Our Board

Catherine is a qualified physiotherapist with over 30 years’ experience across public, private and community health sectors. She is the former National President of the Australian Physiotherapy Association (APA) and was the APA’s national spokesperson for 7 years.

She has a special interest in policy development in Aged Care and Palliative Care and has served on numerous national committees and advisory boards.

As a Director on a number of Boards including Foodbank Queensland, she has a keen interest in implementing best-practice corporate governance in the not-for-profit sector.

Catherine is also the Director and Founder of Mickel Consulting, a government and community relations consultancy specialising in the health and welfare sectors and KelKel Global Education and Training, a training company specialising in Leadership Development in emerging Asian economies.

Tracey has an extensive background in corporate communications, business development and ICT.

Having worked in executive level roles within the healthcare, life sciences and innovation sectors, Tracey has developed relationships with professionals in Australia and internationally. Business and product development projects are Tracey’s forte as is building connections and strong working relations with channel partners. 

Dr Ayre is a graduate of the University of Queensland Medical School, holding an Adjunct Professorial title with that University. He has a Masters in Health Administration from the University of NSW and is a Fellow of the Royal Australasian College of Medical Administrators, a censor for the College and a surveyor for the Australian Council of Health Care Standards.

After a period in general practice on the Sunshine Coast, he worked in senior management roles across health, including community health, and hospital administration. Dr Ayre was the CEO of the Launceston General Hospital from 2004 to 2008.

He returned to Queensland as the Executive Director of Medical Services at The Prince Charles Hospital from 2008 to 2014 and was appointed Executive Director, Princess Alexandra Hospital and QEII Jubilee Hospital Health Network in May 2014 where he led the implementation of the electronic medical record. He was appointed Health Service Chief Executive in July 2017.

Michael is a medical practitioner with over 50 years’ experience. He has worked clinically in rural general practice, in alcohol and drug dependence services, and in palliative care since 1995. He has also held a number of administrative positions with Queensland Health, such as the Director of Alcohol and Drug Dependence Services, Director of the Rural Health Policy Unit, and Assistant Regional Director (Community and Clinical Services), Brisbane North Regional Health Authority. In this last role, he was involved in the discussions which resulted in the provision of the initial funding support to Karuna by Queensland Health, and its housing at its present location on the “Rosemount Campus”.

In 1991, Michael was awarded Membership of the General Division of the Order of Australia (AM) for services to public health, particularly in the field of alcohol and drug Dependence.

Michael has worked extensively in a wide range of clinical services in palliative medicine in Australia and New Zealand for more than 22 years. He has had a long-term association with Karuna and, in particular, has been assisting with teaching and clinical supervision since mid-2015.

Hilary was one of a group of people who worked together with Ven Pende Hawter and Margaret Gagen in developing Karuna as a start- up Not For Profit in 1991, having had a long association with Ven. Lama Zopa Rinpoche. She was a staff member for its first 16 years, working as the original Volunteer Coordinator, then as the Family Counsellor and Coordinator of Family Support.

In June 2006 Hilary was recognised as a Member of the Order of Australia for services to the community through the establishment of hospice and home-based palliative care services and programs to provide emotional support for the families and carers of people with terminal illness.

Hilary joined the Mater Foundation in 2007 as the Donor Liaison Manager, overseeing the Gifts in Wills program. She has also previously served as a Commissioned Officer in the RAAF (Supply).
She hopes that Karuna will always thrive and grow, and be there as a service for all who need compassionate care.

Ian is a retired local government executive and an active community volunteer.

Ian achieved an accomplished career in Local Government in Queensland serving rural and regional communities over forty years. He has gained broad experience in CEO/Executive and Board related roles and in voluntary positions on community organisations. He has developed skills in administration and communication through change management and government reform, interpersonal relations and political interfaces, significant natural disaster events and community development initiatives, and customer and community interactions. His passion for local government and for the local community continues in retirement as he pursues part-time consultancy projects and volunteer community service interests.

Ian has been an avid supporter of Karuna and its services since he became a client for the in-home palliative care of his wife Megan who was a terminally ill cancer patient. He has volunteered as a Board member to be of service to Karuna and to give back to the community it serves in memory of Megan.

Ian hopes that his diverse background together with his client perspective offers a useful contribution to the Board and looks forward to working with the Karuna team to enable its full potential to be reached into the future.

Phil has had 40 years’ experience in business and management consulting.
Phil specializes in strategic and business planning, business transformation, program & project management, procurement & supply chain. He has worked for many of Australia’s largest companies in mining & resources, manufacturing, utilities, finance, professional services and at all levels of government across Australia and the Pacific. Phil is a Buddhist dedicated to serving Lama Zopa Rinpoche.