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 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.

John Ryall has over 30 years senior management and ownership experience across multiple sectors including service, National telecommunications infrastructure construction, short term rental accommodation (5 years growing Exclusive Escapes to 160 plus rental properties under management in WA), as well as the NFP sector. His qualifications include a Bachelor of Business (Fin.), and he is a Graduate of the Australian Institute of Company Directors. John is currently the Managing Director of SC Services, a consultant to the Short Term Rental Accommodation management area and holds non-executive roles on Advisory Boards (including ASTRA), various company Directorships and is the Chair for a NFP Charity. He also continues to mentor early-stage businesses and their founders, providing them the opportunity to work effectively in a team environment to plan, execute and measure sound growth strategy initiatives, delivered through and by empowering all stakeholders.

Kyle Fitzsimmons is the Managing Director at Cosmo, a Victorian based short term property management platform that partners with leading STR Operators and Real Estate Agencies to assist with their operational burdens and provide support from a guest, pricing and consolidated technology perspective. With over a decade of experience in hospitality and property management, Kyle focuses on growth strategies, daily operations, and maintaining high standards of service. Before founding Cosmo, he held senior roles in top hospitality and real estate firms, gaining expertise in operations, business development, and customer service.

Kyle also holds a Private Pilot's License and sits on the Foundation Board for Bendigo Health. Kyle is highly regarded for his strategic thinking and operational expertise. He brings a fresh, innovative perspective to ASTRA, driving growth and fostering community connections.

With a career spanning over 25 years, Nick has built a strong foundation in pricing, revenue management, and commercial strategy across the airline and short-term rental industries. Beginning in airline cargo operations, he progressed through commercial roles at Cathay Pacific, Qatar Airways, and British Midland Airways before joining Air New Zealand. There, Nick advanced from commercial analysis to leading Europe's sales team and managing strategic alliances, including a key partnership with Singapore Airlines. Transitioning to the short-term rental sector, he led revenue teams at Bachcare and The Stay Hub, driving pricing optimisation, market expansion, and revenue growth. His career has been defined by data-driven decision-making, high-performing team leadership, and fostering key partnerships via the Accommodation Forum in NZ and with global brands like Airbnb, Vrbo, and Booking.com to maximise commercial success.

Phil Spyrou began his professional life as a registered pharmacist and is now the Managing Director of Swainson which has been offering short-term rental accommodation in Adelaide for the past eight years. Throughout Phil’s four years of service on the Board, he has supported ASTRA’s evolution into the peak industry body and been a powerful frontline voice for 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.