An elected board governs the organisation's activities, directing the long-term strategic direction.
The management team, under the guidance of CEO Steven Weinert, is responsible for managing the day-to-day operations.
AWL Board
CHAIR
Katherine Bartolo FAPI CPV GAICD
Valuer-General South Australia, Commercial and Legal, Department of Planning, Transport and Infrastructure
Year joined AWL Board: 2018
DEPUTY CHAIR
Penelope Moore BA (Hons) MBA DBA GAICD
Director Accountability and Risk, Office of the Fair Work Ombudsman
Year joined AWL Board: 2023
BOARD MEMBERS
Michelle Williams MBA
Manager, Change Management, Department of Premier and Cabinet, Shared Services
Year joined AWL Board: 2014
Cate Gaston BA GDipMgt FGLF GAICD
Brand and Marketing Lead, Silverchain Group
Year joined AWL Board: 2016
David Sanders FCA FGLF
Partner, Assurance Division of EY
Year joined AWL Board: 2023
Hamish McLeay BCom (Mktg) GDipFin MBA
General Manager, Balfours
Year joined AWL Board: 2023
Juliet Fletcher LLB GradCert Management, GradCert Compliance Management, GAICD
General Counsel, The Hospital Research Foundation
Year joined AWL Board: 2023
Loewn Steel GAICD
Managing Director, Challenging Thinking
Year joined AWL Board: 2023
Chief Executive Officer
Steven Weinert B.A (Acc) M Comm FCPA GAICD
Having previously served as Chair of Animal Welfare League’s Board of Directors for four years (and having adopted his family dog, Lulu from AWL back in 2013), Steven brings a wealth of experience and knowledge of the animal welfare sector to AWL. He has also previously worked as Acting CEO, CFO and COO at Wine Australia for the last 10 years, putting him in a very strong position to lead Animal Welfare League towards its vision of a South Australia where every pet has a loving home.
General Manager, Community Engagement and Support
Sam Jacklin
Sam has worked within the NFP sector since arriving in Australia from the UK in 2006, after a career in marketing. She has spent the last 8 years within the Animal Welfare sector in both Queensland and now with Animal Welfare League in SA, helping to connect animal lovers and supporters to those that need them most. As an experienced marketer and fundraiser Sam is committed to connecting pets, people and community through a lifetime of love and memories.
General Manager, Corporate and Commercial Services
Marc Sodomka
Marc is a FCPA qualified accountant with over 23 years of experience in providing effective oversight and leadership for corporate services and commercial divisions. His areas of expertise include Financial Management, Information Technology, Information Systems, Procurement, Asset Management, and Risk Management. As a strategic leader, he possesses strong business and commercial acumen, complemented by well-developed skills in budgeting, forecasting, and reporting. Marc is adept at leading, developing, and executing strategic initiatives that enable successful organisational performance.
Chief Operating Officer
Jodi Walton MAICD MRCSA
Jodi has over 25 years of
business operations and commercial experience, leading businesses and business
units within local, national and international organisations. She
is passionate about the welfare of animals and is strongly connected to our
purpose of connecting pets, people and the community. Jodi is
a proud South Australian and owner of 2 dogs – Mia and Molly, and a cat
named Artie who she adopted from the Animal Welfare League in 2008.
