HEPATITIS QUEENSLAND - Key Persons
Alex is a passionate advocate for community wellbeing with qualifications in public health that amplify her commitment to creating positive change. With a strong background in the drug and alcohol sector, she brings experience managing impactful programs in Queensland communities. Her expertise extends to working with marginalized groups and combating the negative effects of stigma. She finds joy in contributing to the health and happiness of others and believes that true success comes from making a positive impact on the lives of those we serve.
Angela joined Hepatitis Queensland in 2022 with a glowing reputation and proven not-for-profit experience. She has forged an outstanding career, successfully implementing strategies to de-stigmatise sectors, improving brand positioning, increasing organisational relevance and ensuring long-term financial sustainability. Angela joined HQ from her previous role as Chief Operating Officer of the Southern Metropolitan Cemeteries Trust (Vic), where she was responsible for developing and executing organisational strategies to drive positive outcomes for a highly multi-cultural community. With a strong social conscience, Angela is committed to delivering positive community outcomes in the viral hepatitis and liver health space.
Cath Brown is a proud Quandamooka woman from Minjerribah. As a trained Indigenous Health Promotion advocate, Cath has spent over a decade empowering and advocating for First Nations people. She has recently worked with the QIMR Berghofer Institute to engage First Nations communities on liver health and genomics. Cath's expertise and unwavering commitment make her a valuable asset to the Hepatitis Queensland Board.
Job Titles:
- SECRETARY
- Research Fellow With the Griffith Criminology Institute
David is a research fellow with the Griffith Criminology Institute and has broad expertise in governance, risk and compliance. Prior to academia, he had a 24-year public sector career, working in a range of senior roles across health and justice agencies. David is passionate about programs and services that promote good health and reduce the need for tertiary healthcare. He serves on several boards and committees in the health and justice sectors. David holds qualifications in psychology, criminology and management and is a graduate of the Australian Institute of Company Directors.
Dr Enoka Gonsalkorala studied medicine at the University of Queensland and completed her advanced training in Queensland and New South Wales. She then went on to complete a two-year fellowship at King's College Hospital London in general hepatology as well as transplant medicine. Currently, she works as a consultant gastroenterologist and hepatologist at the Royal Brisbane and Women's Hospital and Caboolture Hospital. She has an interest in liver disease in pregnancy.
Job Titles:
- Senior Medical Officer at the Aboriginal
Dr Jonathan Leitch is currently the Senior Medical Officer at the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Community Health Service Brisbane sitting on the senior management team and responsible for clinical governance, quality assurance and quality improvement. For the last 6 years, he has worked as a GP and Senior Medical Officer at an Aboriginal Medical Service in Brisbane and has a passion for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander health and to empower individuals, families and communities to be enabled to improve their health and well-being.
Jeanette joined the team in early 2019 to kick start our community nursing initiatives such as the Be Liver Smart project. She has extensive experience across the nursing sector having worked for eight years in community practice after working as a midwife. With her calming and insightful nature Jeannette is a wonderful addition to the Hepatitis Queensland team.
Jenny joined Hepatitis Queensland in early 2019 with extensive experience in administration and accounts. Her passion for finding solutions and proactive style are a perfect fit for the many facets of her role at HQ. Along with her infectiously cheerful manner, Jenny is already known in the office as the ‘barefoot budgeter' for her financial savvy and negotiation skills. Just don't ask her to look after your indoor plants…
Job Titles:
- DIGITAL COMMUNICATIONS OFFICER
Jessie joined the team in 2016 with previous experience in the not for profit sector in digital technology, communications and marketing. Her efforts have brought to life our social media platforms and introduced some new technologies to the team. With her bubbly personality and an active imagination, she certainly creates an impact.
Kaveen has been Treasurer and Chair of the Finance & Audit Committee for Hepatitis Queensland since 2016. Kaveen has held senior management positions in Finance across blue chips in the mining industry including BHP, Xstrata and Glencore in the last 12 years. His qualifications include a BComm (Hons) from the Australian National University and an MBA from the University of New South Wales. More recently, Kaveen completed an executive program from INSEAD in France. Kaveen is also a CPA. Originally from Mauritius, Kaveen migrated to Australia when he was 17 and has since made Australia his home alongside his small beautiful family.
Lana has spent the last 10 years working in the BBV and AOD sector across Queensland and the Northern Territory. She loves to wear the educator hat in the office and during her time has delivered some truly exceptional education and awareness projects to culturally and linguistically diverse communities. The well-received Dancing in the Rain film about hepatitis B in the African community is just one of these many contributions.
Nicky Newley-Guivarra is a proud Wuthathi woman, artist, cultural leader and teacher. She has previously worked as an employee of Hepatitis Queensland conducting art and story workshops around Queensland including the Torres Strait Islands. In her new role as Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Liaison Officer, Nicky supports the work of our probation and parole project which provides direct access to hepatitis C testing and treatment.
Job Titles:
- MEMBER of the BOARD
- Physician
- Senior Staff Specialist
Professor Graeme Macdonald is a Senior Staff Specialist and Liver Transplant Physician in the Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology at the Princess Alexandra Hospital. He mainly looks after patients with liver disease. Graeme has spent much of his career looking after people living with chronic hepatitis C and B and MAFLD, including running a telehealth service for people in Correctional Centres. He has been active in industry-sponsored clinical trials of new antiviral agents for the treatment of hepatitis C and B. Professor Macdonald has written over 125 papers and book chapters on liver disease and his research interests include the impact of obesity on liver disease and the role of diet and exercise interventions in the management of patients living with liver disease. Graeme has retired from clinical practice but remains active in research and looking after his large veggie patch.
Rachael makes a tremendous difference to the health of Queenslanders in her role as Programs Manager. Rachael continually wows us with her energy and determination to reach successful outcomes for the benefit of the community. When she is not hard at work, Rachael loves to keep active by swimming, running and discovering op shop treasures.
Rebekah (Bek) Lamb has a professional background in public health, particularly communicable diseases and sexual health, and has worked in this sector for 8 years. She has extensive experience in project management and health promotion, both in Australia and overseas. Bek has held several roles coordinating community-based blood-borne virus programs, supporting people living with blood-borne viruses, and developing and delivering education programs.