Michele Robbins
Chair Australian Patients Association
A highly respected executive leader and board director, strategic thinker, implementer, with a strong background in pharmaceuticals and healthcare. Expertise in commercial, external/corporate affairs, patient advocacy and strategic leadership roles. Passionate about developing strategies that respond to an unmet need, and making things happen. Demonstrates a proven track record of growth and exceeding targets, together with building key stakeholder relationships across local roles based in Australia and US markets and global roles in London, UK.
Michele is an Intensive Care Nurse by training and holds an MBA. She sits on other Not-For-Profit Boards, Melanoma Patients Australia and the Continuity of Care Collaboration.
Stephen Mason
Director Patient Engagement
Stephen Mason(LLB BComm DipCM FCPA FCSA JP) was formerly CEO of Creative Brands Pty Ltd and Finance Director of ASX listed Lemarne Corporation Ltd for over 10 years and Company Secretary of Lemarne Corporation for 20 years.He is a Director of Heritage Brands Limited and is Chairman of its Audit Committee and is also a Director/Secretary of two other private companies.Stephen has a Bachelor of Laws and a Bachelor of Commerce from Melbourne University as well as a Diploma in Corporate Management. He is a Fellow of both the CPA and CSA, where he lectures occasionally, as well as a Justice of the Peace.Stephen has had previous experience managing start up organisations and is a life member of three clubs and/or associations. He has had strong community involvement in various clubs and not-for-profit organisations, including, Lord Somers Camp, Powerhouse, the VAFA and Save our Suburbs.
Gary Copolov
Gary is a Graduate of Monash University, where he completed studies in Law, Economics, Politics and Sociology.
He is the founder and Managing Director of Gold Medal Marketing Pty Ltd. Gold Medal Marketing was established in 1991 to assist businesses to develop and implement winning Business Development Plans. Gold Medal Marketing provides consultancy and group workshop programs to manufacturers, retailers, importers and exporters. His experience involves Marketing and Management consultancy to a wide breadth of industries.
Kaylene O’Shea
Kaylene is an experienced healthcare professional with a career spanning over 30 years in the pharmaceutical and medical research arenas. Her pharmaceutical industry career included research and development of new therapeutics and involved conducting clinical trials in Australia and across the Asia Pacific region. Consequently, Kaylene appreciates the potential value to patients who participate in clinical trials.
Kaylene has qualifications in science and business and is a member of the Australian Institute of Company Directors and serves on several not for profit boards.
Tamara Rowan
B Nursing
Tamara has a background in health, with extensive experience in medical education, public health and the corporate sector in senior leadership and management roles. She has a keen interest in patient outcomes and advocacy having worked in public health in the areas of clinical risk, incident and complaints management. Tamara has worked in many leading hospitals and peak industry bodies.
Marlene Katz
Marlene believes in good health and vitality. She has a Bachelor of Arts degree from Melbourne University in Psychology, Philosophy and History and has commenced a Master’s Degree in Philosophy also.
Over many years she has participated as a Board Member on several major Organisations such as Small Business Victoria, International Women’s Association for Commerce & Industry, Board of Governors of Mt Scopus College, and several Fund Raising Boards etc.
She is concerned that so many of her generation are dying of cancer and other diseases, while their parents were not. This has resulted in a research journey which has uncovered some remarkable people, and many varied approaches to creating and maintaining Health.
Marlene brings a different perspective to the Board, one focussed on ‘Wellbeing and Prevention’.
David Clarke
Chief Executive Officer
David Clarke has had an extensive career in the leadership of not-for-profit industry associations and peak bodies across the disability, mental health, parks and environment, and workplace health and safety fields – most recently as CEO of the Australian Institute of Health and Safety (AIHS) for 8 years, where he introduced widespread long-term reforms. He has also conducted a variety of Not-for-profit consulting, has worked in government, and been involved in small business. He has sat on numerous Boards and government task forces/working parties. Trained originally as a teacher, he has an MBA which he completed with honours. David sees himself as a problem solver and generalist who supports and enables specialists to excel. He has led delivery of services, advocacy for social and legislative change, systems improvement and reform, and as a consultant, supporting boards and organisations to overcome critical challenges and problems. David’s focus at the APA is to build on the great work which has been achieved, strengthening its advocacy focus, and long-term sustainability.