Our Board

Laz Herrera

Laz Herrera

Laz brings over 20 years of leadership and frontline experience across youth justice, child protection, homelessness services, and community programs.

His career includes cross-sector transformative roles at Teen Challenge Queensland, Queensland Government, and City of Gold Coast as an executive leading connected communities and driving key community portfolios, alongside direct service delivery with vulnerable young people and families.

Known as a “Pioneer & Builder,” Laz has consistently delivered measurable impact, shifting service models from compliance-focused to person-centred approaches and achieving significant improvements in service quality, staff retention, and community outcomes across multiple portfolios.

He currently leads Community Engagement & Financial Wellbeing programs at St Vincent de Paul Society Queensland. His governance expertise extends to community advocacy, including participating in the annual GC Vinnies CEO Sleepout where collective efforts raise critical funds and awareness for our most vulnerable Gold Coasters.

As a Gold Coast father of daughters, Laz is passionate about creating pathways for young people to thrive. He’s honoured to contribute to GCYS’s mission through governance leadership.

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Emergency Relief Program

There are many reasons why an individual or family could suddenly find themselves in financial crises. GCYS may be able to help.

If you are struggling with unmanageable debts, it’s important you act quickly – the first step in taking control of the situation is to ask for help.

Visit our Need More page and click on Financial Assistance for an additional list of services that can provide material aid, advice and support to help you manage your debts and get you back on track.

The Emergency Relief program provides financial and/or material support to meet the immediate need of people in financial crises. The program is open to all age groups.

With the outbreak of COVID-19, the GCYS will continue to provide services however, we are asking people to make safe choices to help stop possible transmission. Therefore we are asking people not to come into the service and to call us instead where possible.