWO, National Association of Women in Operations, a not for profit, who are the peak championing body for a world where women and men can be equally represented with over 53 corporate members.
Tania is married and has two adult children.
Founding Profusion in 2004, Rod has been its CEO for 15 years. Possessing extensive experience in sales, relationship and operational management, developing business and leading teams, Rod has steered Profusion into being one of the leading recruitment businesses in Australia that services the Financial Services sector.
Commencing his career in 1984 as an Investment Banker, he spent 12 years with Rothschild Australia and NM Rothschild & Sons London, working and living in 4 cities during this time (Sydney, London, Santiago and ultimately, New York) specialising in Derivatives, Foreign Exchange, Fixed Interest and Resource Banking. In 1996 he moved to Standard Bank in New York and helped establish its first Resource Banking team.
In 2000, and whilst still in New York, Rod moved away from banking to join the start-up Kiodex Inc- a unique web-based technology company specialising in commodity risk management. Initially focusing on Fortune 500 companies within the USA, he advised clients on strategy, system requirements and upcoming Global Accounting regulations. He ultimately became Head of Sales oversaw the development of a national sales team which took the product to market in 2001. Returning to Australia in 2003, Rod has been leading Profusion ever since.
Karen Porter is the founder and Creative Director of B Corp Certified communications agency, Underground Communications and sister consultancy, The Grow Good Hub, helping purpose-led businesses become B Corp certified. Driven by a passion for community, connection and communication, she has 25 years’ experience in developing and implementing effective, collaborative communication strategies. Her award-winning agency specialises in working with organisations that are built on principals of positive social impact and business for good and, in 2019 they were recognised as a leading global B Corp as a Best For The World Honoree – Community, further solidifying Karen and her team’s commitment to building strong community relationships through considered communication practices.
She has served as a Whitelion Ambassador since 2018, having been involved with the organisation from her first Bailout in 2014. This relationship is further strengthened by Underground Communications’ commitment to providing a percentage of revenue and hours to Whitelion.
Karen’s LinkedIn profile: https://www.linkedin.com/in/karenporteraus/
Chris currently works as an advisor to a start-up in the management consulting field. Over the last 30 years he has specialised in general insurance and business design.
Chris joined Whitelion for Three Peaks Challenge in 2015 and has been a Guide for the event ever since. Chris has also assisted with NSW BailOut and will do so again given the opportunity.
Chris also volunteers for the Business Architecture Guild, a not-for-profit that supports practitioners in the developing field of Business Architecture where he lectures and produces content.
He is married to Liz and has two adult children – Jared and Ellie.
Ricky is currently Managing Director of Unruly AUNZ, where he believes in utilising consumer research, actionable insight and market awareness, to help his clients supercharge their digital video campaigns and drive business impact.
Having worked in the industry for over 15 years, Ricky has extensive experience on both the buy and sell sides of the advertising fence. Throughout his career at media agencies and publishers, he has worked with major global and local brands within FMCG, Auto, Finance, Retail as well as other prominent categories.
Ricky is a passionate advocate of innovation to improve the consumer experience, and has continually strived to push the boundaries for his organisation in an ever-changing digital landscape.
In his previous role as National head of investment for Maxus (Wavemaker now), Ricky supervised all major investments across the agency. He upskilled his team to become leaders in media mix modelling - in turn helping their clients to drive efficiencies through screen agnostic planning and fluid investment across the media mix.