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 BA Psych & SocPol, MIR & HRM, MAICD

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.

Major General (Ret’d) Andrew Freeman, AM

Non-executive, non-remunerated Board Director
Major General Andrew Freeman had a 38 year career in the Australian Army fulfilling various command and administrative appointments. During his time in the Australian Defence Force, Andrew gained extensive experience in leadership, executive management, operations, logistics, and solving complex issues. Andrew now lives in Canberra and works for CDC Data Centres as the Client Director – Defence.

David Smith AM, CSC, DSM

Dave served for over 34 years in the Australian Army, eventually retiring from full time service at the rank of Brigadier. During his career he commanded at every level from platoon to brigade and saw operational service in East Timor, Solomon Islands and Afghanistan. He also held numerous key staff positions focusing on strategy, risk management and organisational renewal.

Following his retirement, he ran his own consultancy business specialising in organisational coaching, leadership development and governance and served as a Director on the DRA and Wodonga Institute of TAFE Boards.  

Fred Dangar

DRA’s Head of Strategy and Innovation, 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.

Emma Coakes

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.