Manly Writers' Festival Board

Bonita is a publisher, and former senior government and non-profit executive working in strategic policy, budgeting, and communications. She is known internationally as a FIFA whistleblower and advocate for greater accountability in sports administration. Bonita is the author of three non-fiction books and editor of two anthologies. She also chairs the Northern Beaches Community Cancer Charity.

Jaimie has built a successful business career around his greatest passion – sport. The CEO of international compression apparel brand SKINS from 1998 to 2019, he is now Chair and co-founder of eo, an Australian-based sports technology lab. Jaimie is also a prominent sports activist, initiating campaigns and speaking out against cheating, corruption, and human rights abuses at the highest levels of several international sports.

Originally from Iran, Golasa moved to Australia in 2011. A graduate of the University of Tehran, she brings a rich background across education, finance, and community work to her role as Treasurer of the Manly Writers' Festival. Passionate about books, human rights, and creativity, she is proud to support a local community-based festival that celebrates diverse voices and stories. 

Teya is an experienced marketing and communications professional with a background in media, partnerships and audience engagement. She has worked across advertising, education, legal, property, fashion and small business. Born in Canada and raised in Sydney, she is passionate about storytelling, community connection and supporting creative initiatives.

Rananda is a Chartered Accountant, former CFO of Blackmores, and founder of The Ink Rat, a consultancy that empowers business owners and writers to turn useful, unique ideas into compelling narratives through strategic copywriting, editing, and ghostwriting. Her latest initiative, The Creative Splurge, supports writers of all ages and stages to achieve their writing goals.

Trevor has been a journalist for more than 40 years in the UK and Australia, working mainly in radio but also in television and online. He was Chief of Staff in the ABC's Sydney newsroom for more than ten years. He has also written four books on sports history and enjoys recruiting, training and mentoring young reporters.

​Helen Yardley is the Chief Operating Officer of Sydney Audit at KPMG Australia, supporting strategy, operations and people initiatives across a team of more than 700 professionals. Helen’s favourite part of her role is organising and enabling staff to participate in numerous corporate citizenship activities supporting a range of charities. Hailing from the UK, but a Sydneysider of 20+ years, Helen loves living on the Northern Beaches, and when she isn't working or volunteering, you'll usually find her with a good book, preferably fiction.