Based in Northern NSW, Sarah brings 25+ years of leadership experience to her role at the helm of ASTRA, the peak body representing short term rental accommodation providers across Australia and New Zealand.

Sarah is passionate about connecting industry professionals, advocating for members at all levels of government, and driving the education and professionalisation of the industry and ensuring its sustainable growth.

Based in Melbourne, Tehani brings over 15 years of experience in marketing, communications and member engagement to her role at ASTRA.

Tehani enjoys building strong communities, delivering meaningful member value, and supporting industry advocacy with clear, strategic communication. With a background spanning not-for-profit, arts, health and member-based organisations, she combines commercial thinking with a practical, down-to-earth approach to leadership and operations.

Yoav Tourel is the Managing Director of Asia-Pacific at Guesty, a leading property management software used to manage short-term rentals listed on multiple platforms. He has more than 25 years of expertise and experience in marketing, technology and digital transformation.

Over the past five years, Yoav and his dedicated team at Guesty have played a pivotal role in empowering property managers in Australia and New Zealand, facilitating their growth and scalability. With a comprehensive understanding of the industry, Yoav has served as an ASTRA board member for four years, contributing valuable insights and leadership to advance ASTRA as the peak industry body for the short-term rental industry.

Karen Howard, FAICD, boasts a distinguished 23-year career as an entrepreneur and Independent Non-executive Director, Board and Committee Chair. To date, she has served on 14 boards and her extensive experience encompasses diverse sectors such as tourism, health, education, fintech, and property development. Specific to ASTRA, Karen has served as a Director and/or Board Chair for member-based advocacy organisations for over 17 collective years. Notably, Karen was honored with the respected title of Fellow of the Australian Institute of Company Directors in 2009.

Karen brings to ASTRA significant corporate governance acumen and presently holds the position of Non-executive Director at Alloggio Group Limited, Independent Board Chair at Nuvola Group, President of the Hunter TAFE Foundation, and Director of the Walter and Eliza Hall Trust.

Srini Gopal is a Hospitality & Tourism professional currently Managing Director of property development company. Previously worked in the Short Term Rental industry managing Holiday Homes across multiple states and worked as a Group General Manager Hospitality & Leisure for Roche Group, which is recognised as one of Australia’s premier development groups that spans residential, tourism and agricultural assets.

Srini lends his significant expertise and experience across hospitality and tourism having served in senior management and operational roles. In addition to his work with ASTRA, Srini served on the board of the Hunter Valley Wine Association as a Treasurer, in one of Australia’s premier wine and tourism regions.

Aaron’s career has been dedicated to making a significant impact in several fields. With a background in educational leadership, strategic business management, and as an IAP certified management consultant, Aaron excels in leading people, optimising processes, and fostering organisational growth. Holding a master’s degree in leadership and management, he is deeply passionate about purpose-driven leadership and brings a focus on innovation and professionalisation to ASTRA. 

Currently serving as General Manager of BNB Made Easy, Aaron possesses firsthand insights into the demands of the professional short-term rental industry. Committed to upskilling and developing the Australian industry, he is focused on fostering a culture of continuous improvement to ensure Australia’s standing as a global leader in quality service, hospitality, and industry best practices.

Catherine Shields has built decades of experience in media, advertising and property, along with deep expertise in tourism strategy and the visitor economy given her service on local and state tourism boards. As Chair and Director of Destination Sydney Surrounds South, a Destination Network for Destination NSW, Catherine led planning reforms in NSW agritourism, opening up new visitor markets and transforming the sector.

As Chair of South Coast Tourism, she played a leading role in establishing award-winning co-operative marketing initiatives between local governments. Her passion for regional tourism and industry collaboration saw her establish Host Nation, an industry movement that connects short stay hosts, experts, and businesses across Australia. Following a senior career in creative roles for Vogue Australia and other lifestyle publications, Catherine is now a full-time owner and operator, using her creative expertise to transform properties into unique destination accommodation experiences.

Craig McDowall is the Founder, Owner and Managing Director of SleepOver Brisbane, a premier boutique short-term accommodation and property management company. A seasoned entrepreneur and property management expert with a passion for creating exceptional guest experiences, Craig transformed a humble 1-bedroom New Farm apartment into a thriving business.

Since launching in 2017, SleepOver Brisbane has grown organically to managing 150+ premium properties in Brisbane, consistently earning a 4.9-star rating on Airbnb while maintaining coveted SuperHost status. He is dedication to providing the highest level of service and meticulous attention to detail, with a touch of OCD, has also earned the company recognition as one of Australia’s Elite Property Management Companies. Craig is also a super proud Airbnb Community Host Leader; he holds a full Real Estate license and brings a wealth of knowledge and expertise to the industry.

Tegan Wilde is the founding director of Geographe Holiday Homes, a locally owned and operated holiday home management company in the Geographe Bay region in Western Australia. With a background in Medical Imaging Technology from Curtin University and a Real Estate Diploma, Tegan honed her business acumen as a CT Services Manager for Global Diagnostics Australia.

Since joining in 2014, Tegan has grown Geographe Holiday Homes to manage more than 95 properties, with her leadership earning numerous awards, including the Busselton Chamber of Commerce and Industry Regional Women in Business 2023 Award and South West Business Excellence Award in Tourism and Hospitality.

Fiona Britten is Manager, Curated and Corporate Stays at Harrison Agents in Tasmania and a licensed Property Representative specialising in visitor accommodation, short and mid-term accommodation, and property management. Holding a Master of Tourism, Environment and Cultural Heritage and an Advanced Diploma of Business, Fiona combines operational leadership with a strong interest in the intersection of accommodation, public policy and regional economic development.

Passionate about the continued professionalisation of Australia's short-term rental sector, Fiona advocates for evidence-based policy, industry capability, and collaboration between industry and government. Drawing on her experience in Tasmania, she brings a practical regional perspective to national discussions and is committed to supporting a resilient, sustainable, and well-recognised accommodation industry.