Governance & Leadership

Catherine was appointed as Chief Executive Officer in April 2022.

Most recently Catherine was the Deputy Director General, Department of Communities in WA and previously Chief Executive Officer, Northern Territory Health. With extensive leadership experience in complex health and care organisations including Deputy Chief Nurse and Deputy Chief Executive, at the Oxford University Hospital’s NHS Foundation Trust, Catherine’s commitment to social justice and improving the lives of vulnerable groups of people has been the focus of many of her roles.

Catherine was awarded the 2011 Telstra Western Australia Business Woman of the Year for strategies that she put in place to build stronger nursing career paths, as well as the development of Aboriginal employment programmes across the Department of Health. In September 2013, she received the Australian Public Service Medal in recognition of her contribution to health and innovative global community health volunteering programmes.

Catherine holds a Masters of Business Administration and Management as well as a Master's degree Science (Project Management). 

Kelly joined Brightwater as Chief Operations Officer in April 2021, having previously worked with the WA Department of Health for over a decade, most recently as the Executive Director Governance and System Support Directorate.

Kelly also led and directed WA health’s system governance and assurance, including health board appointments and providing advice to the Minister for Health, the Director General and senior executives across the WA health system.

Kelly holds a Bachelor of Laws as well as a Bachelor of Commerce (Human Resources Management and Industrial Relations). 

David joined Brightwater in 2021, bringing over 25 years’ experience in senior roles across aged care, community services and the financial services sector; most recently in Executive Director roles at MercyCare.

David’s experience includes leading and executing strategy, growing businesses, mentoring and developing staff, merger & acquisition and IPO activity, and a solid understanding of the regulatory and risk management environment.

David holds a Bachelor of Business (Accounting) from the Royal Melbourne Institute of Technology, a Master of Business Administration from the University of Western Australia, is a Certified Practising Accountant and is a Graduate of the Australian Institute of Company Directors.

Suzette joined Brightwater as Chief People and Culture Officer in December 2022, bringing extensive experience in a wide range of areas in the people and culture discipline, including strategic human resourcing management, organisational development and business partnering. Suzette also has significant experience in human resources systems, payroll management, talent acquisition and work, health and safety.

Most recently, Suzette was employed at City of Perth where she was the People and Culture Services Manager. Prior to her role in Local Government, Suzette’s experience includes working in resourcing in Australia and overseas, in a wide variety of industries.

Suzette holds a Bachelor of Arts in Human Resource Management and a Post Graduate Degree in Labour and Industrial Relations.

Darren joined Brightwater in 2001 as Linen Services Manager and now oversees Brightwater at Home, as well as commercial services, including Brightwater Linen, Catering and Kingsway Court Retirement Village.

With extensive experience managing both service and production businesses, Darren has a wealth of knowledge running commercial teams and a strong reputation for driving continuous improvement and successful growth.

Having studied at the Hotel Institute Montreux Switzerland, Darren possesses both Swiss and American qualifications in hotel management, previously working in the hotel and private hospital sectors. 

Joanne has a wealth of experience in the mining industry having retired in March 2020 from the Rio Tinto Group after 32 years’ service, with her final position being Group Executive HSE and Managing Director Australia.

Joanne’s skill set includes governance and regulation, organisation culture and design, executive remuneration and talent management and government and community relations.

Joanne is currently Chair of Safe Work Australia and her non-executive director roles include Royal Flying Doctor Service (Western Operations), Senate of the University of Western Australia, the Queen Elizabeth II Medical Trust and the Western Australian Museums. Joanne is also a member of the Business Council of Australia, the AICD and Chief Executive Women.

Joanne mentors several early careerists and social entrepreneurs. She has been active in supporting indigenous capacity building and reconciliation. She has also been active in a number of gender equity related organisations and was recognised for contributions to gender equity with awards from the Chamber of Minerals and Energy Western Australia, Financial Review’s Women of Influence and Women in Mining International.

Joanne holds qualifications in Psychology, Economics and Executive Management.

Joanne was appointed to the Board of Brightwater in March 2022 and assumed the role of Board Chair in November 2023.

Special Responsibilities:

• Board Chair
• Governance Committee Chair
• Business Committee Member

Richard brings audit, risk, regulatory and financial expertise and experience to Brightwater. He was a partner with Deloitte for over 12 years, including leading the Risk Advisory practice in Perth from its foundation in 2010 to 2018.

Over his career, Richard has worked in a variety of roles – external auditor, corporate regulator, internal auditor, management consultant, forensic accountant, investigator and risk practitioner – serving many industries and organisations in both the public and private sectors.

He achieved a first-class history degree at University College London and qualified as a chartered accountant with the ICAEW in 1988. He is a member of CAANZ & IIA and holds various roles at City of Joondalup, Identitii, Perth Markets Group, Public Trustee and Whadjuk Foundation. 

Richard joined the Board of Brightwater in August 2018.

Special responsibilities:

• Audit & Risk Committee Chair
• Business Committee Member

Anna is an experienced business leader with over 25 years’ experience facilitating productivity improvement in complex operating environments.

In addition to her role with Brightwater, Anna is General Manager of Aurizon (ASX: AZJ) Bulk Operations in Western Australia and serves on the Board of the Freight & Logistics Council of Western Australia. She was a Non-Executive Director with the Kimberley Ports Authority from 2014-2020 and Chair of the Board with Spare Parts Puppet Theatre from 2015-2018, as well as serving on the Board of NAWO, the National Association of Women in Operations until 2020.

Anna was a 2017 Telstra Business Women’s Awards finalist, is a former Western Australian 40Under40 award winner and recipient of The University of Western Australia Strategic Alliance Award. She brings specialist expertise in customer experience and client engagement to the Brightwater Board.

Anna joined the Board of Brightwater in February 2018.

Special responsibilities:

• Care Committee Member

Karen is a commercial lawyer with more than 30 years’ experience.

She has wide ranging experience with professional and not-for-profit organisations including as President of the WA State Executive and a Director of the Australian Corporate Lawyers Association, and as President of the WA Regional Council for Redkite.

Karen has worked for over 20 years as in-house counsel for several commercial organisations, including as General Counsel of the Australian division of a global resources company and of an ASX200 listed company involved in agricultural investment. Karen is currently Senior Legal Counsel for an ASX100 mining company.

Karen joined the Board of Brightwater in December 2014.

Special responsibilities:

• Governance Committee Member
• Business Committee Member

Darren is a highly accomplished business leader with over 25 years’ experience. His proven track record of providing inspirational leadership, business vision, entrepreneurial spirit, combined with solid management skills and with the accountability for national and international business operations demonstrates a skilful and seasoned professional.

From business ownership to key senior roles within multinational corporations, Darren has developed the skill set to understand business from infancy to large scale business operations.

He was recognised as a former 40Under40 award winner. With the changing environment of aged care services in Australia, Darren brings a new and fresh approach in evaluating the evolving market ahead.

Darren joined the Board of Brightwater in March 2019.

Special responsibilities:

• Audit & Risk Committee Member

Maria is a General Practitioner with 38 years’ of clinical experience, and is currently a partner in a successful small group General Practice.

Maria has cared for many patients with acute and chronic illness. She has helped individuals and their families face the challenges of disability, chronic illness, and the aging process over a number of generations. She has supported families to keep their loved ones cared for at home and also transition to residential care and has witnessed the joys and challenges that are encountered through these journeys.

Maria has governance experience and has been involved on many Boards and Committees including the AMA Branch Council, Cancer Foundation, Women’s and New Born Committee at Osborne Park Hospital, and Family Business Association.

Maria has financial experience in the establishment and growth of Grantham House Medical Practice and has been on the Board of MG Kailis Group of Companies since May 2011.

Maria joined the Board of Brightwater in February 2017.

Special responsibilities:

• Care Committee Chair

Gail is a career health professional, specialising in clinical care, health policy and change management, with substantial experience in system wide planning and policy formulation, program planning, project management, leadership and performance evaluation in WA.

Gail has been providing expert advice and support to Department of Health in respect to COVID-19 in the area of aged care. She has been appointed as the jurisdictional representative for West Australia on the AHPPC (Australian Health Protection Principle Committee) sub committee on Aged Care.

Gail’s previous position was as Assistant Director General System Policy & Planning with the WA Department of Health, where she set the strategic direction for the WA health system and applied expertise, research, analysis and innovation to the establishment of system-wide plans, policies and programs.

Gail was the recipient of the Public Service Medal in the Australia Day Honours 2015 for outstanding service to the community and aged care reform, particularly through the establishment and implementation of innovative clinical programs.

Gail joined the Board of Brightwater in September 2017.

Special responsibilities:

• Care Committee Member
• Governance Committee Member

John is the Executive Director of the Perth Office of ACIL Allen. Since commencing in the role in 2015, John has established ACIL Allen as the State's leading independent economics, public policy, and strategy advisory firm. John leads a team of highly skilled consultants that are committed to helping clients across government, industry and not-for-profit sectors to make informed decisions about complex economic, financial and public policy issues. John has more than 25 years’ experience, including at the Commonwealth and WA Treasuries and the Chamber of Commerce and Industry of WA.

John was educated at The University of Western Australia and holds a Bachelor of Economics with First Class Honours and a Master of Business Administration.

John joined the Board of Brightwater in December 2014.

Special responsibilities:

• Chair of Business Committee
• Audit & Risk Committee Member

Kellie Benda is a senior leader with strong skills in digital transformation, strategic growth, property investment and aged care. She has extensive experience as an investment banker and senior executive in ASX-listed companies.

Since 2003, she has also served as a Non-Executive Director on the boards of mining and other listed companies (including a period as Chair), private and public unlisted companies, Government Trading Enterprises, State and Federal Government boards and a range of ‘for purpose’ not-for-profits and associations.

She holds a Bachelor of Laws, Bachelor of Arts (Industrial Relations), Master of Applied Finance and is a graduate of Harvard University. She is a graduate of, and has been awarded a fellowship by the Australian Institute of Company Directors.

Some of her achievements include being named in the Federal Government’s Australia’s Top 100 Emerging Leaders list, she was a 40under40 WA Business News Awards recipient, was named one of the Australian Institute of Management’s 25 Most Influential Emerging Business Women in Australia and was the recipient of the Corporate Leader Telstra Business Women’s Award.

Kellie joined the Board of Brightwater in January 2023.

Special Responsibilities:

• Governance Committee Member
• Business Committee Member

Brian is the Public Trustee of Western Australia.

Prior to his appointment as the Public Trustee, Brian was a Senior Executive at the Department of Treasury.

Brian is a General Councillor of HBF Health, Trustee of the Give2Good Charitable Foundation and Foundation Chair of the Criminology Advisory Board, Murdoch University. He is also Adjunct Professor in the discipline of Law and Criminology at Murdoch University.

Brian was the recipient of a prestigious Churchill Fellowship by the Winston Churchill Memorial Trust (Australia).

Brian has been a Non-Executive Director of the Art Gallery of Western Australia and Non-Executive Director of Alzheimer’s Australia (Western Australia).

Brian joined the Board of Brightwater in February 2016.

Special responsibilities:

• Audit & Risk Committee Member
• Business Committee Member