Executive Team

Dr Tim McDonald - Chief Executive Officer

In 2021, Tim joined the Y, where he continues to channel his expertise and passion towards empowering and inspiring young people, believing that their success is at the core of thriving communities. His passion lies in ensuring that every child has the opportunity to reach their potential through evidence-based practices and policies.

Tim is a strategic leader and innovator with 20+ years of experience in education and the philanthropic sector. He has played a key role in improving education systems, focusing on enhancing teacher practices to boost student outcomes. His extensive work includes managing large-scale projects in areas like leadership, student engagement, well-being, and innovation in education, and employment.

Tim is leading the Y WA’s Growth for Impact Strategy, which centres on reinstating the core values of body, mind, and spirit, originally articulated by Dr. Luther Gulick's 1891, as the essence of the Y’s mission. The focus is on reinvigorating these core principles in every facet of the organization's activities, including Children Services, Youth, Community & Leisure and Education. The objective is twofold: to expand the Y WA's reach and influence while ensuring a significant and meaningful impact on the lives of young people and the wider community. This approach is deeply rooted in the Y's historical mission established in 1844, dedicated to holistic well-being and development.

As a lifelong learner and a leader who aims to inspire and empower others, Tim believes in the importance of continuous improvement and curiosity cultivation. His personal pride is his children, who teach him about respect, learning, love, and forgiveness.

David Benallack - Chief Financial Officer

David joined the Y WA in 2024 and is a seasoned executive with a distinguished background in finance and operations, having held key roles such as Chief Financial Officer (CFO), Chief Operating Officer (COO), and leadership positions in corporate services and operations. With a focus on maturing and optimizing operations, systems, and processes, David's expertise lies in swiftly adding value through cost efficiency, productivity gains, and risk reduction. His notable achievements include ensuring business continuity through complex transitions, driving strategic transformation, and growing businesses. With a pedigree Chartered Accounting background and experience at Deloitte & Grant Thornton, David brings a wealth of expertise to the leadership role.

David has diverse NFP and commercial experience and especially enjoys the challenges of delivering outcomes in fast-moving and complex environments.  Whilst moving from Melbourne to Perth was in part driven by the better weather, overwhelmingly it was all about joining The Y to make a real impact for youth and their wider communities.  Outside work, David likes to keep fit, travel, keep up with friends, go off-road camping and keep in close contact with his daughters, one of whom is a teacher and the other a nurse.

Grant Yonge - Executive Manager Organisational Impact

Grant joined  the Y in 2016 with 15 years leadership experience with some of WA's leading brands in the Not for Profit, Commercial and Government sectors.

Grant's unique background and cross over skills in Customer Service, Process Improvement,  Strategy and Governance, along with his passion for connecting people and their work to strategic outcomes guide his effort at the Y. 

Grant leads our Impact and Data Analytics strategies.  His critical thinking ensures our work and our efforts are deeply connected to the Y's DNA and his passion for connecting people and outcomes through exceptional experience ensures our staff are equally able to flourish.

Outside of work, you'll find Grant on stage fronting a rock band, camping on the Ningaloo coast with family, or water skiing on the Swan River.

Allison Ross - Executive Manager People and Culture

Allison joined the Y WA in 2022 having held senior leadership roles in People and Culture across a range of industry sectors. She is a strategic leader, qualified and certified human resources practitioner and change manager, and is passionate about working with leaders and teams to create environments where people can thrive and be their best each day.

At the Y WA, Allison is leading our people and culture strategy to create the best possible employee experience and supporting our people to deliver a meaningful impact on the lives of children, young people and the wider community. Allison is also the Y WA’s Safeguarding Lead and responsible for ensuring our Safeguarding culture is well embedded across the organisation and that children and young people in our services can feel safe and be safe every day.

Allison brings extensive experience from commercial and not-for-profit organisations, with her most recent role being the Director of People and Culture at the Lion’s Eye Institute. She has also held senior leadership roles at Bethanie, the University of Western Australia, and BT Financial Group (Westpac) and is a Fellow Certified HR Professional (FCPHR) of the Australian HR Institute.

Outside of work, Allison enjoys spending time with her family – hiking, cooking, travelling or just hanging out.

Anjie Brook - Executive Manager Education, Youth and Leisure 

Anjie is an accomplished leader in education and the 'for-purpose' sector with a deep commitment to supporting all members of our community to be their best, to take opportunities presented to them and lead with courage. Anjie has dedicated her career in the Western Australian education sector to supporting students who found traditional school challenging.

Alongside this she is accomplished in research, development and facilitation of professional learning programs. With extensive experience in government and for purpose organisations facilitating leadership development, strategic planning, individual and team coaching and mentoring. Over recent years Anjie has undertaken research, development and facilitation of culturally grounded and embedded leadership programs for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples. Anjie is proud to have been the inaugural CEO of the Western Australian Aboriginal Leadership Institute - inspiring and supporting Aboriginal people to take up leadership opportunities to strengthen their families and communities.

Anjie's commitment to the for-purpose sector reflects her strong sense of social responsibility to making this world a better place for all, recognising the opportunity for growth when working in truly inclusive spaces where diversity is celebrated. Most recently Anjie was the WA General Manager at The Smith Family - supporting disadvantaged Australian children to get the most out of their education so they can create better futures for themselves.