Meet the PowerWells Team
The PowerWells Foundation Board and Management
Tony Sharp - Chair
Tony is PowerWells Foundation Chair and the Founder and Manager of Substation33. He developed the concept of using the recycling of electronic waste as a means of engaging people marginalised from mainstream employment. Substation33 started out (and continues) recycling e-waste, while providing people the opportunity to transform their lives though positive interactions with others to gain confidence, skills, and social capital leading to employment. Substation33 has evolved into an innovation hub/maker-space where the commercialisation of products produced from repurposed electronic waste (i.e. PowerWells) is the primary focus. Our products are custom built for both the domestic and international markets.
Bradley Clair - Co-Founder & CEO
Brad is a dedicated social impact entrepreneur committed to enhancing lives through innovative solutions. He is an enthusiastic tinkerer and maker, and he leveraged his skills and passion to develop ground-breaking products that address urgent global challenges, such as poverty alleviation and improving the quality of education. Brad's work is deeply rooted in sustainability. He is particularly interested in the transformative impact of renewable energy in remote communities, striving to ensure these solutions are both effective and sustainable. Additionally, he focuses on tackling electronic waste by creating products that help solve this issue rather than contribute to it. Brad was recognised as the Queensland Gives Innovation Philanthropist of the Year in 2022.
Nick Kamols - Co-Founder & Vice Chair
Nick co-founded PowerWells with Brad and is Vice Chair of the PowerWells Foundation Board. He is a Town Planner and was recognised as the PIA Young Planner of the Year in 2022. Nick has a PhD in Urban Informatics (Design Lab) from QUT. He is described as an innovative, passionate, highly motivated town planner who is redefining what it means to be part of the planning profession. He currently works at Arup throughout Planning, Foresight, Design, Sustainability, and Innovation.
Steph Leahy - COO & Secretary
Steph is COO and Head of Strategy and Growth at PowerWells, and Secretary of the PowerWells Foundation Board. Steph is passionate about people, growth and the strong culture that comes from building diverse and inclusive teams. Previously, Steph led an early stage AI Compression startup, which achieved incredible compression results with unique technology using deep learning techniques. Her background also includes partnerships, business development and technical recruitment for ASX listed organisations. She is Head of People and Culture at Splash Music.
Nick Hill - Treasurer
Nick is a director at WALKER HILL Chartered Accountants and Treasurer of the PowerWells Foundation. Experienced Director with a demonstrated history of working in the accounting industry. Skilled in Income Tax, MYOB, Management Accounting, Accounting, and Financial Accounting. Strong professional with extensive experience working with small to medium sized businesses.
Simon Schmidkte - Board Member
Simon works closely with Brad on the design of PowerWells and is a board member of the PowerWells Foundation. He is an electrical engineer experienced in electro-mechanical design, research and development. Simon is responsible for the design of PowerWells innovative Battery Management System. Simon is an experienced Head Of Innovation with a demonstrated history of working in the Environmental industry. He is a product management professional who graduated from CPIT (Christchurch Polytechnic Institute of Technology).
Dessi Sandi - Board Member
Dessi is the Executive Finance Manager at YFS Ltd. She is a skilled Finance Professional with extensive experience in Accounting for not-for-profit organisations along with leadership experience in managing corporate teams and overseeing business operations. She has a proven track record in processes improvement and negotiating with stakeholders. Dessi has a thorough understanding of compliance and audit processes, with a high attention to detail and highly developed analytical skills, she enjoys working to help improve processes and cut costs.
Vaughn Clair (GAICD) - Board Member
Vaughn is an experienced Non-Executive Director (GAICD) and technology leader, who brings over 30 years of board and executive experience across commercial, not-for-profit, and social enterprise sectors. His expertise spans digital transformation, technology governance, data strategy, and cybersecurity. He provides strategic oversight, and helps organisations leverage technology for sustainable growth, operational efficiency, and stakeholder value. He has chaired and served on boards for national NFPs, guided digital innovation for global retailers, and advised on governance, compliance, architecture and risk for ASX listed organisations.
Shivani Kanodia - Board Member
Shivani has worked in varying capacities in the development sector and at the intersection of the social justice issues that matter deeply to her; Climate Change, Gender Equity, Poverty Alleviation, Human Rights and Sustainable Development. She has worked across Australia, Scotland, India, and Nepal, and has completed impact research programs in Myanmar and Cambodia. Her experience lies in community engagement and development, program design and facilitation, leadership training, impact assessment, grassroots activism and design thinking. She is passionate about building and strengthening local leadership capacity, social impact storytelling and spurring social entrepreneurship as a vehicle for driving lasting social change.