At Spinal Life Australia we are guided by our members. Our Board – a majority of whom live with a disability are elected by members to guide the organisation’s strategic direction, oversee management, and ensure compliance. Both our Board of Directors and our Executive team bring a wealth of experience and expertise, and are dedicated to supporting people with a disability to live more equitable, accessible and empowered lives.
GETTING THERE
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Chief Executive Officer
Mark has decades of experience working in local government, commercial and not-for-profit industries, including 19 years as Chief Executive Officer of RSPCA Queensland before joining Spinal Life Australia in October 2019.
Mark is skilled in organisational development, process improvement, innovation, strategic planning and implementation of motivated workplace cultures and has been recognised with a Member of the Order of Australia (AM) and is a recipient of the Prime Minister’s Federation Medal for significant services to the community.
Chief Commercial Officer
Natalie supports the strategic and operational oversight to achieve our service delivery targets and goals. She is a Chartered Accountant with over 15 years of experience in commercial sectors. Natalie works well in challenging and deadline-driven environments that require high degrees of accuracy.
Chief Financial Officer
Executive Manager, Business Development
After beginning her nursing career in Princess Alexandra’s Spinal Injuries Unit, Frances decided to move into a community-based job, which is how she began work with Spinal Life Australia in 1988. Frances gained a Masters in Human Services which gave her the grounding to further develop the services of the organisation.
She has led the organisation’s client and member services areas and has been involved in developing new services to meet the needs of members and clients. In recent years Frances has focused her energies on building sustainable commercial businesses to move the organisation into the future.
Executive Manager, Member Services, Marketing and Fundraising
Holding a Master of Business Administration through the University of South Australia, Ross has built his expertise and skills across a broad range of sectors.
He has worked for many organisations both in Australia and internationally, including the CSIRO, RSPCA, the Sunshine Coast Council and the State Library of Queensland.
While employed with Sunshine Coast Council, Ross played a key role in the amalgamation of the library services of three former councils, leading to council being awarded the best public library award in 2008 by the Queensland Public Library Association.
He is passionate about supporting Spinal Life members to live an accessible, equitable and empowered life, particularly through advocacy, working with individuals and all levels of government to achieve positive outcomes.
Chair
Independent Non-Executive Director and Member of the Audit, Finance and Risk Committee.
Gyl was appointed as a Spinal Life Board Director in 2016 and was elected Chair of the Board in August 2019. She is also Chair of the Research and Innovation Committee. Gyl has 35 years’ experience as a senior manager and executive. She is committed to public service, with several other board roles including the Parole Board Queensland, QCAT and Queensland Health. Gyl is extremely passionate about bringing about change that will improve the lives of people who have suffered from spinal cord damage having contracted Transverse Myelitis herself as a teenager. Gyl has a Bachelor of Business, a Graduate Certificate in Management and is a Graduate of the Australian Institute of Company Directors.
Board Member
Mark Fenton is a seasoned finance executive with more than 25 years’ experience spanning a multitude of sectors, including disability, aged care, retail, manufacturing, professional services, and membership services. With his broad experience in arts, education, supportive housing, aged care and member services sector, Mark brings in a wealth of expertise to our board. Mark has considerable experience with both not-for-profit organisations as well as entrepreneurial for-profit businesses, demonstrating versatility and adaptability in his leadership approach.
Mark currently serves as a non-executive director for McLean Care Ltd, Anglicare North Coast and Opera Queensland Ltd and is a trustee for the Patricia MacDonald Memorial Foundation. Mark’s extensive board and executive experience highlight his proficiency in finance and his ability to drive transformational change while consistently delivering results and championing innovation and sustainability.
Board Member
Cathy is a reputable commercial lawyer who brings a wealth of expertise to our Board.
With extensive experience spanning diverse industries such as accounting, body corporates, not-for-profit organisations, professional services and real estate agents, Cathy’s knowledge is nothing short of exceptional. Her area of specialisation encompasses a wide range of critical fields, including providing advice to the board of directors of large companies, asset management, commercial contracts, compliance, corporate law, director’s responsibilities, due diligence, estate planning, joint ventures, and partnerships, among others.
Cathy currently serves as a board member at the Macpherson Kelley Foundation, along with being part of the firm’s National Executive Team and Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion committee.
Board Member
Independent Non-Executive Director, Member of the Governance and Remuneration Committee, and Member of the Research and Innovation Advisory Committee.
Phillip has an extensive 45-year history in research, particularly focused on human molecular genetics, with more than 150 publications in international scientific journals. He has more than 25 years’ experience teaching in universities in Queensland and South Australia, and brings expertise in successfully applying for grants, developing new technologies and more.
Phillip is currently a ‘retired’ Adjunct Professor at QUT and the University of Queensland. He continues to mentor students and younger researchers. He is a passionate advocate for improving outcomes and quality of life for people with spinal cord damage, with lived experience having sustained an injury in 2005.
Board Member
Independent Non-Executive Director and Chair of the Governance and Remuneration Committee.
Gerard was appointed to the Board in April 2019. He is also the President of Surf Lifesaving Queensland and a Director of Surf Lifesaving Australia. Previous Directorships include Buderim Ginger Limited, Colgate Palmolive PNG, Australian Industry Group and Baking Industry Association of Queensland. He has extensive experience in the Australian and international consumer goods sectors, including a number of Managing Director roles.
Board Member
Carol was appointed to the Board in January 2021. She is an award-winning lawyer and artist, disability advocate and the world’s first fashion designer with quadriplegia. Carol was previously on the Board of Access Arts Australia, is a founding member of the Queensland Law Society’s Diverse Abilities Network, and was Honorary Solicitor for the Irish Australia Welfare Bureau.
With 21 years’ lived experience of spinal cord damage, Carol tirelessly pushes for change in our built environment, in our institutions, and in society’s attitudes. Carol has a furious desire for positive change and justice, to redefine what is possible for all.
Board Member
Rebecca has joined the board as an Alternate Director and brings extensive experience, having worked in both the public and private sectors as a Musculoskeletal Physiotherapist.
Rebecca has worked as a committee member for the Queensland and National Australian Physiotherapy Association and was selected as part of the Paralympic Cycling Medical Team for the Sydney 2000 Paralympic Games.
Rebecca brings her own experience as a mother of a child with a spinal injury, as well as experience working within Allied Health teams to the board.
