HESTA Board
Nicola Roxon was appointed Independent Chair in 2019. She is a Non-Executive Director and Chair of a number of listed, unlisted and not- for-profit boards. Nicola’s particular expertise lies in highly regulated industries, government, health and the not-for-profit sector.
Nicola was Australia’s first female Attorney-General (2011-2013), Minister for Health and Ageing (2007-2011) and Labor Member for Gellibrand (1998-2013). Nicola was previously Chair of Accounting Professional & Ethical Standards Board and The Sir Zelman Cowen Centre at Victoria University. She has extensive experience as a Non-Executive Director and Chair of a number of listed, unlisted and not-for-profit boards. Previously an industrial lawyer and advocate (Maurice Blackburn and National Union of Workers) and High Court Associate to Justice Mary Gaudron.
Nicola was inducted into Victoria’s Honour Roll of Women in 2014 and recognised in 2015 Australian Financial Review’s 100 Women of Influence. She has also been a recipient of ten national and international awards related to public health and tobacco control, including Sidney Sax Public Health Medal and WHO Special Recognition Award (2010–2017). Nicola frequently speaks and presents on health, tobacco control, leadership, governance, politics and women.
HESTA Roles and Responsibilities
- Independent Chair
- Member, Governance and Remuneration Committee
- Member, Investment Committee
- Member, Risk Committee
Other Roles and Responsibilities
- Non-Executive Director, Dexus
- Non-Executive Director, Lifestyle Communities Ltd
- Non-Executive Director, Health Justice Australia Limited
- Non-Executive Director, Victorian Health Promotion Foundation
- Patron, BreastWest Foundation
- Member, Chief Executive Women
- Committee Member, Dexus Funds Management Limited People & Remuneration Committee and Risk Committee
- Member, ISA Advisory Council
Qualifications
- Bachelor of Arts/Law LLB (Hons), University of Melbourne
- Graduate, Australian Institute of Company Directors
Mark was appointed as an Independent Director in 2017. Mark Burgess has had an extensive global career leading asset managers and owners. He is a senior adviser to the industry and holds several Non-Executive Director positions.
Mark has an extensive global career over 30 years leading asset management and asset owners in the roles of Managing Director and Chief Investment Officer. He was previously Chair of Yarra Capital Management Holdings Pty Ltd and Managing Director of the Future Fund, Australia’s $120b+ sovereign wealth fund. Prior to this he was CEO of Treasury Group, an Australian listed investment company with over$16bn under management. Has worked overseas extensively including as an Executive Vice Chairman and CEO of Credit Suisse Asset Management (EMEA) in London, and a Global CIO for Equities and Multi-Assets. Mark also held high profile Global CIO roles in London for American Express Asset Management, Colonial First State and Australia for Colonial Group and senior Portfolio Manager Bankers Trust in New York.
HESTA Roles and Responsibilities
- Independent Director
- Chair, Investment Committee
Other Roles and Responsibilities
- Senior Adviser and Managing Director, Emerging Policy Pty Ltd
- Chair, Advisory Board, Jamieson Coote Bonds
- Executive Director, Emerging Policy Advisory Pty Ltd
- Non-Executive Director, UK Company, Official Monetary and Financial Institutions Forum Ltd (OMFIF)
- Chair, David Burgess Foundation
- Honorary Enterprise Professor, Faculty of Finance and Economics, University of Melbourne
- Investment Committee member, AMB Holdings
- Advisory Board member, IP Group PLC (Australia)
- Chair - Melbourne Girls Grammar School Endowment Committee
- Governor, Cerebral Palsy Foundation
- Director, ISPT (nominated by HESTA)
Qualifications
- Bachelor of Commerce (Hons), University of Melbourne
- Honorary Enterprise Professor, Business and Finance (University of Melbourne)
Deborah was appointed to the Board in 2015, representing the Australian Healthcare and Hospitals Association. She has a long history working in senior positions in the health and community services sector having held senior leadership roles at CEO or second level for over twenty years, predominantly in the health sector but also local government. Deborah also has board experience at Dental Practice Board of Victoria and Australian Healthcare and Hospitals Association.
HESTA Roles and Responsibilities
- Deputy Chair
- Chair, Risk Committee
- Member, Finance Audit and Compliance Committee
Other Roles and Responsibilities
- Director, Frontier Advisors (nominated by HESTA)
Qualifications
- Bachelor of Dental Surgery
- Master of Business Administration
- Graduate Diploma Health Administration
- Graduate Certificate in Leadership and Catholic Culture
- Diploma AICD – FAICD
- Graduate AIST (Adv)
Helen was appointed to the Board in 2016, representing United Voice (now amalgamated with National Union of Workers under the name United Workers Union). She is an Executive Director at United Workers Union and has held a number of senior leadership roles at UnitedVoice since 2004.
Helen was elected as the Secretary of the Tasmanian branch and as a member of the National Executive in 2010. In 2015 she became the Assistant National Secretary and in 2019 under the amalgamated United Workers Union, she holds the role of Executive Director. In her national role at United Workers Union Helen is responsible for the direction and scope of the unions work in early education. She drives a strong research and policy base to the work and builds collaborative relationships with other stakeholders. Helen spearheads the campaign for quality early learning environments with well supported and respected professional staff.
Prior to her current focus on early education Helen led the national unions work in aged care, disability care and home care. Prior to working for United Voice, Helen spent twenty years working in the early education and care sector developing educational programs and environments for the youngest members of our community. As well as a strong understanding of key sectors, Helen has extensive experience in formulating sound strategy, good financial governance, transparent accountability and building alliances.
HESTA Roles and Responsibilities
- Deputy Chair
- Chair, Governance and Remuneration Committee
- Member, Investment Committee
Other Roles and Responsibilities
- Executive Director, United Workers Union
Qualifications
- Diploma of Teaching, University of South Australia
- Graduate of the Australian Institute of Superannuation Trustees Directors’ Course
Gary was appointed to the Board in 2015, representing Catholic Health Australia. He has extensive experience as a professional Director in the energy, health and mining industries and has held board and related committee roles.
Gary has extensive experience as a professional Trustee Director to the energy and mining industries, having served on Ergon Energy’s Board for more than 35 years. Gary has previously held board and related committee roles in the water, energy, mining, health and superannuation industries. As a chartered accountant, he has held senior executive roles in both private and public sectors across a range of disciplines, including finance and accounting, treasury, taxation, information and technology, procurement, risk management and audit.
HESTA Roles and Responsibilities
- Director
- Chair, Finance Audit and Compliance Committee
- Member, Investment Committee
Other Roles and Responsibilities
- Trustee Director, Mary Aikenhead Ministries
Qualifications
- Post-graduate Diploma of Business Administration, University of Queensland
- Chartered Accountant
- Member and Graduate of Australian Institute of Company Directors
- Graduate of the Australian Institute of Superannuation Trustees Directors’ Course
- Diploma of Commerce, NSW Institute of Technology (now University of Technology
Cath was appointed to the Board in 2015, representing the Australian Council of Social Service. She has 30 years' experience in the not-for- profit social and community services sector including CEO of Victorian Council of Social Service (2002-2012) and senior roles at Oxfam Australia (1991-2001). Cath has been a full-time organisational and strategy consultant since 2012 with public and community services sector clients, and was awarded Fellow of the Institute of Public Administration (IPAA Vic Branch) in 2009. She is also the Independent Chair for the End Users Consultative Group, which works towards better outcomes for Australian energy consumers, through industry-wide collaboration and accountability initiatives undertaken by signatories to the Energy Charter.
HESTA Roles and Responsibilities
- Director
- Member, Governance and Remuneration Committee
- Member, Risk Committee
Other Roles and Responsibilities
- Principal, Changesmith Consulting
- Director, Australian Communities Foundation
- Director, Utilities of Australia Pty Ltd (nominated by HESTA)
- Chair, Australian Communities Foundation Philanthropy and Impact Committee
- Committee Member, Australian Communities Foundation Investment Committee
- Life Member, Victorian Council of Social Services
- Member, Country Needs People
- Member, Climate and Health Alliance
- Member, Gender Equity Victoria
- Chair, Energy Charter End Users Consultative Group
Qualifications
- Master of Strategic Foresight
- Bachelor of Natural Environmental Science
- Fellow of the Institute of Public Administration Australia IPAA (Vic Branch)
- Graduate of the Australian Institute of Superannuation Trustees Directors’ Course (GAIST)
- RG 146 Financial Advice in Superannuation
Saranne was appointed to the Board in 2018, representing Leading Aged Services Australia. Saranne has many years’ experience holding executive roles in finance and accounting, information technology, marketing and strategy disciplines. Currently she is a professional Director serving on a number of boards across a variety of industries including education, health, age services, sport and charities.
Prior to her career as a professional director, she held a number of senior roles within the energy, banking and manufacturing industries. Saranne’s various executive roles spanned finance/ accounting, information technology, marketing and strategy disciplines. She has qualifications in Commerce, Marketing and Law and has a PhD in best practice board governance.
HESTA Roles and Responsibilities
- Director
- Member, Investment Committee
Other Roles and Responsibilities
- Deputy Chancellor, Charles Sturt University
- Director, Western Health Alliance (Western NSW Primary Health Network)
- Director, Leading Age Services Australia
- Chair, Finance Council, Catholic Diocese of Bathurst
- Director, Fisheries Research and Development Corporation
- Vice President, Royal Flying Doctor Service (South Eastern Section)
- Deputy Chair, Racing NSW
- Director, Australian Meat Processor Corporation
Qualifications
- Doctor of Philosophy, School of Law, University of New England
- Master of Commercial Law, Deakin University
- Master of Business (Marketing), Charles Sturt University
- Bachelor of Commerce, Australian National University
- Fellow Certified Practising Accountant (FCPA)
- Fellow, Australian Institute of Company Directors (FAICD)
- Fellow, Australian Marketing Institute (FAMI)
- Graduate of the Australian Institute of Superannuation Trustees Directors’ Course (GAIST)
Lori-Anne Sharp was appointed to the Board in 2018, representing the Australian Nursing and Midwifery Federation (ANMF). Lori-Anne has 27 years' experience in the health and community services sector.
Lori-Anne was a member of the ANMF Victorian Branch Council from 2004 to 2018. During this time she held Executive and Vice-President positions. She also held the position of Federal Vice-President from 2017 to 2018. Lori-Anne has experience in representing members, governance and strategic planning. 25 years' experience as a registered nurse in various health environments, including acute, aged care and community health settings. Ten years' experience in community health nursing and management working for Royal District Nursing Service (RDNS) Homeless Persons Program and experience in meeting health needs of those individuals experiencing homelessness, management, policy development, structural advocacy and developing strategic service planning.
HESTA Roles and Responsibilities
- Director
- Member, Governance and Remuneration Committee
Other Roles and Responsibilities
- Federal Assistant Secretary, Australian Nursing and Midwifery Federation (ANMF)
- Board of Management member, ANMF
- Board Member, Members Connect ACTU
- Board Member, Australian People for Health, Education and Development Abroad (APHEDA)
- Executive Member, Australian Council of Trade Unions
- Women's Committee member, Australian Council of Trade Unions
- Executive member of Finance and Risk Management Committee, ANMF
Qualifications
- Bachelor of Nursing
- Graduate, Australian Institute of Superannuation Trustees
Emeline Gaske was appointed to the Board in February 2020, representing the Australian Services Union. Emeline is an experienced employment and industrial relations lawyer, campaigner and union official and is also the Assistant National Secretary at Australian Services Union.
Emeline is an experienced employment and industrial relations lawyer, with extensive experience in advising and acting for unions and employees in relation to wide range of matters, including employment law, industrial rights and entitlements, discrimination, contract and governance matters. Emeline directs the ASU's national industrial and campaign strategies. Emeline also has extensive experience in negotiation, mediation and dispute resolution, having routinely appeared in complex mediation and conciliations in a range of jurisdictions, and now leading enterprise bargaining negotiations at many large employers.
HESTA Roles and Responsibilities
- Director
- Member, Risk Committee
Other Roles and Responsibilities
- Assistant National Secretary, Australian Services Union (ASU)
- Executive Member, ACTU Executive
- Member, UNI APRO Executive Committee
Qualifications
- Bachelor of Arts (Hons)
- Bachelor of Laws (Hons)
- Graduate of the Australian Institute of Superannuation Trustees Directors’ Course
Alan Morrison was appointed to the Board in March 2021, representing the Australian Private Hospitals Association. Alan has had a 17-year career in the health sector as Chief Financial Officer, General Manager – Corporate Services and for the past 10 years, Chief Executive Officer.
Alan was a Chartered Accountant with KPMG for over 10 years in the UK and Australia. Alan has had significant exposures to internal audit functions (including a secondment to the Internal Audit Department of Scottish Hydro Electric plc), external audit and transaction advisory engagements for vendor and purchaser mergers and acquisitions and business integrations. Alan has also had Board Director exposure across the education, private hospital and disability service provider sectors.
HESTA Roles and Responsibilities
- Director
- Member, Governance and Remuneration Committee
- Member, Finance Audit and Compliance Committee
Other Roles and Responsibilities
- CEO, sportsmed Hospital & Orthopaedics
- Director and Treasurer, Australian Private Hospitals Association
- State President & Treasurer, Australian Private Hospitals Association SA Branch
- Director, Novita Services
Qualifications
- Bachelor of Accounting (Hons), University of Dundee (UK)
- Chartered Accountant - Institute of Chartered Accountants of Scotland - Non-member
- Graduate, Australian Institute of Company Directors
Brett was appointed to the Board in 2021. Brett is the General Secretary of the NSW Nurses and Midwives’ Association and Branch Secretary of the Australian Nursing and Midwifery Federation NSW Branch – representing the industrial and professional interests of over 73,000 nurses, midwives and assistants in nursing in NSW. Brett has held these positions since August 2002 with previous experience as an Organiser, Team Manager and Assistant General Secretary from 1990.
Brett trained as a Registered General Nurse, Psychiatric Nurse and Midwife from 1980 to 1990 and was a previous Director of HESTA (2000 to 2016) including Deputy Chair (2012 to June 2016).
HESTA Roles and Responsibilities
- Director
- Member, Risk Committee
Other Roles and Responsibilities
- General Secretary New South Wales Nurses and Midwives’ Association
- Branch Secretary NSW Branch, Australian Nursing and Midwifery Federation
- Chair, Edith Cavell Trust
- Director, NEW Law PTY LTD
- Executive member Unions NSW, member Finance and Governance Committee
- Executive Member ACTU
- ANMF Federal Executive, member of Finance and Risk Management Committee
Qualifications
- Registered Nurse
- Non-Practicing Midwife
- Psychiatric Nursing Certificate
- Graduate Harvard University Trade Union Program
- Graduate Sydney University Project Management Course
Ben was appointed to the Board in 2021. Ben has two decades of experience in leadership roles across the not-for-profit, education and industrial relations sectors which he now applies to providing consulting services for and serving on the boards of values aligned organisations.
Formerly the Chief of Staff at the Australian Council of Trade Unions (ACTU) and having held executive level roles in that organisation in communications, operations and member engagement Ben has a been involved in a broad range of activities like representing the Australian Trade Union movement at forums such as the Paris Climate Conference, advocacy for the improvement of worker’s wages, job security and retirement outcomes, the execution of multi-channel & multi-platform member engagement, recruitment & retention campaigns, policy development processes involving a broad diversity of stakeholders and the leadership of internal finance, operational and governance processes. Ben was previously the CEO of Southport UnitingCare and Director of Membership and Community Engagement at Diabetes Australia-Vic.
HESTA Roles and Responsibilities
- Director
- Member, Finance Audit & Compliance Committee
Other Roles and Responsibilities
- Founder, Ben Davison Consulting
- Trustee Director Ballarat General Cemeteries Trust
- Board Director Central Highlands Group Training (BGT Jobs and Training)
- Vice Chair ACTU Education Inc
- Board Member ACTU Member Connect
- Life Member DUSA
- Member ASU Victorian Private Sector Branch
Qualifications
- Bachelor of Arts
- Master of Business Administration (Professional)
Kate was appointed to the Board in 2022. Kate is the Assistant State Secretary of the Health and Community Services Union (HSU, Vic No. 2 Branch), having joined in 2015. She is currently the National Junior Vice President of the Health Services Union.
Before that, Kate was a legal officer with the Construction, Forestry, Mining and Energy Union in Victoria and Tasmania, heading the legal department to run matters before the Fair Work Commission, the Federal Court and the Federal Circuit Court. Kate was an associate in the Federal Court of Australia and completed her articles at Maurice Blackburn Lawyers.
Kate also served on the board of the Portable Long Service Leave Authority.
HESTA Roles and Responsibilities
- Director
- Member, Finance Audit & Compliance Committee
Other Roles and Responsibilities
- Assistant State Secretary of HACSU, Vic
- Junior Vice President of the Health Services union
Qualifications
- Bachelor of Arts (Journalism), Monash
- Bachelor of Laws, Monash
ADJUNCT PROFESSOR STEPHEN CORNELISSEN
Stephen was appointed to the Board in 2022 and is a representative for Aged and Community Services Australia. He is an experienced health care executive who has worked in a range of roles in hospitals, community organisations and central bureaucracy in both metropolitan and rural settings in Australia and New Zealand.
Stephen was appointed Group CEO of Mercy Health in 2011 growing it to be one of Australia’s top 70 private companies, providing health, aged and home care services in Victoria, New South Wales, Queensland, Western Australia and the Australian Capital Territory.
For his commitment to advancing the health and aged care sector, Stephen holds an Adjunct Professor title with the Australian Catholic University and is a Pay Equity Ambassador with the Workplace Gender Equity Agency. In 2016, the CEO Magazine awarded Stephen CEO of the Year and Health and Pharmaceuticals Executive of the Year.
HESTA Roles and Responsibilities
- Director
Other Roles and Responsibilities
- Group CEO, Mercy Health
- Non Executive Director, Mercy Health Foundation
- Non Executive Director, Aged and Community Services Australia
- Non Executive Director, Global Ageing Network (formerly IASHA)
Qualifications
- Post Graduate Diploma of Strategy and Innovation, University of Oxford
- Master of Health Administration, University of New South Wales
- Graduate Certificate Leadership and Catholic Culture, Australian Catholic University
- Bachelor of Nursing, Deakin University
- Company Directors Course, Australian Institute of Company Directors - FAICD
Governance disclosures
Key governance disclosures on our Board and the way it operates can be found in Governance Disclosures (pdf) and our AIST Governance Code Compliance Report (pdf).