About us

Throughout her 20 plus year career in the Health and Aged Care Sectors, Sue has been motivated to address the challenges faced by people living in regional, rural and remote (RRR) Australia. As the CEO of NFP aged care provider – McLean Care, she has driven significant social impact across the organisation’s service footprint, now providing high quality care to 2,000 older people in an area three times the size of Tasmania! These services result in improved health outcomes and quality-of-life; supporting people to age with choice and dignity, in their homes / home towns in RRR Australia.

Sue is recognised for using her voice on aged care bodies and local chambers of commerce / business to advocate for the needs of older people in regional, rural and remote Australia and contributing to collaborative research both nationally and globally to raise awareness and understanding of the ageing journey.

A business management professional with more than 20 years of experience in commercial and financial management roles across a wide range of industry sectors including Oil & Gas Services, Mining Services, Commercial Maritime Operations, Retail and Transport & Logistics Services.  I am passionate about helping businesses grow – especially businesses supporting communities with essential services – through effective business partnering to provide strategic commercial insights. 

Qualifications

• Bachelor of Business, Australian Catholic University
• Graduate Diploma of Maritime Management, Australian Maritime College
• CPA Program, CPA Australia (only commenced this year)
• Certificate IV in Fitness

Volunteering / Other

• Active supporter of Beyond Blue, Starlight Foundation and the Heart Research Institute
• Founded Swim Out of the Darkness – charity event to raise awareness of men’s mental health and raise money which is donated to organisations supporting men’s mental health.  First event was held on 4^th October 2021 and we raised over $4,500 for Beyond Blue
• Treasurer for Darling Downs Regional Swimming Association since 2020, and Secretary for my local swim club.  I also volunteer as a Pool Deck Official for swim meets across the Darling Downs region.

Sarah commenced her nursing career following the completion of her Higher School Certificate in 2005. Whilst undertaking a Bachelor of Nursing degree at theUniversity of New England, Sarah obtained employment at HN McLean Memorial Retirement Village (now McLean Care Ltd) as a Residential Assistant in Nursing. During this experience she quickly developed a passion and desire to pursue a career in the aged care industry, and held various nursing and supervisory roles within the organisation.

Sarah provides strategic direction and leadership for the planning and delivery of McLean Care’s residential care services, ensuring positive outcomes for residents and their families, facilitation of all aspects of operational management of residential aged care, and maintaining excellent systems of continuous improvement.In her role, Sarah ensures that excellent and compassionate care is provided within the context of regulatory and financial compliance, in the residential facility that hosts a total staff of 160.

Sarah holds a firm belief in community, and a commitment to innovation and excellence. Her vision is to give every Resident an opportunity to enjoy their life at McLean Care, through empowering staff and maintaining a culture based on the principles of a person-centred approach.

PROFESSIONAL ORGANISATIONS:
• Chair of the Inverell Hospital and McLean Care Consultative Committee

ORGANISATIONS SARAH SUPPORTS:
• Cancer Council
• Jane McGrath Foundation
• Royal Australian Flying Doctors Service

Ricki is a dedicated leader who advocates for excellence in client-focused service. With over 40 years of experience in nursing, health management and the disability sector, Ricki brings a wealth of knowledge and expertise to her position with McLean Care and during her career has developed essential management skills to successfully lead teams to align with organisational goals, values resulting in excellence in customer service with a fiscally considered approach. Having worked through unprecedented change, she is very aware of the differing cultures and needs of service providers and organisations during both turbulent and stable times.

During her time as Director of Nursing and Midwifery, Ricki was also the Tamworth Hospital Redevelopment Coordinator, overseeing the $220 million project from conception through to delivery.

Ricki has been committed to ongoing education throughout her career, earning post graduate qualifications in advanced nursing, accident and emergency nursing, health management, emergency management and project management.

Ricki has extensive experience in building service capability and responsiveness, as well as leading an organisation in developing and implementing several facets of disaster planning and business continuity planning, CBR response, pandemic planning, and demand escalation.

Melissa commenced her nursing career in aged care as an assistant in nursing in 1996 whilst undertaking her diploma in nursing to become and Enrolled Nurse. Melissa then went on to work for Health and during this time undertook her Bachelor of Nursing degree through Charles Darwin University. During Melissas tenure with health there was always a fondness and respect for the aging community which had an overwhelming pull and lead to employment with McLean Care as a Registered Nurse in 2010. Melissa feels fortunate to have been afforded the opportunity to have had various leadership roles within the organisation all of which allowed the enrichment of each residents experiences and person centred outcomes.

Melissa provides mentoring and leadership across residential aged care services so as to support a compassionate, reliable and respectful person centred approach through integrity, courage and resilience.

Melissa has a firm belief that nothing is too hard to achieve or to outlandish and if we work together collaboratively with our residents, families and staff we can achieve anything.

Organisations Melissa supports:

• Starlight foundation
• Black Dog Institute
• Cancer Council

Ellena commenced her career in Human Resources in 2000 and has held numerous positions, across private and public industries, in managing people and creating positive workplace culture. Past appointments include roles in, Aviation, Heavy Vehicle Manufacturing, Fast Moving Consumer Goods, Professional Services and Natural Resources.

Incredibly passionate about contributing to an organisation that focuses on community care, she is committed to producing quality outcomes with a specific focus on continuous improvement initiatives in the areas of health, safety, productivity and wellbeing of the McLean Care team, its residents and clients.

Ellena has held various Senior Management Roles where she has supported companies and top executives through the provision of unique perspectives and has a deep appreciation that human capital is the greatest asset of every organisation.

As a long term member of the Australian Institute of Human Resources Ellena supports the following organisations:

– Cancer Council

– Beyond Blue – Childrens Hospital Foundation

Lynda is an experienced and empathetic senior-level business leader, Organisational Psychologist, and Researcher.  Over the last 15 years, Lynda has dedicated her time across a range of NFPs (community, aged care, disability, and health) to deliver on its strategy through effective design and delivery of program, project, and enterprise change management.

Lynda specialises in re-designing operating and service models, anchored on the customer and employee experience and journey. 

Qualifications
With formal qualifications in psychology and a PhD in Business Management combined with 12 years of management consulting across global (Big-4), medium, and boutique firms, Lynda expertly blends robustness with pragmatism to support organisation’s ability to deliver impacts for their people, community, and the wider system.

With experience and exposure to instantly recognisable local, national and international brands and businesses, Vanessa has a proven track record of building high performance teams who deliver results through building good business and reputation. Her extensive background spans both public and private sectors, as well as franchise and not-for-profit organisations, including significant experience in the aged care sector.

Vanessa has a passion for growth and leadership, taking many teams through exciting transitions - from mid-size organisations to high profile large businesses, ensuring both the internal and external brands, remain true to their values, while forging new markets and clients and continually developing internal teams.

Vanessa has spent more than 10 years in the aged care sector, driving innovation and excellence through the ever-changing market landscape.

Vanessa holds qualifications in business, customer experience, management and holds a Cert IV in Training and Assessment.

Vanessa is heavily involved in Speedway Motorbike racing and volunteers most weekends, travelling regional Australia extensively to do so.

Length of Time as a McLean Care Director:
– Since January 2022
Length of time as a Director
– 3 years
– Currently holds the office of Chair
– Previously Vice Chair (2015-2016)

Qualifications
– Post Graduate Degree
– Diploma of Financial Services (Financial Planning)
– Financial Services Institute of Australia
– Bachelor of Business (Accounting) Charles Sturt University

Affiliations
– Institute of Chartered Accountants
– Fellow Membership of Governance Institute of Australia (FGIA)

Biography
– January 1996 to Present Skybridge Financial (Principal since May 2008)- Occupation- Chartered account, working with small to medium business in regards to taxation, business advice, and superannuationComments – Former Treasurer Inverell Rugby Club 2012 -2015- Former Co-ordinator Northern Inland 4×4 Fishing; Camping and Caravan Expo 2013, 2014, 2015

Length of Time as a McLean Care Director:
– Since January 2022

Qualifications

• Certificate IV in Training and Assessment, University of New England
• Business Management Certificate, Australian Institute of Management
• Bachelor of Pharmacy, University of Sydney
• Clinical Governance Leadership
• rofessional Practice Standards Committee Member, Pharmaceutical Society of Australia

Affiliations

• Australian Association of Clinical Pharmacists Member (20 years)
• Justice of the Peace (NSW)
• Pharmaceutical Society of Australia

Length of Time as a McLean Care Director:
– 10 Years
– Held the office of Deputy Chair 2010 to 2023

Qualifications
– Diploma of Teaching from ACAE
– Diploma of Theology from UTC, Sydney

Affiliations
– Chair of the NENW Presbytery Pastoral Relations Committee (2009 to Present)

Biography
– 13 February 1988 Ordination at Scone by the Hunter Presbytery as a Minister of the Word and Sacrament into the Uniting Church of Australia
– 1988-1991 Minister in the Bingara Uniting Church Congregation
– 1991-2000 Minister in the Uniting Church Parish Parkes
– 2000-2006 Aged Care Chaplain, Georges River Presbytery (South Eastern Region of Uniting Aged Care)
– 2006-Present Minister in the Northern Inland (Inverell – Bingara) Congregations

Mark has served as a Director of the McLean Care Board since 2020 and was the Vice Chairperson from 2022 to 2024.  He has extensive experience with for-profit and not-for-profit enterprises, creating and leading high-performance teams, particularly during times of significant growth and change. Mark is a skilled Director and fellow of the Australian Institute of Company directors whose Board experience includes not-for-profit and entrepreneurial for-profit businesses. 

Mark is a fellow of CPA Australia and has more than 25 years commercial business and finance experience. He has worked in a wide range of industry sectors including disability, manufacturing, retail, professional services, retirement living and membership services.

Length of time as a Director

• Appointed September 2020

Qualifications

• Master of Business Administration, Griffith University, Australia
• Bachelor of Business, Southern Cross University, Australia
• CPA Program, CPA Australia
• Company Directors Course Diploma, Australian Institute of Company Directors
• Leadership Development Program, University of Melbourne, Melbourne Business School

Affiliations

• Advisory Panel Member RACQ Foundation 2011 – Sep 2015
• Justice of the Peace (Qualified) in Queensland

Sue has extensive experience delivering Business Process Optimisation and Transformational Change in complex and highly regulated environments within Government, Finance, Health, Transport and Regulation sectors.

Sue is a highly skilled director with strong governance and an assurance professional, which is demonstrated by being a Non-Executive Director on the board of a successful and expanding community care organisation. Sue excels in demanding and complex environments, while remaining pragmatic and compassionate.

Length of time as a McLean Care Director
– November 2020

Qualifications

• Boardroom Mastery AICD
• Company Directors Course AICD
• PhD Business & Health Informatics
• Lean Six Sigma Black Belt DMAIC & DFSS
• York University
• Critical Care Certification BCIT Canada
• Bachelor of Applied Science
• Diploma of Nursing SIAST Canada

Affiliations

• Managing Director Transformance Group Present
• Non Executive Director CCNB Present
• NSW Divisional Councillor, AICD Present
• Executive Director NSW Health
• Director Licencing Liquor and Gaming NSW
• Director, Sector Governance NSW Dept Premier and Cabinet
• Director / National Lead Clinical Information Systems PwC

Sean was appointed to the McLean Care Board in April 2023. Sean is an experienced senior executive having held leadership roles in public, private and not-for-profit sector organisations. 

As the former CEO of Leading Age Services Australia (LASA) Sean played a leadership role in aged care system reform, influencing policy, programs and practice.  Sean is a recognised leader in the aged care sector who speaks with credibility and authority on issues of importance to older Australians and to providers of aged care services. Sean also has over ten years’ experience as a company director in a number of not-for-profit organisations.

Qualifications

• Bachelor of Commerce – Australian National University
• Masters of Business Administration – Melbourne Business School, Melbourne University
• Post Graduate qualifications in Cross Sector Collaboration – Cambridge University

Affiliations

• Adjunct Associate Professor – Health Services Management, School of Medicine & Dentistry, Griffith University
• Director – Australian Aged Care Collaboration (2020 – 2022)
• Member – Ministerial Aged Care Sector Committee (2016 – 2022)
• Member – National Aged Care Alliance (2016 – 2022)

Throughout her 20 plus year career in the Health and Aged Care Sectors, Sue has been motivated to address the challenges faced by people living in regional, rural and remote (RRR) Australia. As the CEO of NFP aged care provider – McLean Care, she has driven significant social impact across the organisation’s service footprint, now providing high quality care to 2,000 older people in an area three times the size of Tasmania! These services result in improved health outcomes and quality-of-life; supporting people to age with choice and dignity, in their homes / home towns in RRR Australia.

Sue is recognised for using her voice on aged care bodies and local chambers of commerce / business to advocate for the needs of older people in regional, rural and remote Australia and contributing to collaborative research both nationally and globally to raise awareness and understanding of the ageing journey.

A business management professional with more than 20 years of experience in commercial and financial management roles across a wide range of industry sectors including Oil & Gas Services, Mining Services, Commercial Maritime Operations, Retail and Transport & Logistics Services.  I am passionate about helping businesses grow – especially businesses supporting communities with essential services – through effective business partnering to provide strategic commercial insights. 

Qualifications

• Bachelor of Business, Australian Catholic University
• Graduate Diploma of Maritime Management, Australian Maritime College
• CPA Program, CPA Australia (only commenced this year)
• Certificate IV in Fitness

Volunteering / Other

• Active supporter of Beyond Blue, Starlight Foundation and the Heart Research Institute
• Founded Swim Out of the Darkness – charity event to raise awareness of men’s mental health and raise money which is donated to organisations supporting men’s mental health.  First event was held on 4^th October 2021 and we raised over $4,500 for Beyond Blue
• Treasurer for Darling Downs Regional Swimming Association since 2020, and Secretary for my local swim club.  I also volunteer as a Pool Deck Official for swim meets across the Darling Downs region.

Sarah commenced her nursing career following the completion of her Higher School Certificate in 2005. Whilst undertaking a Bachelor of Nursing degree at theUniversity of New England, Sarah obtained employment at HN McLean Memorial Retirement Village (now McLean Care Ltd) as a Residential Assistant in Nursing. During this experience she quickly developed a passion and desire to pursue a career in the aged care industry, and held various nursing and supervisory roles within the organisation.

Sarah provides strategic direction and leadership for the planning and delivery of McLean Care’s residential care services, ensuring positive outcomes for residents and their families, facilitation of all aspects of operational management of residential aged care, and maintaining excellent systems of continuous improvement.In her role, Sarah ensures that excellent and compassionate care is provided within the context of regulatory and financial compliance, in the residential facility that hosts a total staff of 160.

Sarah holds a firm belief in community, and a commitment to innovation and excellence. Her vision is to give every Resident an opportunity to enjoy their life at McLean Care, through empowering staff and maintaining a culture based on the principles of a person-centred approach.

PROFESSIONAL ORGANISATIONS:
• Chair of the Inverell Hospital and McLean Care Consultative Committee

ORGANISATIONS SARAH SUPPORTS:
• Cancer Council
• Jane McGrath Foundation
• Royal Australian Flying Doctors Service

Ricki is a dedicated leader who advocates for excellence in client-focused service. With over 40 years of experience in nursing, health management and the disability sector, Ricki brings a wealth of knowledge and expertise to her position with McLean Care and during her career has developed essential management skills to successfully lead teams to align with organisational goals, values resulting in excellence in customer service with a fiscally considered approach. Having worked through unprecedented change, she is very aware of the differing cultures and needs of service providers and organisations during both turbulent and stable times.

During her time as Director of Nursing and Midwifery, Ricki was also the Tamworth Hospital Redevelopment Coordinator, overseeing the $220 million project from conception through to delivery.

Ricki has been committed to ongoing education throughout her career, earning post graduate qualifications in advanced nursing, accident and emergency nursing, health management, emergency management and project management.

Ricki has extensive experience in building service capability and responsiveness, as well as leading an organisation in developing and implementing several facets of disaster planning and business continuity planning, CBR response, pandemic planning, and demand escalation.

Melissa commenced her nursing career in aged care as an assistant in nursing in 1996 whilst undertaking her diploma in nursing to become and Enrolled Nurse. Melissa then went on to work for Health and during this time undertook her Bachelor of Nursing degree through Charles Darwin University. During Melissas tenure with health there was always a fondness and respect for the aging community which had an overwhelming pull and lead to employment with McLean Care as a Registered Nurse in 2010. Melissa feels fortunate to have been afforded the opportunity to have had various leadership roles within the organisation all of which allowed the enrichment of each residents experiences and person centred outcomes.

Melissa provides mentoring and leadership across residential aged care services so as to support a compassionate, reliable and respectful person centred approach through integrity, courage and resilience.

Melissa has a firm belief that nothing is too hard to achieve or to outlandish and if we work together collaboratively with our residents, families and staff we can achieve anything.

Organisations Melissa supports:

• Starlight foundation
• Black Dog Institute
• Cancer Council

Ellena commenced her career in Human Resources in 2000 and has held numerous positions, across private and public industries, in managing people and creating positive workplace culture. Past appointments include roles in, Aviation, Heavy Vehicle Manufacturing, Fast Moving Consumer Goods, Professional Services and Natural Resources.

Incredibly passionate about contributing to an organisation that focuses on community care, she is committed to producing quality outcomes with a specific focus on continuous improvement initiatives in the areas of health, safety, productivity and wellbeing of the McLean Care team, its residents and clients.

Ellena has held various Senior Management Roles where she has supported companies and top executives through the provision of unique perspectives and has a deep appreciation that human capital is the greatest asset of every organisation.

As a long term member of the Australian Institute of Human Resources Ellena supports the following organisations:

– Cancer Council

– Beyond Blue – Childrens Hospital Foundation

Lynda is an experienced and empathetic senior-level business leader, Organisational Psychologist, and Researcher.  Over the last 15 years, Lynda has dedicated her time across a range of NFPs (community, aged care, disability, and health) to deliver on its strategy through effective design and delivery of program, project, and enterprise change management.

Lynda specialises in re-designing operating and service models, anchored on the customer and employee experience and journey. 

Qualifications
With formal qualifications in psychology and a PhD in Business Management combined with 12 years of management consulting across global (Big-4), medium, and boutique firms, Lynda expertly blends robustness with pragmatism to support organisation’s ability to deliver impacts for their people, community, and the wider system.

With experience and exposure to instantly recognisable local, national and international brands and businesses, Vanessa has a proven track record of building high performance teams who deliver results through building good business and reputation. Her extensive background spans both public and private sectors, as well as franchise and not-for-profit organisations, including significant experience in the aged care sector.

Vanessa has a passion for growth and leadership, taking many teams through exciting transitions - from mid-size organisations to high profile large businesses, ensuring both the internal and external brands, remain true to their values, while forging new markets and clients and continually developing internal teams.

Vanessa has spent more than 10 years in the aged care sector, driving innovation and excellence through the ever-changing market landscape.

Vanessa holds qualifications in business, customer experience, management and holds a Cert IV in Training and Assessment.

Vanessa is heavily involved in Speedway Motorbike racing and volunteers most weekends, travelling regional Australia extensively to do so.

Length of Time as a McLean Care Director:
– Since January 2022
Length of time as a Director
– 3 years
– Currently holds the office of Chair
– Previously Vice Chair (2015-2016)

Qualifications
– Post Graduate Degree
– Diploma of Financial Services (Financial Planning)
– Financial Services Institute of Australia
– Bachelor of Business (Accounting) Charles Sturt University

Affiliations
– Institute of Chartered Accountants
– Fellow Membership of Governance Institute of Australia (FGIA)

Biography
– January 1996 to Present Skybridge Financial (Principal since May 2008)- Occupation- Chartered account, working with small to medium business in regards to taxation, business advice, and superannuationComments – Former Treasurer Inverell Rugby Club 2012 -2015- Former Co-ordinator Northern Inland 4×4 Fishing; Camping and Caravan Expo 2013, 2014, 2015

Length of Time as a McLean Care Director:
– Since January 2022

Qualifications

• Certificate IV in Training and Assessment, University of New England
• Business Management Certificate, Australian Institute of Management
• Bachelor of Pharmacy, University of Sydney
• Clinical Governance Leadership
• rofessional Practice Standards Committee Member, Pharmaceutical Society of Australia

Affiliations

• Australian Association of Clinical Pharmacists Member (20 years)
• Justice of the Peace (NSW)
• Pharmaceutical Society of Australia

Length of Time as a McLean Care Director:
– 10 Years
– Held the office of Deputy Chair 2010 to 2023

Qualifications
– Diploma of Teaching from ACAE
– Diploma of Theology from UTC, Sydney

Affiliations
– Chair of the NENW Presbytery Pastoral Relations Committee (2009 to Present)

Biography
– 13 February 1988 Ordination at Scone by the Hunter Presbytery as a Minister of the Word and Sacrament into the Uniting Church of Australia
– 1988-1991 Minister in the Bingara Uniting Church Congregation
– 1991-2000 Minister in the Uniting Church Parish Parkes
– 2000-2006 Aged Care Chaplain, Georges River Presbytery (South Eastern Region of Uniting Aged Care)
– 2006-Present Minister in the Northern Inland (Inverell – Bingara) Congregations

Mark has served as a Director of the McLean Care Board since 2020 and was the Vice Chairperson from 2022 to 2024.  He has extensive experience with for-profit and not-for-profit enterprises, creating and leading high-performance teams, particularly during times of significant growth and change. Mark is a skilled Director and fellow of the Australian Institute of Company directors whose Board experience includes not-for-profit and entrepreneurial for-profit businesses. 

Mark is a fellow of CPA Australia and has more than 25 years commercial business and finance experience. He has worked in a wide range of industry sectors including disability, manufacturing, retail, professional services, retirement living and membership services.

Length of time as a Director

• Appointed September 2020

Qualifications

• Master of Business Administration, Griffith University, Australia
• Bachelor of Business, Southern Cross University, Australia
• CPA Program, CPA Australia
• Company Directors Course Diploma, Australian Institute of Company Directors
• Leadership Development Program, University of Melbourne, Melbourne Business School

Affiliations

• Advisory Panel Member RACQ Foundation 2011 – Sep 2015
• Justice of the Peace (Qualified) in Queensland

Sue has extensive experience delivering Business Process Optimisation and Transformational Change in complex and highly regulated environments within Government, Finance, Health, Transport and Regulation sectors.

Sue is a highly skilled director with strong governance and an assurance professional, which is demonstrated by being a Non-Executive Director on the board of a successful and expanding community care organisation. Sue excels in demanding and complex environments, while remaining pragmatic and compassionate.

Length of time as a McLean Care Director
– November 2020

Qualifications

• Boardroom Mastery AICD
• Company Directors Course AICD
• PhD Business & Health Informatics
• Lean Six Sigma Black Belt DMAIC & DFSS
• York University
• Critical Care Certification BCIT Canada
• Bachelor of Applied Science
• Diploma of Nursing SIAST Canada

Affiliations

• Managing Director Transformance Group Present
• Non Executive Director CCNB Present
• NSW Divisional Councillor, AICD Present
• Executive Director NSW Health
• Director Licencing Liquor and Gaming NSW
• Director, Sector Governance NSW Dept Premier and Cabinet
• Director / National Lead Clinical Information Systems PwC

Sean was appointed to the McLean Care Board in April 2023. Sean is an experienced senior executive having held leadership roles in public, private and not-for-profit sector organisations. 

As the former CEO of Leading Age Services Australia (LASA) Sean played a leadership role in aged care system reform, influencing policy, programs and practice.  Sean is a recognised leader in the aged care sector who speaks with credibility and authority on issues of importance to older Australians and to providers of aged care services. Sean also has over ten years’ experience as a company director in a number of not-for-profit organisations.

Qualifications

• Bachelor of Commerce – Australian National University
• Masters of Business Administration – Melbourne Business School, Melbourne University
• Post Graduate qualifications in Cross Sector Collaboration – Cambridge University

Affiliations

• Adjunct Associate Professor – Health Services Management, School of Medicine & Dentistry, Griffith University
• Director – Australian Aged Care Collaboration (2020 – 2022)
• Member – Ministerial Aged Care Sector Committee (2016 – 2022)
• Member – National Aged Care Alliance (2016 – 2022)