Board

Zeina is a leader and public health professional who is passionate about social justice and building capacity across the sector to ensure that all services are safer and more inclusive spaces for LGBTIQA+SB people. Born in Lebanon, growing up in Canada, completing a Master’s in the US, and working and living in Qatar before moving to so called Australia in 2016 has given Zeina the opportunity to experience different cultures, both interpersonal and professional, and learn invaluable skills and insights along the way, including the ability to adapt and the importance of tailored, culturally appropriate, and holistic approaches.

In her spare time, Zeina enjoys swimming in the ocean whenever she can, spending time with her partner, friends, and cat, Sushi. She is absolutely thrilled to have the opportunity to serve as a member of the Living Proud Board and hopes to make valuable contributions to this wonderful organisation and the communities it supports.

Jonathan joined the board of Living Proud as Treasurer in 2025, bringing over eight years of professional experience in commerce and accounting. He has been actively involved in the Perth LGBTQIA+SB community for several years and was the founding Club Leader of the Perth Spectres Basketball Club, the city’s first LGBTQIA+SB community basketball club. Jonathan lives with his partner Marc and is an avid reader and gamer.

Laurene has more than 10 years experience in communications, primarily in the education, community and health sectors. Laurene currently works at the Western Australian Council of Social Service, advocating for an inclusive and equitable society. Laurene is excited to be part of the Living Proud Board, in a role that intersects with her personal and professional interests, and fuels her passion for social justice for her community.

Barry joined the Living Proud Board in January 2021 and was elected Chairperson in December 2022. Barry has extensive experience in senior leadership roles in banking & finance, consultancy, and the community / non-profit sector. He relocated from the UK to Perth in 2016 with his dog Jasper and they are both proud to now be Australian citizens. Barry balances the corporate world with a long-standing commitment to community and charitable causes, particularly in the areas of mental health and disadvantaged youth.

Prior to Living Proud he has had the privilege to lead non-profit organisations both large and small from 100% volunteer-run community enterprises to large regional organisations with complex funding and service delivery commitments. He has a strong desire to see better outcomes for the LGBTIQA+SB community, is passionate about improving health & wellbeing for everyone, and is very excited for the future of Living Proud.

Jonathan is an Associate Professor in Public Health and a long-time advocate for LGBTIQA+ health, inclusion and community-led change. His career spans over two decades across community organisations, research and local government, with a strong focus on reducing health inequities, addressing stigma and improving service delivery for underserved populations. Before entering academia, Jonathan worked in peer education, youth outreach and sexual health programs at the WA AIDS Council, where he later served for nine years on the Board, including as Chair.

At Curtin University, Jonathan leads research at the Collaboration for Evidence, Research and Impact in Public Health (CERIPH), examining the political and commercial determinants of health and the influence of social policy and advocacy on equity. He also served as the WA State Secretary of the National Tertiary Education Union (2018–2020), and as a City of Vincent Councillor from 2017 to 2025, contributing to progressive policy, sustainability initiatives and community health. Jonathan is an IUHPE Registered Health Promotion Practitioner and a Graduate of the Australian Institute of Company Directors.

Gloria Jacob is a passionate community advocate based in Port Hedland in Western Australia’s Pilbara region. She is the principal of Pilbara Connections Consultancy and the co-founder and Secretary of the Port Hedland Lesbian, Allies, Gays Society + Inc. (PHLAGS+).

After selling her hardware business following 30 years of trading, Gloria has dedicated herself to her local community and supporting businesses and not-for-profit organisations to strengthen operations and grow their capacity, enhance governance, and improve long-term sustainability in Port Hedland. She  brings strong regional insight, economic expertise, lived experience, and a collaborative approach to her work across the business, health, LGBTIQA+, and community development sectors.

Proud to have co-founded PHLAGS+ with her wife, Niki, Gloria is committed to increasing visibility, creating safe spaces, and strengthening acceptance for LGBTIQA+ people in regional and remote communities. Through her new role on the Living Proud Board, she is eager to ensure regional voices are included, heard, and reflected across Western Australia.

Mason grew up on Noongar Boodja in the Rockingham area, and has almost ten years experience in social policy roles tackling system-wide issues and strategic reforms. With a background in mental health and psychology, his experience has spanned suicide prevention, youth policy, community impact, and public sector reform across both the public and non-government sectors.

He is one of the co-founders of the Youth Pride Network of WA. Mason is passionate about creating collaborative movements and joining the dots on systemic change to end discrimination and vulnerability.