Board of Directors

Ms Sharon Kelly

Board Director, Northern Queensland Primary Health Network

Sharon has more than 42 years of experience working in the health sector across a range of rural regional and tertiary health care services in the public sector for both Queensland and South Australia. She is an experienced and professional health leader who has delivered senior leadership, strategic, and operational expertise with strength and knowledge around corporate governance, community engagement, community and institutional (forensic) mental health, strategy and planning underpinned by years of primary, secondary, and tertiary health delivery and leadership.

Having recently retired from her role as Executive Director People Strategy and Governance with Townsville Hospital and Health Service, she is a passionate advocate for strengthening partnerships and the delivery of health services to people across northern Queensland. Sharon is a Registered Nurse and Midwife by background, holds a Masters Degree in Health Administration, and is a Graduate of the Australian Institute of Company Directors. She has most recently been a member of the Cootharinga North Queensland Board.

Mr Tony Mooney AM

Board Chair, Townsville Hospital and Health Service

Tony Mooney was a Councillor and Deputy Mayor of the Townsville City Council and was elected Mayor in 1989. He held the position of Mayor of Townsville until 2008. In 2008, Tony was made a Fellow of the Australian Institute of Company Directors. In 2011, Tony was awarded an Order of Australia (AM) for services to local government and the community.

Tony served on the boards of numerous government and community entities, including Ergon Energy, LG Super, Townsville Entertainment Centre Board of Management (Chair) until 2008, and as the inaugural Chair of the Willows Stadium Joint Board (currently 1300 Smiles Stadium). In 2011, Tony was appointed by the Federal Government to the Board of the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park Authority where he served until 2016.

Professor Jenny Seddon

Deputy Vice Chancellor Research, James Cook University

Professor Jenny Seddon is the Deputy Vice Chancellor, Research at James Cook University (JCU). Jenny has responsibility for building research partnerships and enhancing the research performance through developing and implementing strategic initiatives to deliver high quality research. Jenny has previously held the role of Associate Dean Research and Deputy Executive Dean of the Faculty of Science at The University of Queensland. Prior to that, she gained leadership experience as Deputy Head and Acting Head of the School of Veterinary Science at The University of Queensland.

Jenny has an international research reputation in conservation genomics of wildlife and has worked with a range of species, most recently koalas and dugongs, with >90 peer reviewed publications. She has held research positions in the UK and Sweden and led a Veterinary Education Twinning Project in Vietnam.

Mr Rex O'Rourke

Chief Executive, Torres and Cape Hospital and Health Service

Mr Andrew Quabba

Interim Health Service Chief Executive, North West Hospital and Health Service

Andrew has experience working in clinical, operational and leadership roles across rural and remote health services throughout Queensland. Since joining the North West Hospital and Health Service in 2019, Andrew has held several key roles including, Chief Operating Officer, Senior Outreach Pharmacist, Director of Pharmacy, and Executive Director of Allied Health. Andrew holds a Bachelor of Pharmacy and a postgraduate qualification in Healthcare  Management.

As the inaugural Chair of the Clinical Council, Andrew played a pivotal role in strengthening the clinician voice within the health service. Andrew is passionate about improving healthcare access in remote communities, mentoring emerging leaders, and building partnerships. His leadership focuses on driving continuous service improvement and empowering teams to deliver high-quality health care for our communities.

Ms Leena Singh

Chief Executive, Cairns and Hinterland Hospital and Health Service

Leena Singh commenced in the Chief Executive role in February 2023.  Leena has over 20 years' experience in senior executive roles in health systems in New South Wales, Queensland and New Zealand with particular skills in strategic development, governance, and health systems improvement.

Her wealth of experience includes holding Chief Executive, Chief Operating Officer and Chief Financial Officer roles in a range of Health Services and other organisations.  Leena is an accomplished leader, known for her ability to build relationships with stakeholders and staff, bringing people together to align to a shared strategic vision. Leena is committed to helping improve the health outcomes of the local community, particularly those who are most vulnerable.

Ms Monica McKendry

Interim Board Chair, Mackay Hospital and Health Service

Monica worked as a chartered accountant in private practice in Mackay for 29 years. She currently holds the following
roles:

• Interim Board Chair, Mackay Hospital and Health Service Director,
• North Queensland Bulk Ports Corporation Ltd
• External Member, Mackay Regional Council Audit Committee

Monica has a Bachelor of Business (Accounting) with distinction from Central Queensland University. She’s a member of Chartered Accountants Australia + New Zealand and the Australian Institute of Company Directors.

Mr Ben Tooth

Chief Executive Officer, Northern Queensland Primary Health Network

Ben is an experienced Board Director and Executive Manager with over 15 years’ experience in senior management health, finance, and accounting roles. Ben is a graduate of the Australian Institute of Company Directors and fellow of the Institute of Chartered Accountants Australia and New Zealand. Ben has broad experience in the health sector leading teams and in consulting roles in both the public and private sector. Ben was also the Chief Executive Officer of Ramsay Health Care’s Cairns facilities for many years.

Ben is a purpose driven leader who is passionate about leading high performance teams, and delivering on strategies that ultimately lead to greater outcomes for the North Queensland community. Ben strives for continued benefit for the entire North Queensland region and has provided leadership and support to various organisations in director and committee roles including with Cairns Regional Council, Cairns Bank, and the Cairns Catholic Diocese development fund, and with Regional Development Australia. Prior to becoming NQPHN CEO, Ben held the roles of Chair, Deputy Chair, and Chair of the Finance, Audit and Risk Management Committee.

Ms Joy Savage

Chief Executive Officer, Wuchopperin Health Service

Joy has more than 30 years of senior executive leadership experience, in public service and in the Aboriginal community-controlled health sector. Joy is committed to self-determination, in practice, excellence in governance, and
innovation in comprehensive primary health that best meets the changing needs of First Peoples. Born and raised in FNQ, she is an alumni of the Australia and New Zealand Health Leadership program and an MBA graduate, from James Cook University.