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

ANGELA EMSLIE AM

Director (Chair)

Angela Emslie joined the Board of Suicide Prevention Australia as an independent director in 2013. She was appointed Chair in 2019 and is a member of the Governance Committee.

Appointed 2013

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GRAHAM MCLEAN

Director (Treasurer)

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

Appointed 2021

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STAN PIPEROGLOU

Director

Stan brings wide experience over a range of fields as an independent director to the Board of Suicide Prevention Australia. He has worked in Commonwealth Departments of Prime Minister and Cabinet and Health.

Appointed 2021

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PROF. DON NUTBEAM

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

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GRAEME HOLDSWORTH

Director

Graeme Holdsworth is an architect who spent most of his career in project management. He has been Project Director for major building projects throughout Australia, for both the private sector and government.

Elected 2021

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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

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DARREN BLACK

Director

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

Elected 2021

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Nic Brown

NIC BROWN

Director

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

Elected 2022

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TOM BRIDESON

Director

Over the past 30 years Tom 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

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Amanda

AMANDA GLENWRIGHT

Director

Amanda is the General Manager for Health Services at Youturn, where she leads strategic growth and supports vulnerable individuals through mental health and national suicide prevention programs.

Appointed 2023

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Jordan Frith

JORDAN FRITH

Director

Jordan 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 2023

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