Our team
The Gumala Trust (GIPL) is part of a larger team, the Gumala team! We work closely together with the Gumala Aboriginal Corporation, even working from the same Perth Office on Adelaide Terrace. This is why, at our Annual General Meetings and other Gumala events, we all put on the same team shirts and work together to make the events run without a hitch.
This close relationship means that although we’re responsible for different things in the Gumala Foundation, we come together to work on projects that need both GAC and GIPL’s input. We need our entire Gumala team to help the Foundation thrive.
Overall, the Gumala Team is a big family, but the GIPL team itself is small, but mighty! Back in 2017, GIPL started with just 3 team members, but we’ve grown since then! You can contact us at our East Perth offices by emailing GIPL@gumalatrust.com for any GIPL or Investment related enquiries.
Jess Karlsson
Chief Executive Officer
Jess Karlsson is the CEO of GIPL, where she oversees both the GIPL team and the investments in the Future Fund, as well as working closely with the EO of Gumala Aboriginal Corporation to achieve joint outcomes for our Beneficiaries and Members.
Jess’ leadership and executive experience spans across private, commercial, and nonprofit sectors. Over the past 15 years, Jess has been in CEO, Executive and Board roles, within profit for purpose, commercial and local government sectors.
Her experience spans across health, community, youth, disability, recreation, education, and Aboriginal services, in QLD, NT, and WA. For the past year Jess has worked in contracted roles, and consulting within regional Local Governments, whilst seeking her next dream role.
Jess has presented at National and International conferences, is a TEDx speaker, holds qualifications in Business, Finance, Management, and Governance, and has won multiple awards, including a coveted 40under40 Business Award in 2021.
Kirsty Whiteoak
EA & Office Manager
Kirsty Whiteoak took on the role of Office Manager & EA in 2021. As the Office Manager, she looks over the day-to-day operations of GIPL and assists both the GIPL Board and our CEO as the EA. Prior to this role, Kirsty worked within the Early Years Sector for 18 years, 8 of which involved running early year services within Northam, Murdoch and Rockingham.
She has completed her Diploma in Project Management, has a Diploma in Leadership and Management and a FETAC level 6 (equivalent to an Advanced Diploma) in Supervision in Early Years.
Kirsty was born in the UK, and through her mum’s side has family spread across Austria and Serbia. Prior to her move to Perth in 2013, she lived in Ireland for 4 years. Kirsty loves to travel and has a keen interest in learning about different traditions, cultures, and values.
Sarisa Htay
Accountant
Sarisa is responsible for the accounting and financial reporting function within GIPL, which includes providing accurate and timely financial reports for end-of-month and end-of-financial-year reporting periods. She enjoys being able to work independently and loves working with numbers. Sarisa started with the Gumala Foundation in the shared services team in 2015, before undertaking a role at GIPL as Finance Officer in 2017. In 2020 she progressed into her current role as Accountant for the GIPL team.
She completed her Bachelor of Commerce in Management and Marketing in 2007 and went on to complete her Master of Accounting in the following year, both at Curtin University. Sarisa has also been a Certified Practicing Accountant (CPA) since 2015.
Sarisa grew up in Nakhon Si Thammarat, in Thailand, before moving to Australia, which she loves. Outside of work she likes taking her family out to reptile centres and hiking trails, and loves finding new challenges for them to undertake together.
Shazade Hayward
Finance & Administration Assistant
Shazade has taken over the role of Finance and Administration Assistant. She’ll be helping to lighten the load for our Accountant and Office Manager and assisting in preparing for the GIPL Board Meetings. She wanted to work for GIPL so she could be in a job that let her work alongside, and benefit, her Community. She also wants to broaden her skills in Finance and is excited to learn more.
Growing up, Shazade travelled a lot. Born in Queensland, she lived there until the age of 6, before moving across Australia to Kambalda, a small mining town in the Goldfields. After completing Primary School, her family packed up and moved again, heading to her Mother’s homeland; a tiny fishing town in the Northern Territory called Borroloola. Two years later they came back to WA, settling in Perth where they’ve been ever since!
She spends her free time with her partner and two young children, with weekends full of swimming lessons, trips to the park, and catching up with family.
Corne Richter
Finance Support
Corné has joined the GIPL team as our Finance Support, and will be supporting our Accountant, Sarisa. She’s excited to be part of the GIPL team and is looking forward to applying her knowledge and skills to the financial processes, while also continuing to learn and grow alongside the organisation.
Originally from South Africa, Corné grew up in a diamond mining town called Kimberley, before migrating to Perth 16 years ago. Her name is pronounced “Cor-nay” and is shortened from Cornelia, with German origin.
Outside of work, she enjoys gardening, reading, and volunteering.
Jen Ann
Property Services Administration Officer
Jen joins the GIPL team as Property Service Administration Officer to facilitate a smooth operation of property services within our organization. She is excited to work with the team to support the mission and objectives.
Jen is a devoted mom to two children, and a proud cat lover who grew up in Henan, China and moved to Australia 16 years ago where she studied and worked in Melbourne for a number of years before settling in Perth. Here she enjoys spending time getting out in nature with her family, and cuddling with her furry feline friends.
Ateca Catanasiga
Compliance and Governance Officer
Ateca has joined GIPL as the Compliance and Governance Officer, looking after risk and compliance in accordance with GIPL’s regulatory requirements, facilitate effective governance
processes, and support management and the GIPL Board.
Ateca is an avid bookworm and traveller, and has most recently moved from her home country of Fiji to Perth, and is currently working towards obtaining a Master of Crimonology.