Our People - 12 Buckets

Larissa Muir

CEO

Larissa Muir has worked in the community services sector for the last 10 years with experience working in disability, mental health, youth, and homelessness. Larissa uses her curiosity to understand how we connect in community to break down barriers and make the world around us more accessible for all. Larissa is excited to connect, share her knowledge and experiences with everyone.

Richard Bentley

Chairman and Board Member

Richard is the CEO of Airscope Industries, a leading asset visualisation and digitisation company. He has over 40 years’ experience in the spatial industry, owning and building several privately held technology companies. Richard has 20 years’ experience as a Company Director and Secretary. His extensive experience, professional skills and knowledge support the 12 Buckets organisation to continue developing and growing strategically and sustainably.

Richard joined 12 Buckets as a mentor in 2019 and has seen firsthand the impact mentoring has with school students. He then joined the 12 Buckets Board early in 2021 and was appointed Chair in the October of 2021.

Jade Thompson

Board Member

Jade is a mum to three deadly sons whom give her husband and her the greatest sense of purpose and joy. They inspire them daily to help prepare young people for the world, and the world for them. She is a recent Murdoch graduate with a BA in Education Studies, and committed to the pursuit of reconciliation in the state and country.

In her personal and professional capacity, she promotes education and the power of connection as drivers on the road to empowerment and the actualisation of potential. She is energised when working alongside dedicated people in roles that truly align her ‘head’ and ‘heart’ work, for the benefit our children, families and communities. 12 Buckets provides one of those rare opportunities which allows Jade to do just that.

Helen Bathurst

Board Member

Helen is a chartered accountant and partner at PwC, one of the world’s largest professional services firms. She joined the 12B Board in 2015.

Helen brings her expertise in areas of financial accounting, reporting, financial audit, contact compliance, risk, and controls advisory and transactional support into her governance role at 12B.

Helen has supported charities in the UK with strategic direction which made her aware of the significant differences some children experience and the impact that mentoring can have to a child’s life.

Astrid Bierer-Cooper

Board Member

Astrid has more than 15 years’ experience in sales and marketing leadership roles across Europe and Australia, in both the public and private sectors, in industries such as defence, travel, tourism, property development, mining software, Aboriginal and NFP sectors. She owns her own company where she utilises sustainability frameworks to build strong community connections and strategic partnerships with a social and environmental conscience. She develops solutions to simplify organisational chaos and identifies optimum sustainable strategies and outcomes for businesses. Astrid is a Certified Practicing Marketer with the Australian Marketing Institute. Astrid joined the 12 Buckets Board in 2022.

Simon Munrowd-Harris

Board Member

Simon has 25 years’ experience in the corporate banking and accounting industries. He is currently Managing Director at Arrowsmith Finance Pty Ltd. He holds a Bachelor of Economics and is a Certified Practising Accountant. Simon began mentoring with 12 Buckets in 2019 and joined the Board in 2022. Simon’s financial and corporate background, coupled with his hands-on experience of the mentoring program are well-suited in helping 12 Buckets to achieve its goals.

Justine Colyer

Board Member

Justine has nearly 35 years experience in the public, private and non-profit sectors in Australia, the UK and Europe, doing everything from running a pub to running a prison. Since being in Australia, I have worked to support and promote the needs and rights of some of the most marginalised and vulnerable people in our community. For the past twelve years she has been the CEO of Rise which offers services for people with mental health issues, a disability, the aged, youth at risk, and those dealing with family and domestic violence. She is the inaugural Distinguished Fellow of Leadership WA , one of the premier leadership programs in WA, and a winner of the WA Telstra Businesswomen’s Award (Community and Government). She completed the AICD Directors’ course in 2014. Justine holds a number of volunteer roles from Board Director positions (including on the Board of 12 Buckets) to hands on support for grass roots organisations.

Pasha D'Silva

Board Member

Pasha manages a private investment fund and has been back in Perth since 2014. He previously spent 15 years overseas primarily based in Hong Kong, where he worked for global Consulting and Banking firms. Pasha is passionate about coaching and mentoring, and he enjoys volunteering his time to help people navigate their career paths. Pasha completed a B.Commerce in Economics & Marketing at Curtin University in 1994, and obtained his MBA at the University of New South Wales in 2003. Pasha started with 12 Buckets as a mentor in 2023, and subsequently joined the Board in February 2024. He hopes to pay it forward and make a difference in a young person’s life through mentoring.