Board

Heather Watson

Commenced: 18 May 2018
Current term: 1 April 2024 to 31 March 2028

Heather has more than 30 years’ legal and governance experience with specialist expertise in the charitable and non-profit sectors.

She has nonexecutive director and industry experience in the following areas:

• aged care
• health and community services
• infrastructure in transport and housing
• Indigenous communities.

She has also been a partner in legal practices in both regional and city areas in Queensland.

Cheryl Herbert

Commenced: 26 June 2015
Appointed Deputy Chair: 6 July 2018
Current term: 1 April 2024 to 31 March 2028

Cheryl has more than 20 years’ experience as a chief executive officer and leader within not-for-profit and government health and regulatory organisations.

She’s a trained midwife and nurse who was the founding Chief Executive Officer of the Health Quality and Complaints Commission.

As well as being Deputy Chair of our board, she also holds the following positions:

• fellow of the Australian College of Nursing
• fellow of the Australian Institute of Company Directors
• board member of Lives Lived Well Pty Ltd
• director of Australian Regional and Remote Community Services Pty Ltd
• director of UnitingCare Qld Pty Ltd.
• She has also served as Chief Executive Officer of Anglicare (formerly St Luke’s Nursing Service).

Martin Byrne

Commenced: 10 June 2021
Current term: 1 April 2024 to 31 March 2028

Martin has more than 20 years’ experience working in rural and remote health settings in both the public and private sector.

A well-respected general practitioner, rural generalist and medical administrator who as well as being a member of our board:

• is an Associate Professor with Griffith University where he serves as Medical Educator and Examiner
• holds senior roles with The University of Queensland and University of Southern Queensland
• is working as a rural GP in Nanango and as a rural generalist for Queensland Country Practice.

He has also previously:

• been Director of Medical Services of Metro North Hospital and Health Service’s Surgical, Treatment and Rehabilitation Service
• held executive roles for South-West and Darling Downs Hospital and Health Services.

Suzanne Cadigan

Commenced: 18 May 2019
Current term: 1 April 2024 to 31 March 2028

Suzanne has vast experience as a registered nurse in both the public and private health sectors. She has worked in a range of clinical, education and leadership roles in critical care, surgical, paediatric and emergency nursing.

As well as being a member of our board, she also:

• serves on the board of Karuna Hospice Services, an in-home palliative care service
• represents Children’s Health Queensland on the Ronald McDonald House Charities Board for South-East Queensland
• a member of The Queensland Plan Ambassadors Council which fosters community engagement and shared responsibility for achieving the long-term vision of The Queensland Plan.

Simon Denny

Commenced: 10 June 2021
Current term: 1 April 2024 to 31 March 2028

Simon is a paediatrician, and adolescent and young adult physician currently working as Director of the Mater Young Adult Health Centre in South Brisbane.

He has worked with adolescents and young adults for more than 20 years in Australia, New Zealand and the United States. He has expertise in a range of health conditions affecting adolescents and young adults including:

• obesity
• gender and identity issues
• drug, alcohol and mental health concerns.

He has also served as an Associate Professor in the Department of Paediatrics, Child and Youth Health at the University of Auckland.

He is also widely published internationally in the field of adolescent health and wellbeing.

Will Fellowes

Commenced: 18 May 2021
Current term: 1 April 2024 to 31 March 2028

Will is an experienced non-executive director with a finance, consulting and assurance background. After working in finance and commercial leadership roles globally and around Australia, Will is now based in Western Queensland with his young family.

As well as being a member of our board he also and sits on numerous Boards and advisory committees with for-purpose organisations including:

• RACQ
• Opera Queensland
• Royal Flying Doctor Service in Queensland
• Northern Australia Primary Health Limited.

He is also a Chartered Accountant and a Graduate of the Australian Institute of Company Directors.

Karina Hogan

Commenced: 18 May 2019
Current term: 1 April 2024 to 31 March 2028

Karina is a proud First Nations and South Sea Islander woman, deeply rooted in her ancestral connections to northern New South Wales.

She has extensive experience in media and governance and has made significant contributions to the industry. While her expertise primarily lies in broadcasting and radio production, Karina has recently ventured into the realm of documentary making. In 2022, Karina and her colleagues were honoured with a prestigious Logie award for their documentary, "Incarceration Nation," which shed light on important social issues.

As well as being a member of our board, she is an esteemed ABC journalist  and holds prominent leadership positions.

She's also:

• the Chair of BlakDance, where she advocates for Indigenous representation and storytelling through dance
• a Non-Executive Director for ATSICHS Brisbane, a community-controlled organization
• a Non-Executive Director for Deadly Coders, promoting digital literacy among Indigenous youth.

Meredith Staib

Commenced: 18 May 2020
Current term: 1 April 2024 to 31 March 2028

Meredith has more than 20 years’ clinical and commercial experience in the public, private and community sectors.

She has worked in hospital and healthcare management, and global medical assistance.

As well as being a member of our board, she also holds the following positions:

• Chief Executive Officer of the Royal Flying Doctor Service in Queensland, one of the largest and most comprehensive aeromedical operations in the world
• member of the Australian Advisory Council Thankful4Farmers.

She has also held international director and board positions.