Timothy Harte
Independent Director
Tim Harte is an experienced and values-driven non-executive director with board experience across national peak bodies, government advisory committees, and environmental and youth-led organisations. A Graduate of the Australian Institute of Company Directors (GAICD), Tim brings expertise in board governance, risk management, finance oversight, and stakeholder engagement—grounded in lived experience of disability and deep policy literacy across inclusion, sustainability, and social justice domains.
Tim serves as an Independent Director of the Australian Federation of Disability Organisations (AFDO), a large ACNC-registered charity and national cross-disability peak body with over $5 million in annual revenue and 20+ grant streams. As a member of the Finance, Risk, Audit and Governance Committee, Tim contributes to robust oversight of operations, strategic submissions, and global advocacy, including authoring event proposals for the 2025 Global Disability Summit and UNCRPD COSP18.
Tim previously held the roles of President and Treasurer of Physical Disability Australia (PDA), Australia’s only DPO led by and for people with physical disabilities. During this tenure, Tim led strategic reforms, including developing PDA’s first risk register, initiating internal policy updates, and coordinating CEO recruitment and contracting. Tim also Chaired the PDA Risk Committee and led the development of PDA’s 2024–2028 Strategic Plan.
Tim has served as Treasurer and Risk & Finance Committee Chair of the Youth Affairs Council Victoria (YACVic), a youth sector peak body and ACNC large registered charity. Tim oversaw financial governance, chaired strategic planning processes, and contributed to youth disability project oversight. At Surf Coast Shire Council, Tim Chairs the All Abilities Advisory Committee, serving as the youngest Chair of a government disability advisory body in Australia.
In addition to board roles, Tim has held governance positions with the Geelong Landcare Network, the Australian Disability Development Consortium Executive Committee, and advisory roles within the United Nations system through the Global Network of Young Persons with Disabilities and the Children & Youth Major Group to UNEP.
Tim's governance leadership is supported by formal governance training through the AICD, McKinsey & Company, and Justice Connect. Tim has authored policies on risk mitigation and inclusive engagement and participated in high-level consultations and strategic planning in both community and institutional settings.
A PhD candidate at Deakin University and CSIRO, Tim specialises in materials chemistry and science-policy integration. Tim applies a systems lens to board engagement, centring equity, intergenerational leadership, and evidence-based decision-making.
Tim is seeking board roles where governance excellence, inclusive strategy, and mission alignment are key drivers. Tim brings analytical rigour, integrity, and a proven capacity to lead through complexity, informed by both technical expertise and lived experience.
