McGrath Foundation Family
Meet the McGrath Foundation Family from our Board Members to our dedicated staff.
Co-Founder Biographies
Jane McGrath AM, Co-Founder
Jane McGrath was only 31 when she was initially diagnosed with breast cancer. At the time, she and Glenn weren't married, and, as an English lass, she found herself in a strange place far from home facing something she never thought would be an issue at such a young age. Even though her experience was incredibly traumatic, with doctors using terminology she barely understood and facing surgical procedures that were terrifying to her, face it she did, and in a way that won the hearts of many in Australia and overseas.
It wasn't until 2003, when Jane was being treated for secondary cancer, that she first had access to a breast care nurse. At the time, Jane said it was like having someone hold her hand through one of the worst nightmares of her life. Jane's breast care nurse allowed her to be Jane McGrath - the friend, the mother and the wife - not just the breast cancer patient. She was someone who could provide both Jane and Glenn with informed, sensible answers to the many questions they had.
As a result of this experience, Jane developed a passionate belief that every woman diagnosed with breast cancer in Australia, and their family, should be able to benefit from the support of a specialist breast care nurse. She would often say that we needed an "army of theses nurses", and so, in September 2005, the McGrath Foundation was re-launched to help fulfil this wish - a McGrath Breast Care Nurse for every family affected by breast cancer in this country regardless of where the family lived or their background.
Jane also felt very strongly about increasing breast awareness in younger women as she was only 31 when she was diagnosed. As she often said breast cancer doesn't care how old you are, what you do for a living or whether you are a mother or not. It can, and does affect us all. The second aim of the McGrath Foundation then became the education of Australian women to ensure they were familiar with their breasts and that breast checks became a part of their regular health routine.
Sadly, Jane passed away in June 2008, touching the heart of every Australian, but Jane's memory lives on. She has undoubtedly left a lasting legacy through both her family and the onging work of the McGrath Foundation, providing thousands of Australian women and their families with hope and support during their experience with breast cancer.
Glenn McGrath AM, Co-Founder and Chairman
Glenn McGrath is a household name in Australia - a cricketing hero, with
a 14-year professional cricketing career, Glenn is the most successful Test and International Test fast bowler in the world.
In the past few years, however, Glenn's name has become synonymous with not just cricket, but with providing support for Australian women diagnosed with breast cancer and their families through the provision of McGrath Breast Care Nurses.
NSW Australian of the Year in 2008, Glenn is now widely recognised as an outspoken advocate for improved services for breast cancer and greater education for younger women around breast awareness.
Since the passing of his beloved wife Jane in June 2008, Glenn has accepted the voluntary position of Chairman of the Board and is active in many of the McGrath Foundation's activities to ensure Jane's vision is fulfilled.
Staff Biographies
Kylea Tink, Chief Executive Officer
As Chief Executive Officer for the McGrath Foundation, Kylea is
responsible for ensuring all the Foundation’s activities continue to work towards realising Jane, Glenn and Tracy’s original visions for the provision of support to women with breast cancer and their families right across Australia and for increased breast awareness in younger women.
Having spent the last 15 years working in roles covering the areas of health, education, health care provision, product management, media management, communication strategy and execution and having grown up in regional NSW, Kylea brings a wealth of experience and a passionate commitment to the Foundation.
Helen Paynter, Programme Director
As Programme Director at the McGrath Foundation, Helen is responsible
for overseeing the breast care nurse programme and developing the breast awareness education strategy.
Having spent the last 15 years as senior counsel in the areas of health, education, media management, communication strategy and execution and even the arts, Helen brings a wealth of experience, excitement and dedication the Foundation.
Providing McGrath Breast Care Nurses across Australia and educating young women to be breast aware is such a worthy cause, that Helen is thrilled to be part of the McGrath Foundation Family.
Elise Brown, Education Director
Having joined the McGrath Foundation as Marketing and Fundraising
Director in May 2011, Elise is responsible for the day to day operations and the related strategies of the Corporate Friends, Communications, Community Friends and Donations teams.
Elise came to the McGrath Foundation from Football Federation Australia (FFA) where she held a variety of sponsorship, licensing and marketing roles. Most recently, Elise worked on FFA’s Corporate Social Responsibility strategy as part of Australia’s bid to host the 2022 FIFA World Cup. Prior to FFA, Elise worked for an international public relations agency in the areas of health, consumer products and information technology.
Elise is proud to join the McGrath Foundation and excited by the opportunity to help realise Jane and Glenn McGrath’s vision.
John Kaleb, Finance Manager
John joined the McGrath Foundation as Finance Director in June 2011. John is a CPA and his accounting career spans over 20 years covering a diverse range of disciplines such as financial services, taxation, internal and external audit, project and corporate accounting acquired in industries including chartered accounting, banking and financial services, recruitment, manufacturing, health insurance, government and not-for-profit charities.
As a result of the fantastic work the McGrath Foundation does in Australia by providing McGrath Breast Care Nurses and educating young women about breast awareness, John is proud to be part of the McGrath Foundation Family.
Jo Molchanoff, Human Resources Director
Jo has jo
ined the McGrath Foundation to manage our human resources processes after having spent sixteen years working in a variety particularly within the media, banking and law. Jo has an extensive knowledge of all aspects of human resources which she is excited to bring to the McGrath Foundation.
After having taken a two year break from the workforce to concentrate on her family, Jo feels not only fortunate to apply her skills to a Foundation that makes a difference in people’s lives, but also to be part of the Foundation Family.
Jennifer Fielding, In-house Legal Counsel
Jen joined the McGrath Foundation as in-house Legal Counsel in June
2010. Jen has gained experience in a number of both large and small law firms since she was admitted in 1991 and has practised in both New South Wales and Western Australia.
Jen is delighted to join the McGrath Foundation Family after a pause in her career to concentrate on her family. She is looking forward to managing the Foundation’s legal affairs and in doing so, making a contribution to the Foundation’s great work.
Board Biographies
Tracy Bevan, Foundation Ambassador and Director
Tracy moved to Australia from England when she married cricketing
legend, Michael Bevan, in 1994.
It was Tracy who helped set up the McGrath Foundation in 2003 following her best friend Jane McGrath's diagnosis and experience with breast cancer.
Tracy remains one of the driving forces behind the McGrath Foundation and is dedicated to increasing breast awareness in young women whilst raising much-needed funds to place McGrath Breast Care Nurses in communities right across Australia.
In her current role as Foundation Ambassador and Director on the McGrath Foundation Board, Tracy spends a great deal of her time travelling around the country speaking at different events to raise awareness about the vital role the McGrath Foundation plays whilst encouraging all women to be breast aware.
Terry Brown, Board Member
Terry Brown is the managing director of SCL Lawyers in Sydney.
A founding Board Member, Terry continues to provide pro bono support to the Board. Terry remains instrumental in the Foundation’s operations, regularly attending events and liaising with corporate friends.
Kenneth Moran, Board Member
Ken Moran joined the McGrath Foundation Board in April 2008, bringing a
wealth of experience from his 34-year career with one of the world's largest pharmaceutical companies.
Prior to his retirement, Ken was Regional President Northern Europe for Pfizer, having been appointed following the acquisition of Pharmacia, and was responsible for business operations in Belgium, Netherlands, Finland, Sweden, Norway and Denmark.
A personal supporter of the Foundation, Ken volunteers his time on the Board and remains committed to working with the team to realise the visions around McGrath Breast Care Nurse services in Australia.
Peter Tracey, Board Member
Peter Tracey is a partner of TRACE Business Advisers and Chartered Accountants in Penrith. As an original Board Member, Peter was part of the team responsible for the initial set up of the McGrath Foundation. Volunteering his time on the Board, Peter remains instrumental in the Foundation's operations.
John Conde AO, Board Member
John Conde is Chairman of BUPA Australia, Sydney Symphony and Destination NSW. He is Deputy Chairman of Whitehaven Coal Limited, Director and Chairman of Cooper Energy Ltd and Director for Dexus Property Group and AFC Asian Cup (2015). He is also Chairman of the Homebush Motor Racing Authority Advisory Board, President of the Commonwealth Remuneration Tribunal and Chairman of the Australian Olympic (NSW) Fundraising Committee.
He was appointed an Officer of the Order of Australia in 1994 in recognition of services to business and commerce. John was previously a Director of BHP Billiton, Lumley Corporation and Excel Coal, Managing Director of Broadcast Investment Holdings and President of the National Heart Foundation.
Joining the McGrath Foundation family in May 2012, John provides pro bono support to the Board by drawing on his wealth of experience at board level with public, private and not-for-profit organisations.