National Leadership Team

Toni has worked with Red Cross since May 2007; she previously held the role of Group Manager - Community Services.

Prior to joining Red Cross, Toni was the Chief Executive Officer of Latrobe Community Health Service in Gippsland, the largest community health service organisation in Victoria. Toni worked for seven years as the Director of Care Services with a leading Aged Care and Disability Services provider, Brightwater Care Group in Western Australia and previously as Director of Ambulatory and Allied Health Services with the Austin and Repatriation Medical Centre in Victoria.

Toni is a qualified Occupational Therapist and holds post graduate qualifications in Business and has completed an International Executive Development course at Cornell University USA.

Ian holds a Bachelor of Economics, Master of Business and Doctor of Philosophy degrees and joined Red Cross in 2005 from earlier roles as a University Campus Director, Academic teacher and researcher, Company Director and Industrial Economist. He has published research in the areas of strategic marketing, strategic alliances and strategy formulation.

Sandy Chakravarty has gained extensive experience and delivered excellence in Finance across pharmaceutical, diversified industrials and professional services (consulting) industries in Australia and Asia-Pacific. She has held Finance and other functional positions spanning Asia-Pacific and Global.

Her past positions include:

• Head of Asia-Pacific Finance and International Controller of The Boston Consulting Group (2006-2010)
• Vice President Asia-Pacific of Ingersoll Rand (2005-2006)
• Finance Director of Bristol-Myers Squibb (Australia and Asia) (1997-2000 & 2002-2004)

In October 2010 she was appointed the CFO for Australian Red Cross supporting the humanitarian and commercial services of the Red Cross Society. She is also a Board member of the Blood Services division of the Red Cross Society.

Noel first joined Red Cross in 2001 as National Manager of the Asylum Seeker Assistance Scheme and moved into a General Manager role in 2002. His current portfolio encompasses social inclusion programs, youth and family programs, migration support programs, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander programs and emergency services. Reporting to the Director of Services and International Operations, Noel plays a leadership role in the development, delivery and review of all services within Australia. Noel's role involves direct management of national staff and collaboration with State and Territory Executive Directors, senior managers and program staff across the organisation.

Noel has worked for the past 23 years in not-for-profit and community sector organisations in Australia with roles ranging from community development worker, social worker, program co-ordinator and senior manager. He holds a Bachelor of Social Work and a Masters of Social Policy and Community Service Management.

Warren has broad international experience at CIO, Director and Consultant levels in Information Technology across numerous industry sectors including pharmaceuticals, agriculture, petrochemicals, plastics and IT consulting. His experience ranges from tier two consulting firms to global responsibilities in Fortune 500 organisations. 

He possesses extensive experience in business processes from both IT and business management perspectives, in areas including sales & marketing, logistics & procurement, finance & accounting, regulatory compliance & telecommunications. He has considerable experience in strategic corporate planning and executive IT management roles covering relationship management, solutions design & development and IT service delivery.

Warren holds a B.Ed (Business Studies) from the University of Melbourne and postgraduate qualifications in Information Systems Management and Project Management from George Washington University (USA) and Bridgewater University (USA).

Jennifer has held her current position since May 2004.

She has an established career in profit focused business development, direct marketing and corporate communications, particularly in the financial services area, in Australia, USA, and UK. Before joining Australian Red Cross, Jennifer held the roles for Accenture of Director of Marketing, Financial Services - Asia Pacific and Director of Marketing & Communications - Australia and previously was Director, Business Development & Communications at Clayton Utz. Her background includes sourcing and establishing new start-up business initiatives for the Lend Lease Group, Barclays Bank (UK), American Express, and AGC.

Jennifer has also studied, played and taught music professionally in Australia, the U.S. and U.K for over 25 years and was on the Board of the Australian Brandenburg Orchestra for three years until joining Australian Red Cross. Jennifer holds Masters and Bachelor qualifications in Commerce and has achieved ATCL and LTCL levels through Trinity College.

David joined Red Cross in 2005 and coordinates the organisation's strategic and business planning and works closely with senior managers and staff to improve organisational performance. In 2008 David led the establishment of the Research and Social Policy team within Red Cross with the aim of developing evidence-based practice and improving the quality and effectiveness of Red Cross services.

David has extensive experience in business analysis, project management, and strategic planning. Prior to joining Red Cross he was a senior manager with Job Futures, the national non-profit employment services network, where he successfully developed a number of new initiatives in employment and community services. He has previously worked in a range of roles within the Australian Government, Local Government, and the community sector.

David has a Bachelor of Arts in sociology and postgraduate qualifications in business management and philanthropic and non-profit studies.

Joan is also the Manager of Parliamentary and Government Relations. Joan has been CEO of Carers Australia (last 5 years) and Carers NSW (13 years) and in these roles has influenced key decision makers to act in the interest of family carers. She has strong and effective relationships with parliamentarians across the political spectrum and understands the workings of Government very well. This is critical for the management of Parliamentary and Government Relations, a key part of the role.

In 2010 Joan worked with the Federal Government to steer the formation of Carer Recognition Framework and was instrumental in achieving the enactment of Carer Recognition Legislation 2010. Joan is also a Churchill Fellow.

Steve joined Red Cross as the Executive Director for WA in March 2003 after a long career in the Australian Army, including being the first Commander of the Australian Contingent to the Truce Monitoring Group in Bougainville. He was awarded the Conspicuous Service Cross in the 1998 Queen's Birthday Honours for his service in Bougainville.

In August 1998 he was reassigned as Colonel Olympic Games and Chief of Staff to Operation Gold, responsible for the planning and conduct of the Australian Defence Force's security operations to the Sydney 2000 Olympic Games.

Steve resigned from the Australian Defence Force in 2000 and joined WMC as the Human Resources Manager at Leinster Nickel Operation in Western Australia.

As well as being the WA Executive Director, Steve has served at the national level of Red Cross, firstly as Country Manager in Indonesia leading Australia Red Cross' tsunami operations, and recently he was appointed to lead Red Cross' national business improvement project and IT infrastructure operation.

He is a Board member of Leadership WA and the Steering Committee for the Commonwealth People's Forum for CHOGM 2011 to be held in Perth. He was coopted onto the Board of WACOSS in July 2011.

Steve has a Masters Degree in Defence Studies from Deakin University and his interests include all sports, but in particular Australian Rules and golf. He is an active surf life saver. He is married to Jill and has two daughters.

Di was formerly Executive Director ACT and Manager Parliamentary and Government Relations.

Prior to joining Red Cross in early 2009, Di was CEO of the Planning Institute of Australia a professional association for urban planners, where she oversaw significant growth and change. She has been a company secretary, senior executive and spokesperson for three large national organisations spanning diverse activities including health, community services and the built environment. Di has experience in governance, people management, strategy, finance, corporate affairs, community services and business development. Her experience in advocacy, public affairs and government relations spans in excess of 25 years making her a persuasive ambassador for her organisation. She has presented before Parliamentary Inquiries and advised Commonwealth Ministers.

Di has been an independent non-executive director on the Board of for profit, not for profit and industry organisations. She is a Fellow of the Australian Institute of Company Directors and an Associate Fellow of the Australian Institute of Management. Di has long standing interests in governance, social policy, strategic planning, public administration, communication and public affairs.

Kevin joined Red Cross in December 2011. From November 2009 Kevin was the Queensland State Manager of the Australian Government Department of Families, Housing, Community Services and Indigenous Affairs (FaHCSIA). In that role he managed the vast range of family, housing and community services in Queensland and was engaged with the Queensland Government and Australian Red Cross on the community recovery effort after the flood and cyclone disasters of the 2010/2011 summer. He has also been closely involved in indigenous issues in Queensland, including in Cape York and efforts on remote indigenous housing in Queensland.

Previously Kevin was Head of the Commonwealth Secretariat on the Garnaut Review of Climate Change and worked in various Branch Head roles in the Department of Environment, Water, Heritage and the Arts (DEWHA), in Canberra, including heritage, energy efficiency and public affairs. Some of his major achievements included the World Heritage listing of Purnululu National Park in Western Australia and the Greater Blue Mountains in New South Wales.

Kevin has represented Australia on many international forums, including UNESCO, the United Nations Commission on Sustainable Development, and was Chair of the OECD Environment Policy Committee for four years. He has also been the Australian representative on Asia Pacific forums including SPREP (South Pacific Regional Environment Program), the PNG Torres Strait Environment Committee and bilateral bodies with the Indonesian Government.

Kevin also worked in the Department of Prime Minister and Cabinet advising on the Mabo decision from 1992 and establishing the Council for Aboriginal Reconciliation. He has been a Ministerial advisor or Senior Departmental advisor to successive national Governments and Ministers from both sides of politics over the last 20 years.

Kevin has a broad background in indigenous issues, having started his working life teaching in remote Aboriginal communities in Cape York and Central Australia. He has an extensive list of publications, including a well received book on the life stories of Patrick Dodson and his family.

Donna joined Australian Red Cross in 2006. She has had a diverse career including extensive experience in the Australian Aid & Development sector. She has held Senior Management and voluntary roles in Not-for-Profit organisations, led national Volunteer programs, and has a strong background in people and change management.

As Director of Services and International Operations, Australian Red Cross since September 2008 Michael leads the delivery of Red Cross programs both in Australia and internationally. Before joining Red Cross he had held a number of positions including: Director, Welfare Rights Centre, Sydney (1990 2008); Founding President, National Welfare Rights Network (2003 -2008); President, International Council on Social Welfare [ICSW], South East Asia and Pacific (2003 2008); Global Deputy President, ICSW (2005 -2008); President, Australian Council of Social Service [ACOSS] (1997 -2001); Deputy Director, ACTU Overseas Aid (1989 1990); Founding President, Independent Teachers Federation of Australia (1984 1989); General Secretary, NSW Independent Teachers Association (1979 1989); and National President, Mandela Foundation of Australia (1990 to 1997). He was awarded the Australian Human Rights Medal by HREOC in 2002 and the Justice Medal by the Law and Justice Foundation in 2007.

Chris commenced with Australian Red Cross in 2008. Chris's role has a particular accountability for the development of frameworks, systems, tools, policies and procedures across a broad range of human resources functions. The overall aim of Human Resources is to build the capability, capacity and culture of the organisation at each stage of the staff and volunteer life cycle - plan, attract, engage, develop, support, reward, retain and transition.

Prior to Red Cross, Chris worked for three years as the Executive Director Human Resources, with Alfred Health - a major metropolitan public sector health organisation in Melbourne. Alfred Health has more than 7000 employees across three sites - The Alfred, Caulfield Hospital and Sandringham Hospital.

Earlier human resources roles were in the private health industry with Affinity Health and Mayne.

Before entering the health industry, Chris held operational human resources roles in food manufacturing in northern Victoria with Kraft Foods and Bonlac Foods.

Chris commenced his professional life as a secondary teacher, then moving to education and training consultancy.

Kerry joined Red Cross in April 2004, and is currently the Executive Director in South Australia. Previous to this held the positions of: Manager, Community and Environment in local government having oversight of Community Services, Community and Cultural Development, Library, Environmental and Health Services. Regional Director with Spastic Centres of South Australia - managed significant service reform from an institutional base to consumer service model, which led to the establishment of community based individually tailored options for consumers with multiple and severe disabilities and their families. Social Worker with the SA Government s Department of Human Services and Intellectual Disability Services Council, working primarily in child protection with children at risk, families and communities and people with intellectual disability. Kerry has a Bachelor of Social Work.

Robert Tickner took up the position of the Secretary General Chief Executive Officer (CEO) in February 2005. Prior to taking up this appointment he was the CEO of Job Futures Ltd. Robert served as Federal Minister for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Affairs from 1990-1996 and is Australia s longest serving Minister for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Affairs. Before being elected to the Federal parliament, he was a lecturer in the Faculty of Law at the Institute of Technology as well as the Faculty of Business Studies. He later served as Principal Solicitor to the NSW Aboriginal Legal Service. Between 1977 and 1984 he served as a Councillor on the Sydney City Council including a very brief period as Acting Lord Mayor. Robert holds Bachelor of Laws, Master of Laws (Hons) and Bachelor of Economics degrees and has undertaken the first stage of an Executive MBA. Robert is committed to ensuring that Australian Red Cross remains a leader in the not-for-profit sector in transparency and accountability and in delivering even greater effectiveness in its humanitarian work.

John Wills, Director Commercial Operations joined Red Cross in February 2009. John is responsible for the national commercial activities of Red Cross which include 190 plus retail stores, RTO and First Aid Health and Safety. John s career has been in the commercial world predominantly within retail and he has more recently held CEO roles with Zoos Victoria and CAE. John s previous roles were Director of Sussan, Managing Director of Cherry Lane, Director of Palmer Corporation and General Manager Strategic Planning for Lend Lease Global. He has a Masters in Education, Masters in Business (Management) and a Masters in Counselling (Psych). John has also been on numerous government Boards including Vic Relief, the Australian Practising Nurses Association and the Victorian TAFE Association, Wynn Support Systems and the Victorian Radiology Board.