Leadership
Message from the President
"This is a bold and exciting project, and we greatly appreciate your support. The strength of any organisation is the calibre of the people involved in its leadership and I just want to say what a privilege it is working with the Hakoah Board, Committee members and staff.
This group of talented and hardworking community leaders go above and beyond to ensure that the transformational vision of Hakoah at White City will become a reality. I’m inspired by their expertise, work ethic and passion. You can get to know them by reading the bios below."
Steven Lowy AM
Steven Lowy AM
Principal of LFG, the private investment business and family office of the Lowy Family Group.
Steven was previously an executive director of Westfield Corporation serving as co-Chief Executive Officer for many years prior to its sale in June 2018. He is the Deputy Chairman of the Lowy Institute, a director of the Lowy Foundation, Lowy Medical Research Institute and Neurotech Pharmaceuticals Inc, a board member and trustee of the Keren Hayesod-UIA and on the Executive and Board of Governors of the Jewish Agency for Israel.
Steven has served as Chairman, World Board of Trustees Keren Hayesod-UIA (recipient of Ze’ev Jabotinsky award), a director of Scentre Group, Chairman of Football Federation Australia, President of the Board of Trustees of the Art Gallery of New South Wales (now a Life Governor), Chairman of the Victor Chang Cardiac Research Institute (now a Life Patron and Governor), the Presiding Officer of the NSW Police Force Associate Degree in Policing Practice Board of Management and an inaugural member of the Prime Minister’s Business-Government Advisory Group on National Security.
Steven received an Order of Australia (AM) from the Australian Government in 2010 for service to business, and philanthropic support for the arts and culture, medical research and social policy organisations.
Steven holds a Doctor of Business (Honoris Causa) and a Bachelor of Commerce (Honours) from the University of New South Wales. Member of the Hakoah Club board since March 2019.
Board Members
Daniel Lavecky
Daniel Lavecky
Daniel Lavecky is Chairman and Co-Founder of Canvas – a financial Technology Company. Daniel is a technology entrepreneur, venture capital investor and business executive with over 25 years’ experience building and scaling complex technology companies servicing the Financial Services sector.
Previous to Canvas, Daniel was founder and CEO of Pure Commerce, growing from a single desk to hundreds of staff located across the globe with many of the world’s largest financial institutions as customers.
During his tenure he was awarded multiple patents in the fields of payments, foreign exchange and credit cards. His experiences includes Technology Entrepreneurship, Executive leadership, Finance, and Strategy.
Phil Green
Phil Green
Phil Green has over 35 years’ experience specialising in; structured finance and advisory, leasing, asset based financing, principal investment and funds management. He has extensive expertise in property, financial assets, infrastructure and other forms of asset backed finance including; aircraft, rail and mortgages.
Phil is a founding partner of Alceon and prior to that was a partner of Babcock & Brown for 24 years and was appointed as Chief Executive Officer on its listing in 2004. Before joining Babcock & Brown, Phil worked for Arthur Andersen specialising in taxation, cross border leasing and structured finance.
He holds a Bachelor of Commerce and Bachelor of Law degrees from the University of NSW, a Chartered Accountant and was admitted as a solicitor in NSW in 1978.
Phil is a member of Maccabi, Past President of both Maccabi Squash and Cricket Clubs. He served on the JCA Allocations Committee and is a major donor to both JCA and UIA.
Ali Linz
Ali Linz
Ali Linz has over 20 years’ experience across the gamut of marketing. She is now co-founder of GroupTogether, an online group payment platform. Before that she held the position of Strategy Planning Director at global advertising agency DDB in Sydney with clients including McDonald’s, TAB and J&J. She was also co-founder of The Clinic, an advertising effectiveness consultancy.
She has contributed her skills to her community, industry and university. In 2010, she launched the JewishCare Capital Appeal with the hand logo and has been involved with JCA’s campaigns since. She has contributed to her university - UTS, as a judge on the panel of their yearly MBAe Enterprise Day and to her industry, lecturing at the AFA Adschool and judging the Advertising Effectiveness Awards.
Ali holds a Bachelor of Business from UTS.
Lance Rosenberg
Lance Rosenberg
Lance Rosenberg is currently Managing Director of Gleneagle Securities (Aust) Pty Ltd, a boutique investment bank and brokerage firm.
Gleneagle currently employs over 100 people in 4 countries and offers a full range of financial services to local and international clients.
Outside of Gleneagle, Lance is currently the Federal President of UIA Australia and the Immediate past President of Sydney Maccabi Tennis Club. Lance is on the boards of three other communal organisations, being a Director of The Shabbat Project Limited, a Director of Jewish Learning Centre Limited, and a Trustee of Blake Napier Trust Limited.
Lance holds a Bachelor of Commerce (UNSW), ACA, ASIA, JP.
Jessica Mendoza-Roth
Jessica Roth
Jessica is the Founder and Director of the Social Impact Hub. The Social Impact Hub collaborates with social purpose organisations to advise, educate and mobilise capital for impact. Jessica is also a consultant to the impact investment sector, having served as the Impact Strategist for Blue River Group, an independent impact investment services firm, and opened the Sydney office of Impact Investment Group. Previously, Jessica was a Solicitor at King & Wood Mallesons in Sydney.
She holds a B.A. and LL.B. (with First Class Honours) from UNSW and a LL.M. from Harvard Law School, where she was the recipient of the R.G. Menzies Scholarship to Harvard, and she studied social entrepreneurship, philanthropy and impact investing.
Previous communal experience includes serving as co-chair of JCA’s Gen-gage initiative (which became Jumpstart) to engage young adults, Emanuel Synagogue Board director and co-chair of capital campaign, and various AUJS leadership roles including President. She has been a member of the Club Board since March 2020.
Danny Yezerski
Danny Yezerski
Danny Yezerski is one of Australia’s leading special event producers and entertainment executives
In 1991 he founded TP Events Pty Ltd which has produced over 3000 events in the past 30 years .
Danny has worked across Australasia on international theatre projects including Cirque Du Soleil, Cats, Phantom of The Opera, Miss Saigon, Joseph and His Amazing Technicolour Dreamcoat, Sunset Boulevard, Rent, Billy Elliot and Les Miserables.
TP Events has produced some of Australia’s most high profile and spectacular events, including Sydney of City’s New Years Eve , Crown & Sydney Harbour Casino opening events, The Dalai Lama’s National Tour, Australia Day & Bicentennial celebrations, Film premieres (Matrix, Lord Of The Rings, Happy Feet, Kill Bill, Men In Black ) Live Television Events, Concerts, Awards nights (IFA, ASTRA, CRA,SBS & Nine), Corporate roadshows (LG, Sony, Penfolds, South Corp, Boral), VIP & Government Events (SOCOG, IOC, YPO, Prime Ministers Office), Private, Social and a wide range of high yielding Charity Events ( Sony, Children’s Hospital, Beyond Blue,Victor Chang, UIA, JNF, JCA)… managing highly experienced teams to create and deliver these events , overseeing all aspects of the productions.
Danny has also promoted and toured a wide range of international concerts and artists. He lectures and mentors students at NIDA, UTS, UNSW and AGS. He has a Bachelor of Science from the University of NSW (Computer Information Systems), a Diploma in Audio Engineering and Acoustics from SAE Institute Australia, a Masters in Event Production and Design, and is the Founding President of YEO Australia.
Rebecca Finkelstein
Rebecca Finkelstein
Rebecca Finkelstein is a partner at King & Wood Mallesons, which is a leading international law firm. Rebecca specialises in the development and financing of infrastructure and natural resources projects, with 20+ years of experience across some of Australia’s most significant projects.
Prior to joining the Hakoah board, Rebecca spent 10 years on the JCA’s Building and Capital Committee, including 3 years as its Chair. Rebecca also serves as a student mentor for AUJS and volunteers with other communal organisations. Rebecca previously sat on Bell Shakespeare’s Development Committee and held volunteer and non-volunteer roles across a number of Olympic Games.
Rebecca holds a B.A and LL.B from UNSW.
Antony Ritch
Antony Ritch
Antony Ritch is the CEO of TFE Hotels, an Australian-based international hotel group. He has over 25 years of experience in hospitality and customer-facing roles, having spent over 20 years with Westfield across Australia, the UK and the USA. In addition to direct experience in the development and operations of complex customer-facing businesses, Antony held a leadership role in establishing the Westfield Digital Team. He is also Chair of the Property Council of Australia (NSW).
Development Subcommittee
Phillip Wolanski AM
Phillip Wolanski AM
Phillip Wolanski AM is the Managing Director of Denwol Group, whose principal activity is property development and investment.
Phillip has over 40 years’ experience, in the property industry specialising in development, including residential, commercial, retail, hotel and industrial development and investment including the adaptive re-use of existing buildings.
Phillip has had a long association and involvement with the Jewish community, and has previously served a term as Member of the JCA Allocations Committee.
In the years, 1997-2006, Phillip served as a Board Member and the Vice President of the Hakoah Club Ltd and was a member of the Management Finance Committee and Co-opted Chairman of the Building Committee.
In 2017, he was Appointed as a Life Governor of Hakoah.
He currently serves as Co-Chair of the Hakoah Club’s Building and Development Committee for its redevelopment of White City.
Phillip is the current Patron of Maccabi-Hakoah FC, having previously held every committee position, and served as a player over several decades.
From 2003 - 2015 Phillip was also a Board Director of Football Federation Australia Limited, served as the Chair of its Football Development Committee and was the Head of Delegation for the Socceroos (2004 –2014), before retiring having reached the maximum term allowed as a director.
In 2014 Phillip was appointed as a Trustee to the Sydney Opera House Board, where he is currently serving his third term and is a Member of the Sydney Opera House Building and Heritage Committee and Chair of the Sydney Opera House Conservation Council Committee.
Phillip was awarded an Order of Australia in the General Division in 2008 in the Queen’s Birthday honours for service to the community through executive roles and philanthropic contributions to a range of arts, sporting and cultural organisations.
In 2017, he was inducted into the NSW Maccabi Sports Hall of Fame.
Phillip holds a Bachelor of Economics Degree (major in Accounting) University of Sydney.
Allen Linz
Allen Linz
Allen Linz is Managing Director of Rebel Property Group, a Sydney based Development and Investment Company. Rebel has been an active developer of residential, commercial and retail development for the past 20 years.
Between 2000 and 2012, Allen was an active board member of Jewish Care – Sydney’s major provider of non-residential services to the aged, people with disabilities, mental health and wellbeing for families and youth in crisis. He was instrumental in bringing the Jewish Care Aged Care facility in Bondi Junction to fruition in 2012.
In 2015, Allen was asked to co-chair the Hakoah Development Committee, forming part of a dedicated team working towards the re-development and upgrade of the former White City Tennis Centre for members of the Hakoah Club and the wider local community.
Andy Hedges
Andy Hedges
Andy Hedges is the CEO of the Hakoah Club.
An internationally experienced executive with a keen interest and focus on Leadership, he was appointed Director of Shopping Centre Management and Marketing of Westfield ANZ (latterly became Scentre Group) in October 2007. Prior his time with Westfield / Scentre Group, Andy had a 20 year career with Reckitt (formally Reckitt Benckiser) in various management and director roles across the UK, Canada and ANZ region.
Steven Lowy AM
Steven Lowy AM
Principal of LFG, the private investment business and family office of the Lowy Family Group.
Steven was previously an executive director of Westfield Corporation serving as co-Chief Executive Officer for many years prior to its sale in June 2018. He is the Deputy Chairman of the Lowy Institute, a director of the Lowy Foundation, Lowy Medical Research Institute and Neurotech Pharmaceuticals Inc, a board member and trustee of the Keren Hayesod-UIA and on the Executive and Board of Governors of the Jewish Agency for Israel.
Steven has served as Chairman, World Board of Trustees Keren Hayesod-UIA (recipient of Ze’ev Jabotinsky award), a director of Scentre Group, Chairman of Football Federation Australia, President of the Board of Trustees of the Art Gallery of New South Wales (now a Life Governor), Chairman of the Victor Chang Cardiac Research Institute (now a Life Patron and Governor), the Presiding Officer of the NSW Police Force Associate Degree in Policing Practice Board of Management and an inaugural member of the Prime Minister’s Business-Government Advisory Group on National Security.
Steven received an Order of Australia (AM) from the Australian Government in 2010 for service to business, and philanthropic support for the arts and culture, medical research and social policy organisations.
Steven holds a Doctor of Business (Honoris Causa) and a Bachelor of Commerce (Honours) from the University of New South Wales. Member of the Hakoah Club board since March 2019.
Robert Woolf
Robert Woolf
Dr Robert Woolf established Projects+Infrastructure in 2005 after eight years as an Executive Director at NM Rothschild & Sons. His hands-on, detail driven approach has resulted in a uniquely successful hit rate of completed projects.
In recent times he has completed the 12,500m2 Clinical Practices Building at James Cook University, urban renewal projects at Tuncurry and Forbes, Devonport LIVING CITY urban renewal project, and the new kindergarten at Moriah College.
He is currently Project Director of the White City redevelopment, for Hakoah Club. After time as a Director at Infrastructure Development Corporation and Hambros, Rob established Rothschild’s projects and infrastructure division as Business Head.
He initiated and led the redevelopment of Swinburne University’s Hawthorn Campus including the design, construction, finance, and operation of a 371 bed student accommodation, academic space and student services. Other projects he led include Victoria’s private prisons projects and Epworth Centre - and specialist Oncology Centre. He led the redevelopment of Royal Derwent Hospital, Mersey Werribee Hospital, Royal Melbourne Private Hospital, La Trobe Regional Hospital, the NW Regional Burney and other health care projects.
Tim Shoolman
Tim Shoolman
Tim is a Senior Project Director with over 23 years of specialised experience delivering critical social infrastructure projects. His expertise lies in steering complex, high-stakes projects from conception to completion while balancing stakeholder needs, technical requirements, and stringent timelines. He is the founding Director of Key Project Management. Tim holds a Masters of Property Development specialising in Construction and Project Management.
Antony Ritch
Antony Ritch
Antony Ritch is the CEO of TFE Hotels, an Australian-based international hotel group. He has over 25 years of experience in hospitality and customer-facing roles, having spent over 20 years with Westfield across Australia, the UK and the USA. In addition to direct experience in the development and operations of complex customer-facing businesses, Antony held a leadership role in establishing the Westfield Digital Team. He is also Chair of the Property Council of Australia (NSW).
Team Members
Andy Hedges
Andy Hedges
Andy Hedges is the CEO of the Hakoah Club.
An internationally experienced executive with a keen interest and focus on Leadership, he was appointed Director of Shopping Centre Management and Marketing of Westfield ANZ (latterly became Scentre Group) in October 2007. Prior his time with Westfield / Scentre Group, Andy had a 20 year career with Reckitt (formally Reckitt Benckiser) in various management and director roles across the UK, Canada and ANZ region.
Robert Woolf
Robert Woolf
Dr Robert Woolf established Projects+Infrastructure in 2005 after eight years as an Executive Director at NM Rothschild & Sons. His hands-on, detail driven approach has resulted in a uniquely successful hit rate of completed projects.
In recent times he has completed the 12,500m2 Clinical Practices Building at James Cook University, urban renewal projects at Tuncurry and Forbes, Devonport LIVING CITY urban renewal project, and the new kindergarten at Moriah College.
He is currently Project Director of the White City redevelopment, for Hakoah Club. After time as a Director at Infrastructure Development Corporation and Hambros, Rob established Rothschild’s projects and infrastructure division as Business Head.
He initiated and led the redevelopment of Swinburne University’s Hawthorn Campus including the design, construction, finance, and operation of a 371 bed student accommodation, academic space and student services. Other projects he led include Victoria’s private prisons projects and Epworth Centre - and specialist Oncology Centre. He led the redevelopment of Royal Derwent Hospital, Mersey Werribee Hospital, Royal Melbourne Private Hospital, La Trobe Regional Hospital, the NW Regional Burney and other health care projects.
Pam Lewin
Pam Lewin
Joining Hakoah as Executive Assistant in 2005 and subsequently becoming Club Secretary in 2010, Pam Lewin is Hakoah’s longest serving staff member. She managed the White City site for many years with her little dog Ollie. As the new Club undergoes construction, Pam and Ollie hold down the fort at the Darlinghurst office, ensuring operations continue to run smoothly during this transitional phase.
Rachele Roberts
Rachele Roberts
Rachele Roberts is the General Manager of the Hakoah Club.
Rachele is an accomplished and experienced professional with a proven track record in leadership, strategic management, project management and operational excellence. With over 25 years of industry expertise across retail, mixed use property and hospitality she has consistently delivered exceptional results in various senior leadership roles with Vicinity Centres(VCX), Westfield LTD and David Jones
Her passion for innovation and continuous improvement has enabled her to successfully navigate complex business challenges and deliver sustainable solutions.
Rachele’s leadership style is characterised by her ability to inspire and motivate teams towards achieving ambitious goals. Throughout her career, Rachele has successfully built high-performing teams. She fosters a collaborative and inclusive work environment, promoting open communication and cross-functional cooperation. With her exceptional interpersonal and communication skills, she naturally builds strong relationships with stakeholders at all levels, including customers, clients, partners, and employees.
Rachele is married to Tim and they share 5 adult children. Rachele is dedicated to nurturing vibrant community involvement and fostering meaningful connections.
Board Subcommittees
Finance & Risk
- Daniel Lavecky (Chair)
- Greg Einfeld
- Kevin Wunsh
- Phil Green
- Rob Woolf
- Andy Hedges
- Phil Opit
Development
- Phill Wolanski (Co-Chair)
- Allen Linz (Co-Chair)
- Steven Lowy
- Phil Green
- Tim Shoolman
- Rob Woolf
- Antony Ritch
Fundraising
- Phil Green (Chair)
- Lance Rosenberg
- Steven Lowy
- Phil Opit
- Kevin Wunsh
- Andy Hedges
- Daniel Lavecky
Membership & Governance
- Jessica Mendoza-Roth (Chair)
- George Farkas
- Phil Green
- Steven Lowy
- Andy Hedges
- Rachele Roberts
- Rebecca Finkelstein
- Aron Lewin
Technology & Systems
- Daniel Lavecky (Chair)
- Greg Einfeld
- Daniel Booth
- Andy Hedges
- Rachele Roberts
Marketing & Engagement
- Ali Linz (Chair)
- Jessica Mendoza-Roth
- Rachele Roberts
- Danny Yezerski
- Andy Hedges
- Rebecca Finkelstein
- Chelsea Lahav
- Aron Lewin
Club Governors
- Sir Frank Lowy AC - Life Governor
- Steven Lowy AM
- Phillip Wolanski AM
- Phillip Filler
- Andrew Kemeny
- George Farkas
