Western Sydney Wanderers FC has announced that The Hon Gabrielle Upton FAICD has joined the Wanderers Foundation Development Committee. The Wanderers Foundation, established in 2020 as the charitable arm of Western Sydney Wanderers FC, aims to positively impact the community through various football-driven initiatives.
In 2023, the Wanderers Foundation formed its first Development Committee to help shape program strategy and expand its donor base. Gabrielle Upton, who brings over 30 years of experience as a lawyer, banker, government minister, and university Deputy Chancellor, is the latest addition to this committee.
Gabrielle’s current roles include Non-executive Director of The Florey Institute of Neuroscience and Netball Australia, Strategic Advisor at King Wood Mallesons and Proto Axiom, and Advisory Board Member of the Australian Research Council Centre of Excellence for Quantum Biotechnology. Her extensive public service record from 2011 to 2023 includes being the first female NSW Attorney General and holding several ministerial positions such as Minister for the Environment, Local Government and Heritage, and Minister for Family and Community Services.
Welcoming Gabrielle to the committee, Western Sydney Wanderers Chairman Paul Lederer expressed his enthusiasm: “We are very honored to have Gabrielle join the Wanderers Foundation Development Committee alongside some of our industry leaders. Gabrielle will have a profound impact in helping us shape the future of the Foundation and the programs that we run in the Western Sydney region.”
Gabrielle Upton shared her excitement about joining the committee: “I am joining a group of industry leaders and the Wanderers community to help drive change through football-led initiatives in the Western Sydney region. As a former Sports Minister, I know that sport can be a vehicle to build community. I am excited to help guide the Wanderer’s future strategies as well as raise awareness of the important work they do across our community.”
Gabrielle will work alongside current committee members such as David Harding, Executive Director of Business NSW; Lisa Vasic, Managing Director of Transaction Banking at ANZ Banking Group; David Borger, Executive Director of Business Western Sydney; Andy Cornish, Co-Founder of Larapinta Connect; and Leigh Birtles, Senior Partner at LGT Crestone.
