Our Board

Suicide Prevention Australia is governed by a Board of Directors in accordance with our Constitution. The Board is supported by Suicide Prevention Australia Management, Suicide Prevention Australia Members and people with lived experience of suicide. Suicide Prevention Australia Board committees include the Governance Committee and the Audit and Risk Committee.

In addition to supporting the effective governance of Suicide Prevention Australia, directors, members and people with lived experience of suicide help to guide our work as members of Suicide Prevention Australia program advisory committees and the Reconciliation Action Plan Working Group. Members of our Board, governance and program committees are passionate advocates for suicide prevention in Australia and bring a wealth of insights and lived experience to their role. We’re grateful for their guidance and input. See below for further detail on our governance structure and committees.

The Suicide Prevention Australia Board is currently comprised of 11 directors (the maximum number) and includes both appointed and elected directors. The appointment and election of directors is as per Clause 5.1 of our Constitution. Up to five directors are elected by vote of organisational members, and up to eight other directors are appointed as independent directors by the Board. Each director must be a member or representative of a member. In general, directors are elected for a three-year term with an overall maximum term of nine years.

For the election of member elected directors, nominations are sought from the sector. Once nominations are received, if the number of candidates is greater than positions available, a vote is conducted. Only organisational members of Suicide Prevention Australia have voting rights on the election of directors.

OUR BOARD

GRAHAM MCLEAN

Chair

Graham McLean joined the Board of Suicide Prevention Australia in 2021 as an independent director and chairs the Audit and Risk Committee.

Appointed 2021

Read More

PROF. DON NUTBEAM

Director

Professor Don Nutbeam is the Executive Director of Sydney Health Partners and a Professor of Public Health at the University of Sydney.

Appointed 2019

Read More

DARREN BLACK

Director - Chair of Audit and Risk Committee

Darren Black is the CEO of SuperFriend, an organisation that designs and delivers mental health initiatives that enable workplaces to thrive. 

Elected 2021

Read More

NICOLAS BROWN

Director

Nicolas Brown has spent the majority of his career in the for-purpose sector working in Australia and overseas.

Elected 2022

Read More

DR FIONA SHAND

Director

Fiona Shand is Associate Professor and head of suicide prevention research at the Black Dog Institute, University of New South Wales.

Elected 2021

Read More

JORDAN FRITH

Director

Jordan Frith is a lived/living experience representative with personal experiences of suicidal distress and bereavement. Over the past six years she has worked collaboratively across government and not-for-profit agencies to enshrine the voices of people with lived experience in system design and governance.

Appointed 2024

Read More

TOM BRIDESON

Deputy Chair

Over the past 30 years Tom Brideson has been active in mental health and health policy, social and emotional wellbeing (SEWB), clinical mental health care, suicide prevention, education, and mental health leadership.

Appointed 2022

Read More

CATHIE ARMOUR

Director

Cathie Armour joined the Board of Suicide Prevention Australia as an independent director in 2024. She is a member of the Governance Committee.

Appointed 2024

Read More

RACHEL FISHLOCK

Director

Rachel is a proud descendant of the Yuin Nation and currently serves as the Chief Executive Officer of Gayaa Dhuwi (Proud Spirit) Australia.

Elected 2024

Read More

JAMES BELL

Director

James has been involved with Suicide Prevention Australia for many years, formerly chairing the NSW-ACT Joint State Committee, being a member of the QLD State Committee and member of the National Policy Committee.  

Elected 2024

Read More

DAVID BUTT

Director

David has worked in health and human services for more than 40 years, for much of that time in CEO and Non-Executive Director roles. Originally a journalist, David first worked in the health system on the introduction and sustainability of Medicare. 

Chair, Policy Advisory Committee 

Appointed 2024

Read More