Governance and
Organisation Structure
Governance Structure
Operational Structure
Scope Board of Directors
Professor Sanchia Aranda AM, PhD, MN, GAICD
Chair
Professor Sanchia Aranda AM brings a wealth of knowledge and experience in both management and governance to her role in leading Scope’s Board. With a strong commitment to reducing health and social inequalities, Sanchia has more than 20 years experience on not-for-profit Boards along with five years as the CEO of a national not-for-profit.
She has served as the former CEO of Cancer Council Australia and the Past President for Union for International Cancer Control, Geneva and International Society of Nurses in Cancer Care (ISNCC).
Externally, Sanchia also holds Chair positions with the City Cancer Challenge Foundation, Prostate Cancer Registry Advisory Committee, Victorian Comprehensive Cancer Centre (VCCC) Alliance, Victorian Cancer Registry Advisory Committee, and the Breast Screen Quality Committee. Additionally, she serves as the Co-Chair of the University of Melbourne/Scope Professorial Chair into Disability Research and as a Board member of the Workers’ Compensation (Dust Diseases) Board and the International Collaboration on Cancer Reporting.
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.
She comes to Scope with 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). She was appointed as a Member of the Order of Australia in 2019 for her 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. He 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. He 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 joins Scope with a passion for equity and inclusion, and experience in the regulatory, disability, academia, and healthcare sectors, and lived experience of disability.
As a person who has experienced social exclusion firsthand, Sarah is passionate about Scope’s purpose to create meaningful opportunities for people with disability to belong and thrive. Alongside her role as a Director on Scope’s Board, Sarah is Chair of Disability Sport and Recreation Board and Australian Orthotic and Prosthetic Association Board. She is a previous Director of Yea and District Memorial Hospital Board.
Sarah is an Adjunct Associate Professor in Prosthetics and Orthotics at La Trobe University and holds the role of Manager Research and Evaluation at AHPRA (Australia Health Practitioner Regulation Agency). She holds a Bachelor of Prosthetics and Orthotics, a Master of Public Health, and a Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.) in Ergonomics and Human Factors.
Sarah has completed a Churchill Fellowship offered by the Winston Churchill Trust and received a scholarship to undertake the Williamson Community Leadership Program.
She has proudly walked the Kokoda Trail.
Brendan Earle, BA, LLB
Brendan Earle is a commercial lawyer with extensive experience in corporate law, governance, finance, and strategy. He believes that every individual should be free to pursue their goals and aspirations, but that no one should be left behind.
Brendan wishes to see individuals given an opportunity to reach their potential, irrespective of their abilities. He comes to Scope with strong experience in mergers and acquisitions, strategic commercial transactions, business succession planning, and healthcare.
During his 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. With more than 25 years of experience as a lawyer, and several years within the healthcare industry, Brendan brings a mix of energy, capacity, and capability to Scope.
Brendan holds a Bachelor of Arts, a Bachelor of Law (Hons), and has completed the Australian Institute of Company Directors (AICD) course.
The Hon Jill Hennessy, LLM, LLB, BA, GAICD
The Hon. Jill Hennessy joins Scope’s Board of Directors after an extensive career in prominent government and Ministerial roles.
A passionate community advocate and leader, Jill previously worked as the Minister for Health and Ambulance Services where she forged a reputation as a leader of reform. Jill has a strong background in policy and legislative change and is credited with transforming laws around nurse-to-patient ratios, providing safe access to women’s health services and laws around assisted dying.
Jill was also the Victorian Attorney-General and Minister for Workplace Safety where she led justice and workplace safety reforms, including Victoria’s inaugural workplace manslaughter legislation.
A graduate of the Australian Institute of Company Directors (AICD), Jill’s academic qualifications include a Master of Public and International Law, Bachelor of Laws and Bachelor of Arts. Jill is also a Vice-Chancellor’s Professorial Fellow at Monash University. Her other Board and Director experience includes serving as a member of the Sir Zelman Cowen Advisory Committee, and as a Director of the Western Bulldogs Community Foundation, Hudson Institute of Medical Research, Pre-MIT Pty Ltd, and the Melbourne Theranostic Innovation Centre. She has previously held Board positions with Western Health, the Legal Industry Superannuation Scheme and Western Region Health Service Inc (now CoHealth).
Barbara Hingston AM, BA (Admin), BSW, GAICD
Barbara Hingston is a professional Non-Executive Director, skilled in health and social services, governance, management, consumer and public stakeholder engagement. She brings energy, knowledge and capability to the Scope Board with commitment to improving health and social outcomes for vulnerable people, their families, carers and communities.
Her prior executive experience includes corporate, strategic management and organisational development in Commonwealth government, and community and non-government organisations in Australia. In each she retained focus on mission and high standards of service performance, accountability quality and safety, client value and experience.
As Director and Chair of Boards and Committees nationally and in four States, she has contributed to strategy, service delivery and client’s experience in healthcare, young people’s mental health, disability services, children and young person’s safety, as well as family and sexual violence prevention, response and recovery. Her current roles include serving as a Director of the Cradle Coast Authority (CCA) and Chair of the CCA Regional Economic Development Committee, as well as Chair of the Child Safety and Wellbeing Panel with the Department of Health Tasmania.
Additionally, Barbara is the Practice Support and Development Facilitator for McAuley Community Services for Women, Victoria supporting tutors working with children and young people whose education and learning is impacted by their experience of family violence. She 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 graduate of the Australian Institute of Company Directors (AICD) and member of the Institute of Community Directors Australia (ICDA). She 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 disabilities.
Marcell Judkins, BBus, FCPA, MBA, FAICD
Marcell Judkins combines her passion for finance and business with her drive to be an active member in the wider community as a Director on the Scope Board. She enjoys the professionalism of the Board and is proud of the level of strategic thinking and governance the Board brings to the organisation in a very complex context.
Marcell is an independent voice to the Board, ensuring a level of objectivity in all decisions. She sees this as both a benefit and a challenge, taking time to understand the implications of Board decisions from a strategic perspective in addition to the impact on Scope clients.
Previously Chief Financial Officer of Capitol Health, Marcell has a wealth of knowledge in the disciplines of financial management, risk mitigation and management, corporate governance and social responsibility.
Marcell is a Fellow of the Australian Institute of Company Directors (AICD) and received an Order of Merit, being in the top 5% of graduates. She has also been awarded a Six-Sigma Quality Black Belt, a management methodology that is used to help businesses improve processes, products and services and has also served as a member of the CPA Australia Corporate Committee for six years.
Andrew Richardson, BSc, LLB, MBA, FAIM, FAICD
Andrew Richardson brings extensive executive leadership, governance and disability sector experience to Scope. He has a passionate commitment to social inclusion and human rights, and is the parent of an 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. He 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. He has served on many for-purpose boards, was Deputy Chair of National Disability Services for eight years and is currently Deputy Chair of Special Olympics Australia.
In his most recent executive role, Andrew led Aruma (formerly House with No Steps) as Chief Executive Officer through considerable sector and organisational transformation and growth. Prior to that, he led large-scale IT services 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.
Serge Sardo, GradDipPsych, MBA, MAICD
Serge Sardo is passionate about contributing to the lives of people with a disability. As a registered psychologist, Serge has spent many years counselling people with disability and advocating on their behalf. Further to this, Serge 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 lives by the value that all people should be treated equally. As Chief Executive Officer of Better Place Australia, 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 Director of the Family and Relationships Services Australia and the Alcohol and Drug Foundation Board.
Serge holds a Master of Business Administration and is a member of the Australian Institute of Company Directors (AICD).
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, and financial services.
In addition to her role as Director of Care Connect Ltd, Nadine has held appointments with ACT Reconciliation Council and Deputy Chair of both Raising Hope Education Foundation and the ACT Work Health & Safety Council. Nadine has spent much of her executive career in human resources and workplace relations.
She was Chief People Officer at the Australian National University and holds a PhD in organisational change and industrial relations within the health sector. Furthermore, Nadine is a Graduate of the Australian Institute of Company Directors and holds tertiary qualifications in business and law.
Nadine is a passionate advocate for gender equity and Indigenous employment. Legally trained, she also counts sustainable workforce outcomes and parental leave improvement (super on unpaid parental leave) as some of the key successes of her career. Nadine is a talented culinarian and is dedicated to her 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 Personal Protective Equipment (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 NDIS providers.
Lee Carpenter
Chief Operating Officer NSW Scope/Disability Services Australia
Lee joined Scope in January 2021 as Chief Growth Officer NSW. He was previously the Deputy CEO of Northcott Disability Services.
During his time at Northcott, Lee oversaw growth from under $20m to over $200m in revenue per year, transforming and managing service delivery in a client led NDIS business.
Lee’s experience at Northcott also includes driving innovation and business enhancement projects across the organisation and growing the size and mix of Supported Independent Living offerings to clients.
A Certified Practising Accountant, Lee holds an MBA and is a Graduate of the Australian Institute of Company Directors. With over 30 years’ experience in human services, and 12 of those years working in senior executive roles within the disability sector, Lee has the skills and experience to lead the expansion of Scope’s services into NSW in line with our strategic goal.
Lisa Evans
Chief Operations Officer Victoria
Lisa joined Scope in 2023 in the new statewide position of Chief Operations Officer Victoria. She brings with her over 30 years of knowledge and experience in senior roles across health, nursing and disability sectors.
Lisa joins Scope from St John of God (SJOG), which includes Accord disability services, social outreach services, international health and ambulatory and healthcare at home services. She previously held the joint role of Group Director Community Services SJOG Healthcare and Chief Executive Officer SJOG Accord. In addition to SJOG, Lisa held executive positions as Director and Assistant Director of Nursing at Northern Health, as well as Masada and Glenferrie Private Hospitals.
Lisa is excited and passionate about using her role 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.
Liz Cairns
Chief Strategy and Transformation Officer
Liz joins Scope with over 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.
Most recently, Liz held the role of Head of Strategy, Sectors and Research at the Transport Accident Commission 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 held the role of 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 also brings to Scope 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.
Clare Jennings
Chief Client Experience, Risk and Compliance Officer
Clare joined Scope in November 2021. She has more than 20 years of experience in the health, community services and aged care sectors in Australia and the United Kingdom, leading innovation, governance, and quality programs.
Before coming to Scope, Clare undertook executive interim work, leading Performance Improvement at Northeast Health Wangaratta, Clinical Governance with BlueCross and CoHealth’s COVID-19 response.
Clare’s experience in operational leadership in healthcare has led to a passion for leading the enabling quality, risk and governance functions to support delivery of the right outcomes for clients and the organisation. She has a Masters in Nursing and a Masters of Organisational Dynamics. Clare is also a Graduate of the Australian Institute of Company Directors.
Clare is excited to draw on her experience to provide strategic leadership in integrating the client experience, quality, safeguarding, compliance, risk and innovation across the Scope Group.
Bruce McCowan
Chief People Officer
Bruce joined Scope as the Interim Chief People Officer in late 2022 and was appointed as 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 capability.
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.
Bruce serves as the Chair of the White Ribbon Australia Workplace Accreditation Panel and is a Fellow of the Australian Institute of Company Directors.
Ian Morgan
Chief Financial Officer
Ian joined Scope in 2011 as Chief Financial Officer. He is a Chartered Accountant with a Bachelor of Science (Honours) in Physics. Ian has 20 plus years’ experience in CEO and CFO roles within public and private organisations.
Ian is a member of the Institute of Chartered Accountants Australia and the Institute of Chartered Accountants in England and Wales. Ian’s experience helps to position Scope as a leader in delivering services in a sustainable and competitive marketplace.
Throughout his tenure at Scope, Ian has been a key leader in the growth of Scope to new clients and locations, while also building the organisation into the largest and most sustainable disability service provider in Australia.
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.
