Our Leaders

Penny is recognised as an influential public sector leader and has held many leadership positions, most recently as Chair of the Royal Commission into Victoria’s Mental Health System from February 2019 to March 2021.

Andre is a Fellow of Chartered Accountants Australia & New Zealand and a member of the Australian Institute of Company Directors.

Ellen is Chief People Officer at the Royal Melbourne Hospital and holds qualifications in law, business and change mangement.

Rob has nearly 40 years’ experience in financial services, both internationally and within Australia. His most recent role was CEO of Credit Union Australia (CUA), Australia’s largest mutual owned financial services provider.

Robert has more than 40 years’ experience as a senior adviser at board and executive levels across a range of sectors including banking and the media, agriculture, food production and manufacturing, retail, hotels, liquor and gaming.

Helen is a member of the Orygen Board and an Emeritus Professor. She is a retired psychiatrist and public health physician with national and international experience in mental health research and its translation, and service provision. She is an appointed Officer of the Order of Australia (AO) and is included in the Victorian Honour Roll of Women.

Frances is a NHMRC Fellow, Director of Technology, Innovation and Translation at the NHMRC PREMISE Centre for Research Excellence and Co-Director of the Mental Health Hub of the University of Newcastle’s Priority Research Centre in Brain and Mental Health. She is the interim Pro Vice Chancellor (Research and Innovation) at the University of Newcastle.

Ben is a consulting and social impact leader with over 25 years of experience in regulatory analysis and stakeholder engagement, strategy, customs and trade, tax and business change.

Mike is the Associate Dean Research in the Faculty of Medicine, Dentistry and Health Sciences at the University of Melbourne.