Wayside is led by an Executive Management team like no other.
Jon Owen, Pastor and CEO
Jon Owen began as Pastor and CEO of Wayside Chapel in July 2018, taking over from Rev Graham Long after he announced his retirement from the role of 14 years. Jon was the lucky candidate, chosen from 50 potential applicants after a robust and independent selection process conducted by Wayside’s Board. Jon was already a big part of Wayside, working as Assistant Pastor and Head of People and Culture since November 2016 and all of our community was delighted with this decision.
Jon has dedicated his life to closing the gap on inequality, both living and working amongst some of the most disadvantaged communities in Sydney and Melbourne. Jon is a qualified social worker and prior to Wayside, he built his way up through the organisation Urban Neighbourhoods of Hope, an international not-for-profit organisation specialising in community development and care coordination for families living in poverty. In this role, he shared his family home with those seeking asylum, refugees, people in recovery and ex-prisoners.
Jon lives and breathes Wayside’s mission of creating community of no ‘us and them’ and looks forward to carrying forward Rev Graham Long’s legacy into the future. He is joined by an accomplished team of 140 staff and some 600 volunteers each week at Wayside Chapel.
Jenny Woolley, Head of People and Culture
Jenny Woolley joined Wayside in 2021 and leads the Wayside Chapel people and culture experience. Jenny is an established leader, with over 15 years of experience in people and culture strategy development and execution, delivering value-adding organisational people solutions and transformational change programs.
She has worked across the technology, property and NFP industries for companies including Bridge Housing, Investa Property Group and Core Logic. She holds a Bachelor of Business from Macquarie University and is a member of the Australian Human Resources Institute.
Kent Crawford, Director of Ministry
Rev. Kent Crawford was formerly the Executive Minister for Sydney Presbytery of the Uniting Church NSW/ACT, the regional oversight body of the Church. Ordained in 1999, he has previously served at West Epping as well as Engadine-Helensburgh Uniting Church congregations, as well as 2 years with the NSW/ACT Synod Board of Education.
Trained in Psychology, Theology, Community Organising and Governance of Not-For-Profit Organisations, Kent is passionate about developing healthy, thriving and inclusive communities. Kent is also a long-standing member of Cafe of the Gate of Salvation, Australia’s premier gospel acapella choir.
Tasman Cassim, Head of Fundraising
Tasman Cassim (Tas) brings over 25 years of experience in the for profit and for purpose sectors. Tas spent his corporate career in travel and events working across all parts of the sectors including corporate, online, wholesale and retail. He specialised in partnership, marketing and sales and had the pleasure of leading many highly successful and engaged teams.
In 2015 Tas placed purpose at the heart of his career and moved into the For Purpose sector. He established and scaled partnership and fundraising programs at the Heart Foundation, Good360 and more recently the Black Dog Institute.
Tas also fundraises for the Superhero Walk where each year he walks a long distance dressed as superheroes and raises money for different charities including Wayside in 2022.
Tas is a devoted dad to 14-year-old daughter Maeya and husband to wife, Bec. In his spare time, he coaches the mighty Maroubra Girls U14 Giants soccer team and walks his beloved dog Luna!
Gabrielle Portelli, Head of Programs
Gabrielle Portelli is a results-driven executive leader with over 20 years of experience transforming social housing, homelessness, mental health, disability, and justice services. After three years in Brisbane, where she led statewide behavioural change programs at Diabetes Queensland and managed housing and homelessness services as Area Manager Southeast Qld for St Vincent de Paul Society QLD, Gabrielle has returned home to Sydney to continue making a meaningful impact.
Holding a Bachelor of Social Science and an MBA. Gabrielle is passionate about fostering connection, empowering communities, and driving sustainable change aligned with Wayside Chapel’s mission and values.
