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 the Accounting Professional & Ethical Standards Board, The Sir Zelman Cowen Centre at Victoria University and the Cancer Council of Australia. Currently she is Chair of the Australian Institute of Health and Welfare, Chair of the Victorian Health Promotion Foundation, and Director of Super Members Council of Australia Limited and Dexus. 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 The Australian Financial Review’s 100 Women of Influence in 2015. 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. Nicola was awarded a Doctor of Laws (honoris causa) from the University of Melbourne in 2024 in recognition of her public health work and its impact.
Sue Dahn was appointed as an Independent Director in 2023. Sue has over 20 years of 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 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 Victorian Traditional Owners Funds Limited and is an advisor to the Investment Committees of numerous educational, charitable, industry and membership bodies.
Helen Gibbons 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 (UWU) and has held a number of senior leadership roles at United Voice since 2004. Helen is also a Director at South Australia Skills Commission and HumanAbility Ltd.
As well as a strong understanding of key sectors relevant to HESTA’s membership, Helen has extensive experience in formulating sound strategies, ensuring good financial governance, promoting transparent accountability, and building alliances.
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 since 2019, under the amalgamated UWU, she has held the role of Executive Director. In her national role at UWU, Helen's primary responsibility has been for the direction and scope of the unions work in early education. She drives a strong research and policy base to her work and builds collaborative relationships with other stakeholders. Helen has been instrumental in the campaign for quality early learning environments with well supported and respected professional staff.
Prior to her focus on early education, Helen led the national unions work in aged care, disability care, and home care. Before working for United Voice, Helen spent 20 years working in the early education and care sector developing educational programs and environments for the youngest members of our community.
Alan Morrison was appointed to the Board in March 2021, representing the Australian Private Hospitals Association. Alan has over 20 years' experience in the health sector as Chief Financial Officer, General Manager – Corporate Services and for the past 15 years, Chief Executive Officer.
Alan was a Chartered Accountant with KPMG for over 10 years in the UK and Australia. This includes 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 director level exposure across the education, private hospital and disability services sectors, including through his role as a Director and Treasurer of the Australian Private Hospitals Association and State President of the South Australian branch.
Cath Smith was appointed to the Board in 2015, representing the Australian Council of Social Service. She has substantial 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 an organisational and strategy consultant with private, public and community services sector clients since 2012. She was awarded Fellow of the Institute of Public Administration (IPAA Vic Branch) in 2009.
She is also a Director of Utilities of Australia Pty Ltd and the Independent Chair for the Energy Charter End Users Consultative Group, which works towards better outcomes for Australian energy consumers.
Emeline Gaske is the National Secretary of the Australian Services Union, representing more than 135,000 members across local government, community and disability services, public services, airlines, call centres, and administration workers all around the country. She leads the ASU's campaigns, strategy, and industrial work nationally, and has been an ASU member for almost 20 years.
Emeline is an experienced employment and industrial relations lawyer, organiser and campaigner. She is also a member of the federal government’s Respect at Work Council and various industry advisory groups.
Emeline was appointed to the Board in February 2020, nominated by the Australian Services Union.
Kate Marshall was appointed to the Board in 2022. Kate is the Senior National Assistant Secretary of the Health Services Union.
Kate was the Assistant State Secretary at the Health and Community Services Union (HSU, Victorian No 2 Branch) and the Senior Industrial Officer prior to that appointment. She led the industrial department for 10 years at the Health and Community Services Union, running matters before the Fair Work Commission, the Federal Circuit Court and the Federal Court of Australia. Kate was a Judges associate in the Federal Court of Australia and completed her legal traineeship at Maurice Blackburn Lawyers.
Kate also served on the board of the Victorian Portable Long Service Leave Authority.
Emma Maiden was appointed to the Board in 2023, representing Ageing Australia (formerly known as the Aged and Community Care Providers Association (ACCPA)). Her working life has been dedicated to for-purpose roles.
Emma is currently the Director 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 is also a Director of NSW Council of Social Service and Sydney Community Forum.
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.
Angela van Vorst was appointed to the Board in 2023, representing the Australian Nursing and Midwifery Federation (ANMF). Angela has over 30 years’ experience in the health and aged care sector and is currently a senior member of the NSW Nurses and Midwives’ Association’s (NSWNMA) Professional Services Team.
Angela’s clinical background is mental health and has been engaged in a wide range of discussions relevant to the sector, including policy development, clinical practice, education, accreditation, research, workforce, regulation and governance. Angela was also a Member of the NSW Nursing and Midwifery Council for 6 years.
Robert (Rob) Bonner was appointed to the Board in 2024. Rob is an experienced leader and manager, having served on boards and governance committees at state and national levels over many years. In his current work and in governance committees, Rob has also played an active role in compliance, finance and risk committees as well as general board governance deliberations.
Rob is currently the Chair of HumanAbility Ltd, having been the Interim CEO from December 2022 until October 2023. He is also the Deputy Chair of the Steering Committee of the Rosemary Bryant AO Research Centre of the University of South Australia, and a Director of the Rosemary Bryant Foundation.
Until July 2023, Rob was the Executive Director, Operations for the Australian Nursing and Midwifery Federation (ANMF) South Australian Branch, having worked with the union for approximately 38 years. Until August 2023, he was Secretary of the South Australian Government Superannuation Federation.
In November 2022, Rob’s work in the vocational educations and skills field was recognised by the receipt of the Outstanding Achievement in VET and Skills Award at the Australian Training Awards.
Michael Brydon was appointed to the Board in 2025, representing the Australian Healthcare and Hospitals Association (AHHA). He is a 35-year, experienced Paediatrician and Senior Health Manager with significant Board and networking experience.
Michael has been on the AHHA board for six years and in 2019, he joined The University of Notre Dame as the Associate Dean of Rural Clinical Schools. Prior to that he had been the Chief Executive of The Sydney Children’s Hospitals Network, having been in the organisation since 1983 in a range of roles. He has dedicated over 20 years to health administration in the NSW Public Sector and 32 years of clinical experience to Child Health Services.
Michael has completed the Company Directors course and undertaken leadership training internationally. He was awarded an OAM for services to children and social justice issues and is known for his advocacy for children, the social determinants of health and the importance of investing in early childhood.
Julia Angrisano was appointed to the Board in May 2025, nominated by the Australian Council of Trade Unions (ACTU). She currently serves as the National Secretary of the Finance Sector Union of Australia (FSU), bringing over 25 years of experience advocating for workers across the finance industry, including in superannuation and investment. In addition to her extensive industry experience, Julia brings a deep understanding of the regulatory environment, governance structures, stakeholder priorities, and performance drivers within superannuation.
Throughout her career at the FSU, Julia has held a range of senior roles in organising, advocacy, campaigns, and previously served as the NSW/ACT Local Executive Secretary. In her current role, she is responsible for setting the FSU’s strategic direction, executing plans to achieve organisational goals, and fostering a strong, member-led culture.
Julia played a key role in the Financial Services Royal Commission, providing critical evidence to support greater fairness and accountability in the sector. She is deeply committed to building a finance sector that is ethical, equitable, and fair for all Australians.
Before joining HESTA, Julia served for more than 7 years as a director on a superannuation board, where she was also a member of the Member and Employer Services Committee and the Risk and Compliance Committee. She is a strong advocate for remuneration frameworks and policies that champion diversity and inclusion.
Trevor Brown was appointed to the Board in May 2025, representing Early Childhood Australia (ECA). He has over 30 years’ experience in the early learning sector, holding senior leadership roles in both not for profit organisations and government agencies in Queensland and Tasmania.
Most recently, Trevor has provided expert advice and led a number of early years initiatives through the Tasmanian Child and Youth Wellbeing Strategy, within the Department of Premier and Cabinet.
A highly experienced advocate for the education and care sector, Trevor has served on the ECA National Board since 2021 and as National President since 2023.
Jenny Parker was appointed to the Board in 2025, representing Catholic Health Australia. She is the Chair of Catholic Health Australia and a Partner at EY Australia. She has spent over 35 years in the professional services industry undertaking reviews with Health and Human Services entities within the government and private sector.
Jenny is a chartered accountant and risk professional.
Governance disclosures
Key governance disclosures on our Board and the way it operates can be found in Governance Disclosures (pdf).