Governance

Elizabeth Koff AM
Randwick Health & Innovation Precinct (RHIP) Chair

Elizabeth was appointed Managing Director of Telstra Health, Australia’s largest digital health company and a subsidiary of Telstra Group Limited in April 2022 and is passionate about the potential of Digital Health to transform health care delivery.
Prior to this Elizabeth had a long and distinguished career in the NSW health system, with her most significant role being Secretary, NSW Health for six years from 2016 -2022. As Secretary, Elizabeth was responsible for the management of the NSW health system, the largest health system in Australia with a $30 billion budget and 124,000 FTE. In 2020/2021 Elizabeth led the NSW Health system through the COVID-19 pandemic and advised NSW government crisis cabinet on the management of COVID-19 in NSW, and the subsequent vaccination roll out.
Elizabeth has chaired of the Australian Health Ministers Advisory Council (AHMAC) and its subsequent iteration of Health Chief Executives Forum. She is also a member of Chief Executive Women and is Chair of Randwick Health and Innovation Precinct (RHIP)
Elizabeth was appointed a Member of the Order of Australia in the 2022 Queen’s Birthday Honours for services to healthcare. She has been awarded Honorary doctorates from Western Sydney University, the University of Sydney and the University of NSW.

Stephen Palmer PhD
Randwick Health & Innovation Precinct (RHIP) Acting Executive Director

With more than 25 years of post-doctoral experience in academic medical research in the UK and Australia, Steve has extensive experience in medical laboratory science, preclinical drug development strategies, intellectual property management, university technology transfer, business development and collaborative grant application.

As the Randwick Health & Innovation Precinct Industry & Innovation Lead, Steve works collaboratively with Precinct Partners to lead the development of collaborative health technology innovation, industry engagement opportunities and Precinct strategy for industry and innovation. In his own words, Steve acts as the ‘front door liaison’ point for all prospective external RHIP partnerships.

A trained specialist in molecular genetics and the use of genetically modified mice to understand and model human disease, Steve has also spent four years working in the small biotechnology industry and two years in university technology transfer.

Professor Attila Brungs
University of New South Wales (UNSW) Vice Chancellor & President

Professor Brungs commenced his appointment on 31 January 2022, joining UNSW from his position as Vice-Chancellor and President of University of Technology Sydney (UTS) (2014 – 2021). He was Deputy Vice-Chancellor and Vice-President (Research), UTS (2009 – 2014). In November 2021, Professor Brungs was appointed Emeritus Professor and Emeritus Vice-Chancellor, UTS. He is a distinguished academic and higher education leader with extensive experience in the government and corporate sectors.

Professor Vlado Perkovic
University of New South Wales (UNSW) Provost

Professor Perkovic is the Provost at UNSW Sydney, and previously the Dean of Medicine and Health and Scientia Professor at UNSW, a Professorial Fellow at The George Institute, Australia, and a Staff Specialist in Nephrology at the Royal North Shore Hospital. His research focus is on clinical trials and epidemiology, in particular, preventing the progression of kidney disease and its complications. He leads several major international clinical trials and serves on the Steering Committees of several others.

Cathryn Cox PSM
Sydney Children’s Hospitals Network (SCHN) Chief Executive

Cathryn Cox PSM was appointed Chief Executive of Sydney Children’s Hospitals Network in August 2020.

Cathryn has many years of experience as an Executive within the NSW Ministry of Health with responsibility for a range of health policy, planning, infrastructure and strategic reform programs.  Her early role as a physiotherapist at RPA paved the way for a long-term career in health, which included leading Health Infrastructure as its interim Chief Executive.  

Elizabeth Crouch AM
Sydney Children’s Hospitals Network (SCHN) Chair

Elizabeth Crouch is Chair of the Sydney Children’s Hospitals Network and the Customer Owned Banking Association. She is a non-Executive Director of Bingo Industries, SGS Economics and Planning and ASX listed ReadyTech Holdings, and has recently been appointed to the Board of Ochre Health. She is also on the Boards of Hearing Australia, NSW Institute of Sport, Health Infrastructure and Angus Knight.

Kate Hackett
South Eastern Sydney Local Health District (SESLHD) Acting Chief Executive

Kate joined SESLHD in 2022 as District Director of Nursing and Midwifery Services. A Registered Nurse with a Master of Health Services Management, Kate has held senior leadership roles across major metropolitan hospitals, including Director of Nursing and Midwifery at Westmead Hospital. She has led significant health service initiatives, including the Westmead Hospital Precinct redevelopment and the Western Sydney Local Health District COVID-19 response.

In 2021, she was awarded the Public Service Medal for outstanding public service to healthcare delivery. Kate remains deeply committed to improving health services while ensuring the delivery of high-quality, person-centred compassionate care

Betty Ivanoff
South Eastern Sydney Local Health District (SESLHD) Board Chair

Ms Betty Invanoff is the Board Chair of South Eastern Sydney Local Health District.

Betty's career has spanned 25 years as a corporate lawyer and senior executive with experience across all aspects of corporate and commercial law, corporate governance, mergers and acquisitions, corporate affairs, leadership, and transformation. Betty has served as Chief Legal Officer and Company Secretary in ASX listed companies and international organisations including Crown Resorts, The Star Entertainment Group, Coca-Cola Amatil Ltd and GrainCorp Ltd. Her previous corporate roles were with CSR Ltd, Walter Constructions and Sinclair Knight Merz. Betty is an experienced board director and chairperson having served on boards across the corporate and not for profit sectors including Women’s Community Shelters, The Hellenic Initiative, Paradise Beverages, and Allied Mills and is presently the Chair of the UTS (SYD) Law Advisory Board. Betty is a graduate of the UTS (SYD) and completed the Executive Management and Leadership Program at the Saïd Business School, Oxford University.