About Us

At Synodal Consulting, we believe in the art of accompaniment, journeying together, listening and discerning with communities, and offering best models to strengthen communities in their mission.

Our commitment is to facilitate growth and vitality with both communities and with individuals, and engage in honest and prayerful discernment through all our interactions.

Synodal Consulting offers support in the areas of planning for mission, leadership support, community engagement, project management, ministry training, and discipleship formation and can tailor any of these areas to suit the needs of a community.

Lisa Bright

Lisa Bright is a passionate community leader with over two decades of experience in pastoral planning, community engagement, and leadership across faith-based and not-for-profit sectors. With a background in human resources, project management, and small business, Lisa brings a unique blend of strategic and people-focused skills.

Lisa has served on the NSW State Council of the St Vincent de Paul Society and on various committees for Religious Communities after working for the St Vincent de Paul Society in Youth Coordination on a local and State level for five years. She was Human Resource Manager of Kernels Popcorn early in her career after working in sales. Lisa has owned a consulting company journeying with people and assisting in marriage and funeral preparation, as well as project management. She is experienced in small business with policy preparation, human resources, finance and leadership.

Lisa enjoys volunteering with her local faith community and is a member of several committees. She is proud of her Maltese heritage, working with other networks to bring awareness to the story of Maltese immigrants to Australia and ensuring Maltese traditions are remembered by new generations.

Lisa is passionate about people and connecting them to safe and welcoming spaces both physically and online, to grow and share life and faith and experience life to the full.

Lisa holds a Bachelor of Commerce majoring in Human Resource Management, a Bachelor of Theology, and a graduate certificate in Theological Studies. She is a mother to three wonderful children.

Richard McMahon

Richard is the CEO of Spiritual Care Australia, the peak body for spiritual care practitioners, chaplains, and pastoral care providers. He is chair of the Pastoral Ministry Network, and has served as the Director of Pastoral Planning in the Catholic Diocese of Parramatta, and as the Director of Parish Services and the Coordinator of Faith Formation in the Diocese of Wollongong. He enjoys a proven track record as executive leader and engaged with a variety of organisations, church communities, and Religious Institutes and organisations shaping mission approaches via strategic planning, professional development, and engaging with stakeholders in parishes, education, social services, and church movements. Richard has shaped, coordinated, and implemented a range of key regional and national conferences and projects.

In prior roles he has ministered in parish leadership over three communities and led adult faith formation opportunities, established a nationally recognised spiritual program and has been editor of a diocesan flagship publication. He has worked corporately in Information Technology in banking and administrative services.

Richard offers high-level engagement strategies, and skills in planning for mission, facilitation and change management for organisations and religious bodies.

Richard holds a Bachelor of Science and a Bachelor of Theology and is completing a Master of Professional Studies in Theology. He is married with four children.

We look forward to connecting with you to consider how we might accompany you on your journey.

Please contact us with your enquiry, or to arrange a complimentary, initial 60-minute consultation.