Governance and
Organisation Structure
Governance Structure
Operational Structure
Scope Board of Directors
Professor Sanchia Aranda AM, PhD, MN, GAICD
Chair
Professor Sanchia Aranda AM commenced as Scope Board Chair in 2021 following a 40-year career in healthcare. With a strong commitment to reducing health and social inequalities, Sanchia has more than 30 years not-for-profit board experience along with 20 years as a senior executive.
Sanchia is a Professor of Health Services Research with University of Melbourne, is Board Chair of the Victorian Comprehensive Cancer Centre (VCCC) Alliance, and is a Director with the Workers’ Compensation (Dust Diseases) Board (NSW). She chairs the Victorian Cancer Registry Advisory Committee, the Breast Screen Quality Committee (NSW) and National Breast Screen Review Expert Advisory Committee. Sanchia’s previous roles include CEO of Cancer Council Australia, Deputy CEO of Cancer Institute NSW, the Past President for Union for International Cancer Control, Geneva and International Society of Nurses in Cancer Care (ISNCC).
Sanchia is regarded as one of the world’s pre-eminent experts in cancer control with 40 years’ experience in healthcare as a clinician, researcher, educator and health-system administrator.
Sanchia brings to Scope experience working with adults and children with disability within the healthcare sector and recognises the social change needed to achieve Scope’s purpose.
With experience in influencing policy within state and federal governments, Sanchia aims to contribute positively to Scope’s strategic focus as Chair of the Board of Directors.
Sanchia holds a Master of Nursing, a Doctor of Philosophy and is a graduate of the Australian Institute of Company Directors (AICD).
Sanchia was appointed as a Member of the Order of Australia in 2019 for significant service to community health, particularly to cancer control and nursing.
Gary Brinkworth, BEc, GAICD
Deputy Chair
Gary Brinkworth comes to Scope with a wealth of experience as a CEO and Company Director and a passion for clients and service delivery.
Gary strongly believes in Scope’s values and purpose and is committed to driving continuous improvement to support Scope’s sustainable growth.
Extremely passionate about strategic innovation, Gary is an energetic leader who builds organisational capabilities with a strong focus on clients. Gary has successfully delivered outstanding business results, operational excellence, and continuous improvement.
Gary has worked locally and internationally in large scale service industries ranging from Property Advisory, Retail and Financial Services and has a track record in creating high performance cultures, new business (including M&A) and improved client outcomes.
As a Director, Gary has also completed and implemented comprehensive Board Reviews that seek to elevate corporate governance processes and structures. The process includes critical assessment of Board Composition, Skills and Effectiveness leading to improved organisation alignment and performance.
Gary holds a degree in Economics and is a graduate of the Australian Institute of Company Directors (AICD).
Dr Sarah Anderson, PhD, BPO, MPH
Dr Sarah Anderson commenced at Scope in 2021 with a passion for equity and inclusion, and experience in the regulatory, disability, academia, and healthcare sectors, and as a person with a disability.
Alongside their role as a Director on Scope’s Board, Sarah is Chair of the Disability Sport and Recreation Board Director of the Australian Orthotic and Prosthetic Association Board and the Workplace Injury Commission Board.
Sarah is a previous Director of Yea and District Memorial Hospital Board and held the role of Director of Policy and Research, National Manager of Research Evaluation and Insights and Director of Partnerships across government, not for profit and academic sectors. Sarah consults for the United Nations with ATScale and provides consultancy in the Assistive Technology and AI space.
Currently an Adjunct Associate Professor in Prosthetics and Orthotics at La Trobe University, Sarah holds a Bachelor of Prosthetics and Orthotics, a Master of Public Health and a Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.) in Ergonomics and Human Factors.
A graduate of the Australian Institute of Company Directors (AICD), Sarah has completed a Churchill Fellowship offered by the Winston Churchill Trust and received a scholarship to undertake the Williamson Community Leadership Program.
Brendan Earle, BA, LLB (Hons)
Brendan joined the Scope Board in late 2019 and was appointed Chair of the Risk and Audit Committee in May 2022.
Brendan has extensive experience as a Non-Executive Director of large and complex organisations. As a commercial lawyer for more than 25 years, Brendan advises Australian and international businesses on mergers and acquisitions, important negotiated transactions and has deep sector experience in healthcare and consumer products.
Brendan is a Partner at HWL Ebsworth. During their nine-year term as a Non-Executive Director at St Vincent’s Health Australia, Brendan took pride in the organisation’s efforts to become an integrated national business with a strong advocacy voice.
Brendan holds a Bachelor of Arts, a Bachelor of Law (Hons), and has completed the Australian Institute of Company Directors (AICD) course.
Professor the Hon. Jill Hennessy, LLM, LLB, BA, GAICD
Professor the Hon. Jill Hennessy is a former Attorney-General of Victoria. Jill was also the Minister for Health, Minister for Ambulance Services and Minister for Workplace Safety and led a series of groundbreaking reforms in her time in Parliament. Jill is an experienced Chair and Company Director with a passion for enabling better services and supporting the human rights of our clients.
Jill is the Chair of Western Health, the Monash Women’s Health Alliance and Wellness and Infrastructure and is the Vice-Chancellor’s Professorial Fellow at Monash University. Jill is a Non-Executive Director at the Hudson Institute for Medical Research, Melbourne Theranostic Innovation Centre (MTIC Pty Ltd), Precision Molecular Imaging and Theranostics (PreMIT) and Incolink, and is a strategic advisor to the Susan McKinnon Foundation and an Ambassador for the McKinnon Prize for Political Leadership. A passionate Western Bulldogs supporter, Jill is the Deputy Chair of the Western Bulldogs Community Foundation.
Jill holds a Bachelor of Arts and a Bachelor of Laws from Monash University and a Masters of Law (Public and International) from the University of Melbourne, and is a Graduate of the Australian Institute of Company Directors (AICD).
Barbara Hingston AM, BA (Admin), BSW, GAICD
Barbara is a professional Non-Executive Director and former Executive, appointed to the Scope Board in 2018. Barbara’s motivation in joining the Scope Board was multi-faceted and included a personal deep connection to family members whose disability is linked to neuro diversity and another’s to chronic mental ill health. It also grew from early experience as counsellor/advocate with women who were victims of sexual assault and whose lives included communication-related disability. Decisions about them were frequently made for them, not with or by them by others, including law enforcement and judicial bodies deciding that they were either not up to the process of being heard in Court as witness to their own experience, nor able to be supported by other voices or tools to help them be heard in that forum. The experience of exclusion based on their disability amplified the trauma of sexual assault and reinforced the experience of injustice.
Barbara’s professional experience has included corporate, strategic management and organisational development. Barbara’s considerable governance experience includes practice and service delivery in public and community health and hospital systems, mental health, family and sexual violence, child safety, early education and care. Barbara has worked with Commonwealth government, NGO’s, public and private health providers and community organisations in multiple national, state, regional and community settings in Australia. In each, Barbara has focussed on purpose, fostered accountability, prioritised safety, quality and service performance, while building customer value and engagement.
Barbara brings energy, capability and knowledge to focus on improving health and social outcomes for vulnerable people, their families, carers, and communities. Barbara is particularly engaged by how governance can ensure the priority of both safety and the individual agency of Scope’s clients by integrating client voice and experience in the Board’s governance practice and processes.
Barbara is the Inaugural Chair, Independent Child Safety and Wellbeing Panel for the Department of Health Tasmania, further to findings of that States’ Commission of Inquiry into Government responses to Child Sexual Abuse in Institutional settings. Additionally, as Practice Support and Development Facilitator for McAuley Community Services for Women (Victoria), Barbara has developed understanding of trauma informed practice for tutors supporting children and young people whose education and learning is impacted by their experience of family violence. Barbara remains a strong advocate for the rights, needs and position of all women, men and children whose lives intersect with family violence, sexual abuse and mental illness.
Barbara is a Director of Board of the Cradle Coast Authority, a regional development entity for Northwest Tasmania, and Chairs its Regional Economic Development Committee. Barbara is a Graduate of the Australian Institute of Company Directors (AICD), a Member of the Institute of Community Directors Australia (ICDA) and holds a Bachelor of Arts (Administration) and Bachelor of Social Work. In 2021, Barbara was appointed a Member of the Order of Australia (AM) for significant service to community health and to people with disability.
Andrew Richardson, BSc, LLB, MBA, FAICD
Andrew Richardson brings extensive executive leadership, governance and disability sector experience to Scope, with a passionate commitment to social inclusion and human rights. Andrew is also the parent of a NDIS participant.
Andrew is excited by Scope’s many opportunities to facilitate great client outcomes and play a leadership role in disability support and innovation. Andrew is also enthusiastic about influencing government to adopt innovative, effective, value-driven approaches to supporting and including people with disability in all aspects of life.
Andrew was active in the campaign to establish the NDIS and has continued to advocate for the rights and wellbeing of people with disability, and those who support them. Along with serving on many for-purpose Boards, Andrew was Deputy Chair of National Disability Services for eight years and is currently Chair of the Board of Special Olympics Australia (SOA) and a Member of the SOA Finance, Audit and Risk Committee.
Most recently, Andrew led Aruma (formerly House with No Steps) as Chief Executive Officer (CEO) through considerable sector and organisational transformation and growth. Andrew has also led large-scale IT service organisations at Compaq and Hewlett-Packard, consulted with McKinsey & Co and was a lawyer and manager at Herbert Smith Freehills.
Andrew holds degrees in business management, law and computer science and is a Fellow of the Australian Institute of Company Directors (AICD).
Serge Sardo, GradDipPsych, MBA, MAICD, MAPS
Serge Sardo brings to the Scope Board a variety of skills including governance and business management, human resources knowledge and a strong understanding of marketing and branding.
Serge is passionate about contributing to the lives of people with a disability. As a registered psychologist, Serge has spent many years counselling people with a disability and advocating on their behalf.
Serge lives by the value that all people should be treated equally. As Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Better Place Australia (previously FMC), as well as formerly leading organisations including the Australian Human Resources Institute and the Victorian Responsible Gambling Foundation, Serge has developed a thorough understanding of policy, advocacy, and government relations.
Serge builds strong relationships with his colleagues and is passionate about Scope and the services the organisation delivers to its clients.
In addition to being a member of the Scope Board, Serge is also a Non-Executive Director on The Alcohol and Drug Foundation Board and has recently completed their term as a Board and Committee Member for Family and Relationships Services Australia. Serge holds a Master of Business Administration and is a Member of the Australian Institute of Company Directors (AICD), and a Member of the Australian Psychological Society (APS).
Nick Taylor, BBusSci (Hons), GAICD
Nick Taylor joined Scope’s Finance and Performance Committee in February 2023 and was appointed to the Board in November 2023. Along with a strong corporate background in information technology and financial services, Nick also brings to the board considerable disability sector knowledge and an extensive professional network in the disability services community through his executive role in philanthropy.
Nick is passionate about fostering greater independence for people with disabilities and his other governance roles include serving as a director for Wheelchair Sports NSW/ACT, Housing Hub and the Sargood Centre whilst also chairing the Board of Wheelchair Basketball Australia. He is dedicated to using his professional experience, alongside his lived experience of disability to create better life chances for people with disabilities and is particularly passionate about broadening access to high quality housing and reducing barriers to equitable employment.
Nick has formal qualifications in commerce and over two decades of experience in project management, service improvement and business analytics. Nick is a graduate of the Australian Institute of Company Directors (AICD), a proud husband and father of two boys, as well as a two-time Paralympian and silver medallist in London 2012 for wheelchair basketball.
Dr Nadine White, BLawsAdmin, LLB (Hons), PhD, GAICD
Dr Nadine White brings to Scope a strong, vested interest in social inclusion, impact and working to improve outcomes for individuals and communities. An accomplished Company Director, Nadine has an extensive background in the public and private sectors in aged care, health, disability, Indigenous affairs, water and energy sectors, and financial services.
Alongside their role as a Director on Scope’s Board, Nadine is a Director of Care Connect Ltd, Goodwin Aged Care Services Ltd, Dietitians Australia, Icon Water and its subsidiaries.
Nadine has held appointments with ACT Reconciliation Council, was Deputy Chair of both Raising Hope Education Foundation and the ACT Work Health & Safety Council and was Chief People Officer (CPO) of the Australian National University. Nadine is also the Inaugural Chair of ACT MentorWalks program for women.
Nadine has spent much of their Executive career in human resources and workplace relations, holds tertiary qualifications in business and law and has a PhD in organisational change and industrial relations within the health sector.
Nadine is a passionate advocate for gender equality and Indigenous employment. Legally trained, Nadine also counts sustainable workforce outcomes and parental leave improvement (super on unpaid parental leave) as some of the key successes of their career.
Nadine is a Graduate of the Australian Institute of Company Directors (AICD), a talented culinarian and dedicated to family.
Executive Leadership Team
Kate MacRae
Chief Executive Officer
Kate joined Scope in April 2022. She has extensive experience in the disability and healthcare sectors, having held various executive and director roles.
Before joining Scope, Kate held the position of CEO with Able Australia. She guided the organisation through the COVID-19 pandemic and further established a supply chain of PPE for the sector.
With Able Australia, she established the Deafblind Centre of Excellence in 2019. The Centre is now a recognised leader in the field, actively collaborating with the World Health Organization, United Nations and Deafblind International to improve outcomes for people who are deafblind.
Kate has held various leadership roles with Vision Australia, Monash Health and Peninsula Health and been appointed to the Occupational Therapy Board of Australia (AHPRA) and Deafblind International Board. Her clinical career has spanned mental health, neurology, and paediatrics.
Kate is also the founder and inaugural Chair of The CEO Collaboration, a national body of 120+ members.
Debra Benger
Chief Quality, Safeguarding and Practice Officer
Debra joined Scope in 2024 in the role of Chief Quality, Safeguarding and Practice Officer.
Debra is an experienced executive with extensive health care, aged care and disability sector experience. She combines a high level of commercial acumen with systems thinking and has a passion to embed the consumer voice.
Debra has come from her role as Executive Lead Quality & Risk at Maxlife Care and was previously General Manager Bodewell Community Care (Home Care Division of Arcare Aged Care).
She has also held senior Allied Health roles at St Vincent’s Private Hospital and on their Executive Standard 2 (Partnering with Consumers) Committee.
Debra’s academic qualifications include Master of Health Administration, Bachelor of Applied Science (Physiotherapy), Certificate IV in Frontline Management, Graduate Diploma in Manipulative Physiotherapy and she is a Fellow of the Australasian College of Health Service Management.
Liz Cairns
Chief Strategy and Risk Officer
Liz joined Scope with more than 25 years’ experience in the areas of health and disability in both New Zealand and Australia.
Liz’s career has focused on using her deep understanding of the challenges and opportunities facing the sector to impact significant disability reform particularly over the past five years.
Liz previously held the role of Head of Strategy, Sectors and Research at the Transport Accident Commission (TAC) where she worked closely with the TAC Board to develop, implement, and execute the TAC long term strategy and to develop key national and international strategic partnerships in improved client outcomes and experiences.
Prior to the TAC, Liz was Director Health and Disability Advisory at Price Waterhouse Coopers before moving to the National Disability Insurance Agency as the inaugural Victorian trial site manager, and then as General Manager Operations. As a further testament to Liz’s skill, in 2020 she was seconded to the DHHS to lead the Government’s COVID-19 response in the highly vulnerable non-Government social housing sector (Supported Residential Services, rooming houses, boarding hostels).
Liz has significant experience in organisational service design and development, and is highly motivated to finesse and implement systems to improve the lives and experiences of service users. Liz has working knowledge of Scope, having been previously appointed to our Disability Royal Commission Independent Advisory Committee and our Risk and Audit Committee in 2019.
Joel Chibert
Chief Financial Officer
Joel joined Scope as Chief Financial Officer in June 2024.
Joel holds a Bachelor of Commerce and is a member of Chartered Accountants Australia and New Zealand and a Fellow of the Australian Institute of Company Directors.
Joel is an experienced financial and corporate services executive with extensive experience across a range of sectors including education, health, scientific research and development, and professional services.
He is currently a Chair of the Finance and Resources Committee and a Board member of Austin Health.
Previously Joel was the Chief Operating Officer and Chief Financial Officer for Melbourne Business School. Prior to that he was Chief Financial Officer at the Walter and Eliza Hall Institute and has held a range of senior finance roles with Monash University.
Joel is passionate about transformational change, best practice service delivery, sound financial management and ensuring the Scope community are well supported.
Leanne Dillon
General Counsel
Leanne joined Scope in 2024. With more than 25 years’ experience in health and disability services, Leanne has focused her career primarily in the public/for purpose sector.
Holding qualifications in law, business administration and nursing, Leanne has held diverse executive and senior management roles.
Leanne has a passion for using her skills and expertise to improve the lives of vulnerable people and believes that client focussed, and co-designed services empower individuals to belong and thrive.
Before joining Scope, Leanne was General Counsel and Board Secretary at the Royal Women’s Hospital (The Women’s) in Melbourne, where she helped Melbourne’s leading women’s hospital operate successfully within the complex regulatory and legislative framework in which it delivers services.
Leanne has held a number of roles including Manager Legal and Compliance with Dental Health Services Australia, Director Governance and Board Secretary with the National Disability Insurance Agency, Director Clinical Governance and Medico-Legal with Western Health Footscray, and Legal Counsel and Board Secretary at Western Health.
Leanne also served as a Director and Committee member over a seven-year period from 2014 – 2021 for cohealth, a not-for-profit community health organisation servicing a broad area of high-growth communities across Melbourne’s northern, western and inner suburbs.
Lisa Evans
Chief Operating Officer VIC
Lisa joined Scope in 2023 in the new state-wide position of Chief Operating Officer Victoria.
She brings with her more than 30 years of knowledge and experience in senior roles across health, nursing, disability and community sectors.
Before joining the Scope community, Lisa held the position of CEO Accord and Group Director of Community Services with St John of God Healthcare (SJOG), which includes Accord disability services, social outreach services, international health and ambulatory and healthcare at home services.
In addition to SJOG, Lisa has held executive positions as Director of Nursing at St God Berwick Hospital, and Bundoora Extended Care Centre.
Lisa is passionate advocate for people with disability and seeks to use her experience to shape the disability sector. With her eldest son living with a disability, Lisa’s experience raising Jack has been a great driving force behind her work in the sector.
Lisa Joined the Board of Very Special Kids as a non-executive director in November 2023.
Bruce McCowan
Chief People Officer
Bruce joined Scope as the Interim Chief People Officer in late 2022 and was appointed Chief People Officer in May 2023.
An experienced executive, human resources leader, consultant and Board Director, Bruce has a strong background in organisational transformation through alignment of business and HR strategy. Bruce has a particular interest in culture change and improving leadership capabilities.
Bruce has experience in the disability sector, both in an executive role and serving as a Board Member in two different disability services organisations, including Chair of Quality and Client Safeguarding Committee and Chair Governance and Remuneration Committee.
Bruce serves as the Chair of the White Ribbon Australia Workplace Accreditation Panel and is a Fellow of the Australian Institute of Company Directors.
John Preston
Acting Chief Operating Officer NSW
John is a seasoned leader with more than 20 years of experience within the disability sector.
During this time, he has held a variety of senior leadership roles and served as a board director.
He possesses a deep knowledge of the sector and has overseen a wide array of services across dispersed geographies.
Prior to joining Scope, John worked for Northcott as their State Operations Manager, leading their transition to the NDIS and overseeing a period of significant growth.
John joined Scope as an Executive General Manager at Disability Services Australia (DSA), where he has played a pivotal role in leading transformative programs and welcoming DSA to the Scope family.
John has a passion for improving practice, with a special interest in active support and the development of valued roles. As Acting COO, he looks forward to playing an integral part in enhancing the lives of people with disability and expanding Scope’s positive impact.
Sid Shekar
Chief Information Officer
Sid joined Scope in December 2020 and leads the IT function and Enterprise Project Management Office for the organisation. He was previously the General Manager of Strategy, Technology and Transformation with NBN Co, where he was responsible for end-to-end strategy, planning, transformation and management across people, processes, and technology initiatives.
With extensive operations and technology experience in senior roles, Sid is well placed to lead the Information, Communication and Technology team through the continued growth of the organisation.
Sid is both client and outcome focused and uses his leadership and collaboration across all levels to achieve significant outcomes through innovative and simplified client solutions.
Alex Smith
Chief Transformation Officer
Dr Alex Smith is Chief Transformation Officer, joining Scope in October 2023. He has broad transformational leadership experience across strategy, finance, and operations as well as deep experience in the health, aged care and disability sectors.
Prior to Scope, he held executive leadership roles in Australian Unity’s human services division which had large-scale presence in disability, home care, residential aged care, retirement villages, and community-based healthcare. Over the period FY18 to FY22, he was instrumental in delivering a $100M improvement in EBITDA in this division. He also led the successful $65M acquisition of the Greengate Partnership.
Prior to this, he held executive roles in strategy and Mergers & Acquisitions at ASX-listed Primary Healthcare which had $1.7B revenue across pathology, radiology, medical and dental centres and GP software. In addition to leading strategy development, he raised more than $300M through divestment of non-core assets and led negotiations for more than 20 acquisitions and Joint Ventures. Prior to this, he had a successful career as a top-rated sell-side healthcare equity analyst at JPMorgan and Citigroup.
Alex holds a PhD in Chemical Engineering, a Bachelor in Chemical Engineering (First Class Honours), and a Certificate in Applied Finance and Investment (FINSIA).
