The Coeliac Australia Board

Lucy has held several C-suite roles in a variety of organisations, from small scale, privately owned businesses to larger organisations with $100m budgets and 350 staff. Her experience as a senior executive and a Chief Executive has involved leading strategy and business development within an organisation, devising and running national and international marketing campaigns, leading internal and external media and communications. She has built international sales in the film industry, taken leadership of government relations, overseen high profile event management, driven large scale project management and ensured security and risk compliance in major heritage settings. Lucy has always shown a keen interest in developing strong teams that work efficiently and effectively to deliver above expectations.

Lucy has been involved with the not-for-profit sector for many years and has a focus on board development, expanding business options and securing financial stability. She currently serves as a Board director on three not-for-profit organisations. Lucy holds a BA (Hons), MA (Hons) and an MBA. Lucy was appointed President of the Coeliac Australia Board in October 2021.

Alastair is a Chartered Accountant, holds a Bachelor of Commerce and a Masters of Forensic Accounting, is a registered auditor, and a partner at an audit firm in Perth. Alastair takes a special interest in the accounting and governance of not-for-profit organisations, including holding board roles with multiple charities, regularly lecturing on these topics, and auditing hundreds of not-for-profit organisations each year. Alastair is the Treasurer of the Coeliac Australia Board.

Alastair was diagnosed with coeliac disease in 2016, and has been a member of Coeliac Australia ever since. He has benefited from the support and resources of membership and wants to give back to ensure Coeliac Australia continues to assist others along the same journey. In his spare time Alastair enjoys eating out, travelling, and skiing.

David has extensive professional experience in the fields of Higher Education, Sports Management and Emergency Services. He has held senior leadership roles in each of these sectors and has worked with and on Boards associated with each. David has both graduate and postgraduate qualifications including law and business. His key areas of expertise are in management of large, complex staffing environments involving change management, and the establishment of corporate governance. He is very skilled at managing conflict and negotiating difficult situations within organisations and has completed training in negotiation and resolution at Harvard Law School. His current role is as the Director and Owner of Professional Mediation Pty Ltd.

David was diagnosed Coeliac disease in 2022. He is keen to offer his time and experience to assist CA to deliver on the very important role it plays in improving the health of Australians with the disease.

Michael grew up in Canada as part of a military family, relocating often. Following time spent living in WA in high school and his twenties, Michael immigrated to Perth in 1994.

Michael is passionate about making a difference in the community, and excels at leading organisations through periods of change and growth. In his current role as Head of Service Operations with Uniting WA, Michael leads the teams who deliver a broad range of community services to people experiencing complex challenges in their lives. Prior to this, he consulted for more than a decade to a range of not-for-profit community organisations, large corporates and small to medium enterprises. Michael strongly believes in building organisations that are efficient service providers, effective advocates for their clients, trusted community partners and employers of choice.

As a Graduate of the Australian Institute of Company Directors, with an MBA from University of Western Australia, and BSc (Biochemistry), University of Waterloo, Michael has an excellent understanding of governance gained through Board experience in the not-for-profit sector. He has been heavily involved with Coeliac Australia since being diagnosed with coeliac disease in 2002, serving as President on both State and National Boards.

Deborah is a highly motivated and committed executive leader, with extensive experience in digital technology consulting and sales leadership across private, government and not-for-profit sectors, both in Australia and internationally. Her experience includes several years as a Chief Executive Officer in an ASX listed company environment and several years as a Board Director across three not-for-profit associations. Deborah holds a BEng and an MBA, and has strong strategic and innovation focus, combined with a pragmatic and governance-based approach to getting things done.

Deborah has been a member of Coeliac Australia since her daughter was diagnosed with coeliac disease in 2018. Deborah believes in contributing to society by using her skills to assist people and organisations to reach their full potential. She joined the Board to help to ensure that the organisation can improve the lives of people with coeliac disease across Australia.

Sandra was diagnosed with coeliac disease in 1986 and joined the then Coeliac Society of NSW and took the role of Vice President later in the same year. In 1988 she was elected President of the NSW Coeliac Society and in the same year Vice President of Coeliac Australia.

Involved on the fringe whilst pursuing her career, she returned to the Coeliac NSW/ACT Board in 2018.

She has qualifications and extensive experience in Strategic Marketing Management across various industries globally; driving leadership roles in developing and delivering marketing projects to enhance customer loyalty, also in the rollout and delivery of international branding campaigns; PR, public speaking and media presentation with extensive experience at presenting at all levels; extensive and varied event management experience; personnel recruitment, training and development through mergers and acquisitions.

Sandra is passionate about making positive contributions for the continued growth and success in the delivery of Coeliac Australia services to the benefit of all members; raising awareness and progressing medical research.

Brigid King is the Secretary of the Coeliac Australia Board and the nominated member for the Victoria and Tasmania region.

Brigid was diagnosed with coeliac disease in 2001 in her early twenties. She has been involved in supporting Victorian and Tasmanian members for the last few years as a Board member of the Coeliac Victoria and Tasmania organisation and as an active volunteer. She is also currently a member of the Coeliac Australia Risk and Finance Committee.

Brigid is a risk management expert with a deep knowledge of governance, compliance, financial strategy and treasury management, having worked across banking, funds management and technology in both small and ASX-listed companies. Brigid has a double Bachelor Degree in Economics/Finance (hons) and Arts from the University of Melbourne and is a graduate of the Australian Institute of Company Directors. Brigid currently serves on both not-for-profit and ASX-listed subsidiary boards and committees.

Georgia was raised in a family deeply impacted by Coeliac Disease. Her mother, her older sister and her all have coeliac disease. Growing up with a coeliac parent provided her with early exposure to gluten-free living. Recognising the invaluable support she received from her family, she aims to contribute to Coeliac Australia’s mission of empowering those without such privilege.

Georgia has over seven years of experience in commercial law working in the areas of Real Estate, Litigation and Corporate law. She holds the degrees of Laws (Honours) and Business Management from the University of Queensland. She is also admitted in the Supreme Court of Queensland. She is passionate about increasing awareness of Coeliac Disease among young Australians and contributing to CA’s ongoing success.’