New CFO and expanded Board under Unity Housing merger

Unity Housing has appointed Allison Berry as its new Chief Finance Officer (CFO), along with two new Board members, following the community housing group’s recent merger with YourPlace Housing. 

Ms Berry has worked in senior leadership roles, including Chief Operating Officer and Executive Manager of Finance and Commercial, across commercial and not-for-profit organisations in South Australia for more than 24 years. 

She replaces retiring CFO Ian Elsegood and starts her new role at Unity Housing on July 6 – three days after the retirement of Unity Housing CEO Matthew Woodward. Geoff Slack, who has led YourPlace Housing for the past five years, will be Interim CEO following Mr Woodward’s retirement. 

Unity Housing and YourPlace Housing merged on June 1 2026, under the Unity Housing name, expanding Unity’s impact as South Australia’s largest not-for-profit community housing provider to support more than 6,500 people. 

As a result of the merger, the Unity Housing Board will increase from seven to nine directors with the appointment of former YourPlace Housing Board Chair, Aaron Chia (former Chief Executive of Guide Dogs SA/NT) and Director, Megan Jongebloed (Chair and Director of Cowell Clarke).  

They will join Unity Housing Board Chair Leigh Garrett and Directors Karen Janiszewski, Gregg Ryan (a former YourPlace Housing Board Director appointed in 2022), Michele Smith OAM, David Spear, Sacha Wainwright and Richard Willson. 

Former YourPlace Housing Board Treasurer Rosa Hulm and Director Sorana Dinmore have been appointed to the Unity Housing Finance and Audit Committee, and the Governance, Nomination and Remuneration Committee respectively. 

“Working across major South Australian brands including RAA, the Royal Society for the Blind and AnglicareSA, Ms Berry is recognised for her focus on building high performing teams that deliver excellence in service and value to maximise social and community outcomes,” Mr Garrett said. 

“We welcome Ms Berry to the Unity Housing team, along with our new Board Directors Mr Chia and Ms Jongebloed, and committee members Ms Hulm and Ms Dimnore,” he said. 

"These appointments reflect our commitment to building a robust and diverse leadership team that can guide Unity Housing through its next chapter. Their added skills, experience and insight will strengthen our organisation, support effective decision-making at every level and provide valuable continuity during this period of transition." 

Under the merger, former YourPlace Housing tenants and employees moved across to Unity Housing. The merger will see the establishment of a dedicated Specialist Disability Housing Program providing more housing choice and tailored support for South Australians living with disabilities, and will increase Unity Housing’s footprint to 3,700 homes across the state. 

For more information on the Unity Housing Board visit Our Board and Executive Team - Unity Housing.