Our Board of Directors consists of local business owners who volunteer their time to contribute to the success and day-to-day operation of the Business Chamber. Introducing this year’s Board.
Jeanne Zweck – Mint Marketing
President
Jeanne brings over 30 years of strategic marketing experience, including as founder and CEO of Mint Marketing, Australia’s industry-leading agency servicing the infrastructure sector’s largest players. Specialising in branding, communications, and bids, Mint has been instrumental in winning over AU$40 billion worth of tenders for major consortia. Jeanne works collaboratively with CEOs and directors – across small, medium-sized, and major corporates – facilitating workshops to distill brand identities, provide strategic direction and develop actionable plans. Before establishing Mint, Jeanne was Group Marketing Manager for Woods Bagot, repositioning the firm as a global thought and design leader in architecture.
Jeanne has been President of the Sutherland Shire Business Chamber since January 2022 and a previous Board member and sponsor. In her role as President, Jeanne spearheaded a roundtable involving women from the Sutherland Shire’s schools, businesses, charities, and institutions in collaboration with Federal MP Jenny Ware. She has introduced a youth branch of the Chamber called Shire Evolve. This initiative will provide a forum for younger members to access networking and business development initiatives. Jeanne was instrumental in securing Chris Minns for the upcoming President’s lunch, Spotlight on the Shire giving local businesses an opportunity to question the Premier about his plans for infrastructure and development in the Shire.
Jeanne was awarded Sydney Metro’s Outstanding Business Leader consecutively in 2021 and 2022 for Business NSW Awards and appointed as a judge for the 2023 Awards. With a passion for assisting not-for-profit organisations, she promotes education, sustainability, and diversity – areas where she leverages her marketing acumen to make a difference. She was instrumental in bringing the Global Summit of Women to Sydney, with 1,250 delegates from 65 countries, and launching Richard Branson’s B Team Australasia. Jeanne is also an active member, and recently appointed NSW co-President, of the Women Chiefs of Enterprises International (WCEI) and on the organising committee bringing the World Congress to Sydney in November 2024.
In giving back, Jeanne is a sponsor of the Cronulla Sharks Waterpolo Club, a mentor for the Australian Marketing Institute, and regular judge for its National Awards for Excellence, and a member of the National Association of Women in Construction, UN Women and Ten Women.
Kamen Tsonev – StrataBee
Vice President
Kamen Tsonev has been a member of the Sutherland Shire Business Chamber since 2019. Originally from Bulgaria, Kamen has proudly called the Shire home for more than 20 years.Kamen has been part of the hotel industry for over 20 years and has been involved in the management of properties of varying sizes in Europe, the USA and Australia. He has worked for big multinational hotel operators like Best Western, Accor and IHG. Since 2006, he has run his own hotel management business utilising his knowledge and expertise to provide complete management solutions and consulting services to hotel owners both in Australia and overseas. Having extensive experience in the tourism industry, he is passionate about putting our beautiful region on the map and allowing local businesses to tap into the largely unexplored interstate and international visitors markets. He is also a co-founder and director of StrataBee, a strata management company based in Miranda which is changing the strata industry for the better through the use of technology and by putting their clients’ needs first. StrataBee has won multiple awards since its inception in 2019, including Best Strata Management Business in NSW in 2022. Since joining the chamber, Kamen has been inspired by the success stories of other businesses which have started their journeys in the Shire and have grown to National and International level. He is excited to be joining the board of director and is committed to using his knowledge and skills to help grow and develop the Sutherland Shire Business Chamber.
Deborah Power – Your Finance Team
Treasurer
Deborah Power is a Chartered Accountant, CFO (Chief Financial Officer) and serial entrepreneur, having had businesses from startup to succession in the accounting profession, and children’s education sector, and now in the consulting, and coaching profession.
She has worked for a number of multinational organisations, including Louis Vuitton and the Manpower Group, and consulted to many SMEs as the CFO managing finance functions and creating highly profitable businesses.
Her years of business expertise have focused on helping businesses and women in business to obtain freedom and financial independence by empowering them to understand their finances, become the CFO of their business, and to create significant cash flow and profit in their business. Her latest business The Female CFO™ was created to inspire financial potential in Women in Business, so they are confident, cash flow rich, profitable, and have financial choice. Deborah lives in The Shire near the beach with her family and from here she helps women in business create the business of their dreams.
Laura McLachlan – Executive Republic
Interim Secretary
With over 30 years of experience across multinationals, SMEs, and family businesses—as well as more than a decade running her own consultancy—Laura McLachlan, founder of Executive Republic, brings a grounded, practical understanding of how to build efficient, sustainable businesses that perform.
Laura works with organisations to drive continuous improvement, strengthen operational governance, and create streamlined systems and processes. Her strength lies in aligning strategy with day-to-day execution—ensuring leaders and teams stay intentional, accountable, and results-focused.
What sets Laura apart is her people-centred lens. She believes that long-term performance is achieved by refining operations while unlocking the full potential of people. A Certified Neuro Change Practitioner with studies in Applied Social Science and further qualifications in Neuroscience of Leadership, Laura combines behavioural insight with clear, business-driven solutions to guide meaningful growth and change.
Laura is equally passionate about giving back—regularly supporting charities, not-for-profits, and early-stage startups through mentoring, strategic advice, and hands-on involvement. Her commitment to impact extends beyond business, grounded in a belief that strong communities grow from empowered individuals and purposeful leadership.
Board Directors
Verity Woodward – Outline Interiors
Verity is the Founder and Design Director of Outline Interiors, a renowned interior design firm known for its innovative approach and dedication to functional design.
With over 18 years of experience in the interior design industry, Verity has built an impressive career spanning in Australia and the UK.
Her extensive portfolio includes various projects across commercial, hospitality, and residential sectors.
Verity’s expertise is evident in her ability to deliver designs that reflect functionality and aesthetic elegance. Verity is a passionate advocate for local entrepreneurship.
She continually supports fellow small business owners, emphasizing the importance of mutual support in the community.
Damien Vella – Breen Resources
Damien has an impressive career spanning 20 years in Civil Engineering, Property Development, and Waste Management. As CEO of the Breen Group, Damien is responsible for the group’s activities that include Property Development, Land Remediation & Earthworks, and its growing Waste Management activities.
Damien’s experience includes the design and management of civil and structural engineering projects, a number of property development projects, and holding a number of senior business management roles for corporates that include Boral.
Damien is a Graduate of the Australian Institute of Company Directors, holds a Master of Business Administration from the Australian Graduate School of Management, and a Bachelor of Engineering (Civil) Hons from the University of New South Wales
Rob Stanley-Jones – Caringbah Hotel (ALH Group)
Rob has lived in the Sutherland Shire with his wife Sharon and three daughters for over twenty years, with a career in hospitality and people management spanning close to thirty years. He enjoys the beachside lifestyle and feels privileged to live and work in such a fantastic area.
Rob’s career as a Hotel Licensee has seen him run high-profile venues such as Northies at Cronulla from 2001-2014, and more recently Hotel Steyne at Manly. He had a brief corporate stint as a Crew Performance Manager at Qantas, where COVID led him to pivot back into pub operations. He is very happy to have recently become Licensee of The Caringbah Hotel, owned by ALH Group, the largest pub group in Australia. The Caringbah is an iconic venue most well-known for great live entertainment, and fantastic food, with an indoor/outdoor function & event space as well as twelve rooms of 4-star accommodation.
Rob has an absolute passion for immersing himself in and promoting the local community. Previous roles include President of the Cronulla Chamber of Commerce for over ten years, along with Gymea Chamber whilst Licensee of the Gymea Hotel. Whilst heading up Cronulla Chamber, he was a Director of Cronulla Promotions Ltd, working closely with the Council and other business & tourism stakeholders to enhance amenities and improve foot traffic to the area. Being a huge advocate of harm minimisation initiatives, he also chaired the Miranda Liquor Accord whilst at Northies, and has recently become a member of the Sutherland Liquor Accord Executive Committee.
He lives at Kurnell, enjoys keeping fit & healthy, is a patrolling member of Cronulla Surf Lifesaving Club, a member of the volunteer organising committee of the Sutherland Relay For Life, and is also the President of the Kurnell Progress & Precinct Residents Association.
He looks forward to the opportunity of working with like-minded local operators to grow and further enhance Shire business.
Pamela Wood – Willis and Bowring Solicitors
Pamela is the Managing Partner of Willis & Bowring Solicitors at Miranda, a firm that has serviced the Shire for 63 years and has worked in the legal industry since 1995. She is a Family Law Specialist, winner of many Sutherland Shire Business Awards, and several time finalist of Women in Law Awards and the Women’s Champion Business Awards. Whilst her focus as a family lawyer is assisting her clients through one of the most difficult experiences they will encounter in their lifetime, she also manages her team of 20+ staff ranging from Junior to Senior employees, and the challenges that come with running a successful business within our Shire.
In operating Willis & Bowring, she navigates the relationships with other businesses such as local marketing, accounting, financial planning, and a range of other businesses exposing her to the different industries that make up our local Shire economy.
As a leading business owner, she is responsible for supporting many of our local events, sporting clubs, and schools in their activities and enjoys seeing these clubs and schools prosper and develop for the benefit of our community and in particular our local children who will one day be our leaders and business owners.
With decades of legal experience, Pamela brings with her the ability to guide and show insight into challenges that may arise for the Chamber and to resolve these issues in a practical and efficient manner with a productive outcome for all members.
Mitchell Smithson – Watts Next Electrical
Mitchell Smithson is the Director of Watts Next Electrical, a team of Sutherland Shire Electrician’s providing quality and proven service to the residential, strata, and commercial sectors.
Mitchell has over 10 years of experience in the service and construction industry. During this time Mitchell has successfully grown a business from Sole Trader, to a team of 7. Mitchell is dedicated to building relationships and improving the industry, demonstrated in his commitment to continuous professional development, as he is currently undertaking his Certificate IV in Training and Assessment. Mitchell also has a passion for Community service, regularly Volunteering as a Deputy Captain at the NSW Rural Fire Service.
Mitchell’s experience and dedication to business and the community align with the expectations and goals that the Chamber has set. He looks forward to the challenge and commitment that being a Board member involves.
Tim Jensen – Command51
Tim has over 15 years’ experience in the service industry in both estimating, transitioning, and operating service-based contracts. In that time Tim has successfully transitioned and managed accounts that include Westfield, QANTAS, Australia Post, VicRoads, and numerous local (Liverpool City Council, City of Hume, Knox City Council), state (Property NSW, VicRoads) and federal government (ANSTO, CSIRO) contracts. Tim’s client focused approach has been instrumental in the growth of Command51.
Tim is a communications specialist who has innovated service delivery models and communications practice to ensure our clients have a transparent view of our activities and is directly responsible for responding to evolving requirements and meeting client expectations.
He has spearheaded the youth initiative of the chamber – Evolve and has been instrumental in making it a success.
We acknowledge the Dharawal People, Traditional Custodians of the land on which we live and work, and pay our respects to their elders, past, present, and emerging.