Our Board
Graham Lancaster AM
PRESIDENT
Graham started his legal career in 1984 as a law clerk. He was admitted to the Law Society of NSW in 1990, and has since practiced in most areas of law and has appeared in Federal Courts and State Courts both instructing Barristers and as a Solicitor Advocate, without a Barrister. Since 1997, Graham’s practice has focussed more particularly on Commercial Law and Insolvency, of which he is an Accredited Specialist in Commercial Litigation (Insolvency), and he has developed specialised knowledge and experience in Commercial Litigation and Dispute Resolution. Graham has since attained National Mediation Accreditation.
Professional Affiliations:
Director and founding member of the Leadership Development Forum. He is a Solicitor member of the Law Society of NSW
Director of Barstools Brothers Limited
Director of Apex Foundation and is a Life Member of the Association of Apex Clubs, was a former Board Member of the Specialist Accreditation Board of the Law Society of New South Wales for 12 years and is now President of The Illawarra Connection
Graham was made on Honorary Member of the Golden Key Society in 2011, has been a director of the Wollongong Hawks, and was the Company Secretary of Basketball Illawarra
Graham was awarded Member of Australia in 2022 in the Queen’s Birthday Honours list
Graham can be contacted at president@illawarraconnection.com.au
Jessie Pill
TREASURER
Jessie is an experienced Finance Manager and Director with over 17 years professional experience in financial accounting, management and director positions.
Jessie is a Chartered Accountant with a Bachelor of Commerce (Deans Scholars) majoring in Accounting and Finance. She is working at BlueScope as Finance Manager - IT. Her team provide finance and commercial support to the IT team and also IT finance support to the broader BSL finance team.
Jessie grew up in The Illawarra and is passionate about giving back to the NFP and business community. She also holds the position of Director of Finance with Surf Lifesaving Illawarra, Chair of Illawarra South Coast Chartered Accountants Committee and Chairs The Illawarra Bean Counters Ball.
Jessie was recognised as NSW Young CA of the Year in 2021 and admitted to Fellowship with CAANZ in 2022. She is currently in her second year of the Leadership Illawarra Program and loving it!
Jessie loves connecting with people and helping them to grow their networks.
Jessie can be contacted at treasurer@illawarraconnection.com.au
Grace McCarthy
BOARD MEMBER
Grace McCarthy is an Honorary Professor at the University of Wollongong where she collaborates with colleagues both in Australia and at UOW’s overseas campuses. She is passionate about contributing locally in the Illawarra and globally to the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals.
She is a member of the Continuous Improvement Review Committee of AACSB, a global organisation that accredits business schools worldwide. Grace believes that together we can make a difference.
Her expertise in leadership and coaching is widely recognised. Her latest book, Successful Coaching for Leaders and Managers, is a guide to coaching in today’s hybrid workplaces.
Lindsay Dimovski
BOARD MEMBER
Lindsay Dimovski is a passionate advocate for building meaningful business relationships and strengthening community connections across the Illawarra region. As Founder of Litt Inc, Lindsay specialises in helping professional services firms grow their businesses through authentic relationship-building, LinkedIn engagement strategies, and referral campaigns that put people first.
With over two decades of experience in media, marketing, and business development, including roles at Fairfax Media and News Corp Australia, Lindsay has consistently championed collaborative partnerships that deliver genuine value to businesses and the broader community.
Lindsay holds a Post Graduate Certificate in Marketing and a Post Graduate Certificate in Digital Marketing and Data Analytics from the University of Wollongong (both with Distinction), along with a Mini MBA in Marketing.
As a Board Director of The Illawarra Connection since 2022, Lindsay works alongside regional leaders to foster collaboration, create networking opportunities, and promote the Illawarra as a thriving hub for business and employment. Lindsay's previous community contributions include serving as Director of Marketing and Communications for JCI Illawarra and volunteering with Primary Ethics.
Based in Port Kembla and serving clients nationwide, Lindsay brings a community-first mindset to every endeavour. Championing strong relationships, authentic connections, and the region's success.
Wendy Gee
BOARD MEMBER | LIFE MEMBER
Wendy has recently retired from her position of Executive Regional General Manager for NSW with ARN (Australian Radio Network) the audio division of worldwide co. HT&E. Her role encompassed oversight of the company’s commercial radio stations in NSW including WAVE FM where she started out when she first moved to Australia back in 1997. Wendy was also responsible for training all staff across the network.
Wendy holds a Degree in Communications and has many years’ experience as a business owner, in senior management and executive positions. Wendy is a Director of Breast Aware Australia and a Director and Life Member of The Illawarra Connection. With a passion for all things community, Wendy likes to support as many local charities as she can. She has had a long association with the Breast Cancer Foundation, CEO Sleepout, The Disability Trust, Youth Achievement Awards and the Miss World Australia Charity where she assisted young women from all walks of life improve their education, social awareness and fundraising abilities.
Yvonne Walker
VICE PRESIDENT
Yvonne is the Director and Principal of HR with ease, a bespoke HR consultancy supporting SMEs across the Illawarra and beyond with simple, straightforward solutions to people problems.
The business also provides staples such as contract and policy development to suit individual business needs, and recruitment.
Yvonne has been a member of The Illawarra Connection since 2013 and served as its Executive Officer for four years. Yvonne has been a Board member since 2019, holding the position of Secretary for two terms and the role of Vice President for a year. In line with her passion for equity and social justice, Yvonne took up a Board position with the Illawarra Legal Centre in 2024.
Yvonne can be contacted at vicepresident@illawarraconnection.com.au
Michael Edwards
SECRETARY
Michael is a Certified Financial Planner and Graduate of the Australian Institute of Company Directors. He is founding partner in Cove Financial Group and having established the practice 36 years ago, is one of the pioneers of the profession.
Cove Financial Group is a private wealth firm located in Shellharbour.
Michael can be contacted at secretary@illawarraconnection.com.au
Julz Najjar
BOARD MEMBER
Julia is an experienced business management consultant with particular expertise in leadership, business development, strategy and innovation.
She brings a wide range of sector experience from healthcare, banking and higher education. She has Master of Business Administration, as well as qualifications in B. Media and Communications, B. Arts (Hons), M. Strategic Communication.
Her love for the Illawarra, is seen through her continued dedication to support as much as possible. When she is not wearing her professional hat, she is trying to learn new skills and trying to match the energy of her young family.