Australian Red Cross Board

 Ross Pinney was elected President of Australian Red Cross Society at the Annual General meeting on 2 December 2017, having served as Deputy President since the end of 2011. Previously, Ross served as a Red Cross Divisional Board member from 2005 to 2007 and was elected Chair of the Audit and Risk Committee in 2007. He served as a member of the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies’ Finance Commission from 2007 to 2015. Ross also served as a member of the Australian Red Cross Blood Service Board from 2011 to 2017. 

He worked for 15 years as a senior manager at National Australia Bank, as Executive General Manager Office of the CEO, CEO Europe, and Executive General Manager Products and Services. Prior to that he worked for 15 years at the Melbourne and Metropolitan Board of Works. 

Ross chairs the Nominations and Remuneration Committee and is a member of the Finance Committee. 

Ross was awarded a Distinguished Service Medal in 2015.

 Lyndal Herbert was elected as Deputy President of Australian Red Cross on 2 December 2017.

Lyndal originally joined Red Cross as the Treasurer of the Tasmanian Divisional Advisory Board in 2003, before being elected Deputy Chair in November 2006, and Chair in November 2012. During this time Lyndal has been involved in a number of committees, including the National Asset and Investment Strategy Committee (2008 - 2013), the National Awards Committee (2009 - 2012), and is a current member of the Finance Committee and the Investment Sub-Committee.  

Lyndal commenced her career in Melbourne with Arthur Andersen & Co, and moved to Hobart where she has worked with KPMG since 2001 and is currently a Director in KPMG's tax practice. She is a Fellow of the Institute of Chartered Accountants Australia and New Zealand, and a Graduate Member of Australian Institute of Company Directors (GAICD).

 Jan has more than 40 years' finance experience with Australian and international listed and private companies, government agencies and community organisations. Jan was an audit partner of Deloitte and retired from the practice in December 2011. A Fellow of Chartered Accountants Australia and New Zealand and of CPA Australia, Jan is also a graduate member of the Australian Institute of Company Directors. In recognition of her services to the accountancy profession and to the community, Jan was awarded a Centenary Medal in 2001 and appointed a Member of the Order of Australia in 2007. She is currently a non-executive director of Dairy Australia, Neurosciences Victoria and Melbourne Forum and an independent member of the Audit and Risk Management Committees of the Victorian Department of Health and Human Services and the Victorian Department of Treasury and Finance. She has been President of the Institute of Chartered Accountants, a member of the Financial Reporting Council and a non-executive director of a number of commercial and not-for-profit entities. In addition to chairing the Red Cross Audit and Risk Committee, Jan is also a member of our Finance Committee, Governance Committee, Nominations and Remuneration Committee and Blood Service Finance and Audit Committee.

 Pearl Li was elected Youth Member of the Australian Red Cross Board in 2014. Pearl's involvement with Red Cross began in late 2011, when she became President of the Red Cross Club at the University of Adelaide. She soon joined the South Australian Youth Advisory Committee, going on to become the representative for our National Youth Advisory Committee and making a key contribution to youth engagement within Red Cross.

Along with serving on our Board, Pearl also studies law and has volunteered with many of our programs such as Telecross REDi, Save-A-Mate, emergency services outreach and migration support programs. Her vast experience in youth engagement and community service includes mentoring student volunteers for service trips to India and volunteering with the Smith Family and World Vision.

 Wendy has held various portfolios at a senior management level in the not-for-profit sector. Specialising in the health and community services sector she has an established track record in strategic development, business development, corporate governance, marketing, people and culture, organisational change management, research and policy.

A dedicated community citizen, Wendy has provided a consultancy service to new not-for-profit organisations providing assistance with governance, strategic human resources, policy and facilitated strategic planning sessions. She also volunteers on the following NFP Boards:

• Volunteering ACT
• No Sweat Fashions (social enterprise business)

Wendy has keen interest in social innovation and measuring social impact.

 Sam Hardjono was appointed Chair of the NSW Divisional Advisory Board in October 2015. He has been a member of the Divisional Advisory Board since 2010 and a member of the National Property Sub-Committee since 2013, National Awards and Finance Committee since 2015.

Sam is currently Chief Operating Officer for an investment company working with the property and technology start-up sectors. For more than a decade he was Chief Executive Officer of a large charity with projects in South-East Asia, South America and Australia. Prior to this, he was Managing Director of a UK-listed property service company, and previously Group Financial Controller for one of Australia's largest and iconic architectural firms.

Sam has served on various charity and community boards continuously since 1996 and was also a director of the Australia Indonesia Business Council for thirteen years. He has held numerous senior board positions, including National Vice President and Treasurer, and has chaired various intergovernmental forums. He was also board member of Waverley College in Sydney for twelve years and Chairman for the last four years.

For his service, dedication and exceptional leadership to the organisation, Sam was awarded a Distinguished Service Award in October 2017.

Sam holds a Bachelor of Business in Accounting and an MBA in International Business. He was twice a recipient of the Goldman Sachs JBWere scholarship for Harvard University's Non-Profit Leadership Program.

 Charles was elected as Chairman of the Northern Territory Divisional Advisory Board in October 2014, after having served as a Board Member for numerous years. As Chairman of the NT DAB he was subsequently appointed to Board of Red Cross. His affiliation with the Australian Red Cross dates back to a very early age where he was introduced to the significance of the organisations work by immediate family members who have had a very active involvement with the Red Cross. Charles has consistently contributed in a voluntary nature to the Society and continues to contribute significantly to the Community, especially within the Northern Territory. Charles began his career as an experienced Investment Adviser specialising in financial markets, having worked in that industry for more than 15 years. He now actively works within the Property Development Industry based in Darwin, while also having obtained extensive Board experience as an active Board Member of several local organisations. Charles enjoys an active lifestyle with an interest in most sports and leisure activities.

 John first began his association with Australian Red Cross volunteering for the Alice Springs Branch in 1981. Since then, he has held a number of senior leadership positions, including Chair of the Northern Territory Divisional Advisory Board and Vice-Chairman for the National Board. He joined the Queensland Divisional Advisory Board in 2007. He Chairs the International Committee and is a member of the Migration Programs Advisory Committee and the Finance Committee, where he Chairs the Property Sub-Committee. John was appointed a Member of the Order of Australia for his work in the Red Cross Movement. John is a Fellow of the Australian Institute of Company Directors and a Fellow of the Australian Property Institute.

 Rose was appointed as Chairperson of the SA Divisional Advisory Board (DAB) in October 2017. Rose originally joined Red Cross as a member and volunteer in the Northern Territory in 2007. On moving to South Australia, Rose was appointed to the SA DAB member in 2009 and was elected as Deputy Chairperson in 2011. As a volunteer, she continued to work in Emergency Services undertaking deployments to Queensland and in SA performing various roles including that of Team Leader, Planning Officer and Deputy Commander during activations as well as undertaking outreach services and Telecross REDi. Rose is also a REDiPlan trainer and community speaker. Throughout her working career, Rose completed several Australian Emergency Management Institute (AEMI) courses and contributed in the development of Australian Emergency Handbook Series (2011) – Community Management Practice: Recovery published through the Attorney General’s Department. Rose previously chaired the Disability Action Plan Committee and the Members and Volunteers sub-Committee in SA. She is currently a member on the National Emergency Services Advisory Group and a member of the National Services Advisory Group.

Rose previously worked in Health and Communities Services  with the South Australian and  the Northern Territory Government  including positions of  Regional Director of Health and Community Services, Executive Director of Community Services and Deputy Secretary Health and Community Services in the NT. Rose has a Bachelor of Health Administration; Graduate Diploma for Public Administration.

Rose was awarded a Public Service Medal in 2007 for her outstanding public service.

 Col Taylor is an experienced Senior People and Business Manager skilled in Brand & Marketing Management, Digital Media and Production, Advertising, Human Resources, and Asset Management, Sales and Media Trainer, Compelling and Engaging Speaker and Culture Builder. Since entering the Radio and Media industry 37 years ago he has been instrumental in the development and execution of many innovative ideas. Industry wide it’s one of the areas he is recognised best for, creating compelling branding and tactical solutions.

From Announcing at the start of his journey through to his current role as General Manager of Hobart’s leading commercial radio station, he has experience in Television, Newspapers, Directories, Out of Home and was Managing Director of an Advertising Agency and Media Representation company. Col has a long record of successfully assisting local, national and international clients with their marketing needs and business coaching.

He is passionate about making a positive difference. The Red Cross provides a fantastic synergistic fit. He was appointed to Tasmanian DAB in May 2017 and elected to Chair in December 2017.

Other Voluntary roles and associations included Chair and Director of Hobart Chamber of Commerce, Director Launceston Chamber of Commerce, City Prom Launceston, member City of Learning, member of Athenaeum Club Hobart.

 Anne joined Junior Red Cross in 1952 and has been an active member of the Lindenow & District Unit for 40 years. Anne is currently the Chairman of the Victorian Advisory Board. Anne also sits on the National Awards Committee and National Centenary and Member Engagement Committee and the Members and Volunteers Committee.

During her time with Red Cross Anne has been heavily involved in Unit and Regional governance, fundraising and other Red Cross activities. She is a trained Emergency Services volunteer and was involved in the Red Cross response during the Black Saturday bushfires.

Anne has been the Victorian Advisory Board representative on the Victorian International Humanitarian Law Committee for over 10 years, and a committee member of the Victorian Overseas Support Group since it started in 1997.

For Anne's extrodinary work with Red Cross she has been awarded Honorary Life Membership as well as other awards. In 2007 she was also awarded the Order of Australia Medal for her work in the wider community.

 Di was appointed Chair of the WA Divisional Advisory Board in October 2013 and has been a member of the Divisional Board since 2006, taking up the position of Vice President in 2007 and Deputy Chair in 2009.

Di originally joined Red Cross in 1999 as a member and volunteer, and continues to volunteer in various areas such as Emergency Services, undertaking many deployments both interstate and intrastate. She is AIIMS trained and has completed several Australian Emergency Management Institute courses, is a volunteer trainer, a REDiPlan facilitator/presenter, a Team Convenor and represents Australian Red Cross on the City of Stirling Local Emergency Management Committee, as well as volunteering in the Migration Support Program. She is currently the Chair of the WA Awards Committee, Chair of the fundraising Flower Committee Unit, Co-Chair of the WA Volunteer Reference Group, and member on the National Services and Activities Committee, the National Emergency Services Advisory Committee and the WA International Humanitarian Law Committee.

For her service, dedication and exceptional leadership to the organisation, Di was awarded a Distinguished Service Award in 2010. Now retired, Di worked in the corporate information technology sector for many years, and then in computer software consulting.

 James Birch was appointed Chair of the Blood Service in February 2016. He was previously a member of the South Australian Division Board from 2005 to 2008.

James is currently an independent consultant. Until January 2016 he was the Global Health Care Leader for Ernst and Young, having previously been their Oceania Government and Public Service Leader and the inaugural Leader of their Health and Human Services Practice for Asia Pacific. James has had over thirty five years of experience in planning, leading and implementing change in complex organisations such as Health Care, Justice and Human Services. He has also been the Chief Executive of a Human Services and Health Department, Deputy Chief Executive of a Justice Department and Chief Executive of major health service delivery organisations, including academic teaching hospitals.

At a national level James has been Chair of the Australian Health Minister's Advisory Council, a member of the Australian Commission on Safety and Quality in Health Care, a Board Member of the National E Health Transition Authority and a Director of Health Direct Australia. James is currently Deputy Chair of the Independent Hospital Pricing Authority and Director of Cancer SA, Mary MacKillop Care SA and Little Company of Mary Health Care (Calvary). James has a Bachelor of Health Administration and is a Fellow of the Australian College of Health Service Management.

 Melissa was elected as an Additional Board Member in August 2019. Melissa is a consultant and academic with almost 20 years' experience working with migrants and refugees in Australia and overseas. She is an Honorary Fellow at the University of Melbourne and Adjunct Fellow at Western Sydney University’s Humanitarian and Development Research Initiative. She was formerly a Senior Regional Advisor on refugee protection and migration for Danish Refugee Council based in the Middle East and North Africa and has academic expertise on issues related to migration, multiculturalism and displacement. Melissa has worked for the United Nations in South Sudan and for international NGOs in Libya, the Horn of Africa and South Sudan in the areas of protection of civilians and humanitarian coordination. Melissa has formerly worked for the Australian Red Cross Tracing and Refugee Services department and managed a refugee resettlement project in Australia. Her Doctorate in Social and Political Sciences on the pre-migration experiences of migrants and refugees was completed at the University of Melbourne (2013). She also holds a Master of Arts and Bachelor of Arts (Honors). Melissa is a Regional Advisor for the International Detention Coalition, is on the Advisory Board of Urban Refugees and is an Assistant Editor for the Journal of Intercultural Studies. In addition to her current role on the Board, Melissa is also a member of the Migration Programs Advisory Committee.

 Cris was elected as an Additional Board Member in August 2018. A former refugee aided by Red Cross and migrant herself, Cris is passionate about and committed to contributing with her experience across innovation, digital agility and transformation to make a positive social impact and help those in need.
A senior technology executive, Cris was the Head of Merchant Acquiring and Payments Services at Coles and Coles Financial Services.  Prior to joining Coles, Cris held positions in military research and software agencies in Australia and overseas. She was recognized as one of the top 100 influential leaders in payments by Fin Tech Asia in 2016 and is a regular speaker at national and international conferences. Cris contributed to the establishment of a national payments framework and policy through committee membership at the Australian Payments & Clearing Association, Eftpos Payments Australia Ltd, the Australian Payments Council and Standards Australia.
She is a founding member of Women in Payments Australia and served as board member for 3 years. She holds a Master’s Degree in Computer Sciences, Senior Leadership training from Mt. Eliza Business School. She is a certified Senior member of the Australian Computer Society and a member of the Australian Institute of Company Directors.

Ian is a Yorta Yorta man who has been actively involved in the Victorian Indigenous community in a personal and professional capacity for many years. Prior to joining our Board in April 2017 as an Additional Board Member, Ian was a member of the Victorian Divisional Advisory Board.

Ian has had a wide level of exposure to policy development and program management through his work with the Federal Government (Office of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Health) and the Victorian Government (Department of Justice; Department of Planning and Community Development, Economic Development, Jobs, Transport and Resources).

Ian holds a number of governance positions including: Chairperson: First Nations Foundation (national); Chairperson: Connecting Home Ltd (Stolen Generations Service); Chairperson: Koorie Heritage Trust (Vic) (Victorian Indigenous arts trust); Deputy Chair: Aboriginal Housing Victoria Ltd; Director: Tigers in Community Foundation; and Member: Sustainable Forestry Council, Victorian Association of Forest Industries. Ian is also a former President of the Western Region Football League, one of the major Australian football leagues in Melbourne.