John joined the MPA Board in 2015 and was elected Chairman in July 2016. John has a long career in senior management roles in the agricultural sector.
His background provides him a wide understanding of business management and advocacy at all levels of industry and Government. John is currently Chairman of the Northern Co-operative Meat Company, a globally recognised farmer owned Co-operative. He is currently Chairman of the Co-operative Alliance in northern New South Wales and represents the industry at both State and national levels.
John has a strong rural focus and has a particular interest in rural health issues. After being diagnosed with a potentially life threating invasive form of squamous cell carcinoma whilst living in western NSW, John appreciates the importance of support and information for patients having difficulty accessing specialised treatment.
John has a Bachelor of Agricultural Science (UNE) and is a member of the Australian Institute of Company Directors.
Chief Executive Officer
Victoria commenced her leadership career in the not-for-profit world after working within the commercial sector in senior executive, business development, marketing and event management roles.
Victoria has been a CEO, Director and Senior Strategist in the charity sector for fourteen years.
With a deep passion for social justice and consumer advocacy, Victoria has a special interest in health and achieving the best possible outcomes for those affected by melanoma.
Victoria enjoys working closely with Boards’ on business strategy, governance and risk, successful delivery of major contracts and projects, fundraising and financial diversification.
Victoria holds a Bachelor of Arts (Hons) degree in Economics and Law, post graduate diploma from the Chartered Institute of Marketing (UK) and Australian Institute of Company Directors, Company Directors Course.
Director
Daniel co-founded Melanoma Patients Australia, together with Brent Grace in 2006 and has served on the Board since the organisation’s inception.
Daniel has extensive professional experience in Private Equity and Strategy fields through his work as a management consultant with McKinsey & Co in Sydney and New York, CEO of Sands Group, and now Managing Director of Redwood North, a Private Equity and Real Estate Investment Firm.
Daniel has completed an MBA from Columbia Business School in New York, an LLB/ B.Com (Accounting) from Bond University, and is a Graduate of the Australian Institute of Company Directors.
RN, Grad Dip Diabetes Education
Following a long career in midwifery and diabetes education, Alison now works as a registered nurse in general practice.
Alison has been a board director of Melanoma Patients Australia since 2016 and facilitates the MPA Support Group in Melbourne.
As a melanoma survivor, she is passionate about providing education, information and supporting others to live well with melanoma regardless of their stage of disease.
A committed patient and research advocate, she works in partnership with other consumers, health professionals, cancer organisations and researchers to develop and establish collaborative relationships within the community.
Alison is an associate investigator for several trials and studies and regularly reviews Cancer Australia and NHMRC grant proposals. She has co-authored several journal papers with leading melanoma doctors and researchers.
Her affiliations and memberships include:
Marie-Claire has a background in clinical social work and holds post-graduate degrees in social policy, research and management.
She has experience in a range of clinical, policy, research, academic and senior management roles within health and social care, having worked in government, higher education, commercial and non-profit sectors in a career spanning over thirty years. Marie-Claire’s most recent previous roles include: National Clinical Director for 1800RESPECT, the national telephone and online counselling service for people impacted by sexual assault and domestic and family violence and Director of Support Programs for Prostate Cancer Foundation of Australia.
Marie-Claire is currently working as a consultant with health, human services and social care organisations in the areas of strategic planning, psychosocial program innovation and development, quality assurance and improvement. She also facilitates training and professional development in the areas of leadership and management in the health and social care sector. She is a previous National Vice-President of the Australian Association of Social Workers (2008 – 2011; 2016 – 2018). Marie-Claire is a 2012 Winston Churchill Fellow. Her research involved an overseas study of social work education and workforce planning in the United States, Canada, England and Denmark, exploring contemporary workforce needs and the readiness to practice of social work graduates.
Director
Melanoma interests:
Surgeon involved in the management of patients with all stages of melanoma for 26 years.
Senior surgeon at the Melanoma Clinic at the Princess Alexandra Hospital
Research involvement:
Epidemiology of melanoma in Queensland – Collaboration with the Queensland Institute of Medical Research, Epidemiology Unit.
Assessment of the outcomes of patients with high risk primary and secondary melanoma.
Phase I-III trials in the surgical and medical management of patients with stage III and IV melanoma. These include locally based studies as well as collaboration in national and international trials.
Karen is a stage IV melanoma survivor who is now an advocate for and supporter of other melanoma patients. Karen was diagnosed in 2011 with a Clark level III melanoma.
She was subsequently diagnosed in mid-2013 at stage IV melanoma. She was treated with Keytruda as part of a trial from October 2013 to October 2015 and has shown no evidence of disease in regular scans since that time.
Director
John Lee’s highly successful career has spanned the executive levels of the public and private sectors. His diverse experience includes central government, sports administration, transport and infrastructure.
He has a detailed understanding of government having held senior leadership positions in NSW including Director-General of the Department of Premier and Cabinet, Department of Commerce & Ministry of Transport. John worked on the successful delivery of the Sydney 2000 Olympics transport effort, as well as rail and bus reform.
After government, John was managing director of Australia’s largest private bus company which included the Westbus and Hillsbus brands. Then he worked in professional sport as CEO of two top NRL clubs, the Sydney Roosters and South Sydney Rabbitohs.
John has also worked extensively in government advisory in Queensland, advising on sporting venues and rail infrastructure. Previously he also served on the Australian Advertising Standards Board.
Melanoma Patients Australia
Mater Foundation
620 Stanley Street
Woolloongabba
Brisbane, 4102
Create an automatic monthly alert to conduct a skin self-examination on your mobile phone. Or if you prefer a natural reminder, just ‘look up’ – when you see the full moon, check your skin.
Follow the Melanoma Movement at www.melanomapatients.org.au/get-involved/melanoma-movement/
Only 11% of people have their moles checked by a dermatologist and just 33% self-check their skin annually. But dermatologists say skin self-examinations should be carried out every month. Check out our useful guide for how to do it.
melanomapatients.org.au
With melanoma and non-melanoma skin cancer incidence rates increasing, we must find ways to create habits and make skin self-examinations a part of our monthly calendar. ☝️🌝
Melanoma Patients Australia - Get Involved
melanomapatients.org.au
Employers must treat sun exposure as a health and safety issue, providing appropriate clothing and sunblock, training about skin protection and self-examination and organising shift patterns to minimise sun exposure.
Danger Sun Overhead is a great resource for info about sun safety in the workplace. Find out more at www.dangersunoverhead.org.au
Melanoma and non-melanoma skin cancer is one of the few cancers where we can definitively identify its cause and that means it is largely preventable - so why is there no nationally funded prevention program in Australia?
