Meet the Team

ANDIE HALAS

Founder & Chair

As a former shareholder of Seafolly, Andie has a background in fashion and marketing. With her deep understanding of the clothing manufacturing world and a passion for giving dignity to the community’s most vulnerable and marginalized, Andie established Thread Together in 2012.

“We believe that disadvantage should not prevent people in our community from realising their potential. As well as providing the clothes that can change how people are perceived, the personal support that we provide restores optimism, confidence and self-esteem.”

ANTHONY CHESLER

CEO

Anthony’s genuine interest and care for others are what saw him enter the ‘for purpose’ sector. He has established himself as a respected leader and trusted advisor with a corporate career spanning over twenty years. Anthony has held several leadership roles at a global management consultancy firm and comes with a wealth of consulting, operational and start-up experience.

Anthony brings high level strategic planning, financial acumen, general operation management and tech experience to drive efficiency in organisational structure, maximising Thread Together’s resources and impact.

JACKIE FRANK

Patron

Jackie has been inducted into the Australian Magazines Awards’ Hall of Fame and has won Editor of the Year at Australia’s most prestigious magazine awards. A strong campaigner for women’s rights, Jackie is heavily invested in making a difference in the lives of Australian women; raising awareness and pushing boundaries through award-winning campaigns about issues such as heart health, domestic violence and depression. Jackie is a regular personality on local media, appearing on the Seven Network’s Sunrise (Australia’s number one breakfast show) and bringing her ‘Frankly Speaking’ interviews to Seven’s successful Sunday Night news and entertainment show, as well as in the pages of Marie Claire.

ANTHONY HALAS

director

Anthony is the Director of Thread Together and from its inception supported a lengthy pilot period to establish its relevance in the social services sector. Anthony is also CEO of Seafolly Australia, which under his leadership has grown from a relatively small Australian organisation to a global business.

Anthony brings strong business acumen, marketing expertise, corporate governance discipline and important clothing manufacturer contacts.

DAVID BRISKIN

Director

David has extensive experience in retail, finance and investment as a Director of a number of renowned Australian fashion brands over 20 years, including as co-founder and Managing Director of Mimco and CEO of Sass & Bide.

In February 2014, David became a shareholder and Director of M.J.Bale, one of Australia’s leading designer menswear brands and currently Chairs the Board. David has been on the board of the Melbourne Fashion Festival since 2012, serving as Chair from 2017 to 2021.

ASHLEIGH MORRIS

Director

As the CEO of Coreo, Ashleigh is irrepressible in the pursuit of systemic change.

Acknowledged as one Australia’s future leaders, Ashleigh is one of the world’s Top 100 CSR Influential Leaders for 2020, a Prime Ministers Scholar, an Australian ASEAN Emerging Leader, a University Medalist, an invitee to the 73rd United Nations General Assembly and the Lord Mayors Young Business Person of the year 2020.

Ashleigh is an accomplished global thought leader having delivered over 120 keynote presentations, most notably representing Australia as a panellist and speaker at the World Circular Economy Forum alongside the former European Commissioner for the environment.

GARY PERLSTEIN

CHAIR

With over 25 years of experience in Australian fashion retailing, Gary has long felt the need for Australian corporate organisations to be more socially responsible and to give back to the communities they work within.

Gary was the CEO and Director of Specialty Fashion Group (now City Chic Collective ASX: CCX), home to many leading clothing brands such as Millers, Katies, Crossroads, Autograph, City Chic and Rivers. 

He personally spear-headed Specialty Fashion Group’s involvement with Thread Together, facilitating both product supply and financial support. He brings extensive business experience and expertise to Thread Together, as well as an overriding desire to see end-of-line clothes from all clothing providers go to people in genuine need.