Board & Governance

Cook, teacher, entrepreneur, author, radio personality – flamboyant foodie Rilka Warbanoff is all of these and more. Rilka is also well known for her contribution to the community, serving on many boards and advising NFP on fundraising, corporate governance structure and people.

As the current Director of the Australian Israel Chamber of Commerce (AICC) in South Australia Rilka has led many trade missions to Israel and has been instrumental in fostering relationship between government and business in both countries.

Rilka started her career in the family business, winning the South Australian Tourism Award in 1982. She later established an executive placement business, acting as a global corporate head-hunter and named twice as a finalist in the prestigious Telstra Business Woman of the Year Awards. From the age of 16, Rilka has been involved in the community and has had a diverse set of interests from multiculturalism through to medical research, international aid and tourism.

Rilka has had extensive board experience with roles on Boards of Camp Quality, Food Share, Hilma Foundation, Enterprise Victoria and Museum Victoria. She also is a member of THRF Group – Creative Health Board of Governors, and the Group’s Human Resources and Remuneration Board Sub-Committee.

John is a former naval officer with three decades of experience spanning the military and defence industry, and now the Co-Founder and Director of Cambrian Executive, a leading defence and space industry consultancy. In this role, John specialises in strategic advisory services and business growth within the critical defence and space sectors. His leadership experience includes senior roles in both Australian-owned and multinational defence businesses, where he has served as a General Manager, Business Development Director, and Managing Director.

During his service in the Royal Australian Navy, John was a weapons electrical engineer, undertaking various engineering and operational roles at sea and ashore. His deployments included operations and exercises overseas, notably in the Northern Arabian Gulf in 2004 aboard HMAS Stuart.

John holds a Bachelor of Engineering from the University of New South Wales and is a graduate of the Australian Defence Force Academy.

John has more than a decade of non-executive board experience. A committed advocate for veterans and emergency services personnel, he has held multiple leadership roles on the South Australian Veterans Health Advisory Council and Veterans Advisory Council, serving as a member, Deputy Chair, and Chair.

For the past eight years, John has also served with the Group’s charity – Military and Emergency Services Health Australia (MESHA) and is currently Chair of its Board of Governors.

Amanda Butler is a commercial executive who has held numerous leadership roles across Australia and New Zealand in the consumer goods sector. These roles have included CEO / General Manager roles in both blue chip global multinationals and private enterprise.

Amanda is recognised for her strategic approach to organisational growth, building sustainable brands and strong board governance at both board level and within the executive.  She brings this experience along with a passion for healthcare to THRF Group and is an active member of the Australian and New Zealand Institute of Company Directors.

Amanda also is Chair of THRF Group’s Technology and Cyber Security Sub-Committee and a member of the Group’s Remuneration and Human Resources Sub-Committee.

Colin is the current State Manager of Icon Cancer Centre in WA, Australia’s largest integrated, holistic and multidisciplinary cancer care service provider.

Leading and coaching people to drive commercial success and revenue growth is what keeps Colin motivated. With over three decades of senior leadership experience in organisations including Abbott, Alere, GSK, MSD, Hollywood IVF, Epichem, InstaMed and Neurospine Institute, he brings with him a wealth of expertise in leadership, driving performance, developing people, business development, sales, marketing and commercial strategy in Australia and Internationally. Colin has extensive experience leading teams of highly dedicated professionals focused on achieving client-centric outcomes, working in partnership and collaboration with stakeholders that make a difference.

Colin holds several Board positions, including Board Member of Connect Groups WA, an Advisory  Board Member of the Centre for Advanced Technology in Cancer Research (CATCR) and a Foundational Committee Member of Lifesciences WA.

Colin has qualifications in Pharmaceutical Manufacturing, Business Management, Human Resources and Project Management.

In addition to Colin’s role on THRF Group Board, he is the Chair of the Group’s WA Board of Governors, and Chair of the Finance and Audit Board Sub-Committee.

Inma brings a unique combination of 18 years in senior executive financial roles and risk management across various industries, along with six years of fundraising for health research at the University of Queensland.

She currently serves as a non-executive director for a number of organisations including Queensland Children’s Hospitals and Health Services, ASX200 National Storage REIT, UN Women Australia, and the Queensland Department for Education.

Inma is also a member of THRF Group’s Governance & Risk and Finance & Audit Sub-Committees.

Dr Melissa McBurnie is a Partner and the Head of Impact at Brandon Capital, Austalasia’s leading life science venture capital firm, transforming promising research breakthroughs into medical therapies that improve patients’ lives. From early-stage seed investment through to expansion capital, Brandon Capital supports life science companies from proof-of-concept through to commercialisation.

Before joining the Brandon Capital investment team in 2008, Melissa’s previous roles were at an early-stage medtech company supporting capital raising, a state government agency advising early biotech stage companies.

Melissa started her career as a medical researcher. She has a Bachelor of Science (Honours) from the University of Adelaide, a PhD in Immunology from the University of Adelaide and an MBA, specialising in finance, from the University of South Australia. Melissa holds a Graduate Certificate in Applied Finance from Kaplan (formerly FINSIA) and is a graduate of the Australian Institute of Company Directors.

Melissa is currently a Director of Cincera Therapeutics and Solros Therapeutica. She also sits on THRF Group’s Human Resources and Remuneration Board Sub-Committee and the Governance and Risk Board Sub-Committee.

Associate Professor Mark Plummer is an NHMRC Emerging Leader Fellow, intensive care clinician-scientist, and Head of Research and Innovation in the Intensive Care Unit at the Royal Adelaide Hospital. He is also founder and Chief Medical Officer of biotech company PanAscea and holds honorary Associate Professor appointments at the University of Adelaide, The Florey Institute, and Monash University.

Dr Plummer graduated dux of his year from the University of Adelaide Medical School in 2008 and completed a clinical research PhD in acute care medicine in 2016, receiving a Dean’s Commendation for Doctoral Thesis Excellence. During specialist training, he received national prizes in both anaesthesia and intensive care examinations, including the Renton Medal and Don Harrison Medal. He subsequently undertook post-doctoral research and advanced training in neurointensive care at Addenbrooke’s Hospital, Cambridge.

Dr Plummer has established himself as an emerging international leader in critical care research and has secured over $17 million in competitive funding. His research interests include clinical trials, translational research, sepsis and brain injury.

Nicolle Rantanen Reynolds is an experienced governance and leadership professional with executive and Board experience across financial services, higher education, government, aged care and member-based organisations. She has built a career working with organisations through periods of significant transformation, including governance reform, mergers, operational change and regulatory transition.

Nicolle currently serves as Chair of Clayton Church Homes and is a Board member of LLL Australia. She is also a member of the Transition Council for Adelaide University, where she serves on the Finance and Audit & Risk Committees supporting the establishment of Australia’s newest major university.

Her executive background includes senior leadership roles within government and public administration, including as Chief Executive of the Public Trustee and senior roles within Treasury, where she worked across complex policy, financial and organisational environments.

Recognised for her collaborative leadership style and sound judgement, Nicolle brings expertise in governance, strategy, finance, risk and stakeholder engagement. She is particularly experienced in helping organisations navigate complexity while maintaining a strong focus on accountability, performance and long-term outcomes.

Nicolle is a Fellow of the Australian Institute of Company Directors and a Fellow of CPA Australia. She holds a Master of Business Administration and a Master of Commercial Law and is committed to supporting organisations that deliver meaningful community impact through strong governance, strategic leadership and a focus on sustainable organisational outcomes.

Paul is an experienced, innovative, and entrepreneurial Board Director and Chief Executive who has earned a stellar reputation for impact during a distinguished career in both the Finance and not-for-profit sectors.

Paul has received several awards and acknowledgements for his outstanding contributions to the Banking and Investment Industry, as well as the field of social entrepreneurship and not-for-profit organisations.

He was awarded a Senior Fellowship at the Financial Services Institute of Australasia, which recognises his exceptional achievements in the industry. Additionally, he was named the Ernst & Young Social Entrepreneur of the Year in South Australia/Northern Territory for his innovative work in the field of social entrepreneurship. Moreover, he received the Equity Trustees Australian Not-for-Profit CEO Award for Innovation, which acknowledges his contributions to the growth and development of not-for-profit organisations.

Finally, Paul was also awarded an Honorary Fellowship from the University of South Australia in recognition of his exceptional work and contributions to the community; and has been awarded the prestigious title of Professorial Fellow at Flinders University within the College of Business, Government and Law.

Paul is a member of the Australian Institute of Company Directors and currently holds positions as a Non-Executive Director BiomeBank Pty Ltd, Director of The Hospital Research Foundation Group – Military and Emergency Services Health Australia (MESHA), and a Governor of Pulteney Grammar School.

Paul is Chief Executive Officer of The Hospital Research Foundation Group and of its Australian affiliates: Australian Breast Cancer Research; Kidney, Transplant and Diabetes Research Australia; Australian Prostate Cancer Society Ltd; Australian Heart Research; THRFG – MESHA; THRFG – Creative Health; THRFG – Stroke; THRFG – Parkinson’s; THRFG – Palliative Care; and THRFG – Arthritis.

Colin is the current State Manager of Icon Cancer Centre in WA, Australia’s largest integrated, holistic and multidisciplinary cancer care service provider.

Leading and coaching people to drive commercial success and revenue growth is what keeps Colin motivated. With over three decades of senior leadership experience in organisations including Abbott, Alere, GSK, MSD, Hollywood IVF, Epichem, InstaMed and Neurospine Institute, he brings with him a wealth of expertise in leadership, driving performance, developing people, business development, sales, marketing and commercial strategy in Australia and Internationally. Colin has extensive experience leading teams of highly dedicated professionals focused on achieving client-centric outcomes, working in partnership and collaboration with stakeholders that make a difference.

Colin holds several Board positions, including Board Member of Connect Groups WA, an Advisory  Board Member of the Centre for Advanced Technology in Cancer Research (CATCR) and a Foundational Committee Member of Lifesciences WA.

Colin has qualifications in Pharmaceutical Manufacturing, Business Management, Human Resources and Project Management.

In addition to Colin’s role on THRF Group Board, he is the Chair of the Group’s WA Board of Governors, and Chair of the Finance and Audit Board Sub-Committee.

Professor David Fletcher graduated MBBS from The University of Western Australia in 1970, gained his General Surgical Fellowship from the Royal Australasian College of Surgeons in 1974 and undertook Upper G.I./Endoscopy training at the Royal Post Graduate Medical School and Hammersmith Hospital London (1978-1980).  

Professor Fletcher is the former President of the Surgical Research Society Australasia, the Chair of the Upper GI Section RACS, and the Foundation Chair of the Endosurgery Group RACS and was involved in introducing Laparoscopic Surgery to Australia and New Zealand. 

He is currently an Emeritus Consultant at Fiona Stanley Fremantle Hospital Group where he continues to teach and mentor students and supervise trainee research and is the Chair of the South Metro Human Research Ethics Community.  

Professor Fletcher served as a General Surgery Elected Councillor Royal Australasian College of Surgeons (RACS) from 2015 to 2024 and a member of the Australian and New Zealand General Surgery Training Committees.  

Professor Fletcher acted as an advisor to The Fremantle Hospital Medical Research Foundation (now operating as The Hospital Research Foundation Group) Medical Research Committee from 2002 to 2023 and is now a member of the Group’s WA Board of Governors.  

Mark Balfour was admitted as a Barrister and Solicitor of the Supreme Court of Western Australia in 1985 and registered on the Roll of Practitioners of the High Court of Australia in 1986.  

He has completed a course for Lawyers in Negotiation at Harvard Law School and has also served as a tutor in commercial law for final year law students at The University of Western Australia.  

Mark has had 45 years of legal and business experience both in the legal and resources sectors across Australia, establishing Balfour Meagher Legal and Business Advisors alongside Tom Meagher in Western Australia in 2018. 

He announced his retirement as Executive Director of the practice in November 2024 but remains as a senior consultant to the firm.  

Mark was first invited to become a trustee of the Fremantle Hospital Medical Research Foundation in 2009 and served as Chairman of the Spinnaker Health Research Foundation from November 2012 until 2021. He returned as acting Chair again in 2023 to guide the organisation through its transition to The Hospital Research Foundation Group and remains as a member of the WA Board of Governors.  

Tim Davies is the Founder and Managing Director of Tim Davies Landscaping (TDL), a Western Australian landscape company established in 1982. Tim has successfully managed to grow the business from a sole operator into a multi-disciplinary organisation, now employing over 140 personnel. TDL’s services cover residential and commercial landscape design and construction as well as maintenance services for commercial clients.

Trained by the Kings Park Board, Tim’s philosophy is centred on creating landscapes that connect people with nature. His approach to designing gardens reflects his approach to life – health, abundance, joy and delight. Within TDL, Tim is responsible for the overall leadership and strategic direction of the company, with strong support from the leadership team. He works closely with our clients with a hands-on approach to deliver to TDL’s reputation for quality, safety, and high customer services.

Tim is a past President of Landscape Industries Association, serving on the board for over 20 years, and is a life member of LIAWA. He is committed to organisational leadership that supports employee development, collaboration and long-term business sustainability.

Briony joined The Hospital Research Foundation (THRF) Group in 2010 and leads the day-to-day fundraising operations to ensure the strategic and operational goals of the organisation are met.

As COO, Briony assists the CEO in achieving THRF Group’s strategic and operational goals, including budget outcomes, enhancing the organisation’s effectiveness, providing leadership and overseeing portfolio initiatives as defined in the strategic plan. She provides the CEO with insight into areas of operations including policy direction, strategic marketing direction, group expansion and other initiatives.
As a key member of THRF Group’s Senior Executive Team, Briony provides strong and effective leadership by defining and achieving operational expectations, monitoring progress, and providing a work environment supportive of THRF Group’s strategic goals and ongoing staff development and growth.

Briony has a Masters in Business Administration, is a Graduate of the Australian Institute of Company Directors and sits on various sub-committees for THRF Group including ICT and Cybersecurity, Governance and Risk, Finance and Audit and Human Resources.

A member of the Fundraising Institute of Australia, Briony is a passionate follower of industry trends and innovations, particularly in the evolving world of experience management, consumer insights and the use of data.

Briony enjoys balancing her career with spending time with her young family, made possible through THRF’s family-friendly and flexible working environment.