Governance
Board
Caroline is the CEO of Sexual Health Victoria. Caroline has almost 40 years of health experience in clinical care, service development, operational and strategic planning and senior management roles, and in recent years has helped organisations implement new governance and business development structures and processes.
Prior to joining Sexual Health Victoria, Caroline has held several CEO positions, at the Skin Health Institute (2019-2022), Carers Victoria (2010-2017) and at Melbourne IVF (2004-2009). She has led organisations through substantial growth and change, including the transformation and transition of the federated Heart Foundation into one, unified and national organisation in 2019. Caroline originally trained as a Registered Nurse, specialising in Neonatal Intensive Care, has a Master of Science (majoring in Research Methods) and is a graduate and member of the Australian Institute of Company Directors. Caroline has worked closely with both the Australian and Victorian Governments, advocated for systemic and local change, new services and represented organisations and communities on the development of new policy at the Law Reform and Productivity Commissions and at Senate Enquiries for example changes to legislation, aged care reforms and the NDIS. She has held several Victorian Ministerial appointments and Board positions and is currently a Director at Dragon Boating Victoria and Dragons Abreast Melbourne. In her spare time, Caroline is a proud pink (breast cancer survivor) dragon boat paddler.
Debra Barnes is the CEO of Sexual Health Quarters. Debra has extensive experience in CEO, senior executive and board director roles across both corporate and for-purpose sectors and has a demonstrated track record in delivering strategic leadership, transformational change and operational growth.
Prior to joining Sexual health Quarters, Debra was the Deputy CEO of VisAbility Ltd. Prior to VisAbility, Debra was the CEO of the WA General Practice Network and founding CEO of Primary Care WA.
Debra believes that diversity, inclusion and equality drives creativity and innovation. She is a strong advocate for freedom of choice, access to timely, quality healthcare, and for the sexual rights of everyone to be respected, protected and fulfilled.
Debra originally trained as a Registered General and Registered Sick Children’s Nurse. She is a Fellow of the Australian Institute of Management WA, a Graduate of the Australian Institute of Company Directors and she has a Masters of Business Administration from the University of Western Australia.
Karen is the CEO of True Relationships and Reproductive Health, Queensland.
Karen’s career spans leadership roles as a Member of Parliament and Cabinet Minister, community services leader, advocate, policy manager and researcher in the NGO, university and government sectors. Her career and life features action to advance the economic security, safety and well-being of women and girls, and equality more broadly.
Karen has wide-ranging skills in systems change, industry and community engagement, gender quality, primary health and public health promotion. Experience in participatory research, evaluation and impact frameworks. A recognised collaborative leader, policy expert and advocate.
Sue is the CEO of Family Planning Australia (previously named Family Planning NSW). Sue brings more than 32 years’ experience within the NSW and Victorian public health and social services sectors, and has held a range of executive leadership roles in hospitals, health services, local health districts and not for profits.
Sue is passionate about working with vulnerable communities and ensuring access to services. Sue supports people’s right to choose the healthcare which is right for them and believes access to high-quality information to support decision-making is crucial.
Sue served as a non-executive director on the FPNSW/FPA Board from 2014-2017 and is a leader in driving policy changes for the disadvantaged, and has a commitment to offering low and no-cost health care.
Robyn is the CEO at Family Planning Welfare Northern Territory. Robyn is a registered nurse and midwife with qualifications in reproductive and sexual health, human resources, teaching and assessment in the workplace. Robyn has a long-standing interest in reproductive sexual health having worked within the family planning and sexual and reproductive health sector for more than 25 years.
Robyn first arrived in the Northern Territory in 1980 and fell in love with the culture and environment. Facing the NT’s unique challenge of its high burden of diseases and a constant moving workforce, Robyn has maintained commitment and enthusiasm in the sector.
Tracey is the CEO of Sexual Health and Family Planning ACT.
Kyle Shirkey is the Acting CEO of Family Planning Tasmania.
Connor (he/him) is a medical doctor interested in sexual and reproductive health (SRH). He is especially passionate about advocating for the health and rights of LGBTQIA+ people in SRH spaces. Originally from Perth, Connor moved to Melbourne in 2018 and recently completed his medical degree at Monash University.
During medical school, Connor pursued an honours year in global women’s health at the Burnet Institute, conducting research into the health economics of managing anaemia in pregnant women globally. Connor also has international research experience, having completed an internship at the World Health Organization where he investigated the barriers faced by transgender and gender diverse people seeking SRH services.
Looking ahead, Connor is excited about forging a career at the intersection of medicine, advocacy, and research. He is particularly enthusiastic about working with Family Planning Alliance Australia to champion SRH rights for all Australians.
Jenny is a public health professional with a broad background in health promotion, project management, research and advocacy across the government, research and not-for profit sectors. She is committed to social justice, intersectional feminism and work which addresses health inequities for women and girls, particularly those from systemically marginalised communities in Australia and globally.
At the Burnet Institute in Melbourne, her role is as an International Health Project Officer where Jenny conducts research on global maternal health, newborn health and sexual and reproductive health. She has worked and volunteered extensively with migrant and refugee communities and young people. She is currently serving on the Board of the Dual Identity Leadership Program and has previously worked at the Multicultural Centre for Women’s Health on violence prevention projects and advocacy to address inequities. Jenny is completing her Master of Public Health degree, specialising in Gender and Women’s Health and Global Health, and holds a Bachelor of Biomedicine degree, both from The University of Melbourne.