Mountains Youth Services Team (MYST) appoints new Chair to support strong governance and continued impact for young people in the Blue Mountains
The MYST Board is delighted to announce the appointment of Sema Whittle as Chair, effective 30 June 2026. Sema’s appointment follows a thorough and considered recruitment process and reflects MYST’s commitment to strong governance as it continues its work supporting young people aged 12 to 24 across the Blue Mountains.
Sema brings deep governance experience and a long-standing commitment to the wellbeing of children and young people. She served for nine years on the board of KU Children’s Services, one of Australia’s largest early childhood education providers, including three years as Chair from 2021 to 2024. There she served through a period of strategic transformation focused on inclusion, service quality and long-term financial sustainability and oversaw governance reform and board succession and the expansion of community programs for children experiencing disadvantage. She also oversaw the re-establishment of the KU Marcia Burgess Foundation, broadening community impact through Indigenous language and healthy-eating initiatives in areas of high need.
In her executive career, Sema leads ESG and Business Resilience at Stryker across the South Pacific, with earlier senior roles at Allianz and IAG spanning governance, sustainability, risk and customer advocacy, including strengthening protections for vulnerable and supporting First Nations customers. She is a Graduate of the Australian Institute of Company Directors and chairs the Sustainability Committee at the Medical Technology Association of Australia. Sema is also the co-author of the Being Brave series, two published books for tween and teen girls exploring identity, confidence and resilience.
The MYST Board looks forward to working with Sema to strengthen the organisation’s governance and extend its impact for the young people and families of the Blue Mountains.
ABOUT MYST
MYST is a youth services charity supporting the development of 12 – 24 year old people in the Blue Mountains areas with relevant, engaging and dynamic programs as well as individual and family counselling, financial counselling, and youth worker advocacy services. MYST programs are designed to build resilience and self-belief as an early intervention strategy to facilitate individual agency and ultimately support young people to get back on track, re-engage positively with the community and lead their best lives possible. More information about the services MYST offers in the Blue Mountains can be found below