Moving on up with the ANZA ExCo 2026

CONNECTIONS

Christopher ‘Toph’ Brown, President
Employment: Retired
Years in SG: 20
What excites me about ANZA: Its people. Our members, volunteers, staff and the Executive Committee are the beating heart of this vibrant association. Meeting our community and personally visiting the subgroups always brings a shine to my week.
Signed up because: As a long-term member, I’ve seen how much the EC contributes to ANZA and want to be an active part of that effort. ANZA is a true community bringing together not just Australians and New Zealanders, but Singaporeans and other nationalities from across the globe. The connections ANZA enables are what make us truly special.
How overseas life has shaped me: I’ve been away from Australia so long that I no longer consider myself an expat, but a migrant. Being in a global crossroads and raising “third culture” kids has strengthened this view that my home is where the heart is, not a particular place.

COMMUNITY

Melanie Speet, Vice President
Employment: Director of Spikes Asia
Years in SG: 10
Years on the EC: 3
What excites me about ANZA: The breadth and depth of opportunities to connect. No matter what interests you or your family have, ANZA has something for you. This is unique amongst clubs and member organisations in Singapore, and I’m excited to help foster all of that.
Signed up because: ANZA has given me a lot as a community and has become my “family away from home”, so I’m keen to help others find their Singapore family through ANZA.
What I love about SG: The freedom it gives us to live fully and intentionally. My daughter thrives here, she adores her school and dance community, and I feel equally empowered to pursue both my career and my athletic goals.

GROWTH

Manish Kumar, Treasurer
Employment: VP, Commercial and Strategic Sourcing (APAC) at NTT DATA Inc.
Years in SG: 20
Signed up because: I have a deep-seated desire to stay connected with the Australian community here. With my wife, Charu, and our two adult sons now living in Melbourne, I’m eager to foster my own “Aussie family” in Singapore. ANZA has been an incredible support system over the years, particularly through Scouts, while the Australian International School has also played an important role. It feels right to give back to the community that has supported my family.
Skills I bring: I bring a solid accounting background paired with a keen eye for detail and a passion for commercial strategy. More importantly, I value teamwork and continuous improvement. I’m eager to contribute to ANZA’s ongoing growth and look forward to collaborating with the committee and our members to ensure its long-term success.
How overseas life has shaped me: It has been a humbling experience. Immersing myself in Singapore’s incredible melting pot has taught me to appreciate the nuances of so many different cultures. Meeting people from all walks of life has definitely broadened my perspective and deepened my empathy.

AWARENESS

Kate Fleming, Association Secretary
Years in Singapore: 10
Employment: I run my own consulting & coaching business helping start-ups, scale-outs and the resource-constrained to drive customer-led growth
What excites me about ANZA: The same things that excited me last year – I’m proud to call myself Australian and am grateful to live, work, and raise my children in Singapore. I see ANZA as a valuable cultural reference point for my daughters, offering them the opportunity to engage in events and sports, as well as connect with other third-culture kids navigating similar questions about their place in the world.
Signed up because: Initially I sought to join the EC as a way to contribute to ANZA’s history. I’m staying on this year because we’re at such an interesting inflection point in the association’s history and there’s meaningful work to be done that I have directly relevant skills to help with.
How overseas life has shaped me: It has broadened my awareness of the political, economic and cultural nuances that shape regions and societies around the world. I’m more accepting of different viewpoints, better at forming connections and open to giving and asking for help.

PERSPECTIVE

Fiona Harvey, Membership Secretary
Employment: Marketing Consultant
Years in Singapore: 6
What excites me about ANZA: The community it builds. Having moved countries a few times, I know how important it is to meet people and find connections to help you and your family settle in a new place. I’m excited about the plans ANZA have in place to do even more.
Signed up because: Being a part of the ANZA EC is a chance to use my professional skills to contribute to a network that’s important to many of us.
How overseas life has shaped me: I believe it’s important to get out and see the world to understand different perspectives and ways of life. Being an expat has given me that.

CHANGE

Elizabeth Poyner, Community Services Coordinator
Current Employment: APAC Head of HR, Informa Tech Target
Years in Singapore: 12
Signed up because: I was introduced to ANZA in 2019 when we were looking for a soccer programme for my son. Through that, I became aware of the amazing work ANZA Action does, and wanted to give back in a volunteer capacity. I’d love to strengthen opportunities for members in all ANZA sub-groups to contribute to the wider Singapore community.
Skills I bring: My background is in organisational change management across the APAC region, so I bring experience in navigating change to help ANZA grow and thrive. I also have a lot of passion and enthusiasm for volunteering my time to a community I truly value.
What excites me about ANZA: ANZA has an amazing range of groups and activities that cater to so many different interests. It’s a brilliant way to be part of the community here.

BELONGING

Oli Ralph, Sports Coordinator
Employment: Technology Internal Audit Executive
Years in Singapore: 23
Signed up because: My family joined ANZA over a decade ago to connect with the Australian and New Zealand community and dive into local activities. From Team Parent to Age Group Coordinator with ANZA Soccer, I’ve seen firsthand how ANZA creates long-lasting connections across all walks of life. Joining the Executive Committee is my way of helping bring people together.
Skills I bring: Four years on the ANZA Soccer committee have shown me what makes member-led groups thrive. I bring a collaborative mindset, strong organisational skills and a focus on creating inclusive spaces where everyone feels welcome.
What excites me about ANZA: ANZA has a unique way of turning a city into a community. Whether through sport, social events or shared interests, it helps people to feel at home and find a sense of belonging. I’m excited to help more members find their place.

SUPPORT

Benjamin Frost, Sports Coordinator
Employment: Regional Director, Customer Operations (APAC) in the Telecommunications industry
Years in SG: 9
Signed up because: My commitment to ANZA began in 2018, and since then, I’ve been an integral part of ANZA Cricket, contributing both on the field as a player and in a leadership capacity as Club Administrator. Drawing on my passion for building strong relationships and community, I’m eager to apply my organisational and leadership skills to support and enhance ANZA’s mission.
What excites me about ANZA: I’m a proud Australian, and I deeply value the sense of community and support ANZA provides. I am particularly excited by ANZA’s diverse range of events, sports groups and volunteering opportunities that truly connect Australians, New Zealanders and people from all other nationalities. I look forward to contributing to an association that plays such a vital role in helping its members to thrive and feel at home in Singapore.

KNOWLEDGE

Don Northey, Committee Member
Employment: Sole practitioner-chartered accountant helping SMB clients with setting up their financial software (Xero and QuickBooks) and providing the statutory requirements required by IRAS and ACRA
Years in SG: 21
Years on the EC: 18
Skills I bring: ANZA has been a significant part of my life for 21 years, with 17 of those spent on the Executive Committee. I’m delighted to continue contributing and to share my knowledge of Singapore’s financial and statutory requirements.
How overseas life has shaped me: I live more like a local than an expat residing in the heartlands of Singapore. I do get out from time to time with fellow expats who understand the nuances of Australian humour though!
What I love about SG: Singapore is the centre of the planet for easier access to travel destinations. It’s also one of the safest places to live. Despite its very small size (you can fit 98 Singapores into Tasmania), it still has an abundance of national parks and reservoirs to almost get away from civilisation.

CREATIVITY

Joe Keats, Committee Member
Employment: Petersons Wines – Director. Deviate Wine Bar, Beans N’ Bottles Cafe – Owner
Years in SG: 9
Years on the EC: 2
Signed up because: I offer a point of difference through my diverse work experience and ability to communicate effectively with an extensive range of people. I bring a pragmatic and creative approach to problem-solving, and can often offer and appreciate alternative perspectives.
Skills I bring: My professional career has centred around two of my greatest passions – travel and wine. My wife Shelley and I have three kids (11, 14, 18) and through them, we have a great understanding of different facets of Singaporean life for expats. I also run regular public events and get to make connections with a massive cross-section of the community, both expats and Singaporeans.
What I love about SG: It has colour, flavour and is famously safe and easy to navigate. You can have as much or as little excitement and action as you want, although for some that may mean jumping on a plane or a boat. It’s not just about all the amazing things we have here, but also the wonderful places that are easily accessible to us.

PURPOSE

James Kozanecki, Committee Member
Employment: Head of Policy and Strategic Comms, APAC at Archetype
Years in SG: 7
Signed up because: I’m a big believer in the importance of volunteering and giving back, so when this opportunity came up, I jumped at it. I’m really passionate about building community and finding a sense of purpose, which I think ANZA gives a lot of people. It’s not always easy being abroad in a foreign country, away from friends and family, so being able to assist an association that helps people find their feet, or their people, is a privilege.
Skills I bring: Be it online or offline, I love creating environments and experiences that bring people together. I also enjoy taking a step back and looking at organisations to work out where they are now, and where they want to go. Also, as a single bloke living here with just a dog (come say hi if you see us!), it would be nice to get a few more activities going for those who don’t have kids.
What excites me about ANZA: The interesting thing about ANZA is that it’s a community where I have at least one thing in common with every single person! It’s also a group of people who are doing really interesting things, and that inspires me to do and be better.

INCLUSIVITY

Nicola Mifsud Houghton, Committee Member
Employment: Global Commercial Operations Director at GSK
Years in SG: 3
What excites me about ANZA: I’m excited to deepen my involvement in ANZA’s community and sporting events, connect with inspiring people and contribute to an association that builds such a welcoming and inclusive environment in Singapore.
Signed up because: My family and I love being part of the ANZA community, and being a part of the Executive Committee allows me to give back in a way that counts. Having worked in diverse environments, I’m eager to contribute my experience to support and represent ANZA members effectively.
Away from work you’ll find me: On a Sunday, I’m with the family at ANZA Nippers on Sentosa (Best Sunday on the island – IYKYK!).

ADAPTABILITY

Rachel Beausang, Committee Member
Employment details: Former sales manager for an airline in New York, now you can find me singing in the choir, playing tennis or at the beach with the dog, and growing my tribe
Years in SG: 5
What excites me about ANZA: I love that it’s vibrant with different nationalities and lots of things to keep you busy.
Signed up because: I’d love to contribute to the association and make a meaningful difference by bringing my motivation, helpful nature and creative problem-solving skills.
How overseas life has shaped me: Years of travel have taught me patience, resilience and the adaptability to change, even when the path ahead is uncertain.

DIVERSITY

Bridget Burns, Committee Member
Employment: Head of APAC Markets Legal, Wells Fargo Bank
Years in Singapore: 4
Signed up because: Joining ANZA’s Executive Committee provides me with an opportunity to connect with fellow Aussies and Kiwis while being based in Singapore. It also affords me the opportunity to contribute to ANZA’s history and the community.
What excites me about ANZA: The chance to connect with people who share a similar cultural background while living in Singapore, through a wide variety of vibrant sub-groups. From ANZA Casual Coffee and ANZA Singing to an extensive range of sports and activity groups, ANZA offers something for everyone!
Skills I bring: My experience lies in the banking industry; however, I bring attention to detail, good organisational skills and different perspectives to the EC.