ARRCS’ board members bring together an array of skills and experience in financial management, government, not-for-profits, the legal profession and business. They share a passion for community, building partnerships, and creating choice and opportunity so people can live life in all its fullness.
Craig was appointed Chair of ARRCS in 2019 and Chief Executive Officer of UnitingCare Queensland (UCQ) in 2017. He is a Certified Practising Accountant with an MBA and has extensive experience in financial management roles. Prior to his current roles, Craig was the CEO of Scenic Rim Regional Council and was a former member of the Queensland Urban Utilities Establishment Committee. Craig held a position on the UCQ Board from 2011 and the position of Chair from 2014 until 2017. Craig is passionate about improving the lives of disadvantaged youth and children in the community and is actively involved in the foster care system, as well as being an active member of the Uniting Church.
Heather joined the ARRCS Board in 2014. She is a lawyer with more than 30 years in legal practice, with multidisciplinary legal and governance skills. Heather is passionate about improving governance, particularly in the non-profit sector. She is currently Principal Lawyer and Director of Watson Advisory and Consulting Pty Ltd and Non-Executive Director or Chair of a variety of organisations, including Uniting Housing Ltd, Uniting in NSW.ACT and Uniting in Vic.Tas, and Epic Good Foundation, among others.
Cheryl joined the ARRCS Board in February 2020, and brings extensive experience at both an Executive and Board-level including CEO, Chair, and Non-Executive Director positions across the health sector, including Health Communities, Children’s Health Queensland Hospital and Health Services, Lives Lived Well, Spiritus and Peachtree Perinatal Wellness Inc.
Cheryl has qualifications in nursing and midwifery and is a Fellow of the Royal Australian College of Nursing Australia, a Fellow of the Australian Institute of Company Directors, and an adjunct Professor of the University of Queensland.
Steph joined the Board in September 2019. A Bidjara woman from Qld, Steph is a third sector leader with a career that spans government, community and NFP.
She has significant experience working with First Nations peoples in Australia and internationally. Steph is CEO of Community First Development, a Director of The Healing Foundation, and Member of the Charity, Philanthropy and Fundraising Advisory Group to the National CoVID19 Coordination Committee. Steph is also a recent judge for the Telstra Business Awards and Telstra Business Women’s Awards. She has qualifications in business and is a Member of the Australian Institute of Company Directors and the Australian Institute of Management.
Steph devotes considerable energy to her passion for the rights of vulnerable people. She is committed to social and economic equity and the principles of self-determination.
Brian joined the ARRCS Board in August 2021. He is a Director and Senior Wealth Adviser at JBWere, responsible for the provision of strategic financial and investment advice to not-for-profit and charitable organisations, including Native Title royalty trusts funds for Aboriginal communities.
Brian’s prior experience working within the Public Service focused on Indigenous health delivery and has a strong understanding of issues affecting Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander People. Brian also serves in the Australian Army Reserves and has experience in both domestic and international operations. He holds a Masters of Financial Planning, Bachelor of Business and has also completed the AICD course in Foundations for Board Directorship.
As a proud Torres Strait Islander, Brian is passionate about driving social progression and improved well-being of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander People.
Kristal joined the Clinical Governance Committee in August 2021. A descendant of both the Jawoyn and Wiradjuri Nations, Kristal is a proud and passionate Indigenous business leader and owner who is expert at connecting people and moving them into action.
After building her own professional career and a multimillion-dollar consultancy business, today she channels more than 16 years of business expertise into helping others succeed. She has worked with global businesses and all levels of government to drive their supplier diversity efforts, helping them develop procurement plans, up-skill their teams and have a positive impact on their communities.
Kristal also wrote the first book published in Australia on Indigenous business procurement, Supplier Diversity How, which outlines five steps to supplier diversity.