On 7 July 2009 LGBTIQ+ Health Australia became a not-for-profit public company, governed by a constitution and a Board of Governance.

The Board includes one Director elected from each state and territory.

Full Members of LGBTIQ+ Health Australia are able to nominate and vote for these Directors. They serve for 2 year terms, with at least half of the positions being re-elected each year and the new Directors appointed at the AGM.

Other Directors may be co-opted according to their specialist knowledge or lived experience. These co-opted directors serve terms of one year.

CAROLYN GILLESPIE

Director for Victoria / Chair

Carolyn is a social worker, intersectional feminist and human rights advocate with more than 20 years’ experience in healthcare and social justice. She has worked in a range of senior leadership roles across paediatric, adult and LGBTIQ+ community-controlled health services.  She has been a member of the LHA board since 2020.

Carolyn is passionate about addressing the health, social and structural inequities that impact on LGBTIQ+ people’s capacity to fully participate in the communities in which they live, love, learn and play.  As Co-CEO of the Victorian Collaborative Centre for Mental Health and Wellbeing, she is leading the transformation of Victoria’s mental health system, with lived experience at the heart. She is regularly sought out as an LGBTIQ+ family/sexual violence, health, and mental health subject matter expert and she is an active advocate for strategic and systemic change that strengthens the health and wellbeing of the entire LGBTIQ+ community.

Carolyn brings to the board her professional healthcare experience and clinical qualifications (BA, BSW, MClinFT), as well as a ICDA's Diploma of Governance.  She is currently completing a Vincent Fairfax Fellowship with 20 other senior national leaders - an intensive 12-month ethical leadership program.

WAYNE HERBERT

Director for the Australian Capital Territory / Deputy Chair

Wayne is currently the Director of Progress and Property at LEAD Disability Services.

Wayne is an experienced not-for-profit board member, having previously served for several years on the board of Meridian and as a current board member of Sharing Places Inc.  Wayne is also a member of the NDS ACT Territory committee and has previously served as Deputy Chair of the ACT Government LGBTIQ Advisory council and as a member of the ACT Disability Reference Group.

A highly values-driven, ambitious, and outspoken advocate for people with disability and people in the LGBTIQ community, Wayne was a nominee for the 2017 ACT Australian of the Year for services to the disability and LGBTIQA+ communities. Wayne has a proven track record of taking on a strategic leadership role in driving regulatory and organisational change at a local, national, and international level. Wayne takes a unique approach enabling people to embrace change and integrate initiatives that promotes diversity, inclusivity, and respect. Wayne combines comprehensive knowledge of working within peer lead organisations, organisational governance and personal lived experiences to improve how employers conduct their end-to-end recruitment with consideration for people with disability. Possesses a genuine passion for driving positive change in our community and empowering people with a disability to unleash their potential.

Wayne is also a member of the Australian Institute of Company Directors.

Dr SARAH BOWMAN

Co-opted Director 

Sarah Bowman is a clinical psychologist, researcher, and mental health advocate for gender diverse communities. She holds a Bachelor of Social Sciences (Psychology) (First Class Honours), a Master of Clinical Psychology and a Doctor of Philosophy in Clinical Psychology. Sarah primarily practices in the young adult and adult sectors.

Her research and clinical work with gender diverse people focuses helping them to develop resilience and an authentic sense of self.

Public speaking and education roles include lecturing to both the education and corporate sectors on gender diversity and inclusion and the provision of peer training and continuing professional development for psychologists working with gender diverse populations. She is an active member of the LGBTIQ+ community, is the co-chair of Twenty 10 in NSW, and a member of Australia Professional Association of Trans Health (AUSPath).

SUZANNE CASTELLAS

Co-opted Director

Suzanne Castellas is the Principal Lawyer of Castell Lawyers, previously the Director/Senior Lawyer for the HIV/AIDS Legal Centre and the Inner-City Legal Centre working closely with LGBTIQ+ communities and the BBV and STI health sectors, as well as a Lawyer at Legal Aid. She has provided legal services to vulnerable and disadvantaged clients with complex legal needs, a focus she continues to prioritise in her private practice, driving reform through legal process to address the stigma and discrimination that continues to affect LGBTIQ+ communities and those with BBVs.

Suzanne has contributed to a range of community initiatives like the abuse of Police powers at LGBTIQ events and is currently working on matters that impact people in the trans and gender diverse community in public settings such as security screening. She is an advocate for community education providing lectures and workshops to both client and professional communities. In addition to acting on not-for-profit boards, she provides pro bono support on many community initiatives.

Before practising law for the community sector, Suzanne had an extensive career overseas as a corporate legal professional, focusing on mergers & acquisitions, crisis management, and rehabilitation.

KUAN CHIA

Co-opted Director

Kuan was appointed as a Director for LGBTIQ+ Health Australia in February 2024, and currently serves as Treasurer and Chair of the Finance, Audit and Risk Management Committee. Kuan is a strategic, governance, risk and compliance management subject matter expert thanks to extensive experience with Macquarie Group, Xinja, HSBC, Standard Chartered Bank (SCB), Big 4 and a Goldman Sachs jv in Australia, Hong Kong, London and Tokyo.  Kuan advises on government policy, transformation, remediation and integrated strategic financial, governance, risk and compliance management solutions.  He is also a board member of fintech startups, Senior Advisor and a Visiting Lecturer at the University of Sydney.

ALASTAIR LAWRIE

Director for New South Wales (he/him)

Alastair Lawrie (he/him) is the Director of Policy and Advocacy at the Justice and Equity Centre. He has a background in public policy, having previously served as Policy and Engagement Manager at Hepatitis NSW, and a ministerial adviser to the Commonwealth Government (2008-2012), as well as positions with Victoria Legal Aid and the Victorian public service.

Alastair has a long history of involvement in LGBTIQ community organisations.

He has been Policy Working Group Chair of both the NSW and Victorian Gay & Lesbian Rights Lobbies, and is currently on the Board of Twenty10, the LGBTI Rights Subcommittee of Australian Lawyers for Human Rights and is the Co-Chair of the Tennis Australia LGBTIQ+ Advisory Group.

Alastair’s interests include LGBTIQ mental health, the health impacts of discrimination, and health education in schools. In 2017, he was a finalist for the Tony Fitzgerald Memorial Community Individual Award at the national Human Rights Awards.

BARRY COSKER

Director for Western Australia

Barry Cosker (he/him) is based in Perth, WA. He has extensive experience in senior leadership roles in banking & finance, consultancy, and the community/not-for-profit sector, in both the UK and in Australia.

He is currently the Chair of Living Proud in WA, an incredible organisation that has been supporting the WA queer community for almost 50 years, as well as a founding Director of Rainbow Futures WA, a consortium of WA based LGBTIQ+ organisations focused on advocacy and law reform.

Barry has a long-standing commitment to community and charitable causes, particularly in the areas of LGBTIQ+, mental health and disadvantaged youth. Prior to joining the Board of Living Proud he was privileged to lead non-profit organisations both large and small from 100% volunteer-run community enterprises through to large regional organisations with complex funding and service delivery commitments. His NFP experience encompasses both executive and non-executive roles.

Barry has a strong desire to see better outcomes for the rainbow community no matter where people live or work, and he is a passionate advocate for maintaining a strong, stable and effective LGBTIQ+ community-controlled sector.

HOLLEY SKENE

Director for South Australia

Holley Skene (She/Her) is a passionate advocate for LGBTIQA+ health and wellbeing, with more than 15 years’ experience working in the sexual and reproductive health, HIV and mental health sectors in South Australia. With qualifications in governance, public health and psychology, Holley has a strong interest in building a sustainable, cohesive and well-governed LGBTIQA+ sector.

Holley has served on the Boards of LGBTIQA+ community organisations and has volunteered her time and expertise to Feast Festival (Adelaide’s Queer Arts and Culture Festival), Let’s Get Equal Lobby Group, the SA Rainbow Advocacy Alliance, The Equality Project, and is a founding member of Rainbow Families SA.

Now the CEO of SHINE SA, Holley’s focus is on ensuring health services, policies and responses are LGBTIQA+ inclusive and affirming, and that local, LGBTIQA+-led services are delivered to communities with appropriate and sustainable resourcing.

DARCY GODDEN

Director for Northern Territory

Darcy Godden is a proud descendant of the Kamilaroi and Wonnarua Aboriginal peoples and is a dedicated advocate for community-controlled organisations, prioritising the enhancement of programs and services to address the diverse needs within of Aboriginal & Torres Strait Islander communities across the Northern Territory. With a wealth of expertise in the health and community sector, Darcy holds the position of Executive Manager of Aboriginal & Torres Strait Islander Health at the NT Primary Health Network.

As a passionate executive committed to fostering inclusivity, Darcy serves as the public officer and treasurer of Top End Pride NT Incorporated, a not-for-profit community organisation that celebrates and advocates for the LGBTQIA+ communities across the Top End. Darcy has previously held the role of Chief Executive Officer for Kura Yerlo Incorporated, an Aboriginal community-controlled entity specialising in NDIS, aged care, advocacy, and children’s services, situated on Kaurna Country. His dedication to Kura Yerlo and community-controlled organisations continue, with an ongoing commitment as a Director on Kura Yerlo’s Board of Management.

Darcy's career encompasses pivotal roles in community and Aboriginal health, including serving as the commissioning contract manager for Country SA Primary Health and as a Senior Specialist for the Multiple Sclerosis Society SA & NT. A testament to his commitment to professional development, Darcy holds multiple post-graduate degrees, including a Master of Business Administration, Graduate Diploma of Strategic Leadership, Graduate Certificate in Management, Graduate Certificate in Operational Excellence, and a Diploma of Quality Auditing. He is also a passionate lead and specialist auditor, where he is accredited to assess both national and international standards.

JACKSON FAIRCHILD

Director for Tasmania

Jackson Fairchild (they/them) lives on Muwinina and Palawa country in Lutruwita (Tasmania). They are a consultant and one of Australia's leading voices in family and gender-based violence prevention. They currently serve on the board of Working It Out, Tasmania’s diverse gender, sex and sexuality support, education and advocacy service. They also are a qualified counsellor and clinical supervisor with a background in service leadership, research translation, policy advocacy, governance, diversity and inclusion, and organisational change. Jackson has held senior roles at the Zoe Belle Gender Collective, Rainbow Health Australia, No To Violence and Thorne Harbour Health. They are particularly passionate about the power of community-led health and social services and building meaningful coalitions with other groups striving for social progress and a fairer world.

JASON HURST

Director for Queensland

With over 30 years of leadership in community development, advocacy, and organisational management, Jason is dedicated to advancing the health, inclusion, and well-being of LGBTIQ+ communities. Jason is currently Chief Operating Officer at Diverse Voices in Queensland, he brings a strong foundation in operations, finance, and human resources essential for supporting LGBTIQ+ Health Australia (LHA) in its commitment to social justice and human rights. Jason co-founded and advised multiple organisations and managed diverse teams, fostering participation and inclusion. Jason's experience spans campaign leadership, film production, and investigative services, equipping him with the ability to manage complex initiatives with strategic insight. Jason is a LivingWorks ASIST and SafeTalk Trainer, underscoring his commitment to the well-being of our communities. LHA’s mission as the national peak body and its newly developed Strategic Plan aligns closely with his values. He is inspired by LHA’s dedication to improving health outcomes for LGBTIQ+ Australians and amplifying their voices. Jason is eager to bring his skills to the Board to strengthen member engagement, enhance collaboration, and support growth at the national level. As a Board Director, Jason would work to uphold LHA’s goals, supporting its strategic vision to be a courageous, inclusive, and collaborative advocate for the LGBTIQ+ community across Australia.