Border Trust board and operations team

Mark Dixon was appointed as the CEO of Melbourne Legacy on 28th August 2023.

Mark has a wealth of experience in executive leadership positions from across Europe, the US, Australia and the Pacific. Mark is a graduate of the Royal Military Academy at Sandhurst, has Bachelor and Master of Science Degrees from the UK and is a graduate of the Australian Institute of Company Directors. Mark spent 30 years in the Army (British and Australian) retiring as a Colonel.

Since transitioning from Defence in 2015, Mark has worked as a CEO/Managing Director within tertiary education (TAFE), and within the local, state and national government sectors. Mark joined Legacy on his return to Australia, after completing his term as Fiji’s commissioner of taxes, comptroller of customs and head of border security.

Susan joined Border Trust Board of Directors in February 2024.

With her family owning property in Mount Beauty, Susan has spent over 40 years holidaying in Mount Beauty and Falls Creek. In 2015 Susan and her husband decided to move out of Sydney and finally settle in the region they love by making Albury their home.

Susan has broad strategic, operational, and project experience working across multiple industries designing and delivering strategic change to support innovation.

Being GAICD qualified, Susan is passionate about helping Not For Profits (NFPs) and their boards achieve great things for their communities. She believes Border Trust has an important role in the region, connecting donors to community initiatives, being a conduit for funding and providing governance support to local NFPs.

Susan also loves travelling as well as partaking in the great food wine and cultural activities our region offers.

Originally from Shepparton in regional Victoria, Kristy has a strong connection to the benefits of a regional lifestyle and community, prompting her relocation to the Albury-Wodonga area in 2012.

Her hope is that our regional communities have access to great services and opportunities, as well as the skills and experience to build their future success and growth through collaboration, development and innovation.

She believes that she can contribute in a meaningful way through the sharing of her skills and experiences, and so is involved in a number of community and not-for-profit organisations at Board level, including Border Trust.

Kristy is currently Head of People and Culture at Boys to the Bush and has over 20 years’ experience in Human Resources across various sectors, in Australia, the United Kingdom and the United Arab Emirates. She also has experience in the areas of operations, change management, corporate governance and risk management.

Tim has been involved with Border Trust since its inception in 2005. He is currently a Director and Deputy Chair. Tim and his family moved to Albury in 2004 with KPMG (now Findex Albury) after several international secondments, the last being as a partner with KPMG Moscow.

Tim believes that the Border Trust is an excellent way to help strengthen our local regional community. A diverse, robust, interactive and engaged local community creates fantastic opportunities for the next generations to thrive.

“A quality community foundation helps make local grassroots initiatives happen. Border Trust uses its practical experience to allow local organisations to work through regulations and compliance red tape that often limit active community engagement. It is a really cost effective option – for individuals and corporates.”

In Tim’s view, the Border Trust helps make this an excellent community to grow up in and proudly call home.

Mackenzie grew up in Benalla and moved to Albury-Wodonga to study accounting. Mackenzie is a Chartered Accountant and Audit Manager at Crowe/Findex Albury.

Mackenzie joined Border Trust in November 2022 as a way of giving back to the community. He enjoys being able to contribute to positive changes in the region through Border Trust.

In Mackenzie’s spare time he likes to travel overseas, bake sweets, and spend time with family and friends.

Born in Albury and after a brief stint living and working away, James moved back to this amazing Border region 15 years ago. James is a proud father of three children and a husband to Ashleigh. He is passionate about his family and the Border region and has been involved in promoting and advocating for the region for many years. A previous Director at Border Trust, James has returned to be a part of Border Trust family once again. James is currently employed as the Director of Business Services for Align Work Health, an organisational health and wellbeing provider, based in Albury, servicing regional NSW and Victoria. James has collaborated on Boards and Committees in Albury for the past 15 years, including; Albury Business Connect as Chairperson and Director, Business NSW (Murray Region), TAFE NSW (Southern NSW) and Regional Development Australia (Murray).

James is an advocate for attracting talent and business to the region and mental health awareness. He brings a broad knowledge of regional opportunities and challenges. James’ strength is in collaboration and partnering with key stakeholders to achieve a collective benefit for the region.

Ryan is an accomplished professional with a rich and diverse background in operations and financial management. Growing up in North West Queensland, Ryan has spent the last twelve years in Albury, a place he proudly calls home. He enjoys the vibrant community life of Albury alongside his wife Lisa and their two sons, Levi and Lewis.

Ryan’s career has been marked by a series of significant roles across various industries, both in Australia and overseas. Having experience in both large and small organisations, including roles the Commonwealth Bank, Albury City Council, RSM Australia and the Royal Australian Navy.

Dedicated to organisational health through effective planning and financial management, Ryan’s commitment to continuous improvement and community service motivates him to bring a wealth of experience and a forward-thinking perspective to the Border Trust board. He aims to contribute positively to the growth and well-being of the Albury Wodonga region and the Border Trust.

Tom moved to Albury Wodonga in 2022 from the Northern Territory and was very excited to join Border Trust to connect with the local community in a meaningful way. Growing up in a small country town, Tom has witnessed first-hand how a community can come together and thrive.

Tom is an experienced Director, sitting on multiple board and committees. Tom is also a skilled Human Resources professional with multi-sector experience including in tourism, local government and primary health care.

Being on the Board of Border Trust is his way of giving back to the community where he lives and now calls home.

Sue was appointed to Border Trust’s Board in 2022 and became Executive Officer in January 2023.

She is dedicated to building capacity and working collaboratively to amplify the organisation’s impact in our region.
Sue is an experienced business consultant and executive mentor committed to creating meaningful social and economic change. She brings over 20 years of experience on boards and committees in the health, education, business and community sectors.

Sue has lived on a few acres in Beechworth with her partner Andrew, since 2012. In 2003, she left Melbourne for her ‘tree change’, landing in Dinner Plain to run a mixed business.

She understands what it’s like to live with the threat of bushfires, drought, COVID and floods.
“To say it’s been challenging for our local businesses and communities is an understatement.”

Sue joined Border Trust to actively contribute to the foundation’s long-term sustainability and community capacity building and impact endeavours.
“I’m keen to support Border Trust’s role in helping others on their pathway to a better future and stronger community, as people work together to tackle the issues that matter to them.”

Michelle joined the team September 2023 and brought with her more than 20 years of experience as a marketing, communications and engagement specialist.
Michelle grew up locally, with a passion for community and its members.

Michelle is no stranger to Border Trust, having previously volunteered as a Board Director (2015 – 2018) and as Co-founder and Chair of Volunteer Committee for the annual Hume Bank City2City RunWalk, her history with Border Trust is one that spans over 8 years.

Recently having moved back to her hometown of Albury, Alexandra joined the Border Trust team in August 2023.

With over 10 years of experience in the Events and Marketing industry Alexandra is delighted to expand her knowledge with Border Trust and to further her involvement in this community.

“I’m thrilled to have joined the team at Border Trust, it’s an amazing opportunity to be part of an organisation creating such positive change and impact in this community.”

Glenys has been a part of Border Trust in one way or another since it commenced in 2005.

Having recently stepped down from the Executive Officer position, Glenys’s remains with Border Trust in Community Engagement & Impact.

“I’m part of the furniture here now, but I’ve always worked in and loved the charitable sector – it’s where my heart is. I really can’t imagine it any other way!”

Away from the office, life is simple and happy – a partner and dogs, three adult children, extended family and friends in Perth and Melbourne.

Alana has been a volunteer, employee and donor since the early days of Border Trust.
“Border Trust has come so far since it began! I’m proud of the fact we have a local foundation that facilitates connections, encourages giving and prioritises the needs of this community“.