Dr Suzanne Hasthorpe
Chairperson
BSc(Hons), PhD, MAgriBus, Dip Hort, GAICD
Board Member appointed October 2006
Chairperson as of 23 November 2016
With 20 years of corporate governance experience as a non-executive Director on boards across the carer/disability, health, and agricultural industry sectors, I bring a wealth of expertise in business strategy, change management, project management, science and technology, finance, risk, and executive remuneration.
In my role as a Senior Government Business Manager with the Department of Health and Safer Care Victoria, I have been instrumental in advancing clinical trials and health and medical research. I represent the Department on various state, Commonwealth, and sector advisory bodies, focusing on expanding research and clinical trials in Australia. I lead a skilled team dedicated to streamlining research ethics and regulatory approvals for human research and serve as an experienced and active ethics committee member. Additionally, I manage data and analytics projects for research within Victoria.
As a Senior Research Fellow in medical research, specializing in cell and molecular biology, I have published over 60 peer-reviewed journal articles and held international appointments in the Netherlands, United Kingdom, and France.
Anne Peek
Deputy Chair
B. Applied Science, Grad. Cert. Quality Assurance in Health Care
Board Member appointed 27 November 2019
Deputy Chairperson as of 25 November 2020
An experienced CEO and non-executive director in both the public and private health care sectors, Anne contributes board governance skills and a strong commitment to achieving equity and access to health and welfare services for the most vulnerable in our communities.
She has strong connections in the primary healthcare sector at all government levels. She was commissioned in 2008 by the Victorian Department of Health and Human Services to develop a watershed, department-wide position statement with the aim of strengthening the collaborative interface between the Commonwealth and the State. In 2017 Anne was recommissioned to update the position statement and Guide to Working with General Practice for DHHS.
A highly qualified Health Information Manager with expertise in clinical governance, diagnostic data analysis, research, evaluation, and organisational-wide continuous quality improvement. Anne is experienced in driving change with a proven track record in building strong links with the community, strengthening stakeholder relationships and developing partnerships through strong and meaningful collaboration.
Jarrod Reid
Director
B. Business (GAICD)
Board Member appointed 23 November 2016
Jarrod is a human resources leader with experience in the not-for-profit social services, retail, healthcare, and government sectors, including at GM level. In the private sector, working with a boutique law firm, he consulted broadly to over 120 clients. He is currently the Head of People & Culture at Yarra Ranges Council.
Jarrod has a passion for training and development, leadership and establishing high performance cultures with good governance and integrity at their core. He is well versed in performance management, counselling and discipline, all types of negotiations, workplace investigations, FWC disputes, claims, conferences, and arbitration hearings, as well as making representations to peak industry bodies.
Jarrod holds a Bachelor of Business (Human Resources Management) from Swinburne University, majoring in HR, management, and economics, and is a member of the Australian Institute of Company Directors. His contribution to the HR industry has been recognised by both the Australian Retail Association and SACS Consulting.
Rodney Harris OAM
Director
BA, Grad Dip Health Admin, Stanford Executive Program - Non Profit Leadership, MAICD, MICDA
Board Member appointed 23 November 2016
Rod is the former Chief Executive Officer of MND Victoria (MNDAV). He adopts a leadership approach where every employee is encouraged to be a visionary, a leader, a manager and a “doer”.
Rod has a strong interest in aging and disability, the transition of disability support services to the National Disability Insurance Scheme, and the changes to individualised funding and service delivery models in Aged Care. He advocates for support for carers, an essential part of the team supporting people with disabilities. He is a Director of Balwyn Evergreen Centre, an aged care service providing day programs and managing accommodation. He is also a volunteer with OPAN, the City of Boroondara Disability Advisory Committee, and a member of the NDIS Advisory Committee for Monique Ryan MP.
Rod firmly believes that an organisation should focus on its mission and vision by addressing unmet needs through high quality services and improved service delivery matched by increased funding from government, fundraising and donors.
Kaye Collard
Director
Dip. Bus. Studies, Grad. Dip. (Acctg.), FCPA, CTA, MAICD
Board Member appointed 27 November 2019
Company Secretary as of 26 February 2020
Kaye is a financial and management professional with proven success working as a consultancy-based executive delivering strategic, project, and financial services within the private and public sector. A recognised health sector specialist with experience working to deliver strategic plans, tender management and organisational reviews that drove business improvement, effective leadership, and service provisioning relevant to the purpose of the organisation.
Kaye has over 30 years Non- Executive Director Board experience with not for profit, for profit and industry bodies and is a highly strategic and capable individual recognised for the ability to work cross functionally to support an organisation conceptualise, define, improvise and deliver ongoing results.
Kaye brings over 35 years executive level leadership as a consultant into organisations and as a NFP CEO, a proven strategic leader providing direction, guidance, and management, and is a highly respected and recognised business professional with proven strategic abilities and experience leading end-to-end management consultant projects.
Clint Bizzell
Director
Board Member appointed 28 July 2021
An executive coach with a pedigree in elite sports, Clint works with executives and their teams to perform at their best. He does this through a suite of coaching, leadership and resilience programs for individuals and teams.
Drawing on his former life as an AFL player, the pursuit of high performance and excellence is deeply rooted in Clint’s approach. From coaching senior leaders and executive teams across a wide range of multinational organisations, small business, and government, helping individuals and businesses alike to be ‘elite at their own game’ is a true privilege of his work.
Clint has consulted to brands such as ABB, A.G Coombes, Victorian School Building Authority, APN, Telstra, CBA and the AFL, and volunteers regularly for White Ribbon Australia and FightMND.
As Co-Director of Eve Media, Clint is able to deploy his other great loves; travel and sharing powerful stories. In addition to producing and presenting for Eve Media’s flagship international travel series Places We Go; Clint has produced multiple human-interest documentaries including “Taking the Tackle” – a documentary addressing Respect for Women on behalf of the AFL and State Government of Victoria. With a passion for helping others to be the best version of themselves, Clint brings a strong purpose-driven ethos to BrainLink, and personal experience with those affected by brain injuries too, with a family member suffering an acquired brain injury following a motorbike accident.
Michelle Eunson
Director
BA, Comms
Board Member appointed 28 July 2021
Michelle Eunson has accumulated experience over 25+ years of executive leadership experience within the non-profit health, disability, and aging sectors. Throughout her career, she has spearheaded significant organisational transformations across the not-for-profit landscape, demonstrating her proficiency in governance, business development, strategic change, finance, risk management, and revenue generation. Her expertise extends to NDIS and Aged Care legislation and compliance, further solidifying her reputation as a leader adept at navigating complex regulatory environments.
In December 2023, Michelle assumed the role of General Manager, Transformation at the Real Estate Institute of Victoria, learning a new sector leading an RTO. Previously, she served as an Executive at Vision Australia for nine years, where she developed and implemented a new Emotional Wellbeing Program for older Australians and an innovative Aged Care strategy. Michelle also played a pivotal role in establishing a social enterprise that generates $15 million annually, providing adaptive technology and aids to the market.
Michelle is an experienced non-Executive director, a member of the Institute of Community Directors, and is dedicated to promoting opportunity and access for all Australians, a commitment deeply influenced by her personal experiences with family and friends.
Ajith Abeynaike
Director
ACMA (UK), CPA, GAICD
Board Member appointed 29 November 2023
Ajith is an experienced finance professional, who has held senior roles in commercial organisations over 40 plus years. Currently holding the position of Chief Operating Officer/Country Manager for Hallmark Cards in Australia and New Zealand.
Ajith is a collaborative and proactive finance executive with significant operational and strategic expertise gained from a career with leading consumer goods manufacturers and retailers, such as Arnott’s, Kellogg’s, Simplot, Philips, Bunnings Group, Kookai and the United Petroleum Group.
Ajith has extensive acumen spanning the complete spectrum of finance, taxation, treasury, information technology, human resources, M&A and risk management. His expertise also encompasses best practice corporate governance and reporting as it applies to listed, multinational and private company entities.
Ajith is passionate about helping others, giving back to the community and is a member of the Corporate Committee of CPA and the Australasia area committee for CIMA.