Amaze AGM 2017 Non Executive Director Positions Core Competencies of Directors The Board requires that nominees demonstrate the following core competencies (noting that individual Directors will ordinarily have specialist-level expertise in certain areas only): Knowledge of a director s responsibilities a general understanding of the governance and strategic role of a board as well as individual directors legal, ethical, fiduciary and financial responsibilities; broad understanding of regulatory compliance issues. Strategic expertise demonstrated ability to contribute to effective decision-making by the Board through constructive analysis, problem-solving and questioning at a strategic level. Financial literacy the ability to read and comprehend the accounts and other financial material presented to the Board. Risk management understanding of and the ability to analyse, assess and manage material organisational risk. Personal qualities should align with the core values embodied in Amaze s Principles. Sector knowledge it is not necessary for Directors to have a direct personal or professional connection with the autism community. However, a broad understanding of autism and its impact on individuals, families and carers would be an advantage. Previous board experience highly desirable. Professional qualification (e.g. AICD company directors course or equivalent) highly desirable. Research / Clinical Legal / Company Secretary / Governance Experienced Non Executive Director in the NFP sector with specific experience and success in effective fundraising from philanthropic, corporate, private donors and the wider community. Knowledge of emerging and/or innovative funding models in the NFP sector, with the ability to access networks of influence and create opportunities for fundraising on a short, medium and long term basis. The Director filling this role is expected to support Amaze s relationships with current and potential fundraising sources, identify opportunities consistent with Amaze s fundraising strategy, and where appropriate facilitate introductions to potential fundraising sources and support organisational initiatives to develop sustainable partnerships. Experience in research, assessment and evaluation with a recognised university or research institutes in areas such as disability, autism or Public Health. The Director filling this role would be expected to provide input into the analysis and interpretation of commissioned research projects and provide guidance and input into the design of new research projects in support of Amaze s principles, particularly that of our Evidence based principle to seek data and evidence to underpin decision-making and measurement of outcomes. Specific experience of the National Disability Insurance Scheme and the health system would be desirable. Current or former lawyer or company secretary with specific experience in legal, company administration, corporate governance, risk and strategic issues relevant to Boards. It is not necessary that nominees have experience in the not for profit sector, however a working knowledge of Incorporated Associations would be beneficial. The Director filling this role is expected to have a strong legal expertise, clear and concise communication (both written and oral), be analytical and logical in their reasoning with good legal drafting and negotiation skills. The Director will also have strong corporate governance expertise with best practice knowledge. The Director will participate as a member of the Governance Committee.
Dr. Jason Coonan BSc(Hons) M IP Law PhD is a neuroscientist, innovation manager and business leader. He has significant experience as a company director, most recently as Director (alternate) Oral Health Co-operative Research Centre Group, and has directorship skills in governance, mental health, digital health, strategy, government relations, scientific research, innovation, finance and risk management. Jason also has deep experience with partnership management, business development and securing investment. He has established networks with philanthropic and granting organisations and has experience with emerging funding models in impact investment and social entrepreneurship. Currently, Jason is Chief Operating Officer at a not-for-profit research organisation, the Innovative Manufacturing Cooperative Research Centre. Prior to his current role, he held a senior leadership role at the Young and Well Cooperative Research Centre. In that role he worked in the youth mental health sector and worked closely with private and public sector stakeholders in mental health including those with lived experiences to improve mental health outcomes through innovation. Jason has advanced qualifications in medical research (PhD), IP law (M IP Law) and corporate governance (GAICD) and is a member of the Australian Institute of Company Directors. Jason has long experience with Amaze, having been a member for approximately 10 years, and since 2016, has been a member of Amaze s Research, Monitoring and Evaluation Board sub committee. Jason has children with ASD and is passionate about combining his experience as a company director with his personal experiences with ASD in order to catalyse, through Amaze, better outcomes for all those in the ASD community.
Tom Reilly is a former Technology Services CEO and Big 4 Partner. He started his career with Ernst & Young in New York in the 1990 s, where he helped US companies expand their business into Asia and Australia. In 1997 Tom moved to Hong Kong to run a fast-growing services business for Jardine Matheson. During this time Tom set-up one of the first technology companies in China, which was later bought by Capgemini. Tom later served as the APAC CEO for Capgemini. In 2007 Tom joined Soros Private Equity where he led fund-raising, start-up, growth, and eventual sale of a portfolio company within the group. He then returned to Australia to serve in Partner-level positions in the consulting practices of both EY and KPMG. Today Tom maintains a broad network of clients globally, with particularly strong relationships in Asia and Australia. He continues to act as an advisor on behalf of Australian Governments and ASX-100/Fortune 500 clients. Tom s work has been profiled by China Daily, Business Week, Wall Street Journal, Outsourcing News, The Economist, CFO Asia, Times of India, Australian Financial Review, Reuters, as well as industry whitepapers and analyst reports. His work in China was featured in book The Shipping Point (P. Levesque, 2011: Wiley).
Research /Clinical Professor Nicole Rinehart is a current Non Executive Director of Amaze Inc. and is standing for re-election for her second 3-year term. She is also a member of the Amaze Research, Monitoring and Evaluation sub committee of the Board. Nicole is the Director of the Deakin Child Centre and holds the Chair of Clinical Psychology at Deakin University. She is an Honorary Research Fellow at the Murdoch Children s Research Institute, and Consultant Clinical Psychologist at the Melbourne Children s Clinic. Nicole s area of practice and research expertise is in the field of childhood neurodevelopmental disorders such as autism, Asperger s disorder and ADHD. She established the Deakin Child Study Centre in 2013 to create a new platform in the community for researchers and industry to come together and make a real difference in the lives of children who face developmental challenges. Professor Rinehart has been at the forefront of international efforts to identify clinical indices of neuromotor dysfunction in children with autism, Asperger s disorder, and ADHD. Nicole is the recipient of multiple National Health and Medical Research Council (NHMRC) and Australian Research Council (ARC) funded grants. Nicole has published a series of world-first studies in establishing developmental profiles and needs of children who have developmental disorders. She has translated this work into clinical practice via the many clinical training seminars she has participated in around the world, including Malaysia, India, Scotland, and the USA. Recently Nicole established a national partnership with the Australian Football League (AFL), Moose Toys, and the National Disability Insurance Agency to conduct the biggest game changer for children with a disability in Australian sports to date: the establishment of the ALLPLAY.org.au website. Thanks to the generous funding from Moose Toys, the ALLPlay team will contribute evidence-based research to shape the AFL Disability Action plan ensuring that all children who have a disability are playing on an even ground.
Legal / Company Secretary / Governance Vic Rajah is a practising solicitor operating his own boutique family law practice, Calley Rajah Family Lawyers. He is an experienced director of a not-for-profit organisation, Bestchance Early Childhood Education and Childcare where he presently serves as Deputy Chair and Head of the organisation's Governance Committee. Vic has a keen interest in marketing and fundraising and has served as an Ambassador for both Peter MacCallum Cancer Institute and the Fight Cancer Foundation. He was awarded a Centenary of Federation medal in 2001 for service to the community and has a young son recently diagnosed on the autism spectrum.