Our Board
President – Peter Stubbs
Peter has been on the Board of Pegasus for six years serving as President from 2015 to 2018. He served as Vice President in 2018/19 and returned as President for the 2019/20 Financial Year.
Following a review early in 2020 the Pegasus Board made a number of significant strategic decisions in order to secure the future of Pegasus including the objective of delivering a financial result of close to breakeven for the 2021/22 financial year. These decisions included containment of costs including the ratio of wages relative to revenue, promoting revenue growth through fund raising initiatives and program expansion and to increase herd size and capabilities in order to increase participant numbers.
With the acceptance of Members and support of the Board and Management it is Peter’s intention to ensure that these strategic decisions are implemented in order to deliver the required outcomes to secure the future of Pegasus. Outside of Board responsibilities it is also Peters intention to continue as a volunteer assisting mainly in the area of facilities grounds and pasture maintenance.
Peter is retired having held senior management roles and Board experience throughout his career, he has a Master of Management and a Certificate in Accounting both from the Australian National University.
Following a review early in 2020 the Pegasus Board made a number of significant strategic decisions in order to secure the future of Pegasus including the objective of delivering a financial result of close to breakeven for the 2021/22 financial year. These decisions included containment of costs including the ratio of wages relative to revenue, promoting revenue growth through fund raising initiatives and program expansion and to increase herd size and capabilities in order to increase participant numbers.
With the acceptance of Members and support of the Board and Management it is Peter’s intention to ensure that these strategic decisions are implemented in order to deliver the required outcomes to secure the future of Pegasus. Outside of Board responsibilities it is also Peters intention to continue as a volunteer assisting mainly in the area of facilities grounds and pasture maintenance.
Peter is retired having held senior management roles and Board experience throughout his career, he has a Master of Management and a Certificate in Accounting both from the Australian National University.
Vice President – Wendy Gould
Wendy is a HR Director with Raytheon Australia, leading the design and delivery of Raytheon Australia’s learning and development framework, talent acquisition and talent management programs, including Leadership and Graduate Development Programs.
During her 30+ year career as a maritime logistician, Wendy provided operational logistics support to the RAN’s frigates, submarines, patrol boats and mine-hunting capabilities, developing deep expertise in operations management and leadership. Later in her Navy career, she turned her attention to future generations of serving men and women, providing specialist strategic level advice to the Australian Defence Force senior leadership in support of their organisational culture and gender equity reform objectives. Wendy was also responsible for ensuring a gender perspective and culture of inclusion was embedded in all Navy operations through collaboration with the Australian Human Rights Commission and UN Women Australia. Wendy continues her service as a Reserve in support of Youth Safety in Defence.
Wendy completed her Masters in Strategy and Management through UNSW in 2016 and is accredited in a number of behavioural and team development tools. She is an accredited Organisational Executive Coach with the Institute of Executive Coaching and Leadership (IECL), and a professional member of the Australian HR Institute (AHRI) and the International Centre for Complex Program Management (ICCPM).
Wendy began her journey with Pegasus in 2014 as a participant in the annual Pegasus Charity ride and began volunteering in 2018. More recently, her focus has been on raising awareness of Pegasus in the Canberra community, including actively fundraising for Pegasus, and supporting the Pegasus team. Wendy’s association with horses has extended over more than 50 years and she remains active in the Australian equine industry with four horses of her own and an extensive network.
During her 30+ year career as a maritime logistician, Wendy provided operational logistics support to the RAN’s frigates, submarines, patrol boats and mine-hunting capabilities, developing deep expertise in operations management and leadership. Later in her Navy career, she turned her attention to future generations of serving men and women, providing specialist strategic level advice to the Australian Defence Force senior leadership in support of their organisational culture and gender equity reform objectives. Wendy was also responsible for ensuring a gender perspective and culture of inclusion was embedded in all Navy operations through collaboration with the Australian Human Rights Commission and UN Women Australia. Wendy continues her service as a Reserve in support of Youth Safety in Defence.
Wendy completed her Masters in Strategy and Management through UNSW in 2016 and is accredited in a number of behavioural and team development tools. She is an accredited Organisational Executive Coach with the Institute of Executive Coaching and Leadership (IECL), and a professional member of the Australian HR Institute (AHRI) and the International Centre for Complex Program Management (ICCPM).
Wendy began her journey with Pegasus in 2014 as a participant in the annual Pegasus Charity ride and began volunteering in 2018. More recently, her focus has been on raising awareness of Pegasus in the Canberra community, including actively fundraising for Pegasus, and supporting the Pegasus team. Wendy’s association with horses has extended over more than 50 years and she remains active in the Australian equine industry with four horses of her own and an extensive network.
Treasurer – Tony Curtis
Tony has been the principal of Anthony Curtis & Co, a chartered accounting practice, for 28 years. He is a fellow of the Institute of Chartered Accountants Australian and New Zealand and has been a member of this organisation for 30 years. His accounting practice has a focus around assistance to small business and it is this skill set and support that Tony brings to Pegasus.
Tony joined the board of Pegasus in 2013 and has also served on the boards of Sharing Places Inc for 10 years and Oncology Massage Ltd for 7 years. During this period of time these organisations were faced with the transition to NDIS. This was a difficult time for all organisations in the disability sector and in particular, Pegasus, for which the impacts are still being felt.
Tony joined the board of Pegasus in 2013 and has also served on the boards of Sharing Places Inc for 10 years and Oncology Massage Ltd for 7 years. During this period of time these organisations were faced with the transition to NDIS. This was a difficult time for all organisations in the disability sector and in particular, Pegasus, for which the impacts are still being felt.
Secretary – Brooke Barling
Brooke is a Navy Capability Analyst with the Department of Defence. Prior to moving to Canberra, Brooke worked with various social and disability programs throughout Victoria supporting at risk youth, children with mental and physical disabilities and their families, as well as victims of domestic violence.
Brooke has been involved in the equine industry for over 20 years. Growing up in the show ring, her experience riding young horses and ponies has seen her establish a wide network across the industry, particularly with other riders and competitors, breeders, trainers and instructors, and equine welfare organisations.
Brooke joined the Pegasus community as a volunteer in early 2019, and has since commenced her coaching training. To the Board, she brings an understanding of the practical side of Pegasus operations, the care and wellbeing required by our horses, and the benefits gained by the participants and their families.
Brooke holds a Bachelor of Social Science (majoring in Psychology and Forensic Science), an Honours Degree in International Relations, and is currently undertaking a Master Degree in Special Operations and Irregular Warfare.
Brooke has been involved in the equine industry for over 20 years. Growing up in the show ring, her experience riding young horses and ponies has seen her establish a wide network across the industry, particularly with other riders and competitors, breeders, trainers and instructors, and equine welfare organisations.
Brooke joined the Pegasus community as a volunteer in early 2019, and has since commenced her coaching training. To the Board, she brings an understanding of the practical side of Pegasus operations, the care and wellbeing required by our horses, and the benefits gained by the participants and their families.
Brooke holds a Bachelor of Social Science (majoring in Psychology and Forensic Science), an Honours Degree in International Relations, and is currently undertaking a Master Degree in Special Operations and Irregular Warfare.
Director – John Riley
John has been a member of the Pegasus Board since August 2019. Now retired, he had a lengthy career in a complex and demanding business environment. He has a good understanding of all business disciplines… operations, sales & marketing, information technology and finance, and specialised mostly in the area of project management and new business implementation. During his time as a senior manager, John managed teams in the areas of operations, client services and project management; leading and supporting them in delivering very exacting and time sensitive projects for many of Australia’s top 100 companies and major State and Federal Government agencies.
John is one of our Level 1 riding coaches and has actively volunteered with Pegasus since April 2015. With his broad involvement across Pegasus’ operations, he is very well versed in the requirements for delivering a safe, engaging, ability enhancing and fun service offering for our participants. Through this deep understanding of Pegasus’ service offering and delivery, combined with his extensive business experience, John aims to support the Board in optimal decision making and governance in the best interests of the entire Pegasus’ community.
John is one of our Level 1 riding coaches and has actively volunteered with Pegasus since April 2015. With his broad involvement across Pegasus’ operations, he is very well versed in the requirements for delivering a safe, engaging, ability enhancing and fun service offering for our participants. Through this deep understanding of Pegasus’ service offering and delivery, combined with his extensive business experience, John aims to support the Board in optimal decision making and governance in the best interests of the entire Pegasus’ community.
Director – Stephanie Williams
Upon arriving in Canberra in 2014, Stephanie joined Pegasus Riding for the Disabled as a volunteer. She then progressed her journey with Pegasus as opportunities arose, finding the experience incredibly fulfilling. Whilst being initially drawn by the opportunity to work with horses, it was the participants who affected Stephanie into progressing her commitment and ultimately motivating her to focus her career on working with children living with disabilities.
Stephanie became a Disability Education Teacher and a Pegasus Coach during her employment period and was appointed as one of two General Managers in January 2019. A professional opportunity took her interstate at the end of 2019 having since returned to Canberra early in 2021.
Stephanie’s passion for, and knowledge of, the equine industry and her experience in working with children with disabilities prompted her to get more involved in the governance aspect of Pegasus and enables her to advocate passionately for Riders and Horses.
Equipped with a Bachelor of Education, a Graduate Certificate in Special Education, a Master of Inclusive Education and Level 1 RDA Coach, Stephanie is very well-placed for holding a director position on the Pegasus Board.
Stephanie became a Disability Education Teacher and a Pegasus Coach during her employment period and was appointed as one of two General Managers in January 2019. A professional opportunity took her interstate at the end of 2019 having since returned to Canberra early in 2021.
Stephanie’s passion for, and knowledge of, the equine industry and her experience in working with children with disabilities prompted her to get more involved in the governance aspect of Pegasus and enables her to advocate passionately for Riders and Horses.
Equipped with a Bachelor of Education, a Graduate Certificate in Special Education, a Master of Inclusive Education and Level 1 RDA Coach, Stephanie is very well-placed for holding a director position on the Pegasus Board.
Director – Leisa Newman
Leisa has a wide-ranging background in commerce as an executive as well as engagement in operational roles. Industries have included real estate (residential, sales, strata, facilities management), accounting and professional services, and a variety client-facing trades and retail; the latter primarily as a Consultant when contracted to provide investigative outcomes and recommendations of company(s) and staff within small to medium enterprises in Canberra.
Currently a shareholder of three very successful Canberra centric real estate businesses, and a board member of two of these, Leisa remains influential within the commercial arena and continues to bring together associated contacts and local businesses in the effort to provide professional all-encompassing real estate services.
Having spent much of her professional time focusing on general business operations, profit and loss behaviours, creative marketing concepts and publication, strategic human resource management and mentoring, workplace health and safety applications and private sector governance, she is well-placed to identify efficiencies/deficiencies to enhance service offerings in commercial enterprise.
Leisa also spent time directly in the not-for-profit arena, focusing solely on fundraising as the Executive Officer. She has set-up two successful Charitable Giving initiatives in a private company and franchise network, of which included beneficiary assessments, nomination/selection, and long-term partnering agreements.
Her experience and insight into combining practical commercial and growth-focused activities within the private sector and understanding of the philanthropic domain are amongst a number of assets Leisa brings to the Pegasus Board.
Currently a shareholder of three very successful Canberra centric real estate businesses, and a board member of two of these, Leisa remains influential within the commercial arena and continues to bring together associated contacts and local businesses in the effort to provide professional all-encompassing real estate services.
Having spent much of her professional time focusing on general business operations, profit and loss behaviours, creative marketing concepts and publication, strategic human resource management and mentoring, workplace health and safety applications and private sector governance, she is well-placed to identify efficiencies/deficiencies to enhance service offerings in commercial enterprise.
Leisa also spent time directly in the not-for-profit arena, focusing solely on fundraising as the Executive Officer. She has set-up two successful Charitable Giving initiatives in a private company and franchise network, of which included beneficiary assessments, nomination/selection, and long-term partnering agreements.
Her experience and insight into combining practical commercial and growth-focused activities within the private sector and understanding of the philanthropic domain are amongst a number of assets Leisa brings to the Pegasus Board.
