Meet our Leadership Team
They bring diverse skills, lived experience and cultural knowledge to support our community-led development work.
Stephanie Harvey (Bidjara), Chief Executive Officer
Steph is a Bidjara woman from Queensland and a third sector leader with a career that spans government, community, and NFP.
Steph has significant experience working with First Nations peoples in Australia and internationally. She is a Director of The Healing Foundation and the Australian Regional and Remote Community Services (ARRCS).
Steph has also been a judge for many of the Telstra Business Awards and Telstra Business Women’s Awards. She has qualifications in business and is a Member of the Australian Institute of Company Directors and the Australian Institute of Management.
Steph devotes considerable energy to her passion for the rights of vulnerable people. She is committed to social and economic equity and the principles of self-determination.
Renee Cremer (Yuin),
Deputy Chief Executive Officer
Renee is a proud Yuin woman and mother, with senior leadership experience across the non-profit, private and government sectors. A former CEO of a youth not-for-profit, she has represented Australia internationally through the International Visitor Leadership Program (USA), Youth G7 (UK) and the OECD Forum (France), and is an active member of the Association for First Nations Australians in Development. Renee is deeply committed to advancing First Nations self-determination and outcomes for future generations.
Ruth Hilton-Bell,
Chief Operating Officer
Ruth Hilton-Bell is a dedicated Chartered Accountant focused on delivering meaningful and strategically focused financial management. She has over 20 years’ experience starting her career in a big four accounting firm and working with varying entities from listed companies and not-for-profit organisations. Ruth has management and governance experience at a senior level in the not-for-profit sector having held long term positions, most recently as CFO at Community First Development since 2014.
Kathy Farrell,
General Manager Supporter Engagement
Kathy has more than 20 years’ experience in fundraising, business development and supporter relationships across leading not-for-profit organisations in the health, education and community services sectors. She is responsible for individual, philanthropic and planned giving, and leads the development of strategic fundraising plans that support Community First Development’s work. Kathy has been with the organisation since 2018.
Renee Tomkinson (Wiradjuri), General Manager Community Development
Renee is a Wiradjuri woman with a strong foundation in community development and a deep commitment to supporting First Nations’ communities to lead their own change. She has built respectful, enduring partnerships and delivered meaningful programs across diverse regions. Her work at Community First Development reflects her commitment to walking alongside mob to support self-determined outcomes, grounded in sustainability, responsibility, and equity for future generations.
Sharon Babyack,
General Manager Impact & Strategy
Sharon has worked for the Department of the Prime Minister and Cabinet with a focus on social investment, philanthropy, social policy and Indigenous Affairs. She has 10 years’ experience as a researcher with the Department of the Senate. Sharon has been working with Community First Development since 2015.
The Broader Team
Our Executive Team is supported by a broader team working behind the scenes across operations, finance, impact & strategy, supporter engagement, and community development.
