Our People

LACHLAN ANDERSON

Chairman

Lachlan is currently a partner at his Financial Planning firm in Melbourne and holds a degree in Finance as well as other specialist industry accreditations.

Lachlan has a passion for helping people, whether it is in his everyday life and work or the work at Destiny Rescue.

He has been in the financial services industry since 2010 and involved with Destiny Rescue since 2015. This experience and expertise provides valuable insights and input to our vision and strategies that will help us achieve our goals.

After visiting some of Destiny Rescue’s projects in 2015, Lachlan strongly believes in the positive difference we are making in the lives of those who perhaps need it the most!

MELINDA BRYANT

Melinda Bryant is an experienced commercial lawyer, non-executive director and pastor. She enjoys solving complex problems and creating the infrastructure to help people achieve their dreams. Melinda became passionate about the developing world after a life-changing trip to Cambodia in 2009 and has remained committed to utilising her skillset to effect meaningful change wherever possible.

LYDIA HARB

Lydia has many years of experience across CEO and senior leadership positions in top tier professional services, tech start up and NFP, for purpose organisations in both Australia and Asia. She has a reputation as a strategic leader, change agent, collaborator and coach, turning organisations around to deliver innovative and effective outcomes. Throughout her career, her passion and focus has been to see people and organisations flourish. She sees contributing to the work of Destiny Rescue as an extension of this and is a firm believer in advocating for the voiceless.

JOSHUA EVANS

Joshua Evans is the Head of Finance, Energy and Resources at Sodexo Asia-Pacific. He has served on several boards, usually as a company secretary, and enjoys supporting teams and mentoring people. 

Joshua has a strong background in assisting executive teams to turn around companies. The diversity of his experience and track record in helping teams succeed is valuable in fulfilling Destiny Rescue’s vision and ambitious goals.

CHRIS LAWLEY

Chris is a long-term active volunteer for Destiny Rescue. His contributions have extended in various aspects beyond his directorship including opportunities to speak at fundraising events as well as multiple frontline work overseas. Chris is also a non-executive director for DRI (Destiny Rescue International). He has held leadership roles for global organisations in the SaaS industry (Software as a Service) and brings skills to the organisation in both commercial leadership and cyber security.

JAMES CONDON

PAUL MERGARD

Chief Executive Officer

Paul has a Graduate Diploma in International Development and spent many years in the developing world, working with people who lived in extreme poverty or had been sold into slavery.

For two decades, Paul has fought for the rights of children trapped in the most horrific situations, both in Australia and overseas. Trained as an accountant with KPMG, he has also worked in leadership roles with two of Australia’s largest charities, The Salvation Army and Compassion. Paul contributed to overall strategies that helped raise funds, create awareness around their work and improve the lives of the people they supported. During this time, Paul saw first-hand the catastrophic impact that human trafficking had on the lives of children. He also witnessed the exhilaration and sheer relief of victims when freed.

E: [email protected]
M: 0428 755 088

VENECIA PILLAY

Financial Controller

Venecia is an experienced Finance Manager with a demonstrated history of working various industries. Skilled in Income Tax, Financial Accounting, Consolidation, External Audit, and International Financial Reporting Standards (IFRS). Strong finance professional with a CA (SA) and CIMA qualification focused in Accounting and Finance.

E: [email protected]
M: 1300 738 761

GEOFF HARRISON

Executive Manager Marketing

Geoff has 20 years of experience in managing and improving not-for-profit organisations including five years of consulting with more than 75 charities. He specialises in marketing and fundraising for international aid organisations dealing with assisting children.

Geoff is now part of the Destiny Rescue team and is passionate about rescuing children who are in sexually abusive situations. This passion came after traveling throughout Africa, India, Indonesia and the Philippines where he experienced first-hand the hardship of the poor and broken. Geoff has a master’s degree in business administration and a certificate IV in training and assessment.

Geoff is married to Shannon and they have two teenage kids who love life and are embedded in their local church.

E: [email protected]
M: 0408 205 525

GREG BRADLEY

Executive Partnerships Manager

Greg has dedicated his career to working with organisations focused on helping children and communities flourish.

His experience includes twelve years with World Vision Australia and seven years in the tertiary education sector. Greg has travelled extensively in Africa and Asia, providing contextual awareness of the complexities of international development.

Since commencing at Destiny Rescue, Greg has visited projects in several countries and observed rescue operations with agents to help free sexually exploited children.

As Executive Partnership Manager, Greg oversees Destiny Rescue’s engagement and partnership activities nationally, seeking to build key relationships to raise awareness and funds to rescue children. 

Greg holds a Bachelor of Arts in Politics and International Relations and has undertaken postgraduate business studies.

E: [email protected]
M: 0429 139 806