Meet the Executive Team
Voices of Bradfield is an independent community organisation.
At VoB we are united by our shared purpose in returning respect, integrity and trust to politics. We are building a voice in our democracy for the people of Bradfield.
Be Heard. Be Represented.
Helen Cannon
President
Dr Helen Cannon is a long-time resident of Bradfield - her parents lived here, and she has children and grandchildren who live in Bradfield. Helen is an educator, HR and Leadership Consultant and an author. She has a Masters degree in HR and a doctorate in Educational Leadership. Helen joined Voices of Bradfield because it has a vision for a better future and a stronger democracy and because she wants to be heard and be represented.
Carolyn Crossman
Vice President
Carolyn is a Bradfield resident, a mother & grandmother. Carolyn holds a Masters of Social Science. She is a passionate advocate for Climate Action & Social Justice. She understands that there is no more time to waste in having the leadership and representation we need to achieve a stable planet for following generations.
Madeleine Hobbs
Treasurer
Madeleine has lived in Bradfield for over 20 years after emigrating from South Africa with her husband and two children, who went to local public schools. With a social sciences degree, Madeleine has worked in IT project management across different industries, as well as risk and quality assurance for a global consultancy. She believes in thoughtful, pragmatic and evidence-based action on climate change, gender equity and integrity in government.
Nick O'Brien
Secretary
Nick has lived in Sydney’s north shore for 17 years, having moved here from Melbourne (via Canberra and northern-NSW). He has a PhD and degree in forest science, and has worked in the research and funds management sectors with a focus on sustainable plantation management and climate change mitigation. Nick strongly believes that a key focus on mitigating climate change impacts is to change the way we produce and use energy, and feels that the current major political parties have not displayed the necessary urgency in this area.
Kate Clancy
Committee Member
Kate has lived in Bradfield since 1993. She is a retired educator having held senior leadership positions including Principal and Educational Consultant.
She holds post graduate qualifications in education including Master of Educational Leadership and Master of Professional Ethics.
Kate is an advocate for systems and processes that promote and sustain human flourishing and the health of our planet. When she joined Voices of Bradfield in 2021 she found her tribe.
Danielle Zagel
Committee Member
Danielle has lived in Bradfield with her family for over a decade, following a long stint in London, and her children are studying in local schools. Danielle has degrees in Law and Asian Studies and has been working as a commercial lawyer in senior positions in Australian and global organisations for many years.
Danielle is excited about the potential for a grassroots organisation to harness the many skills and talents found in the residents of Bradfield and use them to change our community and our world for the better.
Indu Balachandran
Committee Member
Indu is a Bradfield resident, moving from Western Sydney. Born in India, Indu went to school in North Sydney, and has degrees in Business, Political Economy and Social Change. Indu works in governance and strategy in the social sector, having held senior roles in impact investment, social enterprises, Indigenous organisations, the arts and environmental services.
She believes that community-engaged leadership with a vision that considers environmental, cultural, social, and economic interconnectivity is much needed to steward our society into a healthy future. The possibilities she has seen in the people of Bradfield have inspired her to become more involved in this vision at a local level.
Tom Sesselman
Special Adviser
Tom is a software consultant and technology enthusiast. He grew up on the North Shore and went to school at Barker College. Having travelled up and down the North Shore train line every day for six years, he is well acquainted with the many communities of Bradfield. After recently getting into politics, he has held positions of leadership within minor parties and has been heavily involved in several political campaigns across local, state and federal levels.