About us
Our mission and vision
Our mission is to help NFP’s, community-controlled organisations and Australian businesses strengthen their impact through tailored governance solutions that go beyond compliance – embedding clarity, accountability, and strategic foresight into every strategic decision.
Our vision is to continue to provide fit-for-purpose governance expertise, HR frameworks and admin support that contributes to your organisations sustainability.
Our Team
Jacqui
Founder | Company Secretary | Board Advisor
Jacqui is a seasoned governance professional and founder of Governance Support Services, with extensive experience supporting not-for-profit organisations and community-led entities across Australia. With a background spanning company secretariat functions, executive assistance, and board administration, Jacqui brings a practical, solutions-focused approach to supporting boards, executive teams, and senior leaders. Jacqui has provided end-to-end governance support to boards and committees, including the preparation of meeting agendas, minutes, registers, and board packs. Her experience spans statutory compliance under the Corporations Act 2001, CATSI Act, and ACNC requirements, and she has played a key role in improving board effectiveness, streamlining reporting, and assisting organisations through periods of governance transition and growth. Through her leadership of Governance Support Specialists, Jacqui has built a trusted reputation for delivering virtual and in-person governance support, company secretariat services, and operational assistance. She also offers tailored support in board advisory, grant and funding submission drafting and policy writing, easing the administrative burden for small to medium-sized and mission-driven organisations.
Lauren
Head of Human Resources | Strategic People Partner
Lauren is an experienced and dynamic human resources professional with over 12 years of experience leading people, culture, and operations across the legal, community and corporate sectors. She currently serves as Head of Human Resources Support at Governance Support Specialists, where she drives strategic workforce planning, people development and performance frameworks to support a growing and distributed team of governance and operational professionals. Lauren’s HR leadership is grounded in a strong generalist background, with deep expertise in strategic human resource planning, performance management, change leadership and employee engagement. At GSS, Lauren brings a collaborative and commercially astute lens to human resource development, enabling client-focused teams to operate effectively, ethically and with clarity of purpose. She has a particular interest in supporting women in leadership, ensuring the right people are in the correct roles and embedding wellbeing into business planning. Lauren is known for her proactive communication, sound judgement and unwavering commitment to creating positive, inclusive and high-performing workplace cultures.
Leah S
Assistant Company Secretary | Governance Specialist
Leah is an accomplished Assistant Company Secretary with over 15 years’ experience in corporate governance, risk management, financial reporting, and board operations. A Chartered Accountant and governance specialist, Leah has supported boards across education, listed companies, and not-for-profits, ensuring high-quality governance, compliance, and strategic alignment. She has considerable experience preparing and managing board and committee meetings, minute taking, maintaining statutory registers, and supporting finance, audit, risk, and governance functions. With a strong commitment to best-practice governance, Leah is currently completing the Certificate in Foundations of Secretarial Practice with the Governance Institute of Australia, complementing her qualifications in risk, management, and accounting. Leah is known for her precision, efficiency, and ability to distil complex regulatory, and compliance matters into practical board-level reporting. Her proficiency with platforms such as Diligent and ERM Online further enhances her value in virtual governance environments.
Leah W
Executive Assistant | Board Support Specialist
Leah is a highly experienced Virtual Executive Assistant with over 15 years’ experience supporting executives, directors, and academic leaders across the corporate, higher education, and health sectors. Known for her calm efficiency, exceptional organisation, and sharp attention to detail, Leah is trusted to manage complex schedules, streamline operations, and support high-performing teams with confidence and care. Leah provides virtual executive support across a wide range of functions including inbox and diary management, minute taking, document preparation, meeting coordination, travel bookings, and stakeholder engagement. Leah’s clients value her ability to manage competing priorities and high volumes of information with discretion and accuracy. She is well-versed in a wide range of systems including Microsoft Office, Xero, Concur, TRIM, Dropbox, and REX, and is known for creating order and clarity even in fast-paced or high-pressure environments. With a foundation in health science, education, and administration, Leah brings a unique blend of strategic thinking and hands-on execution to her work. Whether supporting a board meeting, coordinating a busy travel itinerary, or preparing executive documentation, Leah delivers polished, reliable support that enables her clients to lead with focus.
Holly
Executive Assistant | Content Writer | Client Support Specialist
Holly is a detail-oriented and people-focused Virtual Executive Assistant with a professional background in banking, customer service, administration, and real estate. With over 15 years’ experience supporting high-performing teams and managing front-line operations, Holly now provides virtual executive support to leaders and organisations seeking reliability, discretion, and a calm, solutions-focused presence. With a strong command of written communication, Holly excels at crafting compelling annual reports, engaging newsletters, impactful social media content, and strategic marketing materials. Known for her efficiency, attention to detail, and proactive communication style, Holly supports executives with a wide range of services including inbox and calendar management, document preparation, stakeholder communication, systems support, and project coordination. Her experience working in fast-paced corporate environments such as Westpac has given her a deep understanding of how to balance competing priorities and maintain professionalism under pressure. Holly is passionate about helping organisations stay organised and efficient behind the scenes, while ensuring their leadership teams are free to focus on strategy and impact. With strengths in customer relationship management, process improvement, and internal communications, she is trusted by clients to keep things running smoothly—no matter where they’re working from. Whether managing complex schedules, rolling out new systems, or bringing calm to busy inboxes, Holly delivers dependable, high-quality support with a friendly personal touch.
Krystle
Executive Assistant | Client Support Specialist
Krystle is a highly capable and adaptable Virtual Executive Assistant with over 15 years of hands-on experience providing personalised support to business owners, directors, and operational teams. With a background in executive administration, accounts, customer service, and logistics, Krystle offers a rare combination of precision, reliability, and people-first service that makes her an essential asset to any team. Krystle has spent over a decade working across diverse industries, supporting senior leaders with calendar and inbox management, meeting coordination, travel bookings, document preparation, and full-spectrum business administration. As a Virtual EA, Krystle thrives on keeping businesses running smoothly behind the scenes—whether managing supplier relationships, streamlining workflows, or liaising with customers and logistics providers. Her calm and capable approach allows her clients to focus on growth while she takes care of the detail. Krystle is also known for her initiative, warmth, and strong communication skills, as well as her commitment to giving back through community-based volunteering with St Kilda Mums and Dinner for the Homeless.
Alison
Executive Assistant | Board Support Specialist
A confident and experienced business professional, Alison has successfully provided executive-level support across multiple sectors including property, health, not-for-profit, and government. Alison is a self-motivated EA and Board Support Officer with exceptional organisational and interpersonal skills. Alison’s positive nature and strong negotiation abilities enable her to support NFP Boards to improve their governance practices.
Our Toolkit