Our People

Fighting for freedom together.

Board Members

Destiny Rescue’s Board Members provide advice on policy, advocacy, fundraising and public relations.

LACHLAN ANDERSON

BFin – Chair

Lachlan, a partner at a prominent financial planning firm in Melbourne, brings his extensive knowledge and experience to his role at Destiny Rescue. With a degree in finance and other specialised industry accreditations, Lachlan is well-equipped to assist in our mission. His dedication to helping people, evident in his everyday life and work, is a testament to his commitment to Destiny Rescue.

He has been in the financial services industry since 2010 and involved with Destiny Rescue since 2015. This experience and expertise provide 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!

 

JAMES CONDON

Director

Commissioner Emeritus James Condon, a stalwart in the humanitarian field, has dedicated over 50 years of his life to serving with The Salvation Army across three countries – Australia, the United Kingdom and Papua New Guinea. His 50-year membership with Rotary International further attests to his unwavering dedication. James is thrilled to be a board member of Destiny Rescue, contributing to our mission of rescuing children worldwide from the sex industry and helping them find freedom and a new way of life.

JOSHUA EVANS

CPA, BAF – Director

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.

KAREN LI

CAMS, CCAS, BBUS, – Director

Karen brings over 15 years of global investment banking experience, specialising in anti-financial crime as a Certified Anti-Money Laundering Specialist and Certified Cryptoasset Anti-Financial Crime Specialist. Karen is dedicated to combating human trafficking, especially in the realm of child sexual exploitation. Beyond her professional role, Karen is involved in youth work, mentoring students and junior banking colleagues. Karen is deeply aligned with the mission of Destiny Rescue, her passion for this cause drives her to contribute her skills and knowledge toward combating this global issue and making a difference in the lives of those affected.

CHRIS LAWLEY

Director

Chris is a long-term active volunteer for Destiny Rescue. His contributions have extended in various aspects beyond his directorship, including taking advantage of opportunities to speak at fundraising events and varied 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 commercial leadership and cyber security.

LYDIA HARB

BEd, DipT – Director

Lydia has many years of experience across CEO and senior leadership positions in top-tier professional services, tech start-ups, and NFP organisations in 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 have been seeing people and organisations flourish. She sees contributing to Destiny Rescue’s work as an extension of this and is a firm believer in advocating for the voiceless.

VENECIA PILLAY

CA (SA), ACMA, CGMA – Board Secretary

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.

Our Team

We are united in our fight to help end child trafficking and exploitation!

PAUL MERGARD

GAICD, GradDipIntDev, BBus(Acc) – Chief Executive Officer

Paul has fought for children’s rights for over 25 years in Australia and abroad. He goes undercover with Destiny Rescue field agents to find children sold into the global sex trade to secure their freedom and is just as comfortable talking with Prime Ministers about the plight of trafficked children.

Trained as an accountant with KPMG, he is also a board member for Queensland’s largest foster care provider.

Paul joined Destiny Rescue in 2019, and since then, the organisation has experienced a 300% growth in rescues and revenue used to fund rescues.

Paul holds a Bachelor of Business degree in Accounting and a Graduate Diploma in International Development. He is also a Graduate of the Australian Institute of Company Directors. He has dedicated over three years of his life to working in developing countries, where he has helped people living in extreme poverty and those who have been sold into slavery.

 

GEOFF HARRISON

MBA – Chief Marketing Officer

Geoff has spent the last 25 years helping guide Australians to care for the poor and marginalised in this world. He has a particular focus on women and children and helping charities grow. Prior to Destiny Rescue, Geoff ran a consultancy helping NFPs with marketing, fundraising, and capacity.

Geoff joined the Destiny Rescue team in 2018 and has had the privilege of helping grow the organisation exponentially.

Geoff holds a Masters in Business Administration and a Cert IV in Training and Assessment. Geoff is passionate about seeing the rescue of children who, through limited choices, are forced into abuse and trafficking.

 

GREG BRADLEY

BA (IntRel), GradDipBA – Chief Partnerships Officer

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.

 

VENECIA PILLAY

CA (SA), ACMA, CGMA – Chief Financial Officer

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.