Executive Leadership Team

Chief Executive Officer

Andrew Chesterman has an extensive background in strategic, values-based leadership and public administration, with 35 years of professional experience.

He has spent over a decade as a Chief Executive Officer / Director General across three public sector organisations, in addition to many other senior executive positions.  These included the Queensland Public Service Commission (Commission CEO), Department of Environment and Heritage Protection (Director General), Redland City Council (CEO).

Andrew has a history of board and other associated memberships, which have included President and Chairperson of Local Government Managers Australia (Qld), Member of the Thriving Queensland Kids Partnership Management Board, Chairperson of the South East Queensland Local Government CEO Forum, Member and Chairperson of the CSIRO Land and Water Business Advisory Committee and Member of the CEO Institute.

As the parents of a young man with intellectual disability, Andrew and his wife together with their daughter have worked in and around supports and the disability sector, to get the best outcomes for him.

This gives Andrew a deep appreciation of what it is to live with, respect, advocate and care for people with intellectual disability.

His qualifications include a Bachelor of Applied Science, Post-graduate Diploma in Education, Graduate of the Australian Institute of Company Directors and Certificate of Organisational Coaching.

Executive General Manager Service Delivery – Home and Community

Leanne has dedicated her career to human services, particularly in support of vulnerable children, young people and families. Over the past 25 years, she has brought about significant change and improvement for both people working in the sector and those experiencing disadvantage.

Leanne has extensive management and leadership capability, developed through direct service delivery, senior leadership and industry advisory positions held across both the government and non-government sectors, including Queensland Government (child protection and youth justice), Churches of Christ Queensland (CofCQ), Life Without Barriers and the Community Services Industry Alliance Reform Council.

Throughout her career Leanne has been instrumental developing new approaches to supporting children, young people and families with complex support needs. This includes forming and delivery a world-first social benefit bond program Youth CONNECT, whole-of-organisation governance frameworks includingPractice Governance and Child Safe Approaches, and introducing an individual Flexibility Agreement in Queensland to allow unique work arrangements and business continuity for essential services during the COVID-19 pandemic. 

Leanne is deeply committed to ensuring all people are afforded the opportunity to live a life of purpose, connection, and fulfilment and to receive the support they need, how and when they choose.

Chief Corporate Relations Officer

Kirrily joined Endeavour Foundation in 2011 to advocate for the profound unmet needs of people living with disability. She works for systemic change that will deliver broad benefits for people facing employment barriers and people living with disability, ensuring the voices of people with lived experience are at the fore. Kirrily leads values-driven teams who serve our clients and our organisation through advocacy, communication, engagement, marketing and philanthropy.

Her experience spans communication, advocacy, issues management, stakeholder relations, public policy and campaigns, with previous roles in media, community services, indigenous affairs, small business, government and politics. Her state government experience covered a diversity of portfolios including major public infrastructure development, health, mining, energy, trade and water.

Kirrily holds a BA (Journalism) from QUT and is an alumnus of the inaugural Trawalla Foundation / QUTeX Pathways to Politics for Women Program in Queensland. She has also been a director of not-for-profit organisations working with children at risk and domestic violence prevention training, support for learning disabilities, and legal advice for people living with disability.

Executive General Manager - Legal and Governance

BSci (Hons), LLB, G.Dip Corp Gov, MQLS, FGIA, FCIS, GAICD

Darryn brings his experience gained from more than 20 years of working in the legal, compliance, risk, assurance, and safeguarding arenas in Australia and overseas to Endeavour Foundation.

Darryn is a solicitor admitted to the Supreme Court of Queensland and formerly the Supreme Court of England and Wales and has a Bachelor of Laws and Bachelor of Science (Honours); he holds a postgraduate qualification in governance. Darryn is also a chartered company secretary, a Fellow of the Governance Institute, and a graduate of the AICD’s directors’ program. He was the Executive Director of the RACQ Foundation and has also held a variety of non-executive positions across Australia.

His roles have included Chief Risk Officer, General Counsel, Company Secretary, Executive Director, and General Manager. Darryn was the General Manager – Risk and Assurance for Churches of Christ in Queensland prior to joining the Endeavour Foundation.

Darryn is the Endeavour Foundation Group Company Secretary and leads a division committed to providing legal, risk, compliance, assurance and safeguarding that is effective and of a high quality within the complexity of disability services.

Chief Financial Officer

Irma is passionate about contributing to the sustainability of purpose-driven organisations, creating a positive impact for current and future generations.

Irma's dedication to sustainability and leading a life of purpose began when she was in her 20s while serving in refugee camps in her homeland before she migrated to Australia.

Having served for a number of years in the roles of Chief Financial Officer, Company Secretary and Chief Strategy Officer for Southern Cross Care Queensland, Irma brings extensive experience to her role as Chief Financial Officer. Irma has also held senior finance roles with global organisations in the medical devices industry and has dedicated many years to organisations delivering social impact programs in the Asia Pacific region.

As a lifelong learner, Irma holds qualifications and certificates in Business, Education, Governance, and Strategy. She is a graduate of the Australian Institute of Company Directors and a Certified Public Accountant (CPA), continuously striving to enhance her knowledge and skills to drive positive change.

Chief People Officer

BCom, GAICD

Amanda is passionate about enhancing senior leadership capabilities and fostering team engagement and effectiveness, recognising their pivotal role in cultivating a positive organisational culture.

With extensive experience across talent and engagement, payroll, learning and development, organisational development, HR information systems, workplace health and safety, strategy and transformation, Amanda has developed a strong foundation within complex service organisations.

Amanda has been recognised in the Australian HR Awards' annual "Best in HR" list for leading exemplary HR initiatives throughout her career. She has consistently achieved outstanding employee engagement, operational efficiency and governance results.

Amanda holds a Bachelor of Commerce (BCom) and is a Graduate of the Australian Institute of Company Directors (GAICD). She is also a Certified Member of the Australian Human Resources Institute.

In addition, Amanda is accredited to conduct DiSC and Myers-Briggs personality profile assessments, Human Synergistics Lifestyles Inventory Assessments and Leadership Circle Profiles. She holds a Certificate in Organisational Coaching (Level 1 IECL) and a Yellow Belt in Lean Six Sigma project management.