Who we are
Focusing on building digital skills and confidence, we work to close the digital divide and reduce social and economic exclusion.
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Why we exist
Our journey
Founded in 1993, Leep has evolved to meet the emerging needs of our communities. Previously known as TRI Community Exchange, Leep’s focus on inclusivity and equity has remained unchanged.
TRI was originally incorporated as a Family Resource Centre auspiced by Penrith Council. The Centre was part of a national program to improve connections between organisations working with families and communities focusing on access & equity, aboriginal services and providing information via a bulletin board which became communityNet. Following the closing of Family Resource Centres in 1997, TRI continued to offer services funded through Networking the Nation.
TRI continued to expand receiving recurrent funding to assist community services working across the aged and disability sector in Western Sydney and western NSW.
Responding to emerging community needs and the growing economic and social disadvantage for people digitally excluded, digital inclusion became a priority focus in 2015. In June 2016, TRI was rebranded to Leep, to reflect this change in direction and encourage people to embrace getting online. Today we are a group dedicated to creating inclusive communities for people experiencing disadvantage through digital inclusion and volunteering.
We believe digital literacy is an essential part of an inclusive community that can imagine tomorrow together.
Our team
Guy Freeland
Guy Freeland has held senior executive financial and general management positions in the infrastructure construction, ICT, industrial products and non-profit international development sectors for more than two decades. Guy is currently a Non-Executive Director and Audit and Risk Committee Chair for UTS Insearch, the premium pathway provider to the University of Technology Sydney, an Advisory Board member for a privately owned security services company and a member of the Finance, Audit and Risk Committee for Habitat for Humanity.
Guy completed a Bachelor of Commerce at UNSW, has been a Chartered Accountant for more than 35 years and is a Graduate Member of the Australian Institute of Company Directors.
Dominique Chandler
Dominique Chandler is an experienced marketing director who has worked with within many prominent Australian companies, including Kimberly Clark, Nestlé Australia, Greens General Foods, Cadbury Schweppes and Pepsi Cola Australia. She has successfully planned and implemented nation-wide promotions and campaigns, and has led highly skilled teams to achieve goals and targets.
She holds a Bachelor of Commerce (Marketing) from Western Sydney University, and has continued to use her skills and knowledge to innovate new digital and brand marketing strategies throughout her career.
Geoffrey Buchanan
Geoffrey Buchanan is a highly successful corporate leader with a proven record of directing large-scale acquisitions and change management programs within the sector. Geoffrey is a qualified Chartered Accountant, with extensive experience in Australia and in emerging markets in Africa, Asia, the Middle East and the Pacific.
From 2013 to 2018, Geoffrey was the Regional CEO for the Solomon Islands & Timor Leste for ANZ. He led a series of highly successful and innovative endeavours that had many successes, including the launch of the ANZ goMoney App in the region, the first bank to deliver the service in the Pacific.
Brian Dalton
Monika Gisler
Monika Gisler is a professional coach, consultant and co-founder of ThinkChangeGrow, a consultancy firm with a strong focus on bringing positive change to workplaces around the world.
Monika has had an impressive career, previously working at Google Australia as Head of Peer-to-Peer Learning, and founding a variety of different organisations focusing on important and often overlooked causes. Monika holds a Bachelor of Business Studies and History, as well as a Masters of Media and Communications Studies, German Linguistics and Literature from the Universität Basel in Germany. She also holds a Master of Science in Coaching Psychology from the University of Sydney.
Dr. Nida Denson
Nida Denson is an Associate Professor at Western Sydney University (WSU) in the School of Psychology. She is a member of the WSU Young and Resilient Research Centre, a collaboration with more than 100 stakeholders (e.g., non-profits, big business, government, young people themselves) to find holistic, technology-based strategies to support intergenerational resilience. Nida’s research focuses on young people from underrepresented minority groups, such as people from culturally and linguistically diverse (CALD) backgrounds and sexuality and gender diverse youth. More recently, her research has broadened to examine other issues such as racism, homophobia/transphobia, and disablism.
She holds a Bachelor’s degree in Psychology from Washington University in St. Louis (USA), a Master’s degree in Psychology from California State University, Long Beach (USA), and a PhD from the University of California, Los Angeles (USA).
Louise Schuster
Louise Schuster is an experienced information security, cyber, privacy and technology risk professional with over twenty years’ experience. She has been involved in successfully establishing and leading teams to deliver business aligned strategic programs for local and international organisations including Mars (Manufacturing), Integral Energy, The University of Sydney, and Ashurst (Legal).
Louise holds a Bachelor of Information Technology from Charles Sturt University, a globally certified risk (CRISC) and security executive (CISC) with a strong track record of successfully delivering tailored functions across multiple industry sectors aligned to ensure information assets and technologies are adequately protected.
Louise provides expertise to the Australia Pacific CyRise investor supporter program in her role as an Industry Advisor, helping to influence, grow and shape the Cyber Security start up scene in Australia.
Nicole Hands
