McGrath Foundation Family
Meet the McGrath Foundation Family from our Board Members to our dedicated staff.
Founder Biographies
Jane McGrath, 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 position of Chairman of the Board and is active in many of the McGrath Foundation's activities to ensure Jane's vision is fulfilled.
Board Biographies
Tracy Bevan, Executive Director
Tracy moved to Australia from England when she married cricketing legend, Michael Bevan, in 1997.
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 throughout rural and regional Australia.
In her current role as Executive 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 partner and founder of Southern Cross Lawyers.
An original Board Member, Terry was part of the team responsible for the initial set up of the McGrath Foundation, calling on his wealth of experience in general business law and property to do so.
He remains instrumental in the Foundation’s operations, regularly attending events and liaising with corporate partners.
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 is committed to working with everyone in the organisation 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 Sydney. An original Board Member, Peter was part of the team responsible for the initial set up of the McGrath Foundation. Peter remains instrumental in the Foundation's operations.
Assisting the Board: Michelle Gooch, BDO Kendalls
Michelle Gooch is a Director of Audit at BDO Kendalls, the world's 
fifth largest accountancy firm.
Michelle plays an active role at McGrath Foundation Board Meetings using her ten years professional experience to assist the Board in governance, statutory and accounting matters as well as managing the minutes for each Board meeting.
Diagnosed with breast cancer in July 2006, at just 28, Michelle truly understands the support and assistance McGrath Breast Care Nurses can provide women and their families throughout their breast cancer experience and is passionate about supporting the Foundation and its aims.
Staff Biographies
Kylea Tink, Managing Director
As Managing Director 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.
Michaela Durrant, Nurse and Funding Manager
Michaela joined the Foundation in early 2008 as Nurse and Funding Manager and is responsible for implementing all aspects of the McGrath Foundation’s support to McGrath Breast Care Nurses across Australia. Michaela has worked in the charity sector since 2001, in a variety of health promotion and community development roles in both the United Kingdom and Zambia.
Laura Gane, BCN Programme Officer
Laura began 2010 by becoming a part of the McGrath Foundation Family in the role of Breast Care Nurse Programme Officer, which involves supporting the implementation and development of the national McGrath Breast Care Nurse Programme.
Laura’s Allied Health background has developed her passion for helping others and she is eager to assist the McGrath Breast Care Nurses in their invaluable work. Laura sincerely believes in the core values of the McGrath Foundation and is immensely proud to be a part of the Foundation Family.
Natalie Speranza, Corporate Relations Manager
Natalie joined the McGrath Foundation family in May 2009 as Corporate Relations Manager, where she is responsible for the day-to-day management of relationships between the Foundation and its corporate friends.
For the last eight years, Natalie has worked in both agency and in-house roles with a strong emphasis on corporate social responsibility. With a passion for working in the community sector, she feels both privileged and excited to be a part of the McGrath Foundation.
Eleanor Garth, Media and Community Liaison Officer
As Media and Community Liaison Officer, Eleanor is responsible for both the day-to-day contact for media enquiries for the Foundation as well as liaising with the organisers of major community events to offer additional Foundation support.
Eleanor joins the McGrath Foundation with five years experience working for two international public relations agencies in Toronto and Sydney. She has extensive experience developing and implementing successful healthcare communications campaigns in the areas of oncology, smoking cessation, depression, heart health and sexual health.
Having lost her mother to breast cancer when she was 15, the Foundation and its aims are close to Eleanor’s heart, making her extremely passionate about providing support for women diagnosed with breast cancer, as well as educating young women to be ‘breast aware’.
Eleanor is incredibly excited to join the Foundation family as a full-time staff member and is committed to her role as Media and Community Liaison Officer.
Christy Lane, Community Events Officer
Christy joined the McGrath Foundation family in January 2010 as Community Events Officer. She is responsible for managing the community events program and providing support and advice for people wishing to hold their own events to raise money for the Foundation.
Christy has helped various charities over the years by hosting her own fundraising events and volunteering. Christy hopes to use this experience, combined with her current studies in events management, to contribute to the McGrath Foundation’s community events program.
Christy is passionate about the McGrath Foundation’s goals and values and feels extremely proud and excited to be part of the team.
Stephanie Craddock, Finance Manager
Steph Craddock joined the McGrath Foundation in April 2009 as Finance Manager, where she will be responsible for managing the day-to-day finance functions within the Foundation.
Steph has been working in varying finance roles for the past 15 years and brings to the Foundation a wealth of varied knowledge.
Kate Bakas, Special Projects Officer
As Special Projects Officer, Kate is responsible for managing our donations receipting program and for integrating our operational policies and procedures. She also assists with special projects including Foundation events and community fundraising initiatives.
Prior to joining the McGrath Foundation Family in January 2009, Kate worked in both the United States and Australia in project management and has particular experience in database management, desktop publishing/graphic design, and regulatory compliance. She is proud to be contributing her experience and skills as member of the Foundation team.
Matthew Satherley, Data Entry Officer
Matt joined the McGrath Foundation in December 2009 to assist with entering and receipting donations and with the management of the Foundation’s database systems.
Matt has spent the last six years working for various charities and is currently completing a degree in social sciences, and believes it is a great honour to be able to work with a Foundation that is such a blessing to the community.
Lesley Morris, Office Manager
Lesley Morris joined the McGrath Foundation as Office Manager in early 2007 and manages all aspects of running a busy office as well as merchandising, coordination of volunteers, community event liaison and McGrath Foundation events hosting.
