Our People-Our Teams

Senior Executive Staff

Chief Executive Officer
Gregory Lazarus

Gregory was appointed as CEO of Gateway Family Services in January 2019.  He has had a diverse career in Leadership roles primarily in the Faith based and NFP sector. His most recent role was as Director of Social Services with CatholicCare in the Diocese of Parramatta.  Prior to that he has held positions as Director of Mission with the St John of God Health Care Group, and Clinical Director with a large regional Health Centre.

When not working in organizational endeavours Gregory engages his primary passion working as a psychotherapist in his own practice.  He predominately works in the relationship field and it is in this domain that he came to more fully appreciate the world of the child.  He holds the belief that many of our contemporary approaches to children, parenting and education are in need of reform especially given current knowledge in the fields of neurobiology, attachment and Trauma informed practice. 

Finance & IT Manager
Terese Williams

With formal qualifications in Accounting, Book-keeping and Training and Assessment and over 40 years working in business administration and financial mangagement, Terese implements and maintains the financial functions of GFS. Her expertise ensures the smooth running of the service and that financial, legal and employment accountability requirements are all met. She is also a registered BAS agent, MYOB Professional Partner and Justice of the Peace.

Terese has worked in the Not-for-profit for over 15 years and as well as providing expert financial management, she oversees all the IT requirements of the organisation. 

Evolve Team

Team Leader
Jill Carlson-Beardall

Jill was a Community Development Worker with the Department of Education and Training for 20 years before coming to work at Gateway Family Services as a Community Hub Coordinator.  She was also a Family Support worker for a number of years before dedicating her time to the parent support programs as Team Leader.

She is passionate about early childhood and the importance of the first 3 years, and enjoys supporting parents in the challenging role of parenting. Her greatest joy was facilitating Winmalee Play and Chat and supporting the development of many babies and young children throughout their preschool years.

Early Childhood Mentoring Project
Ruth Myers

Ruth began her career in early childhood and then moved to working with children who had experienced trauma and or abuse and with women who had mental health issues, trauma and who were facing social challenges. Her work also led her to work for social justice organisations.  Ruth facilitated parenting groups before working as a family support worker.With a BA Hons in Humanities, Ruth continued to study and became a counsellor, specializing in loss, grief and trauma and worked in family enrichment programs and disaster recovery. Ruth is currently combining skills working as a Mentor to early childhood staff in working with vulnerable families and as a counsellor.