ASTRA welcomes new board members

The Australia and New Zealand Short Term Rental Association (ASTRA) has announced the election of three distinguished leaders to its Board at the Annual General Meeting held on Thursday, June 27.

The new appointees, Aasish Ponna, John Ryall, and Kyle Fitzsimmons join a team of current and re-elected directors, bringing a wealth of experience and expertise to the organisation. The re-elected members are Karen Howard, who was unanimously elected Vice-Chairperson, Catherine Shields, and Tegan Wilde.

Aasish Ponna: A decade of regulatory expertise

Aasish Ponna, who has been elected to the ASTRA Board, comes with over a decade of regulatory and legal experience. He has a robust background in working with Commonwealth, State, and Territory Governments on professional regulation, policy development, application, and enforcement.  Ponna’s extensive litigation experience sees him regularly representing clients in Federal and State Jurisdictions, particularly in administrative law concerning reviews of government decisions. Alongside running his own firm, Ponna serves on several boards that regulate the legal and health professions. 

John Ryall: Versatile Leadership in multiple sectors

John Ryall brings over 30 years of senior management and ownership experience across various sectors, including service, national telecommunications infrastructure construction, short-term rental accommodation, and the not-for-profit sector.

Currently, Ryall is the Managing Director of SC Services and acts as a consultant in the short-term rental accommodation management area. He also holds non-executive roles on advisory boards and mentors early-stage businesses, helping them develop and execute growth strategies effectively.

Kyle Fitzsimmons: Innovator in property management

Kyle Fitzsimmons, the Managing Director at Cosmo, joins the ASTRA Board with a decade of experience in hospitality and property management. Cosmo, a Victorian-based short-term property management platform, partners with leading operators and real estate agencies to alleviate operational burdens and provide guest, pricing, and technology support.

Before founding Cosmo, Fitzsimmons held senior roles in top hospitality and real estate firms, focusing on operations, business development, and customer service.

Leadership and continuity

ASTRA’s re-elected Chairman, Yoav Tourel (Goldberg), congratulated the incoming Directors. “ASTRA’s Board and members will benefit significantly with the appointment of Aasish, John and Kyle. I am humbled that three such experienced professionals have put their hands up to work voluntarily to contribute to our industry.

“Our three new Directors join the re-elected members of the ASTRA Board: Karen Howard, who was unanimously elected Vice-Chairperson, Catherine Shields, and Tegan Wilde. Sirini Gopal was elected Secretary and are joined by other directors, including Andrew Oscari, David Harris and Phil Spyrou.

“Our Board is supported by our CEO Mitch Price, our auditors Australian Independent Audit Services, and our accountants Hood Sweeney,” said Mr. Tourel (Goldberg).

Appreciation and future goals

Tourel (Goldberg) extended gratitude to Jon Lawry, who is retiring from the Board. Lawry, based in New Zealand, was instrumental in overseeing ASTRA’s expansion in the region. “All of us owe Jon a debt of gratitude,” said Tourel (Goldberg).

Reflecting on the past year, Tourel (Goldberg) highlighted ASTRA’s advocacy efforts, the successful “Here to Stay Conference” held in October 2023, and the appointment of the organisation’s first CEO, Mitch Price. “We have a lot of work still to do. We are working hard for our industry to be heard by governments and to be regulated in a balanced way that reflects the evidence. I look forward to continuing the fight for our industry that we love and care so much about,” he added.

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