Wayside is led by an Executive Management team like no other.
Jon Owen, Pastor and CEO
Rev. 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 100+ 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 Wayside Chapel’s people and culture experience. Jenny is an established leader, with over 15 years 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 two 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.
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.
Leanne Brownscombe, Head of FInance & Corporate Services
Leanne Brownscombe joined Wayside in 2018 and leads Wayside Chapel’s finance and corporate services team. She is an experienced leader with more than 28 years of experience across finance, operations and business transformation in the corporate and not-for-profit sectors.
At Wayside, Leanne leads finance, property, IT and governance, and works closely with the Executive and Board to help and support its wider mission.
