Building Stronger Communities Through Personalised Support Services in Perth Metro & Peel Region

Andries Pretorius is Chief Executive Officer of Bridging the Gap, having transitioned to the role in 2025 after serving as Chair of the organisation's Board. He brings more than three decades of executive and governance experience across government, retail, community services, aged care, mental health, disability and employment services in Western Australia, nationally and internationally.

A Graduate of the Australian Institute of Company Directors, Andries holds the Certificate in Clinical Governance from the Australasian Institute of Clinical Governance and has completed KPMG's Governance for Reform in Aged Care. 

His Board portfolio has included Chair of Bridging the Gap Inc, Deputy Chair of Advocacy WA, and Director at Midland Legal Advisory Service and Workskil Australia. Executive and management appointments have included Chief Operating Officer at Southern Cross Care WA, Group Manager Strategic Relationships at Chorus Australia, and Partners in Recovery Manager of Community First International, where the Partners in Recovery program he led received National recognition for Diversity and Inclusion.

Andries holds a Bachelor of Military Science (Management Sciences), with majors in Industrial Psychology, Management and Computer Information Systems, and Bachelor of Military Science Honours in Industrial Psychology, both from the South African Military Academy at Stellenbosch University.

His commitment to community services is grounded in lived experience; Andries understands at firsthand what good services look like to the people who depend on them.

Eileen is an accomplished senior executive who has enjoyed success with the Social Security, Commonwealth Employment Services and not-for-profit sectors, including Bridging the Gap and Community First.

With extensive experience in operations and finance, it was a natural progression from Chief Operations Officer of Community First to its CEO in 2016.

Eileen brings to our board over 30 years' experience in both public and community services sectors in areas of aged care, mental health, disability, and employment services.

Having previously worked at Bridging the Gap, Eileen feels privileged to have been elected to the board, and she looks forward to contributing to a sustainable future as we celebrate our 40th year of providing services across communities and making a difference to people’s lives.

Mike has spent over 25 years in senior management roles across Australia in retail banking, commercial banking, financial planning, stockbroking, business development and hospitality.

His various industry expertise is complemented by experience across a variety of geographical areas, including Perth, Melbourne, Sydney and the Goldfields.

Currently running his own consultancy firm, his clients range from mining to healthcare and a variety of financial services.

Mike utilises his experience in combination with an extensive professional network to drive exceptional outcomes for stakeholders.

Married to Wendy, with two children at university, Mike is a passionate Fremantle Dockers Football Club member, a motorsport competitor at the Australian title level, and an enthusiastic cyclist.

Having previously served on numerous advisory boards and committees, plus being actively involved at a seed investment level for start-up companies, Mike brings broad commercial experience to our board.

Dionne brings over 20 years of experience in supporting people and communities to overcome barriers and thrive. Working as a psychologist, Dionne has gained experience working with neurodivergent populations and has dedicated her career to empowering individuals with diverse needs and fostering inclusion in education, healthcare, and community settings.

Dionne’s expertise lies in helping people navigate the systems that support them. With a focus on ensuring equitable opportunities for all, she has worked extensively with families, schools, and organisations to design inclusive and personalised solutions that promote growth and participation.

With a strong commitment to lifelong learning and community service, Dionne is proud to contribute her skills to Bridging the Gap. Her work aligns closely with our vision of empowering people and creating meaningful opportunities for those facing challenges.

Graduating from the University of Western Australia with a Master of Psychology, Dionne is the founder and principal psychologist at Reimagine Psychology.

Dionne’s dedication to fostering inclusion and understanding underscores her commitment to creating a more equitable community.

Julie Grant brings to the Board extensive expertise in workplace relations, industrial relations, and commercial law, developed through a career spanning corporate communications, government relations, and senior legal advisory roles. As Principal Solicitor of Resolve Legal Solutions, she provides strategic, in house style legal support to employers, employees, and organisations across diverse sectors, with specialist capability in workplace investigations, organisational restructures, compliance auditing, enterprise bargaining, and governance advisory work. Julie is also a nationally accredited mediator, recognised for her pragmatic and empathetic approach to resolving complex workplace and commercial disputes. Her appointment strengthens Bridging the Gap’s governance capacity and reflects her longstanding commitment to supporting organisations to build safe, compliant, and positive workplace cultures.

Catherine has spent over 25 years in strategic leadership roles across Health, Not-for-Profit, Government and Technology sectors.

Her strategy, governance and executive expertise is complemented by experience spanning crisis services, financial oversight, technical and business implementations, and ethical innovation. As former CFO and General Manager at Lifeline WA, Catherine managed governance, financial and risk and compliance for an organisation delivering 24/7 suicide prevention and crisis support services.

Currently Principal Data & AI Consultant at Mantel Group, Catherine specialises in Responsible AI, ethical technology and adoption frameworks, helping organisations innovate with integrity and purpose.

Catherine utilises her GAICD qualification in combination with extensive cross-sector networks to drive sustainable, community-focused outcomes.

Based in Perth, Catherine is passionate about organisations that serve vulnerable communities and create genuine social impact through values-driven leadership.

Having served in senior roles at WA Country Health Service, Landgate, and various advisory capacities, Catherine brings broad commercial and public sector experience to our Board.