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 regulated industries, government, health, property 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
- Chair, Australian Institute of Health and Welfare
- Chair, Victorian Health Promotion Foundation
- Interim Chair, Super Members Council of Australia Limited
- Non-Executive Director, Dexus Fund Management Limited (and Chair of ESG Committee)
- Non-Executive Director, Dexus Holdings Limited
- Non-Executive Director, Lifestyle Communities Ltd
- Non-Executive Director, Murdoch Children's Research Institute
- Patron, BreastWest Foundation
- Member, Chief Executive Women
- Member, QANTAS Chairman’s Lounge
Qualifications
- Bachelor of Arts/Law LLB (Hons), University of Melbourne
- Graduate, Australian Institute of Company Directors
Sue Dahn was appointed as an Independent Director in 2023. Sue has over 20 years experience as a superannuation trustee and as Chair of Investment Committees. She was also founder and principal of the independent investment advisory practice at Pitcher Partners Melbourne. Sue has chaired investment committees at ESS Super, AGEST Super, MTAA Super and Spirit Super.
In 2019 Sue was named the Barron’s Financial Adviser of the year and in 2021 she was awarded the AIST Trustee of the Year. Sue is a Fellow of AIST and the AICD and holds both B Com and MBA degrees from the University of Melbourne. She also holds qualifications in applied finance and investment and in risk management and corporate governance. Sue also serves as a Director of Breakthrough Victoria, Victorian Traditional Owners Funds Limited, Australian Communities Foundation, RMIT Council and is an advisor to the Investment Committees of numerous educational, charitable, industry and membership bodies.
HESTA Roles and Responsibilities
- Independent Director
- Chair, Investment Committee
Other Roles and Responsibilities
- Independent Non-Executive Director and Chair of Investment Committee for Breakthrough Victoria
- Non-Executive Director of Victorian Traditional Owners Funds Limited
- Non Executive Director and Chair Investment Committee, Australian Communities Foundation
- Council Member, RMIT
- Consultant, Pitcher Partners
- Independent Investment Advisor, Law Institute of Victoria
- Independent Investment Advisor, Vic Automobile Chamber of Commerce
- Independent Investment Adviser to Victorian Legal Services Board
- Independent Investment Adviser to Trinity College, University of Melbourne
- Independent Investment Advisor, Machado-Joseph Disease Foundation
Qualifications
- B.Com, University of Melbourne
- MBA, University of Melbourne
- Graduate Diploma of Applied Finance and Investment
- Company Directors Diploma
- Graduate Certificate in Applied Corporate Governance and Risk Management
- Fellow, Australian Institute of Company Directors (FAICD)
- Fellow Australian Institute of Super Trustees (FAIST)
- Fellow Finsia (former Securities Institute Australia) (F Fin)
- Fellow Australian Super Funds Association (FASFA)
- Fellow CPA Australia (FCPA)
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)
- Director, Western Health
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
- Director and Deputy Chair
- Chair, Governance and Remuneration Committee
- Member, Investment Committee
Other Roles and Responsibilities
- Executive Director, United Workers Union
- Director, South Australia Skills Commission
- Member, IFM Shareholder Advisory Panel
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, water and mining industries where he also held related committee roles.
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 over 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, Utilities of Australia Pty Ltd
- Advisor, 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) followed by advanced training in 2021
- RG 146 Financial Advice in Superannuation
Lori-Anne Sharp was appointed to the Board in 2018, representing the Australian Nursing and Midwifery Federation (ANMF). Lori-Anne has over 25 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
Other Roles and Responsibilities
- Board Member, Members Connect ACTU
- Board Member, Australian People for Health, Education and Development Abroad (APHEDA)
- Australian Nursing and Midwifery Association (ANMF) Federal Assistant Secretary
- Federal Executive, ANMF
- Federal Council, ANMF
- Executive member, ACTU
- Executive member, ANMF Finance and Risk Management Committee
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 the Assistant National Secretary at the Australian Services Union, and is also an experienced employment and industrial relations lawyer and campaigner.
Emeline is an experienced employment and industrial relations lawyer, with extensive experience in advising and acting for unions and employees in relation to matters including employment law, industrial rights and entitlements, discrimination, contract and governance matters. Emeline directs the ASU's national industrial and campaign strategies.
HESTA Roles and Responsibilities
- Director
- Member, Risk Committee
- Member, Governance and Remuneration Committee
Other Roles and Responsibilities
- Assistant National Secretary, Australian Services Union (ASU)
- Executive Member, ACTU
- Member, Respect at Work Council
- 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 19-year career in the health sector as Chief Financial Officer, General Manager – Corporate Services and for the past 12 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, The Burnside War Memorial Hospital Inc
- Director and Treasurer, Australian Private Hospitals Association
- State President, Australian Private Hospitals Association SA Branch
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
- Graduate of the Australian Institute of Superannuation Trustees Directors’ Course (GAIST)
- Graduate, Australian Institute of Superannuation Trustees
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. He is currently Chair of BGT; Jobs and Training and serves on the boards of Western Health and the Ballarat General Cemeteries Trust.
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 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 currently focuses on his non-executive director duties and provides management consulting services to the community, trade union, education and disability sectors. 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
- Member, Investment Committee
Other Roles and Responsibilities
- Founder & CEO, Ben Davison Consulting
- Board member, Western Health and member of Finance Committee
- Board Member, Ballarat General Cemeteries Trust and Chair of Organisational Capacity and Remuneration Committee
- Chair, Central Highlands Group Training Inc. trading as Ballarat Group Training (BGT)
- Board Member ACTU Member Connect
- Life Member Deakin University Student Association (DUSA)
- Member ASU Victorian Private Sector Branch
- Member, The New Daily Stakeholder Forum
- Member Ballan and District Chamber of Commerce
Qualifications
- Bachelor of Arts
- Master of Business Administration (Professional)
- Graduate, Australian Institute of Company Directors (AICD)
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 a National Assistant Secretary 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 industrial 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 legal traineeship 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
- National Junior President of the Health Services Union
- Member, Trades Hall and Literary Institute
- Member, HSU National Executive, National Council and National Finance
Qualifications
- Bachelor of Arts (Journalism), Monash
- Bachelor of Laws, Monash
- Graduate of the Australian Institute of Superannuation Trustees Directors’ Course (GAIST)
Jackie was appointed to the Board in 2023. Jackie is a Kamilaroi/Bigambul woman from St George in Southwest Queensland. Jackie is currently the Director of her own business, Connecting 2 Culture, and a Director and partner of Connecting the Dots through Culture. These businesses provide support to Early Childhood Services, Schools, Government, and Not for Profit Organisations that would like to improve or build on the services that they provide to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander families coming into their programs.
Jackie has worked for Government and Not for Profit Organisations in remote, rural, and urban areas in the Education and Community sectors. She has many years of life experience and professional expertise from working in these sectors.
Jackie was previously employed by Melbourne University as the Regional Implementation Manager for the Moreton Bay Region in South East Queensland. Her role was to Implement the First 1000 Days Australia program in the Moreton Bay Region. Jackie’s other past employment history includes being employed as the Cultural Diversity Advisor for C&K in Brisbane and as Site Coordinator in Townsville for Good Beginnings Australia. Other Boards that Jackie has been a Director include the Nungeena Women of the Mountain Board at Glass House Mountains and Early Childhood Australia, Brisbane Queensland.
HESTA Roles and Responsibilities
- Director
- Member, Risk Committe
Other Roles and Responsibilities
- World Forum Foundation Global Leader for Young Children
- Director on the Koobara Kindergarten and Pre-Prep Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Corporation Board, since 2016
Qualifications
- Certificate IV – Community Services
Emma was appointed to the Board in 2023, representing the Aged and Community Care Providers Association. Her working life has been dedicated to for-purpose roles, currently as the General Manager of Advocacy & External Relations at Uniting NSW.ACT, one of Australia’s largest not-for-profit organisations with services that cover every stage of life. At Uniting NSW.ACT, Emma is a member of the Executive co-managing the Social Impact & Advocacy Directorate, central to Uniting’s 10 year goal of disrupting entrenched disadvantage. Emma’s responsibilities include social justice campaigning, government relations, media, social media, partnerships, thought leadership and philanthropy.
Emma was a Director of legalsuper for 12 years, serving on the Investment Committee for many of those years. Prior to joining Uniting, Emma was Assistant Secretary of Unions NSW and also worked as an employment lawyer and at WorkCover NSW.
HESTA Roles and Responsibilities
- Director
- Member, Investment Committee
Other Roles and Responsibilities
- Director, Sydney Community Forum
- Director, EGM trust (testamentary trust)
- Executive member, Uniting NSW.ACT
- Member, Uniting Financial Services, Ethical Investment Monitoring Committee
Qualifications
- Bachelor of Economic, Hons 1
- Diploma of Law
- Admitted as a lawyer by the Supreme Court of NSW
- Graduate AICD
HESTA Roles and Responsibilities
- Director
- Member, Risk Committee
Other Roles and Responsibilities
- Professional Officer, Superannuation - NSW Nurses and Midwives Association
- Member, NSW Nurses and Midwives Association
Qualifications
- Registered Nurse
- Bachelor of Nursing
- Bachelor of Arts (Govt and Industrial Relations)
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).