the smg board.

Melanie Schmidtke

Melanie is the current SMG Board Chair.
Melanie brings with her over 23 years experience across the health and community services sectors as a clinician, project manager, and the last 16 years in management, executive board roles.

She holds a Bachelor of Applied Science in Speech Pathology, a Masters in Health Service Management, and is a graduate of the Australian Institute of Company Directors.

Melanie draws on her skills as an influential collaborator and people investor to create successful partnerships. She has a passion for supporting young people to build their resilience and develop the skills they need to navigate the complexities of today's world.

Hugh Ballantyne

Hugh joined the board of SMG in 2022. 
Hugh is married with two children and nine wonderful grandchildren. 

He has undertaken studies in sales, marketing, senior management, and philanthropy. Hugh currently works in the homeless and disability sector. 

Hugh hopes to make a meaningful contribution to SMG and its ministry and believes that we each have a unique calling, designed by God.

Andreas Konrad

Andreas joined the SMG Board in May 2022. 
Andreas is married with two adult children, and they attend their local Lutheran Church.

He has a Bachelor of Commerce and is a Chartered Accountant. Andreas is currently working in the wine industry and has previously worked in packaging, medical and the auto industries.

Andreas believes it is important to contribute and hopes that he will be able to do this at SMG and through the wonderful work they do. 
He hopes to see SMG grow across more school networks through the impact of education programs and PCW work.  





Marni Curtis

Marni joined the SMG Board in October 2023 and is married with one daughter.

Marni holds a Bachelor of Social Sciences and is an experienced leader, with expertise in corporate governance and stakeholder relations, and is passionate about social development.

She currently works in the Health and Wellbeing sector, but also has experience in education, defence and economic development.

She is proud South Australian, who believes that everyone can make a difference.

Sanj de Silva 

Sanj joined the SMG board in May 2022.

Sanj is married with teenage boys. Her experience includes corporate affairs, marketing, and sustainability, having completed her Master of Business Administration at the University of Wales. 

She is currently employed by a company that specialises in recycling and repurposing materials destined for landfill.

Sanj believes that “nothing is impossible” and hopes that our next generation will experience a better world, if action is taken now by us with no further delays. 





Joel Callander

Joel joined the SMG Board in October 2023. He is married and has one “much loved” dog Monte.

Joel’s experience with SMG began as a chaplain in one of our High Schools. He currently works in the finance sector and has qualifications and experience in executive leadership, business, and program and change management.

Joel believes that everyone should develop and use the gifts God has given them, and hopes that we can continue to build on the success of SMG.

Andy Steere

Andy is married with two teenage children, and an active member of their local Baptist church.

Andy and his family returned to Adelaide in 2019 after a decade in East Africa where they were medical humanitarian workers at Kijabe Hospital. 

Andy has undergraduate and post-graduate degrees in engineering, physics, and theology. He runs a management consulting practice in Adelaide.

Andy is passionate about supporting young people to be mentally, emotionally and spiritually healthy humans, and feels privileged to support the work of SMG as a non-executive director.