Board members

Gary Glover BSc (Hons)

Chair of BCYF Board

Ex-officio Member of Audit & Compliance Committee, Nomination, Remuneration and Governance Committee and Quality & Risk Committee

Gary has over 35 years’ experience in the Victorian Public Sector. This includes his senior experience with the Public Service Board where he provided the secretariat function to the Remuneration Review Committee of Cabinet and was Manager Executive Classification and Review for the public service.

More recently Gary has had over 20 years’ experience with Victoria Police as an Assistant Director, with nine years in People Management and 11 years with Business Management (capital infrastructure, fleet and logistics).

Gary was a member of the voluntary Board of Time for Youth for 12 months prior to the formation of Barwon Child, Youth and Family where he was an inaugural member and has continued since its inception. Gary was appointed Chair of the Board in July 2019.

Jenny Acopian BSc, DipEd, MA

Member of Nomination, Remuneration & Governance Committee

Jenny has worked in education for more than 40 years, both in Australia and overseas, as a teacher, university administrator and consultant to the higher education sector.

She is a published author and served on the reference group that guided publication of the history of BCYF and its predecessor organisations.

Jenny is a committed Rotarian and enjoys her community involvement.

Adjunct Professor Lucy Cuddihy, BAppSc (Adv Nursing), DN, MBA, GAICD

Chair Quality & Risk Committee

Dr Lucy Cuddihy has held senior roles in health management in Victoria for over 20 years. Most recently, she was appointed to the position of Chief Nursing and Midwifery Officer at Barwon Health, Geelong, Victoria in 2005 and is an Adjunct Professor in the Deakin University, School of Nursing and Midwifery.

Lucy worked for 23 years in paediatrics and holds post basic qualifications in Paediatric Intensive Care and Neonatal Paediatrics. She completed a Doctor of Nursing at La Trobe University, Melbourne in 2005 and holds graduate qualifications in Organisational Change and Development and a Master of Business from RMIT, Melbourne, Victoria

Dr Cuddihy has served on expert advisory panels to the Victorian Department of Health and Human Services, advisory boards within the Deakin University, Faculty of Health and was a member of the Victorian Health Service Review Council.

Christine Heath BEc, Dip (Inv & Fin)

Chair of Investment Committee

Member of Audit & Compliance Committee

Christine has broad professional experience including a 15 year career as a Corporate Superannuation Manager for large corporates including Westpac Financial Services and Aon Consulting. More recently, she has spent the past 15 years managing business and finance at Pace Advertising Pty Ltd in Geelong.

Christine’s involvement in the community has seen her fill roles including as a past Board Member of Anam Cara Foundation and presently on Anam Cara Project Appeal Committee. She is also a Community Mentor through Volunteering Geelong, a Community Member on Word for Word Festival and an Advisory Committee Member of Rotary Club of Geelong Central.

Dr Suzanne Higgins RN, RPN, RM, B.App.Sci (Ad Nurs), MEdSt MMH (PIMH), PhD

Member of Quality & Risk Committee, Director of BAYSA Limited

Suzanne has an extensive health background with qualifications in nursing. For the past 25 years, she has worked with families with young children, with particular interest and passion for mental health.

She led St John of God Raphael Centre for almost 15 years and currently still works in the field as a private practitioner.

Suzanne’s Board experience spans almost 30 years across youth services, community health, women’s health services and for the past decade in Geelong with Barwon Youth and since the merger, BCYF.

David McDonald BCom, CA, Dip FP

Chair of Audit & Compliance Committee

Member of Investment Committee

David has over 20 years’ experience providing tax and business services to a wide range of clients across diverse industries including the not-for-profit sector.

He has been a Director of West Carr & Harvey for over five years and has developed a loyal following through his honest and trusted advice.

David’s passion for giving back to the community has seen him act as a Director on the Board for the Geelong Kindergarten Association. He is also the current Treasurer at St Joseph’s Football and Netball Club and regularly provides honorary (pro-bono) services and financial assistance to several local not-for-profit organisations.

Kate has over 30 years’ experience across health and community services organisations and has held a range of leadership positions including as the former Executive Director, Strategy and Sustainability at BCYF.

With post graduate qualifications in Health and Business, Kate also has an extensive background in quality and organisational strategic development and is currently the Executive Officer at the Institute for Health Transformation at Deakin University, where she is helping to shape this new entity as a global leader in health research. 

Dr Lloyd Owen PhD, MSoc Wk, BA Dip Soc Studs, Grad Dip Human Services Research

Member of Quality & Risk Committee, Director of BAYSA Limited

Lloyd has vast experience working in senior management and chief executive roles in youth training centres, youth welfare division management and adult correctional services. He has also worked with La Trobe University as a social work teacher, staff and student supervisor, researcher and consultant.

Lloyd completed a PhD on finding good practice and optimal services for young people with complex needs in 2007. He has also had considerable involvement in the wellbeing of young people and social welfare, including through various voluntary roles.

He has undertaken a series of honorary roles in the not-for-profit sector. Lloyd currently holds an appointment as an Honorary Fellow at Deakin University.