Its key role is to oversee the strategic direction of the organisation with a focus on governance and associated business functions. It ensures the organisation is working toward its vision of women living well - healthy, empowered and equal.
Judy Hacker B.Ec, Dip.Ed, Certificate in marketing
Chair - Elected to Board: Oct 2016
Judy is a results-driven, strategically minded marketing professional who combines creative and analytical skills to build strong, successful brands that drive growth and build loyalty. With a board portfolio spanning not-for-profit organisations in the fields of women, health, disabilities and family, Judy has extensive experience and knowledge of high performing boards and a deep understanding of governance, stakeholder engagement, strategy delivery, risk management and effective communications. She’s passionate about gender equality and empowering women and girls to have the education, tools, and opportunities to take control over their own lives.
Emily Howie BA/LLB(Hons), LLM (Columbia)
Deputy Chair - Elected to Board: Oct 2018
Emily Howie brings extensive experience in law, women’s rights, advocacy, and campaigning. Emily is the General Counsel and Director of Dispute Resolution at the Victorian Equal Opportunity and Human Rights Commission. Previously, in her role as Legal Director at the Human Rights Law Centre, she worked to ensure that women have access to reproductive health rights through advocacy and legal action.
Julie Bignell BA, Grad Dip (IR/HR), GAICD, GAIST
Treasurer - Elected to Board: Oct 2021
Julie Bignell is an experienced Board member with extensive experience in corporate governance, risk management, strategic planning, stakeholder engagement, industrial relations and a deep understanding and commitment to women’s reproductive rights and gender equality. She is currently a Director of Austin Health. Julie's previous experience as a board member includes CareSuper, the Australian Council of Superannuation Investors (ACSI), Workplace Health and Safety Queensland, and the North Queensland Bulk Ports Corporation. Julie was previously Secretary of the Australian Services Union (Central and South Qld Branch), incorporating a term as National Vice-President.
Kate Broun BAppSc (Health Promotion) (Hons), PGDipAppSci (Org Dynamics); GAICD
Member - Elected to Board: Oct 2016
Kate Broun is an experienced public health professional leading cancer prevention policy and programs to improve population health, with a commitment to reducing health disparities among priority communities. Kate is the Head of Screening, Early Detection and Immunisation at Cancer Council Victoria. She is passionate about women's health and achieving equality.
Elizabeth Dax Associate Professor AM; MB, BS; MD; PhD; GAIDC
Member - Elected to Board: Oct 2016
Elizabeth M. Dax retired from her career in medicine and science in 2009. She has longstanding experience as a director of not-for-profit organisations and currently sits on several not-for-profit boards. She brings extensive experience in governance, strategic planning and fundraising and has a strong commitment to women's health and gender equality. Her last appointments (1990-2009) were as director of the National Serology Reference Laboratory Australia and the World Health Organisation Collaborating Centre on diagnostics of blood born viruses.
Shaymaa Elkadi PhD (Neuropsychology), ExecMPA
Member - Elected to Board: Oct 2021
Dr Shaymaa Elkadi is the Executive Manager of Strategy and Program Integration at the Victorian Foundation for the Survivors of Torture. Shaymaa has held previous senior leadership roles at the Eastern Melbourne Primary Health Network, Department of Health, Corrections Victoria, Beyond Blue & Forensicare. Shaymaa is a skilled strategist with over 15 years of expertise in leading organisational and service transformation and reform. Having worked across the Justice and Mental Health systems, she is highly versed in complex policy, system and service redesign. Shaymaa is committed to focusing on client outcomes to ensure and maximise excellence, innovation, and value in services to the community.
Ashlea Gilmore BA (Criminology and Politics)
Member - Elected to Board: Oct 2021
Ashlea Gilmore is experienced in health policy, advocacy and government and is currently the Senior Strategic Development Manager, Partnerships at the Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre. Prior, Ashlea was a Senior Adviser to the Victorian Minister for Trade and Investment and an Adviser to Australia’s first Minister for the Prevention of Family Violence and Minister for Women. In this role Ashlea advised on the Victorian Government’s response and implementation of the Royal Commission into Family Violence and supported the development of Victoria’s first Gender Equality Strategy.
Brigid Mahar B. Comm B.PD CA
Member - Elected to Board: Oct 2019
Brigid Mahar has extensive experience working with not-for-profit organisations in relation to strategy and operations, specialising in the development of transparent and efficient funding models, policies and processes to support effective decision making. She is a chartered accountant and has a strong financial background spanning the not for profit and corporate sectors.
Diana Quinn BSC (Hons) Computational Mathematics and Investment Management Certificate (CFA UK)
Member - Elected to Board: October 2020
Diana is a partner at EY with c.20 years of global experience, mainly in advisory roles working with organisations going through change to reshape their businesses and operating models. Diana is a keen advocate of women’s rights. She currently champions initiatives addressing diversity and inclusion, and regularly uses her platform to raise awareness of women’s issues.
Our board members, staff and volunteers work to a values-based code of conduct, which sets expectations about our leadership and integrity; our belief in empowerment of others; our belief in equality of opportunities and rights; our feminist commitment to women’s equality and to challenging gender norms, practices and structures.
Board Director positions are voluntary with expenses reimbursed.
If you are Interested in Board positions please contact the CEO on 96649300
Donate and Help Us Make a Difference
Your generous contribution will help drive social change, address women's health needs and promote gender equality to achieve better outcomes for all Victorian women.
No contribution is too small in helping us achieve our vision of women living well - healthy, empowered and equal.
Privacy Policy | Disclaimer | Accessibility | Copyright | Contact Us | Terms and Conditions
WHV acknowledges the support of the Victorian Government.
Women's Health Victoria acknowledges and pays our respects to the Traditional Custodians of the land that our offices are situated on, the peoples of the Kulin Nation. As a statewide organisation, we also acknowledge the Traditional Custodians of the lands and waters across Victoria. We pay our respects to them, their cultures and their Elders past and present.
We recognise that sovereignty was never ceded and that we are beneficiaries of stolen land and dispossession, which began over 200 years ago and continues today.