Board and Executive

Megan J McKechnie, B.Bus (Acct), CAANZ, MAICD

Non-executive, non-remunerated Board Director
Meg McKechnie is the Chief Financial Officer at the University of New England. She is a Chartered Accountant, a qualified investigator and a graduate member of the Australian Institute of Company Directors. In private and public sector roles, Meg has specialised in analysing and advising on the financial position of organisations with responsibility for a broad range of reviews involving solvency, loss quantification, fraud, asset misappropriation, accounting irregularities and financial statement misstatements. Meg brings extensive experience in risk assessment and mitigation, governance and policy interpretation and compliance. She has deep regulatory knowledge obtained from roles at the Australian Securities & Investments Commission and the Australian Prudential Regulation Authority.

Major General (Ret) Michael Slater AO, DSC, CSC

Non-Executive, non-remunerated Chair
During his military career, Major General Slater commanded at all levels of the Army from platoon to brigade level. In January 2011, he was appointed to lead the Flood Recovery Taskforce overseeing recovery from the 2010–2011 Queensland floods. This taskforce subsequently transitioned into the Queensland Reconstruction Authority, where Major General Slater remained until 31 August 2011. He was appointed an Officer of the Order of Australia in the 2012 Australia Day Honours List and has since retired to the NSW East-Coast from where he conducts consultancy work.

Sarah Bench

Sarah Bench is the Chief People Officer for The George Institute of Global Health, a mission led leading global medical research institute with a mission to improve the health of millions of people worldwide. She is also a Non-Executive Director of George Health Enterprises.

Sarah has previously held executive roles at QBE Insurance Group as Group Head of Organisational Effectiveness and Chief HR Officer, Corporate Functions, and as Executive Director, Human Resource Services at Metro North Hospital and Health Service. Sarah has worked globally and nationally in HR leadership roles across a broad range of sectors, from start-ups to large scale international organisations.

Sarah is a people centred leader who strives to create environments where people can achieve their potential and contributes to organisational success.

Sarah joined the Disaster Relief Australia Board in July 2024 and is a member of the Nomination and Remuneration Committee.

Dr Elizabeth Rushbrook CSC, RAN, MBBS, MHA, FRACMA

Non-Executive, non-remunerated Board Director
Dr Elizabeth Rushbrook is a Specialist Medical Administrator with a wide range of hospital and military experience. Dr Rushbrook rose steadily through the Navy ranks to Commodore, and now works with Queensland Health as the Executive Director Medical Services of Metro North Hospital and Health Service.

Rodney Hyman AM, LFAPI, FRICS, ASA

Non-Executive, non-remunerated Deputy Chair
Mr Hyman is Valuation Counsel at RHAS, a business division of Aon Plc and consults independently. He has supported a range of charitable institutions at various times over his career including the Parramatta Mission, Lindfield Synagogue, Kehillat Masada, Variety Club and the National Council of Jewish Women. Mr Hyman is also an elected Deputy of the NSW Jewish Board of Deputies, the roof body of NSW Jewry. In 2007 He was appointed a Life Fellow of the Australian Property Institute and in 2012 a Member of the Order of Australia.

David Smith AM, CSC, DSM

Chief Executive Officer
David Smith AM, CSC, DSM served as an Officer in the Royal Australian Infantry Corps in a wide range of roles both in Australia and overseas. He commanded soldiers from platoon to brigade and served operationally in East Timor, Solomon Islands and Afghanistan. He retired from full-time military service in March 2022 at the rank of Brigadier.

Dave was appointed a Member in the Military Division of the Order of Australia in the 2012 Queen’s Birthday Honours List in recognition of his achievements in key command and staff roles in the Australian Army. He was subsequently awarded the Distinguished Service Medal in the 2013 Australia Day Honours List, as well as the United States Bronze Star Medal, for his service in Afghanistan. He was awarded the Conspicuous Service Cross in the 2023 Australia Day Honours List for his service in the acquisition and sustainment of personal equipment and supplies for Australian Defence Force personnel.

Following his retirement from full time military service, Dave established his own consultancy business, focused on helping organisations develop and implement strategy, improve their governance and develop their leaders. He served as board member before becoming CEO of Disaster Relief Australia in 2024.

Fred Dangar

DRA’s Chief Operating Officer, Fred Dangar first joined the organisation in June 2023 as its General Manager- Personnel Capabilities.

Following a 37-year army career – including six years with the army reserves – and prior to joining DRA, Fred worked in strategic planning roles within the New South Wales government.

Fred’s professional experience includes strategic planning and policy, leadership, training, operations, plus program management.

In his COO role, Fred will focus on the organisation’s strategic direction and operation readiness while bringing a passion to augment DRA’s response capabilities and training for volunteers as well as further enhancing DRA’s reputation.

Emma Coakes

Gary Sanderfield

Chief Business Officer
Gary is a proven leader in global operations and business development with expertise in human-centric change management. His human-centered approach drives optimised operational efficiencies while maintaining responsible budget management and substantial growth without costly headcount turnover. This along with his blend of international business, operations management, sales management, risk, business analysis, government relations and business development allow him the opportunity to develop strategies that transcend BAU and drive meaningful change as Chief Business Officer at Disaster Relief Australia.

Gary’s military experience was as a Combat Medic in the US ARMY, which has resulted in developing his skills of effective decision making and critical thinking while providing calm and stable leadership under high pressure and crisis management scenarios. Gary has held security clearances in both military and private sector careers including both Secret and Top-Secret clearances (U.S).

Mark Welton

Chief Financial Officer
Mark first joined DRA as its Chief Financial Officer on a part-time basis following a successful working relationship that started in 2018 with his accounting business. In January 2023, Mark was appointed to the Chief Financial Officer role full-time to support the growth of the organisation.

Prior to joining DRA, Mark worked as a public accountant specialising in internal audit and fraud examination after studying accounting science.
Mark’s military experience includes 15 years with the South African Defence Force as a commissioned officer and special forces operator.