Our Leadership Team brings a vast range of skills and expertise to deliver Hear and Say’s strategic plan and achieve the organisation’s vision and mission.
The dedication of our staff, volunteers, board directors and committees is at the core of Hear and Say
Meet our Board
Mr Matthew Ames
Chair
Matthew has almost 20 years’ experience in the energy and resources industry, and has found innovative ways to apply his skills after the loss of all four of his limbs and significant hearing loss in 2012. In addition to Hear and Say, Matthew is a board member of Bionics Queensland and Xavier Children’s Support Network; a council member for Centacare and a member of a number of steering committees for Queensland Health. Matthew joined the Hear and Say Board in November 2019 and was elected Chair in June 2020.
Dr Jane Black
Deputy Chair
Jane has a longstanding career in clinical management of paediatric disorders. She has played a key role in the development of Hear and Say from inception to present day. Jane has a proven record of executive leadership, having worked for both for-profit and not-for-profit organisations. She is a current member of the Board of Directors of the Children’s Hospital Foundation and serves on the Finance Audit and Risk Management Committee. Jane joined the Hear and Say Board in November, 1995, chaired the Board from 1996 to 2008 and was appointed Deputy Chair in May, 2010.
Dr Helen Chenery
Non-executive Director
Helen is an Emeritus Professor at The University of Queensland (UQ), having graduated from UQ with a bachelor and master’s degrees in speech pathology and a PhD in language neuroscience. She is currently President of the Queensland Academy of Arts and Sciences and a member of the Research Advisory Committee of the Queensland Eye Institute. She has previously chaired the STARS Hospital Alliance Board and been a Director of the Gold Coast Hospital and Health Board and of CPL. Helen has a long history of engagement in human neurobionics, policy and practice reform in dementia care, health workforce innovation, adoption of digital health and education technologies and interprofessional education and practice. Helen joined the Hear and Say Board in October 2022.
Dr Dimity Dornan AO
Non-executive Director and Founder
Dimity is a qualified speech pathologist, and Founder and Executive Director of Hear and Say. She is also Founder and Chair of Bionics Queensland. Dimity is an Adjunct Professor to The University of Queensland and Adjunct Associate Professor to the Science and Engineering Faculty, School of Mechanical, Medical and Process Engineering, Queensland University of Technology, and to Griffith University Health; Honorary Associate at Macquarie University, and a current member of The University of Queensland Senate.
Mr Andrew Fraser
Non-executive Director
After a career in public office in which he held the position of Treasurer of Queensland from 2007 to 2012, Andrew now serves on a diverse a range of boards. Previously Head of Strategy and Investment at the NRL, he is now an independent director and Chair of Sunsuper, a top 10 Australian superannuation fund with more than one million members. He is a director of Watpac, ASFA and 3rd Space, and is the Chair of Orange Sky Australia and Motorsport Australia. Andrew is a graduate of Griffith University, with degrees in law and commerce, in which he achieved first-class honours and won the University Medal. He now serves as the Deputy Chancellor of the university. Andrew joined the Hear and Say Board in September 2017.
Mrs Evelyn Goggin
Non-executive Director
Evelyn has over 34 years’ experience in the energy, infrastructure and retail sectors, holding senior management positions in international companies primarily in accounting and corporate governance. Volunteer roles in the not-for-profit sector have allowed Evelyn the opportunity to leverage her substantial financial and accounting experience to enhance school and charity boards. Evelyn has an enduring passion for the sector and a strong association with Hear and Say, having worked with the organisation in a consulting capacity in 2018. Evelyn joined the Hear and Say Board in September 2020.
Mr Mario Pennisi AM
Non-executive Director
Mario is a strategist and trusted advisor with more than 30 years’ experience in managing and growing commercial operations in the life sciences industry. Mario is the Chairman of Suncare Community Services and Non-Executive Director of Elo Life Systems Australia, Queensland Eye Institute Foundation, Alpine Immune Sciences Australia, Omniox AU, and Briz Brain & Spine. He is also Chair of the Griffith University Clinical Trial Unit and the Compounds Australia Strategic Advisory Board as well as a B20 Participating Delegate, and a member of the Queensland Government Biofutures Industry Advisory Group. Mario joined the Hear and Say Board in August 2020.
Dr Margaret Steinberg AM
Non-executive Director
Margaret has expertise in ethical decisionmaking as a clinician, academic and administrator. A former Commissioner, including of the Criminal Justice and Crime and Misconduct Commissions, Margaret currently sits on several boards and tribunals, and was previously on the Metro North Hospital and Health Service Board. Margaret joined the Hear and Say Board in April 2006.
Mr Darren Sumich
Non-executive Director
Darren is a lawyer of over 20 years’ experience, specialising in structuring and negotiating financial transactions. He is currently a Partner of MinterEllison and leads the firm’s Financial Solutions practice in Queensland. Darren has also led MinterEllison’s community investment and pro bono practice and is driven by his passion for bringing his commercial experience to assist not-for-profit and community welfare sectors. Darren joined the Board of Hear and Say in September 2020.
Meet our Leadership Team
Greg Elphinston
Chief Executive Officer
A lawyer by trade, Greg brings experience from a diverse international career to Hear and Say. Through his work as a social innovator and instigator of the UNESCO Mobile Learning week, he was influential in the creation and adoption of mobile technology for health and education in developing countries. Greg has contributed to social change in a wide range of settings, from youth employability in Latin America to remote learning across Asia and Africa. He has a constructive approach to partnership, and has held executive roles in the corporate, government and not-for-profit sectors. Greg joined Hear and Say in January 2022 and is committed to enriching the lives of clients through the beauty of sound.
Julie Decker
Head of Audiology
Julie is an audiologist specialising in implantable hearing technology. Prior to joining Hear and Say in 2019, Julie worked for 14 years as the Australia/New Zealand Clinical Sales Manager for Cochlear Ltd. She brings a wealth of experience working with families and children enrolled in hearing loss-related early intervention and educational support services. Now as Head of Audiology at Hear and Say, Julie is responsible for overseeing all audiology services including collaborating with the Queensland Children’s Hospital (QCH) to coordinate the Hear and Say Medical Only stream of the QCH hearing implant program. She is driven by a passion for delivering timely, quality services to people of all ages on a hearing implant journey. Julie holds a Master of Science (Audiology) and a Bachelor of Science (Speech Pathology and Audiology).
Lynda Farwell
Head of Listening and Spoken Language
Lynda is a specialist speech pathologist with over 16 years’ experience working with children with hearing loss and their families. She has a passion for family-centred practice and supporting each individual to reach their potential. Having commenced at Hear and Say as a graduate in 2006, Lynda now holds the position of Head of Listening and Spoken Language. This role sees Lynda oversee Hear and Say’s Listening and Spoken Language Therapy program, including ensuring quality clinical outcomes together with mentoring both internally and for external professionals working towards Listening and Spoken Language certification. Lynda has a Bachelor of Speech Pathology and Diploma of Leadership and Management, and is a Listening and Spoken Language Specialist Certified Auditory-Verbal Therapist (LSLS Cert. AVT) and Certified Practising Speech Pathologist (Speech Pathology Australia).
Zôwie Foster
Head of Human Resources and WHS
Zowie joined Hear and Say in August 2023 and brings with her more than 17 years’ experience in Human Resources. Zowie is a dynamic and versatile senior HR generalist with a Bachelor of Business majoring in Human Resources and Accounting. Prior to joining Hear and Say she held senior HR operations leadership roles in the performing arts, retail, and distribution industries. Zowie brings a people and commercial lens to strategic HR planning that has led to building collaborative partnerships to improve outcomes and deliver innovative solutions. Zowie is passionate about championing a culture that fosters diversity and inclusion, she is an advocate for equality and building a connected and capable workforce.
Emma Rushbrooke
Director of Clinical Governance
Emma is an audiologist and listening and spoken language specialist (certified Auditory-Verbal Therapist), specialising in implantable hearing technology and listening and spoken language therapy. Emma joined Hear and Say in March 2000 as an audiologist, then Clinical Manager from 2000 to 2006, before transitioning to her current role of Clinical Director in 2007. Emma provides oversight for the clinical programs at Hear and Say, including Listening and Spoken Language Therapy, Audiology, WorldWide Training and Education, Group Social Skills programs and Research. Emma is passionate about providing the best possible family-centric support and delivering programs and services underpinned by evidence-based clinical practice and research.
Sharon Stokell
Chief Operating Officer
Sharon joined Hear and Say in July 2023, bringing over 35 years experience in administration, operations, support, and leadership roles, across a diverse range of work environments including hospitals, general practice, not for profit, corporate, and allied health. The last 30 years have been within healthcare, education, psychology, mental health, child protection, and business development, combining her experience with studies in these areas. Since 2004 Sharon has worked as a leader in practice, business, and operational management, combining this with the growth of a strong private psychology, mental health, and counselling practice in Toowoomba. Sharon is driven by the incredible teams she is involved with that encourage and support her to excel each day.
News
Ready to Show Their Mettle for Loud Shirt Day
For the 8th year in a row, Mettle is gearing up for an even bigger and brighter Loud Shirt Day....
We’re proud to announce Hear and Say is working with the Queensland Department of Education to deliver the Kindergarten Inclusion...
Almost one year old Archibald loves reading books, going on walks, playing at the local park, and playing chase (albeit...
Gold Coast toddler Kove is a bit of a groover, dancing and singing to music with his sister. He’s also...
Liam Represented Australia in Deaf Cricket
Representing Australia in the Deaf International Cricket Cup reinforced for Liam how life-changing sport can be. At 22 years old,...
Five-year-old Prep student Sam from Bushland Beach, just north of Townsville, was born with mild to moderate mixed hearing loss...
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