SBDC Board

As the SBDC’s governing body, the Board has responsibility for performing the functions set out in the Small Business Development Corporation Act 1983.

The SBDC Board has four strategic roles:

setting the direction of the agency
determination of standards
coordination of planning, policies, and decision-making framework
acting in an advisory capacity to the Minister, the government and other agencies.

Operational roles of the Board include:

setting strategies
focusing on client service and customer needs
striving for organisational best practice and compliance with standards
delegation of operational decision-making to officers within the SBDC.

Sharni Foulkes - chair

Sharni Foulkes was appointed Chair in June 2025. Mrs Foulkes is the Chief Executive Officer of Reconciliation WA, leading the organisation’s work to advance reconciliation across Western Australia through engagement, advocacy, partnerships and community impact.

Prior to joining Reconciliation WA, Mrs Foulkes was Director, Member Experience at the Chamber of Commerce and Industry WA, with responsibility for membership, marketing and content, and events. She was previously Chief Executive Officer of the Broome Chamber of Commerce and Industry, where she led significant organisational growth and advocated for businesses and communities across regional Western Australia.

Mrs Foulkes has extensive experience in regional economic development, small business and stakeholder engagement. She has served as Chair of Goldfields Women Building Business and as the WA lead for Sustainable Economic Growth for Regional Australia (SEGRA). She was also a Founding Director of LoKal Hub and Dream Big Corporation in the Goldfields and previously worked as a Business Adviser for the Kalgoorlie-Boulder Chamber of Commerce and Industry.

Mrs Foulkes holds a Master of Business Administration, a Diploma of Business and a Diploma of Leadership and Management. She is also a recipient of a Business News 40under40 Award.

Gillian Nathan

Gillian Nathan was appointed to the Board in October 2021. Ms Nathan is the founder and owner of a tax and accounting practice, Simple Solutions Accounting Services.

Ms Nathan has extensive experience in taxation, financial and management reporting and works daily with small business owners. Prior to starting her own business, she gained experience in the public and private sector working across a range of accounting and tax practices.

Ms Nathan is a Fellow Chartered Accountant, with a Masters in Taxation and International Tax. Ms Nathan is a tax agent, a South African tax practitioner and a qualified secondary school teacher, registered to teach in Western Australia.

Ms Nathan is an employer-director of the Government Employees Superannuation Board and a board member (Treasurer) and Chair of the Finance and Audit Risk Committee of YourToolkit.com, a not for profit organisation which aims to build the financial knowledge and skills of Western Australian women exposed to domestic violence and financial abuse. She also volunteers on several school and sporting committees.

Eliza Carbines

Eliza Carbines was appointed to the Board in October 2021. Ms Carbines is Karratha-based and is the founder and CEO of the Tender Relief, comprising a consultancy specialising in tendering and procurement across Australia, and an AI tender response Saas company.

Prior to commencing her own business, Ms Carbines worked across State Government and the private sector. A recognised authority on tendering, Ms Carbines is a strong advocate for economic diversity and small business in regional Western Australia and has advised state governments across Australia on procurement reform.

Ms Carbines also sits on the Innovation Advisory Board within the Department of Energy and Economic Diversification.

Lisa Dockery

Lisa Dockery joined the Board in July 2023, bringing extensive expertise in business development across public, private, and not-for-profit sectors. She has successfully operated her own consultancy, supporting small business owners with strategic growth and operational resilience.

Ms Dockery also brings local government experience, having previously led strategic advocacy and economic development initiatives. Her work contributed to strengthening local economic growth, supporting sustainability, and unlocking opportunities that delivered positive outcomes for small businesses.

Previously, Ms Dockery served as Chief Executive Officer of the Albany Chamber of Commerce and Industry, championing regional enterprise and business innovation. She holds a Graduate Certificate in Business (Curtin University) and is a Graduate of the Australian Institute of Company Directors. Passionate about regional Western Australia, Ms Dockery actively contributes to several not-for-profit boards and initiatives focused on economic advancement.

Amit Khullar

Amit Khullar was appointed to the Board in June 2025. Mr Khullar is the Director and Co-Founder of Wevolt Pty Ltd, an app for electric vehicle users to locate and manage chargers. Mr Khullar is a board member for the Child and Adolescent Health Services, a committee member of the Federation of Indian Associations of Western Australia and serves as President of the Anti Online Abuse Society and the Indian Sports and Cultural Academy. His work experience has spanned business development and marketing consultancy roles.

Mr Khullar holds a Bachelor of Information Technology Postgraduate Diploma in Computer Science, as well as a Graduate Certificate in Australian Immigration Law and Practice.

Adam Grizich

Adam Grizich was appointed to the Board in July 2025. Mr Grizich is a successful owner of an independent butcher’s shop in Kwinana and co-founder of Nick’s Jerky, a social enterprise which raises funds to support mental health organisations. As a former owner of multiple franchises over more than a decade, and a new franchisee trainer, Mr Grizich has significant experience in franchise system prior to founding his own business.

Rebecca Stephens

Rebecca Stephens was appointed to the Board in June 2026. Based in Albany, Ms Stephens is a senior executive leader with extensive experience across the private, public and not-for-profit sectors. She is the Executive Manager, Strategic Engagement and Communications at Palmerston Association, where she leads stakeholder engagement, government relations, strategic partnerships to support improved health and wellbeing outcomes across Western Australia.

Ms Stephens is an elected Councillor for the City of Albany, chairing the Corporate and Community Services Committee and was the Member for Albany in the Western Australian Parliament from 2021 to 2025.

A former award-winning small business owner, Ms Stephens brings a strong understanding of business, governance and community leadership. She also serves as a Director of Youth Great Southern, a not-for-profit organisation dedicated to improving outcomes for disadvantaged and at-risk young people throughout the region.

Ms Stephens has a longstanding commitment to community service and has held numerous voluntary leadership roles. She holds qualifications in stakeholder engagement, training and assessment, management and tourism operations.

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