Meet our team - our Board of Directors and Foundation staff.
Tracy Norman
Founder & Chair
Tracy Norman is the proud middle daughter of Ian and Shirley Norman. She has a background in small business enterprises with a particular focus on regenerating economies in regional New South Wales.
Tracy currently operates a number of businesses, based in the Hunter, in the areas of regenerative agriculture and food and hospitality. The paddock-to-plate experience can be found in her business offerings. Her business interests are underpinned by a degree in Ecological Agriculture.
Tracy served on Dungog Shire Council for 9 years from 2012 to 2021, with her service to the community including two and a half years as the Mayor. Tracy was a founding member of the Dungog Arts Foundation and the driving force behind the Dungog Festival, two initiatives that gave her a great sense of pride and joy. Tracy is keen to respond to filling gaps to address social disadvantage and to work in partnership with innovators that change people’s lives.
“Setting up the Foundation has been a long-held dream both personally and for my family and I am extremely proud to have achieved this milestone.”
Tracy Norman
Founder & Chair
Meet our Directors
Alfie McMahon
Director
Alfie McMahon is a National Category Manager at Harvey Norman and brings youthful energy, UK experiences and a wonderful entrepreneurial spirit to the Board.
In the workplace he understands the customer journey, the art of motivating people and the power of good communication.
As the much-loved great nephew of Ian and Shirley Norman he reflects “I was honoured when asked to be on the Board of the Foundation. Many of my personal experiences are reflected in the pillars that define The Foundation. To be able to influence positive change in these areas fills me with an immense sense of pride and excitement. I am particularly interested in tackling the challenges of mental health”.
Willow Norman
Director
Willow is the youngest granddaughter of Ian and Shirley Norman. She recalls fond memories as a small child spending Sunday evenings having family dinners with her Grandparents and being cared for with great warmth by her Nan.
Coming to the Foundation Board as the youngest member, Willow wants the Board to be contemporary, focussed on the issues that affect young people today, particularly around mental health and climate change, and wants to take up the “quiet achiever” mantle from her Grandad.
Willow has a creative side that enjoys silversmithing, pottery and supporting friends who are emerging artists in inner Sydney. Her days are spent working as a Nanny caring for families and their children and she wants to see the Foundation make a distinct contribution to a brighter future for the next generation.
In her own words Willow says, “Growing up in an environmentally conscious family has taught me how important it is to protect our planet, and I am very excited about all the changes our Foundation can bring”.
Bernadette Skuse
Director
Bernadette Skuse is an accomplished journalist whose career forged many firsts. She was one of the first female Newsreaders on a commercial radio station in Australia and a founding member and later International Editor of the ABC’s NewsRadio.
Bernadette has held Board positions on the Dungog Community Centre and is an active Committee Member for Dungog Palliative Care and the Dungog Reconciliation Group.
She is deeply committed to better understanding and bringing about true reconciliation with Australia’s First Nations People.
Stephen Wills
Director (Independent & Responsible Person)
Stephen Wills has 15 years’ experience as a senior executive within NSW Government, leading programs and projects to deliver beneficial outcomes for regional communities. He has developed capabilities across infrastructure, property and leasing, regional development and environment.
Stephen focuses on building trusted relationships, collaborating and engaging with stakeholders to set objects and deliver outcomes. Through his executive roles in government and the private sector and as a qualified board director,
Stephen has detailed knowledge of regulatory and governance frameworks and responsibilities with stakeholders and the community. Stephen has lived in the Hunter region with his family since 2013.
Meet our Foundation staff
Coralie Nichols
Chief Executive Officer
Coralie is a Graduate of the AICD, has completed Harvard Business studies, was a 2017 finalist in the Queensland Telstra Business Women’s Awards, has an undergraduate degree from Wollongong University, a graduate diploma from Sydney University and completed her Master’s Degree in Management at the University of Technology Sydney.
Coralie has worked in local government in NSW and Queensland for over 20 years and has held senior executive and general manager roles. She has also worked at the Chief Executive level in the not-for-profit sector in the Northern Territory and NSW.
Coralie has lived in major cities and rural and remote communities across Australia. She now lives with her husband and three children near the vineyards of the Hunter Valley.
(Commenced 26/7/2021)
Gerard Bowen
Property Services Manager
Glen Cousins
Finance Manager
Jemma Hore
Governance & Operations Coordinator
Jemma joined ISNF in 2021 as the Executive Assistant to the CEO and Project Officer. After having her second daughter in 2023, she returned as the Governance & Operations Coordinator. Jemma has worked in Office Management and Executive Support roles for over 15 years.
She holds a Certificate IV in Business Administration and also completed a Graduate Certificate in Business in 2021.
Jemma brings high-level administration experience from many industries including engineering, construction and not-for-profits. Jemma prides herself on being organised and likes to think there aren’t many problems she can’t solve.
When she’s not working, Jemma enjoys spending time with her husband and 2 daughters or a great meal and glass of rose with friends.
(Commenced 5/10/2021)
Lou Johnston
Partnerships & Impact Manager