About Us — Overview
Who We Are
Established in 1901, Prisoners’ Aid Association NSW believes that every person is entitled to a genuine second chance—that their past should not wholly define, limit nor harm their future. That’s why we provide the support, life skills and education programs needed to help overcome the barriers and stigma that can limit employment opportunities and wellbeing after prison.
Our Staff

Paul Gabrielides
Chief Executive Officer
Through my time in Teaching, Counselling, the Corporate World and now in the NFP Sector I have developed what some describe as a robust level of Persistence, resilience, tenacity, optimism—which I use as my guiding principles.
Why do these values matter to me so much? Because I believe they are key to securing success and embracing change. My values have enabled me to rise to challenges and achieve great outcomes for the companies I have worked for.
As a values-led leader, I have a strong sense of purpose. I enjoy working towards an end goal that improves people’s lives—whether those are the lives of my team members, customers, or the wider population. The varied events of my own life have reinforced this need to be a positive influence on others.
I thrive on challenges and take a creative, strategic, and positive approach to everything I do.
My passion for purpose encompasses two foundational values.
1. Equity of Opportunity—Don’t be confused with equal opportunity, which disregards your background and history. Equity takes circumstances into account, then accommodates and compensates for shortcomings.
2. Self-Determination – When it comes to facing our opportunities, we cannot change our past, it has brought us to where we are today. We can not be certain what tomorrow will bring. We can only make decisions on who we are in that moment.
All day, every day, I will defend your right to Equity of Opportunity and fight for your Self-Determination as passionately as you protect and fight for the people around you.
Our Board

Tanya McCabe
Chair and President
Tanya McCabe is a seasoned executive and board director with over 20 years of experience leading organisations through growth, transformation, and complex change. With a background spanning technology, insurance, mining, health, professional services, and infrastructure, Tanya brings a wealth of strategic and operational expertise to her work. She is passionate about building inclusive, people-focused organisations and has a proven track record of driving positive outcomes for both teams and communities.
As Chair and President of the Prisoners Aid Association of NSW, Tanya is dedicated to supporting individuals as they transition from prison back into society. She leads with empathy and a practical approach, championing programs that foster rehabilitation, reduce recidivism, and help people rebuild their lives.
Tanya holds an MBA from the University of New South Wales and is a graduate of the Australian Institute of Company Directors. Known for her approachable style and genuine commitment to social impact, she continues to advocate for second chances and stronger communities through her work with Prisoners Aid.

Frank Burke
Treasurer and Chair, Audit and Risk Committee
Frank has over 25 years’ experience in the finance and accounting field, specialising in operational and commercial support in fast growth environments. During his time in finance leadership positions, he has worked extensively with medium to large sized businesses from a range of industries including medical devices, fashion retail, telecoms, hospitality.
Frank has led key finance initiatives to support the strategic goals of organisations, working closely with the management team, providing insight and analysis for informed decision making ensuring effective financial control and risk management within dynamic organisational environments.
He was appointed to the Board of the Prisoners’ Aid Association of NSW in 2014 and is a graduate of the Australian Institute of Company Directors (GAICD).

Tina McPhee
Director and Chair, Mates for Life Committee
Appointed to the Board of the Prisoners’ Aid Association of NSW in 2023, Tina McPhee (She/Her) (Bich Crim Hons, PhD Candidate) is a lived experience criminologist, teaching and studying at UNSW and working as a lived experience advocacy coordinator at Justice Reform Initiative.
Since leaving prison in 2018, Tina has dedicated her time and energy to advocating for ending the collateral consequences of conviction. Her doctoral thesis is an autobiographical account of how damaging collateral consequences can be to the re-entry journey. The solidarity of carceral citizenship mobilises her activism and storytelling, as does the struggle to see person-centred language replace harmful prison labels when referring to people who are or who have been in prison.

Lauren Osbich
Director, Board Secretary and Member, Audit & Risk Committee and People and Nominations Committee
Lauren is a Company Secretary and Solicitor with Company Matters (part of Link Group) and is an admitted solicitor with over 15 years of experience as a dedicated legal research and GRC specialist. She brings this experience, as well as an ability to bridge the gap between technology and practice to her work in organising the resources of the Prisoners’ Aid Association of NSW Board.
Lauren is passionate about giving back to the community through the not for profit sector as well as donating time to mentor and coach young lawyers in their professional development, with a primary focus on enabling all people in society to have the same chances of success that she has.
Appointed to the Board of the Prisoners’ Aid Association of NSW in 2014, Lauren advocates strongly for the role of rehabilitation in the justice system and believes in the Prisoners’ Aid Association promise that everyone deserves a second chance and an opportunity to thrive. She is a graduate of the Australian Institute of Company Directors (GAICD).
Our Reports & Documents
Annual Reports
Our Constitution
Our constitution contains provisions regarding the definitions and objectives of the organisation, membership rules, the structure and powers of the board, procedures for general meetings, and miscellaneous regulations related to finances, insurance, and the management of documents.