Coast Shelter is a leading not-for-profit organisation providing specialist homelessness services and support programs on the NSW Central Coast.
We are a registered Community Housing Provider operating crisis accommodation refuges across the region for people who are homeless, at risk of homelessness, or experiencing domestic and family violence.
We continue to progress our mission to deliver person centred services to people experiencing homelessness and domestic and family violence by providing people with a safe place to call home, food and clothing, and access to personal support services.
From humble beginnings, Coast Shelter has grown into an organisation tackling the issues of homelessness, family and domestic violence, and poverty across the NSW Central Coast. Over the last 30 years, we have grown from one refuge in Gosford into a community housing provider with ten specialist homelessness services.
Today, we deliver a number of services designed to tackle the issues of homelessness, domestic and family violence and poverty. Each year we provide crisis accommodation through our Specialist Homelessness Services and outreach properties to males, females, children and youth across the Central Coast. Our Community Centre continues to help the most vulnerable people in our Community by providing free meals and access to financial, medical and personal support services
Coast Shelter is committed to helping people when they need help the most and we thank our generous corporate partners, donors, funding bodies, staff and volunteers for their ongoing support and commitment to tackle homelessness and domestic and family violence on the NSW Central Coast.
A community where everyone has a safe place to call home and is empowered to thrive.
To deliver person centred services to people in crisis within our community experiencing homelessness or domestic and family violence.
Four core values drive our work. Trust, Respect, Innovation and Connection.
We are honest, collaborative, responsive, and accountable in everything we do. We believe everyone has the right to a safe, healthier future.
We listen, and we are accepting of others’ differences, cultures, and personal needs.
We are creative, adaptive, and explore new ideas to solve challenges
We develop, value and maintain strong connections with the people we support, our colleagues, and the communities we work in.
Coast Shelter employs staff across the Central Coast. We have a diverse, skills-based Board and Executive team with expertise across government, community and commercial sectors.
Our Board members are responsible for the overall business, management and direction of Coast Shelter. The Board are committed to best practice in governance and accountability.
BEc, MBA, FAICD, F FINSIA
Paul is a corporate advisor and company director with more than 35 years of experience in investment banking and financial services, consulting, and general management in Australia and overseas.
He has been a director of several investment banks, including Citibank and Goldman Sachs, is currently a director of several companies and is an advisor to several public companies and government boards and CEOs on strategy, governance, business development strategies, and leadership assessment.
Paul also has extensive not-for-profit (NFP) experience across diverse sectors (including disability services, medical research, education, overseas development, corporate governance, the performing arts and philanthropy), having started, revitalised and merged NFPs, helped build social enterprises, and advised many NFP boards and CEOs on strategy, governance, and performance.
He holds a Bachelors degree in Economics and a Masters degree in Business Administration.
Michael is an accomplished entrepreneur and governance professional with a strong background in financial services, vocational education, and adventure tourism.
He grew a specialised financial services business before its acquisition by Macquarie Group and has extensive experience as a Non-Executive Director in the not-for-profit and private sectors.
Michael brings a deep commitment to social impact and governance, including the mental health sector working as an Alcohol and Other Drugs addiction coach supporting participants at Dooralong Transformation Centre, and volunteering as a facilitator with the Mankind Project Australia.
Michael has also spent time volunteering in the Coast Shelter kitchen over the years.
Kevin is an accomplished business professional with a career spanning both senior executive and CEO roles across several sectors, including consumer food, tourism, nutrition, disability services and professional accounting services, in Australia and Asia. His expertise includes sales, marketing, brand development, complex stakeholder management and cross-cultural organisations.
His board experience includes NFP, commercial and ASX listed company boards and Kevin has a proven record of delivering transformation and growth, building brands and digital marketing.
Kevin holds a Bachelor’s degree in Business (Finance & Accounting) and he is a member (CA) of the Institute of Chartered Accountants.
Waverney is a Clinical Psychologist with over 20 years of experience, specialising in children and families. She is a Senior Clinical Psychologist and Deputy Director at Central Coast Local Health District’s Psychology Department.
Waverney completed the Clinical Leadership Program with the Clinical Excellence Commission and is a member of the Australian Clinical Psychology Association.
She holds a Bachelor of Arts (Honours) in Psychology and Education, a Diploma of Education, and a Master’s degree in Clinical Psychology.
Deborah Howe is the Manager of the Mental Health Network at the Agency for Clinical Innovation (ACI), where she works alongside inspiring system leaders to drive meaningful reform in mental health services across NSW.
With a strong foundation in research and evaluation, Deb has authored numerous peer-reviewed publications that reflect her deep commitment to evidence-informed practice and lasting, person-centred reform. Her leadership has guided the development of transformative frameworks such as the NSW Suicide Care Pathway and the Trauma-Informed Care Framework for Change, both of which are helping to strengthen and humanise mental health care across the state.
Deb is a passionate advocate for a population health approach to mental health, one that focuses on promotion, prevention, and early intervention, and places people, families, and communities at the centre of care. She is especially dedicated to improving mental health outcomes for Aboriginal communities, ensuring that services are culturally safe, compassionate, and inclusive.
Through her leadership, Deb continues to bring people together, shaping policy, building partnerships, and fostering a shared vision for a mentally healthier, more connected, and more caring NSW.
Lavinia is an accomplished executive leader and non-executive director with extensive experience driving technology and business transformation across Australia, Europe, and the USA. She has a proven record of delivering performance improvement and organisational change across sectors including banking, manufacturing, and professional services.
Currently, Lavinia serves as an executive leader at a national financial services organisation. Previously, she had a successful career in management consulting, and she held senior leadership roles at Westpac, including Head of Transformation Excellence, guiding major improvement programs.
Passionate about supporting purpose-driven organisations, Lavinia applies her expertise to help boards and executive teams define long-term strategies, strengthen governance, and build organisational capability. She holds and engineering degree in Computer Science, a master degree in advanced Control Systems and an MBA.
Dip.Law (LPAB), GDLP, AGIA, GAICD
Lyndelle Taylor has been a lawyer since her admission to the Supreme Court of NSW and High Court of Australia in 2008. For more than 15 years she has consulted to not-for-profit boards in the areas of governance, compliance, regulatory, policy and legal research and has been the Company Secretary of Coast Shelter since May 2023. Lyndelle is also Member of NSW Law Society, Graduate member of Governance Institute of Australia and Graduate member of the AICD Company Directors Course.
The Executive team is responsible for the day-to-day operations of Coast Shelter.
Alicia Pigot is a values-driven leader with over 20 years’ experience in social services, child and family welfare, and community development. She is known for her inclusive leadership style and commitment to social justice, driving reform and innovation across senior roles at Life Without Barriers, NSW Department of Communities and Justice, The Benevolent Society and CatholicCare.
Having grown up, raised a family, and built her career on the Central Coast, Alicia brings a deep personal and professional connection to the region—informing her leadership with local insight, empathy, and purpose.
As CEO of Coast Shelter, Alicia leads with purpose and heart, championing hope, opportunity and belonging across the Central Coast. Alicia holds a Master of Social Work (Qualifying) from Charles Sturt University and a Bachelor of Social Science (Welfare) from the University of Newcastle.
Ashlee is a passionate People and Culture leader who believes in performance through people. With experience across FMCG and For-Purpose sectors, she brings a strong focus on coaching, purpose-driven leadership, and creating exceptional employment experiences that support organisational success.
In her role at Coast Shelter, Ashlee oversees Client Programs, including specialist homelessness services, the community centre, and education programs, ensuring trauma-informed care and meaningful support for those in need. Ashlee also leads the People and Culture team, including the Diversity and Inclusion Committee and Reconciliation Action Plan working group, championing inclusive practices and continuous improvement.
Ashlee holds a Bachelor of Human Resource Management from Macquarie University.
Jason brings extensive financial expertise from the public sector and is a proud Central Coast local. He holds a Bachelor of Commerce and is a Member of Chartered Accountants ANZ.
Since joining Coast Shelter in 2019, Jason has been committed to driving financial sustainability and identifying opportunities to grow the organisation’s impact. His leadership ensures sound stewardship, strategic growth, and alignment with Coast Shelter’s mission and values. Jason plays a key role in strengthening financial governance, enhancing reporting frameworks, and supporting long-term organisational resilience.
Crystal is an executive leader with a background in corporate affairs, compliance and strategic growth. She has experience across both the private and public sectors, including highly complex and regulated environments. She has successfully guided organisations through amalgamations and government reform, developing expertise in change management and process improvement.
At Coast Shelter, Crystal leads Engagement, Communications, Fundraising, and Corporate Services, including Compliance, IT, Housing and Assets, and Administration. Under her leadership, Coast Shelter achieved Award-Level accreditation in the Australian Service Excellence Standards (ASES), placing the organisation in the top 5% of service providers nationally.
Crystal holds a Bachelor of Information Technology and Marketing, and qualifications in Stakeholder Engagement and Community Development.
Download our most recent annual reports to find out where we’ve been, where we are and where we’re headed.
2024 Annual Report
2023 Annual Report
2022 Annual Report
2021 Annual Report
2020 Annual Report
Coast Shelter is committed to strengthening our relationships with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples. Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders are the sovereign peoples of this land, and we acknowledge that sovereignty was never ceded. We recognise the structural and historic factors that continue to impact Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities in Australia and we have a role in contributing to and promoting the reconciliation movement.
By developing this Reconciliation Action plan, we will improve our services for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples and the community more broadly. We aim to cultivate respect and understanding of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples, communities, histories, cultures and knowledge.
We do this by building key partnerships with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander community organisations and businesses, participation in reconciliation events across the Central Coast, and strengthening the voice of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people within Coast Shelter.
Download our most recent strategic plan to see what we have planned for our people, services and partnerships over the next three years.
