Our board

Nigel Alexander joined the UnitingCare Queensland Board in May 2017 and was appointed Chair in July 2018. Nigel is a Chartered Accountant and Corporate Agribusiness specialist. He is also a Director of The North Australian Pastoral Company and Chair of the Royal Flying Doctor Service Foundation, Prime Super and Allianz Partners Australia. He is a former President of the RACQ and was a World Council member of the Paris-based Federation Internationale De L’Automobile (FIA). He holds a Bachelor of Business (Accountancy) Degree from the University of Southern Queensland, a Masters in Applied Finance from Macquarie University and is a Fellow of the Australian Institute of Company Directors.

Justine Cain joined the UnitingCare Queensland Board in January 2020. She has held senior executive and Board roles with listed, privately owned, private equity backed and not-for-profit organisations in the health, human services and general insurance sectors. Justine is currently the Group Chief Executive Officer for Diabetes Australia and on the Boards of the Australian Diabetes Society, the Australian Diabetes Educators Association, LeapIn! and the Kellion Foundation. Justine’s expertise spans transformational leadership roles, strategy development and execution, customer-centric leadership, largescale operational delivery and complex stakeholder management. Justine has a strong understanding of the broad health, human services and aged care sectors and is committed to achieving equity in access to health services, population health improvement and judicious use of funding. Justine holds a Bachelor of Laws and a Bachelor of Science from the Australian National University.

Jim Demack joined the UnitingCare Queensland Board in September 2021. Jim is a lawyer and partner of an national law firm. He has extensive experience and expertise in construction law, particularly in major engineering, resources and infrastructure projects, commercial law, litigation and insurance. Jim is a past board member of the Presbyterian and Methodist Schools Association and served as both Chair of the Somerville House School Council and as a director of the Somerville House Foundation Ltd. He has served at varying levels in the church, and has been an elder in his local congregation. Jim has a Masters in Law and is a graduate of the Australian Institute of Company Directors.

Reverend Andrew Gunton was inducted as the Moderator of the Uniting Church in Australia, Queensland Synod in October 2020 and joined the UnitingCare Queensland Board at that time. He holds a Bachelor of Science (Botany) from the University of Queensland. He also holds a Bachelor of Theology from the Brisbane College of Theology, being ordained a Minister of the Word in 2002. He has served many congregations across Queensland including Rockhampton, Arana Hills, Moreton Rivers and OxleyDarra and had a period acting as the Associate General Secretary for the Queensland Synod. Andrew has been a member of the Queensland Community Alliance Board and Chair for Barnabas Council Durack, a home for people with disabilities. Andrew is also a Member of the Australian Institute of Company Directors.

Cheryl Herbert joined the UnitingCare Queensland Board in April 2018 and was appointed a Director of the Australian Regional and Remote Community Services (ARRCS) Board in February 2020. Cheryl has extensive experience in executive management including Chief Executive Officer, Chair and Non-Executive Director positions across the health sector including the Children’s Health Queensland Hospital and Health Service and Lives Lived Well. Cheryl has qualifications in nursing and midwifery and is a Fellow of the Royal Australian College of Nursing Australia and Fellow of the Institute of Company Directors.

Reverend Heather den Houting was appointed as the General Secretary of the Uniting Church in Australia, Queensland Synod in June 2016. Heather serves across a range of Church Boards and commissions within the Uniting Church at national, state and local levels and is also a member of the Frontier Services Board. Heather has a background in law including government, community and private practice. She is a Graduate of the Australian Institute of Company Directors and holds degrees in Economics, Law and Theology, and post-graduate qualifications in Management.

Dr Mellissa Naidoo joined the UnitingCare Queensland Board in October 2022. Mellissa is a specialist medical administrator with more than 20 years’ experience working in clinical medicine, leadership and health executive roles across both the public and private hospital and insurance sectors. She has a Masters in Health Management and holds dual Fellowship with the Royal Australasian College of Medical Administrators and Australasian College of Health Service Management. Mellissa also sits on the board of Multicultural Australia, Metro Arts and the University of Queensland Senate.

Alison Quinn is a professional non-executive director with more than 25 years’ experience as a Chief Executive Officer and senior executive in the property development, aged care, and seniors sectors. Through her roles with public, private and government organisations, Alison has developed valuable operational and commercial expertise in the areas of property investment, funding, infrastructure and development. Uniquely, Alison has significant expertise on the impacts and challenges of Australia’s ageing population and has been at the forefront of thought leadership regarding meeting the housing, care and other service needs of the Baby Boomer generation. Alison brings to the Board a depth of experience in developing strategies that drive sustainable growth, a strong customer perspective and a passion and understanding of how property as an enabler can deliver both financial and holistic outcomes.

Susan joined the UnitingCare Queensland Board in April 2022. Susan is an accomplished business leader with over 40 years’ experience as a chartered accountant and corporate advisor assisting clients in varied aspects of commercial, financial and taxation matters. Susan specialises in corporate governance, family councils, succession planning, taxation structures and restructuring. Susan holds a Bachelor of Financial Administration from University of New England, is a Chartered Accountant and Fellow, Chartered Accountant Australia and New Zealand, an Adjunct Professor, School of Business, QUT, and a graduate of the Australian Institute of Company Directors. Susan was also appointed in the General Division in the Order of Australia, for significant service to business and community.

Natalie joined the UnitingCare Queensland Board in April 2022. Natalie is also an Associate Professor in Practice, specialising in AI, Digital and Project governance. She is a member of the National AI Centre Thinktank for Scaling AI and St John of God’s Digital Governance Committee. She is also a member of Newlife Church and ambassador for Fishers of Men serving people who are homeless, poor or marginalised. Previously, Natalie was a Partner in Deloitte’s Risk Advisory practice and established the Chief Delivery Officer for eHealth Queensland.

Andrea Staines OAM joined the UnitingCare Queensland Board in April 2016. Andrea is a full-time non-executive director with over fifteen years’ experience on listed, private, not-for-profit and government roles across Australia and NZ. Andrea is currently a director of ASX-listed Acumentis. Before becoming a board director, Andrea previously held the position of Chief Executive Officer and co-launched Qantas international subsidiary Australian Airlines (mark II), making her the first female Chief Executive Officer of an Australian airline. She has also held finance and strategy roles with American Airlines in Dallas, Texas. Andrea has an MBA from the University of Michigan and a Bachelor of Economics from the University of Queensland. She is a Fellow of the Australian Institute of Company Directors and a Member of Chief Executive Women.

John Wakefield joined the Uniting Care Queensland Board in January 2023. John is an accomplished medical specialist and healthcare leader with over 30 years experience. He established the Queensland Health Patient Safety Centre, and led major patient safety improvement reforms in Queensland and nationally, for which he was awarded a Public Service Medal. As Director-General of Queensland Health from 2019-2022, John led Queensland Health through the COVID-19 pandemic. John has extensive experience in working with consumers and providers to continually improve care experience and outcomes. He has authored a range of publications on patient safety improvement and behaviour change. He holds Fellowships in Medical Administration, Rural and Remote Medicine, and General Practice and a Master of Public Health by research.