- Ruah Community Services CEO Debra Zanella appointed to Synergy review
- Extensive experience in community services sector
- Strong advocate for vulnerable, disadvantaged people
Community services sector advocate Debra Zanella has been appointed to the independent review into Synergy's billing practices.
Ms Zanella is currently chief executive officer of Ruah Community Services.
She has more than three decades' experience in the health and community service sectors and is a strong advocate for the most vulnerable and disadvantaged people in the community.
Ms Zanella has worked in senior roles in specialised drug and alcohol services, Catholic hospital executive management, and other related health and community services and advocates to end areas of significant injustice in homelessness, family and domestic violence and mental health matters.
Ms Zanella is a graduate of the Australian Institute of Company Directors, a council member for Institute of Public Administration Australia WA, and director on the State Training Board for WA.
The Synergy review will be led by Cara Graham, an energy sector professional with deep experience in retail billing systems, processes and procedures.
The scope of the review is to assess Synergy's retail billing practices to identify any systemic issues that may have a detrimental impact on its customers and the public's confidence in Synergy's performance.
As stated by Energy and Decarbonisation Minister Amber-Jade Sanderson:
"Deb Zanella has extensive experience across community services and will bring an important consumer focus to Synergy billing practices.
"This is an opportunity to assess and renew how Synergy support their most vulnerable clients."
