Board of Directors
Ms Kirstan Corben
Board Chair
Well known for her work in sport and physical activity, mental health and wellbeing, healthy eating, alcohol and tobacco control and health equity. Led transformational change to genuinely embed prevention within the Alfred Health and Victorian health systems. Founded her career in the community health sector with leadership, health promotion and clinical roles. Makes voluntary contributions to a number of organisations in the mental health and community sport areas. Many professional and personal connections with the communities of the inner southern region of Melbourne.
Mr Damian Gibney
Deputy Board Chair
A registered nurse with a career spanning over 34 years of clinical and leadership roles in the UK and in multiple major Victorian public health services, Damian joined the BHN Board in December 2023. He is currently the Executive Director, Clinical Excellence & Systems Improvement at The Royal Women’s Hospital and is a Graduate of the Australian Institute of Company Directors.
With his extensive experience caring for marginalised and at risk people, and his personal experiences within the LGBTQIA+ community, Damian is passionate about effective governance and health services partnering with consumers to deliver high quality safe care, exceptional health outcomes and truly great experiences for our consumers and our people.
Mr Dion McDonald
Board Member
A results-driven and strategically focused technology leader, Non-Executive Director and Deputy Board Chair with 28 years IT industry and management experience. Leader of high performing IT teams and skilled in the development and implementation of IT strategies and systems to support organisational plans that exceed business performance targets. Experienced in leading challenging IT operations and support functions in multi-national corporations and complex environments including extensive experience with mergers and acquisitions resulting in the need to integrate operations, standardise core platforms and rationalise team reporting structures.
MS Kate Hurse
Board Member
Kate Hurse, GAICD has been involved with community health for over 10 years. Kate is an experienced financier with a background in institutional banking and finance. More recently Kate has worked in leadership roles in NFP and tertiary sector in philanthropy and industry engagement roles. Kate is currently working as a financial counselor with incarcerated women.
Dr Kyle Turner
Board Member
Dr Kyle Turner MAICD is originally from Dubbo in rural New South Wales, his family’s Wiradjuri country, and now resides in Melbourne. In 2019, he founded Pearlii, which uses world-first AI technology to scan teeth and gums for dental problems, providing free dental check-ups and free oral health education to people who could not otherwise access these basic health needs.
Previously, as an Epidemiologist, Kyle held research and teaching positions at the University of Oxford and the University of Melbourne, publishing widely on the burden of chronic disease – with a heavy focus on prevention. He has a demonstrated passion for improving health outcomes for disadvantaged groups, such as First Nation people and prisoners.
Mr Jim Babalis
Board Member
Jim is an accomplished lawyer with extensive experience in employment law (workplace and industrial relations), insurance (including employment practices liability, directors and officers liability, and professional indemnity), as well as in WorkCover/Comcare and Health.
Prior to joining us, Jim has worked in a variety of roles in Government, Private Practice, Insurance and Health and he regularly shares his knowledge to employer groups and human resources managers on complex employment and industrial relations issues.
Jim holds a Bachelor of Laws and Bachelor of Arts (Hons) in International Relations from La Trobe University and is a member of both the Law Institute of Victoria and the Australian Insurance Law Association. He also is heavily involved in complex Corporate Governance issues.
MS Doris Whitmore
Board Member
Doris is a long-standing executive in the health sector with extensive experience in public, not for profit and commercial organisations. Complemented by various board appointments, Doris has led change and transformational growth and has a reputation for being a visible, inclusive and authentic leader. With a strong commitment to a united culture and good governance, Doris has delivered financially sustainable change in challenging environments. With a passionate commitment to improving outcomes for clients, Doris aligns business vision, purpose and strategy to the clients’ voice.
Mr Richard Mullaly
Board Member
Board Member and healthcare consultant. Previous senior executive roles include Interim CEO – eFocus and IPC Community Health; Executive Officer ANZCP; Transitional CEO at the Eastern Melbourne PHN; Inaugural Victorian State Manager at AHPRA; CEO of Medical Practitioners Board of Victoria and General Manager of the Royal Dental Hospital of Melbourne. Currently Board Director of Sandringham Ambulatory Care Centre and Chair of De La Salle College, School Advisory Committee. Appointed in August 2020 as an independent member of the Quality, Compliance & Risk Committee, a subcommittee of the Villa Maria Catholic Homes Ltd Board. Previously a member of the Victorian Pharmacy Authority Board.
MS Samantha Kolasa
Board Member
Extensive experience in the community services and Government sectors delivering services to families and children across the entire life span. Career began as a psychologist, and over the last 10 years has continued to support local communities in executive management roles. Currently employed as the CEO of the Glen Education – an Early Years Management organisation responsible for the management of 21 community kindergartens. Currently a Director at the Early Learning Association of Australia (ELAA).
