Kylie Roberts-Frost

With over two decades of experience spanning logistics, supply chain management, and consultancy with global industry leaders, Kylie Roberts-Frost steps into her role as CEO of the Australian Bedding Stewardship Council (ABSC) with a proven track record of operational excellence. Kylie’s career journey has included roles at Maersk and Deloitte, where she honed her strategic leadership and financial acumen.

However, her most recent achievements stem from her time leading Soft Landing in the ACT, where she spearheaded groundbreaking recycling initiatives, fostered partnerships with government agencies, and championed social impact programs. These experiences have solidified her dedication to environmental sustainability, the circular economy, and the belief that environmental responsibility can yield positive social outcomes.

As she embarks on this new journey with ABSC, Kylie is passionate about the challenges and opportunities that lie ahead. Her vision extends beyond traditional recycling to embrace higher-order reuse and the circular economy as pathways to success. She believes in the power of collaborative efforts, industry innovation, sustainable practices, and social responsibility to drive positive change.

Tracey Pryor

Tracey Pryor has a long history in the textiles industry both garment and household, including mattress ticking in both corporate and SME organisations. Her experience throughout the entire chain of events required to bring products to market, has provided Tracey with hands on experience in sourcing, production, design and product development, testing and compliance and, commercialisation through marketing and sales. Most recently, Tracey has experienced first hand that these skills are transferable to other industries, working on product research and development for acoustic and thermal insulation for building and construction, taking waste from landfill and converting it to new products with longevity.

Tracey’s international exposure and post graduate in management coupled with her personal passion for innovation, sustainable business practices and recycling, she is using her experience to support a circular economy approach by finding ways to recycle and upcycle waste and to develop products with the end goal in mind; to keep resources in use for as long as possible and reduce depletion. Tracey believes that businesses large and small can have a positive impact on sustainability for people and planet which will reap economic rewards for their businesses as well.

Krisandra Knight

With over two decades of extensive experience in change management, leadership, and transformation, Krisandra Knight brings a wealth of expertise to our mission of creating a circular economy for bedding and mattresses. She has held key leadership positions for leading global companies in the supply chain and financial services industries.

Throughout her career journey, she has consistently demonstrated commitment to driving transformational change and fostering impactful leadership practices. She has a proven track record of cultivating strong relationships with diverse stakeholders, from frontline staff to C-suite executives, fostering a culture of collaboration and alignment towards common goals. Her approach is rooted in empathy, active listening, and effective communication, ensuring that all voices are heard and valued throughout the transformation journey.

At the ABSC, Krisandra is dedicated to fostering meaningful stakeholder relationships and leading transformative initiatives that align with our commitment to sustainability and innovation.

Louise Randazzo

With over two decades of expertise in finance, management, and business ownership, Louise brings a wealth of knowledge to her role as Operations and Business Process Manager at the Australian Bedding Stewardship Council (ABSC). Her career spans management roles in major finance and retail industries. Known for her leadership, communication, and team-building abilities, Louise has consistently driven business growth through strategic initiatives.

At the ABSC, Louise leverages her extensive experience in financial management and process optimisation to drive operational excellence. Her meticulous financial analyses, negotiation skills, and commitment to transparency and regulatory compliance ensure that operations run smoothly and efficiently.

Louise is passionate about supporting the ABSC in its objective to help move the bedding industry towards a circular economy, and provide national recycling solutions.

Nicole Birrell

Nicole brings an extensive range of both Corporate and SME experience, having spent most of her career in roles including Executive Assistant, Graphic Designer and Marketing Coordinator. Her experience spans over 25 years working with a range of iconic Australian and Global brands, such as Johnson & Johnson, The Body Shop, Coca-Cola Amatil, and Pacific Brands,

Nic is excited to bring her wide range of skills in brand integrity and representation, digital design and social media management to the ABSC to build the brand, raise the profile and share its’ stories.

Garry Beard

Garry has 45 years bedding experience and is Chairman & Managing Director of A.H.Beard Pty Ltd.

Garry was a key driver for the establishment of an industry supported program to create better environmental and social outcomes from end-of-life mattresses. He is passionately considering the whole of life impacts of the company’s products from both an environmental and social perspective.

David Wood

After 15 years of senior executive experience in Professional Services (PwC and Deloitte) in both Australia and United Kingdom David brings a wealth of bedding industry experience across all operational activities to the Executive Committee. He has been in senior management at Sealy of Australia for 15 years including as Chief Financial Officer and now Chief Operating Officer.

David joined the Executive Committee in 2019 and also sits on the Scheme Working Group.

Kylie Roberts-Frost

With a rich background in logistics and supply chain management, Kylie Roberts-Frost, CEO of the Australian Bedding Stewardship Council (ABSC), brings a unique perspective to environmental sustainability. Her experiences at Maersk and Deloitte have sharpened her strategic leadership and problem-solving skills. Leading initiatives at Soft Landing in the ACT, Kylie demonstrated her commitment to sustainable practices, creating meaningful partnerships with government bodies and championing impactful social programs. Her approach at ABSC emphasises the importance of a holistic view of the circular economy, recognising that recycling alone is not a solution for over-consumption. Kylie advocates for a balanced approach that integrates sustainable consumption with innovative waste management strategies. As she shares her insights into voluntary industry-led product stewardship schemes at sustainability conferences and events, Kylie’s vision for a comprehensive approach to waste and resource management will provide a perspective as a leader of the scheme for a Priority Product on the Minister’s 2024 list.

John Elliott

When it comes to corporate social responsibility, John has years of practical industry experience and has a realistic and pragmatic view about how companies can create real change. He has worked in the sporting industry for over 30 years with roles at Puma, And1 and Sportsco, discovering his passion for social responsibility in business when he chaired Nikes’ Environmental Group For The Region and joined its first Global Climate Change Summit in Portland.

John is excited to be part of the ABSC board to help us continue to find responsible outcomes for the mattress industry which will benefit all of our members and enable us to create better solutions going forward.

David Edwards

David has broad experience across the Australasian retailing, wholesaling, manufacturing and franchising industries; most recently as the CEO of Forty Winks Franchising.

Now standing as an independent director, David is looking forward to working with all Australian bedding industry stakeholders in order to drive the implementation of an equitable, and viable, Product Stewardship scheme.

Alexis Phitidis

Alexis commenced his professional career with Deloitte and is a member of Chartered Accountants Australia & New Zealand. His corporate experience includes Chief Financial Officer and Chief Executive Officer roles across a range of industries, including manufacturing, distribution and retail.

Alexis has contributed to the product stewardship scheme since 2019 and brings experience from an independent retail perspective that specialises in Australian made brands.

Kylie Hughes

Kylie is Director – Waste Policy and Legislation with QLD Department of Environment and Science. She has significant expertise in policy and legislation analysis and development, stakeholder engagement and consultation, and product stewardship scheme design and development. Kylie is an active participant on Boards, in working groups and the development of Product Stewardship Schemes with extensive experience in the realm of resource recovery. She brings enthusiasm and passion to her role as Director with the ABSC Board and will encourage open conversations to explore ideas and solutions for the bedding industry.

Damian Donohoe

Joining Australia’s premier retailer in 2017, Damian is a highly accomplished retail executive with expertise in business and network development, retail operations, leasing, and manufacturing, as well as working within franchise networks. He has led teams in retail and manufacturing since 1994. In 2005, Damian commenced his formal career in the bedding/furniture industry with American bedding manufacturer – Kingsdown Inc, as an Account Executive, becoming the Managing Director in 2014 and running a successful business before his move to Snooze.

Damian is known in the bedding industry as an authentic and passionate retailer, putting the customer first and building strong relationships with the people that work with him as well as supply partners, believing that any business can only be as good as its people. Residing in Melbourne, Damian in interested in leading a healthy lifestyle, with keen interest in long-distance running and playing tennis.