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 Gillespie (she/her) is an experienced governance leader in LGBTIQA+ health, social justice and community advocacy, bringing more than 15 years senior executive experience across the not-for-profit, LGBTIQA+ community-controlled and public health sectors to her work for LHA.
Carolyn has served as Chair of LHA’s Board since 2021, where she provides strategic oversight and national leadership to strengthen the health, safety and wellbeing of LGBTIQA+ people and communities across Australia. Her governance approach is grounded in intersectional feminism, human rights, and a commitment to structural and systemic reform.
Recognised nationally as an expert in gender, sexual and reproductive health; mental health; family and sexual violence; and LGBTIQ+ inclusion, Carolyn is a respected advocate for systemic change and a strong voice for equitable, community-led solutions that have the power to truly transform.
Carolyn is also the Chief Executive Officer of Women’s Health In the North, a Victorian health promotion, violence prevention and advocacy organisation working to advance gender equity and promote the health, safety and wellbeing of women and gender-diverse people across the northern region of Naarm (Melbourne).
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 (He/Him) is a proud Kamilaroi and Wonnarua man and a senior executive in the Australian Public Service. He currently serves as Region Manager for the Northern Territory at the National Disability Insurance Agency (NDIA), leading service delivery, community engagement, and strategic reform across some of the most remote and culturally diverse communities in the country.
Darcy brings extensive leadership experience across Aboriginal health, disability, governance and Intergovernmental relations. He is a Board Director of Mary MacKillop Today, an international aid and development charity, and a member of the Clinical Advisory Committee for Australian Regional and Remote Community Services (ARRCS), supporting governance and culturally safe care across aged and disability services in the Northern Territory.
He has previously held executive roles with the Northern Territory Primary Health Network and Kura Yerlo Incorporated, where he led nationally recognised work in Aboriginal-led commissioning, cultural governance, and service reform. A passionate advocate for intersectionality and LGBTQIA+ inclusion, Darcy also supported the financial growth and success of Top End Pride NT, helping deliver the highest-funded Pride event in Darwin’s history, enabled by both grant and self-generated revenue streams.
Darcy holds multiple Master’s degrees, including a Master of Health Management and a Master of Business Administration, alongside several additional postgraduate qualifications in strategic leadership, operational excellence, and quality systems auditing. He is a certified Lead Auditor across national and international standards, with a strong focus on building inclusive, culturally safe systems that improve outcomes for First Nations peoples and LGBTQIA+ communities.
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.