Our Leadership Team
The Board of Directors
Acting Chair - Jon Benham
Jon is a Psychiatric Nurse and a Manager of a national not for profit. Jon helped develop and implement the first Personal Helpers and Mentors (PHaM) teams in NT and his passion is building psycho-social support within communities. Jon is also Black Dog Ride's volunteer Darwin and NT Coordinator, and won Pride of Australia in 2017 for his services to mental health with Black Dog Ride.
Director - Michael Young MAIES
Michael, or "Youngie" as he is affectionately known amongst Black Dog Riders, has a long involvement with Black Dog Ride in the capacity as volunteer Sunshine Coast and QLD Coordinator. Michael has spent 38 years working in the emergency services environment and is currently an Operational Capability Officer with QLD Fire and Emergency Services, specialising in volunteer development.
Director - Richard Brown, BBSc (Hons), MAICD, MAIM, MAPS
Richard is Managing Director of a growing Psychology practice. As a Psychologist he specialises in senior management leadership development, and in the treatment of work-related psychological injury (including PTSD). Richard has lived experience of anxiety and depression, and is passionate about raising awareness. Richard also served as Black Dog Ride's volunteer Victorian Coordinator from 2016 to 2018.
Director - Rachel Carter LLB, BA (Psych)
Rachel has extensive business marketing and client relationship management experience, having played a strategic advisory role to global legal and professional services organisations. Rachel is passionate about mobilising teams to respond to complex societal issues and played a lead role on the flagship pro bono project for Allen & Overy LLP's global charity partnership with Amref Tanzania. She is currently Legal Pursuit Leader & National Pursuit Coach at PwC Australia.
Director - David Lovell B.Fin.Admin, Dip. Econ.Stats, M.Ec, MBA, GAICD
David is Senior Executive with over 25 years experience on major project development, property and investment management, corporate finance, resources and infrastructure, in addition to being a skilled commercial negotiator. David is currently a Director with Infrastructure Capital Group and has a passion for sailing, riding and utilising his expertise to give back to the community.
Director - Jo Harrison M.Mgt (Finance), FAICD, FGIA, FCIS
Jo-Anne has extensive experience as a Company Director and Chartered Company Secretary, and over 20 years experience in non-executive and executive management, corporate governance, business development, risk management, financial management and stakeholder engagement. Jo-Anne has lived experience of mental illness and seeks to contribute meaningfully to suicide prevention. Jo-Anne is Managing Director of Sila Projects, a social impact consulting firm.
Director - Kate Fawcett MBA, MComm, BAMgmt, CertIVMgmt, CertIVGov
With a background in emergency services support and the professional services industry, Kate is passionate about using her media and communications skills to raise awareness of and promote positive discussions about mental health and wellbeing in the community, aiming to reduce the stigma so often associated with speaking up about mental health challenges. Kate is currently Manager, Communications - Financial Advisory for PwC.
Trustee - Rose Hancock BBus, CPA, JP
Rosemary Hancock has been Black Dog Ride's Volunteer Bathurst Coordinator for 6 years now, embracing a cause close to her heart. Rose is a CPA with a Bachelor of Business majoring in Accounting and Business Law, is a registered Tax Agent and a JP, and operates her own accounting firm specialising in tax and business law. Rose has advised Black Dog Ride with tax and lodgements since 2017.
Advisors
Black Dog Ride Australia Ltd is grateful to K & L Gates for their ongoing provision of pro bono legal advice, and utilises the services of Moore Stephens (Perth) for financial matters.
Governing Documents
Black Dog Ride is proud to display the ACNC's "Charity Tick" which lets you know that Black Dog Ride is registered and compliant with the Australian Charities and Not-for-profit Commission.