What makes the Centre so successful is that it is managed and staffed by people who are passionate in their support for the Riverwood and surrounding community. Our Board is drawn from and elected by local people to serve the local community. Our staff are carefully selected to ensure we respond to the issues confronting our community. Our volunteers allow us to extend services to hundreds of people in our community.
Board Members
Pauline Gallagher OAM
Chairperson and Board Member since 2016
Pauline Gallagher OAM is the former Chief Executive Officer of Riverwood Community Centre, with more than 40 years of leadership in community services and organisational development. Under her stewardship, RCC grew from a small neighbourhood service into a major multi-program community organisation. Her expertise includes strategic leadership, governance, service development, funding management and stakeholder engagement, providing the Board with deep institutional knowledge and strong oversight of organisational performance and sustainability.
Pauline has provided courageous and creative leadership to the Riverwood Community Centre and local communities for over 40 years. Under her leadership the Centre has grown from a small house with three part-time staff to 94 workers and 160 volunteers.
Pauline is a local icon and her work has been considered integral to the positive changes in the local community. In 1999, Pauline was awarded the Medal of the Order of Australia (OAM) for her outstanding Service to the Riverwood Community Centre, in 2016 she has been named the NSW Premier’s Woman of the Year.
Ganesh Tamang
Vice Chairperson and Board Member since 2025
Ganesh Tamang is an experienced Counsellor and Psychotherapist with professional expertise in mental health, NDIS and therapeutic services. He brings strong knowledge of client-centred practice, clinical ethics and service delivery models within the community sector. Ganesh contributes to the Board through his understanding of psychosocial wellbeing, trauma-informed care and regulatory frameworks, supporting RCC’s commitment to high-quality, inclusive and evidence-based services.
Kevin Mooney
Board Member Since 2020
Kevin is a Local resident committed to his community and Human Resources Professional with a large amount of experience working in the Government and NFP Sector.
Zorka Petrovska
Board Member since 2018
Zorka Petrovska has been a Board Member since 2018 and is a long-term Riverwood resident and active community volunteer. She is widely recognised for her leadership in community engagement, multicultural participation and social inclusion, including being named Citizen of the Year in 2009 and Harmony Group Ambassador in 2018. Zorka provides the Board with strong insight into community needs, participation and local engagement.
Festus Omoregie
Board Member since 2025
Festus Omoregie holds a Bachelor of Science in Accounting, a Diploma in Accounts and Finance, and a Certificate in Dementia (Aged Care). He is an experienced aged care and disability professional with strong expertise in financial management, governance, compliance and service delivery. His combined background in healthcare and finance enables him to contribute effectively to strategic planning, regulatory oversight and quality improvement across RCC.
Joane Ngo
Board Member since 2025
Joane Ngo holds a degree in Pharmacy from the University of Sydney and has been the owner and manager of Riverwood Family Chemist since 2003. With more than two decades of professional practice, she brings strong expertise in medication management, health systems, business operations and community health. Joane contributes to the Board through her commitment to safe healthcare, ethical practice and community wellbeing.
Huu (Leo) Loc Pham
Board Member since 2025
Leo Pham is an AHPRA-registered Registered Nurse with over five years’ experience in aged care, community health and disability services. He holds a Bachelor of Nursing and a Certificate IV in Training and Assessment (TAE40116) and works as a Trainer and Assessor delivering accredited qualifications. Leo brings strong expertise in clinical governance, compliance and workforce development, strengthening the Board’s oversight of care quality and regulatory obligations.
Kazi Sumsul Alam
Board Member since 2025
Kazi Sumsul Alam holds a Master’s degree in Accounting and has extensive experience in financial management, operations and community services. With a background as an Assistant Accountant and Duty Manager, he brings strong capability in budgeting, compliance, transparent reporting and financial governance. His expertise supports the Board in maintaining fiscal responsibility, accountability and operational integrity across RCC’s programs.
Management Team
Karl Saleh OAM
Chief Executive Officer
Karl Saleh OAM is the Chief Executive Officer of Riverwood Community Centre, bringing more than 30 years of executive leadership, governance and community sector experience across complex not-for-profit and local government environments.
He has extensive experience working within regulated community service environments, including governance, compliance and service delivery frameworks relevant to the Australian not-for-profit sector.
Widely recognised for his leadership within Australia’s multicultural communities, Karl has played a pivotal role in strengthening social cohesion and building collaborative networks across culturally and linguistically diverse groups. He founded the Canterbury-Bankstown Harmony Group, bringing together more than 15 cultural organisations to advance inclusion and shared community outcomes. He also established the Lakemba Ramadan Night Festival, now one of Australia’s largest multicultural events, attracting over one million visitors annually and contributing significantly to local community and economic development.
Karl holds Diplomas in Leadership and Management and Governance from the Institute of Community Directors Australia and has completed advanced studies in Risk Management and Corporate Governance at the University of Sydney. His FIVE ERIOelected terms as a Councillor on Canterbury-Bankstown City Council, including service as Deputy Mayor, further strengthened his expertise in strategic oversight, financial stewardship, regulatory compliance and cross-sector partnerships.
Awarded the Medal of the Order of Australia (OAM) in 2019, Karl leads with a strong focus on governance integrity, organisational sustainability and measurable social impact, ensuring Riverwood Community Centre remains inclusive, accountable and deeply connected to the diverse communities it serves.
Ram Nishant Alajangi
Finance and Corporate Services Manager
Ram joined our team in August 2022. As a Member of Institute of Chartered Accountants of India and CPA Australia, he is a passionate career Finance professional priding an achievement-based career of more than 18 years in Accounting, Auditing and Planning and Analysis.
With natural ability for numbers, in-depth proficiency in all facets of finance, analytics, business, and management and providing comprehensive financial analysis and reporting, Ram brings in a wealth of knowledge and experience of having worked in both commercial and not-for-profit organisations across sectors ranging from Construction, Infrastructure and Oil and Gas.
He loves spending spare time with his two kids helping them to pursue their interests in mechanics and aviation.
Phone: 9533 0143
Lisa Foppen
Acting Aged Care and Disability Services Manager
Lisa joined Riverwood Community Centre in 2024 and is now the Acting Aged Care and Disability Manager. Lisa has a Master’s degree in Marketing and brings more than two decades of professional experience across relationship management, service delivery and community engagement. Her career spans both the corporate and community sectors, including senior client relationship roles with global organisations before transitioning into community services to support people and families locally.
Lisa is passionate about improving access to quality support for older people and people with disability. In her role, she leads the development and coordination of aged care and disability services, ensuring programs are person-centred, inclusive and responsive to the diverse needs of the community. Lisa is committed to building strong relationships with participants, families, staff and partner organisations to deliver services that enable people to live independently and remain connected to their community.
Salma Taleb
Manager Community, Youth and Family Support
Salma began working as a Counsellor and NDIS Support Coordinator at Riverwood Community Centre in April 2021. Salma has a Bachelor of Applied Social Sciences in Counselling.
Salma currently holds the role of the CAFS (Community and Family Support) Manager at Riverwood Community Centre. Her responsibilities include managing a number of services including community development, youth, counselling, and family support.
Salma carefully evaluates and maintains her professional limits in terms of integrity, respect, diligence, and confidentiality. Salma is a firm believer in the concept of Duty-of-Care and always supports the well-being and safety of others. She works with compassion and empathy, providing exceptional support when necessary. Salma is also self-sufficient and prioritises her time efficiently in order to meet the needs of her role.
Salma is proficient in Arabic and uses her skills to assist clients who have a language barrier. Salma welcomes clients in need of assistance to the centre.
Phone: 9533 0126
Mase S
Administrator
Mase is a results-driven business administration and facilities professional with experience across community services, property, security, and large-scale commercial environments. He brings strong capabilities in facility management, account coordination, and stakeholder engagement. With a background in commercial and residential property management, concierge leadership, service delivery, and project coordination, Mase combines operational expertise with a people-focused approach. He holds a Bachelor of Social Science with Distinction, real estate registration in NSW, and governance training, reflecting a strong foundation in administration, compliance, and community development.
Phone: 9533 0141
