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Who we are

Meet our dedicated team and board members at Northern Health Foundation who are caring for your community.     

Our Board Directors

Peter McWilliam

Board Chair

Mr Peter McWilliam brings with him extensive skills in business and management derived from 37 years of experience working at RBM and Paramount Plastic Extrusions, one of Australia’s largest privately owned plastic manufacturing companies. Peter served as General Manager and Company Director within the organisation and its subsidiary Paramount Plastics (Aust.) for 30 years. There, he was able to provide a strong leadership to inspire effective teamwork, planning and organisation. 

Peter understands the importance and value of staff in an organisation’s success, and has many years of experience in implementing training and mentoring programs to maintain organisational viability. He sat on the Australian Standards subcommittee on Building Facades and Glazings in the late 1980’s. Peter also initiated and implemented Australian and International Standards (ISO9001 and 9002) at Paramount Plastics (Aust.) from the mid-1990’s, successfully being audited and retaining accreditation for Paramount Plastics (Aust.) from then until his retirement.

As a resident of the northern suburbs, Mr McWilliam is familiar with its rapid growth and development and the community’s evolving needs. Since retiring in 2010, he is now focused on sharing his business acumen and skills to benefit health services in Melbourne’s north.

Trudi Hay

Deputy Chair

Trudi Hay is a Director of Greencor Group Pty Ltd as well as the Northern Health Foundation’s Community Events Committee Chair.

Trudi has a background in Marketing, Advertising and Events and has been mentioned in State and Federal Parliament for her work in Philanthropy in the Hume area.

Trudi has been a long time supporter of the Northern Hospital, specifically fundraising for Day Oncology for over 10 years.

Chris Turner

Chris Turner is the former Chief Executive Officer for Turosi, a fully integrated poultry operation producing a large range of raw, value enhanced and cooked poultry products, marketed under such brands as La Ionica, Golden Farms, Bannockburn Free Range.

Chris has a wealth of experience running large fully integrated poultry operations from milling/farming, processing, sales and marketing. He is also a past president of the Australian Chicken Meat Federation and the Victorian Chicken Meat Council. He is a current member of The Prime Safe Board and is currently serving his second year on the Northern Health Foundation Board.

Don Campbell

Professor Don Campbell is Medical Director Hospital Without Walls and Staying Well Program, Northern Health, Adjunct Professor of Medicine and Professor (Research) in the Faculty of Art Design and Architecture at Monash University and former President of the Adult Medicine Division of the Royal Australasian College of Physicians. Professor Campbell’s clinical and research interests are focused on creating the hospital without walls, and devoted to furthering the role of design and systems thinking in innovation in healthcare delivery. 

He is currently conducting a trial of intranasal heparin to reduce the risk of transmission of Covid-19 in households with the Murdoch Children’s Research Institute and partner health services, universities and research institutes.

Tricia Lee

Tricia Lee is Director at Riverlee, a privately owned, diversified property group that specialises in development and asset ownership across the commercial, residential and retail property sectors.

Tricia is also Executive Director of the Riverlee Foundation. Tricia holds a Bachelor of Commerce from Monash University and a Post Graduate Diploma in Applied Finance and Investment. She is passionate about making a difference and giving back to the community, hence her involvement in not-for-profits since 2008.

Koby Jones

Koby Jones is the Managing Director of The SILC Group, a specialised financial solutions provider focused on the unique needs of discerning wholesale private, commercial and institutional clients.

He is involved in all aspects of the company’s operations including general management, business development, client interaction, product selection, strategic initiatives, technology, governance, risk and compliance.

Koby holds numerous qualifications including a Bachelor of Commerce (Accounting, Commercial Law, Finance) through Deakin University and the Certified Practicing Accountants (CPA) Program.

Dominic Isola

Domenic Isola commenced his career in Local Government in 1996 following a career in institutional banking audit in a leading financial institution.  

He has expertise in financial management, reporting and audit, extensive management skills and experience in governance and risk and strong leadership and public sector experience.

Domenic commenced with Hume City Council in June 1999 and held the positions of Finance Manager and Director, City Governance and Information before being appointed to the role of Chief Executive Officer in August 2007, a position he held for 13 years.

He was previously a co-opted member of the former board of Dianella Community Health and Community Chef.  During that time, he was a member of the Finance and Audit committees and remains a member of DPV Health.

Domenic has led a number of local initiatives and dealt with a broad range of complex matters in the north and worked with a range of stakeholders including Government Ministers, community health organisations and Government agencies and maintains strong working relationships with community health organisations.

Domenic is a Board Director of Lower Murray Water and member of the Finance and Audit Committee.

Santosh Kaur

Santosh has extensive experience in healthcare as a doctor and nurse. Over the last 17 years, she has worked across various settings including hospitals and aged care. Santosh loves aged care as specialty and has worked in various senior management positions.

In her most recent role with the government regulator of aged care, she worked on investigating the clinical complaints. She is the Founder/CEO of SmartHeal, and joined the Board in 2025. 







Shannon Ryan

Shannon is an experienced engagement and partnerships leader with over 23 years of cross-sector experience spanning sport, higher education, and community development. He currently serves as Program Manager - Innovation & Entrepreneurship at La Trobe University, where he leads programs fostering startup creation, acceleration, industry collaboration, and the development of entrepreneurial capability across student, alumni, local community, and international networks.

His work includes supporting initiatives in Australia and India connecting education, and the startup ecosystem. He has led international projects, including a multi-stakeholder conference in Timor-Leste on the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and a bioinnovation startup pre-accelerator (Ind-Aus LaunchPad Program) in India as part of his role with La Trobe.

Shannon has held senior roles at NORTH Link, Victoria University (VU), Basketball Australia, and served as President of Eastern Recreation & Leisure Services (ERLS), a regional body promoting inclusive sport and recreation opportunities for people with disability. An enthusiastic advocate for health equity and innovation, Shannon has lived with Type 1 Diabetes for 39 years.

John Molnar

John Molnar OAM has practiced law for over 30 years, and during that time, became heavily involved in the field of law relating to health service providers and hospitals. He has served on the boards of a number of public and private hospitals, including Northern Health and the Nurses Board of Victoria.

Mr Molnar was instrumental in the establishment of the Northern Health Foundation, and remains a passionate advocate of the Northern Health network, as well as the dedicated medical professionals who work within. Mr Molnar is able to recognise the need for additional funding so Northern Health can meet its commitment to the rapidly growing northern community, and establish itself as a major teaching and research centre.

Our Team

Pina Di Donato

Executive Director Public Affairs and Foundation

Pina is an experienced executive leader with a strong background in business, public affairs, marketing, strategic communications, and fundraising.

As Executive Director at Northern Health, she leads initiatives that strengthen community engagement, elevate brand presence, and drive philanthropic growth to support patient care.
 
Born and raised in Melbourne’s northern suburbs, Pina has worked locally for over 30 years and maintains a deep connection to the local community.

Pina holds a Bachelor of Economics and Commerce from the University of Melbourne, an MBA from Melbourne Business School, and is a Graduate of the Australian Institute of Company Directors (GAICD). She is also a published author and active not-for-profit board member, known for her passion for storytelling, philanthropy, and purpose-driven leadership.

 

Chris Harding

Foundation Director

Chris Harding commenced his role as the Director of Northern Health Foundation in August 2025. With nearly a decade of experience in the non-for-profit sector and sports industry, Chris brings a holistic and unique perspective to the Foundation. Chris has led local, state, and national campaigns in the fundraising and philanthropy space, which have resulted in millions of dollars raised, stronger community partnerships, and lasting improvements in health, education, and community wellbeing. 

Prior leadership roles have been at YMCA Victoria, North Melbourne Football Club, Prostate Cancer Foundation Australia, Guide Dogs Victoria, and most recently the Aboriginal Family Violence Legal and Prevention Service.  

Chris believes that every donor’s gift tells a story, and that health philanthropy is about dignity, care, and connection. He is committed to building strong, transparent relationships with the community in the North, ensuring their contributions translate into real-world improvements in patient services and wellbeing. Outside of work, Chris is an avid learner dedicated to self-improvement, enjoys health and fitness, and values time with family and friends.

Margaret Rivette

Fundraising Campaigns Coordinator 

Margaret joined Northern Health in 2020, bringing with her a diverse background in communications, publishing, and events management. In 2021, she transitioned to Northern Health Foundation, where she plays a key role in delivering creative and effective fundraising campaigns that support Northern Health’s vital work across Melbourne’s north.

With over five years of collective experience in the fundraising and health industries, Margaret combines her passion for storytelling with a strategic approach to donor engagement and community connection. She is skilled in direct marketing, campaign development, and content creation, drawing on her background in writing and editing gained through international experience in the publishing and events sectors.

Margaret holds a Bachelor of Media and Communication from Swinburne University of Technology and a Certificate III in Events Management. Deeply committed to giving back to the community she grew up in, she is passionate about helping ensure Northern Health can continue to provide exceptional care and innovative health services to local families and patients.

 

Tatjana Dimoska

Senior CRM and Database Coordinator

Tatjana joined Northern Health Foundation team in 2023 and has been an invaluable member ever since. With more than 16 years of experience at NAB and over eight years at Northern Health, she brings a wealth of knowledge in administration, finance, and operational support to the Foundation.

Highly skilled, organised, and committed, Tatjana is known for her professionalism, attention to detail, and proactive approach to problem-solving and CRM management. Her extensive background in financial and administrative control underpins the smooth delivery of the Foundation’s operations and fundraising activities.

Tatjana’s collaborative spirit and resourcefulness make her an integral part of the team. She takes great pride in contributing to the Foundation’s vision to working together and delivering great care at Northern Health, ensuring that her work has a lasting impact on patients, families, and the wider community.


 

Kim Berger

Community Engagement Coordinator

Kim brings a wealth of experience and dedication to her role as Community Engagement Coordinator, with over 15 years of service at Northern Health and more than 35 years in administrative and community-focused roles. Her deep commitment to fostering meaningful connections and driving positive change shines through in everything she does.

Alongside her work in community engagement, Kim also serves as Volunteer Coordinator, where she leads and supports a small team of volunteers across Northern Health. In this role, she creates an inclusive and welcoming environment, ensuring every volunteer feels valued and empowered to make a difference.

Kim is particularly passionate about supporting individuals and building strong, meaningful  connections within her community, including social, sports and religious gorups. Her compassion, leadership, and unwavering dedication to the Northern Health community make her an invaluable member of the Foundation team and a true advocate for connection and care.






 

Our Patrons and Auxiliary

Bev Carman 
Patron

Bev Carman has been a patron of Northern Health and Northern Health Foundation for over 15 years.

Bev Carman is a long-standing Northern Health Foundation patron who wants to ensure all members of the northern community has access to cancer treatments locally.
When Bev’s daughter was diagonsed with cancer, at the time, Cancer Services was not yet established at Northern Hospital Epping.
Bev rallied her local networks, community members, local councillors and politicians along with the Northern Health medical workforce to lobby state and federal governments to rise to the cause.
Through her tireless efforts and incredible tenacity, Bev was responsible for securing the funding from Government to establish cancer services at Northern Hospital Epping.
Bev’s support and fundraising continues to leave an enduring legacy at Northern Health and within her community, and is still heavily involved in fundraising for Cancer Services. She also sits on our Community Event’s Committee as a valued member.

Her Northern Health Foundation Race Day and Oak’s Day events are popular on our annual events calendar.

She is a passionate advocate for Northern Health and the northern community.

Margie Hill
Patron

Margie Hill has been a Northern Health volunteer and staff member since 2020. 

Her volunteering roles at Northern Health include fundraising, administrative and concierge activities.

Most recently, Margie became a Northern Health Foundation Patron and she is extremely proud to be an advocate, supporter and Patron of the Foundation. 

When Bev’s daughter was diagonsed with cancer, at the time, Cancer Services was not yet established at Northern Hospital Epping.
Bev rallied her local networks, community members, local councillors and politicians along with the Northern Health medical workforce to lobby state and federal governments to rise to the cause.
Through her tireless efforts and incredible tenacity, Bev was responsible for securing the funding from Government to establish cancer services at Northern Hospital Epping.
Bev’s support and fundraising continues to leave an enduring legacy at Northern Health and within her community, and is still heavily involved in fundraising for Cancer Services. She also sits on our Community Event’s Committee as a valued member.

Her Northern Health Foundation Race Day and Oak’s Day events are popular on our annual events calendar.

She is a passionate advocate for Northern Health and the northern community.

Trudi Hay
Patron

Trudi Hay is the Deputy Chair on the Northern Health Foundation Board and Chair of our Community Events Committee.

Trudi has a background in Marketing, Advertising and Events and has been mentioned in State and Federal Parliament for her work in Philanthropy in the Hume area.
She has been a long time supporter of the Northern Hospital Epping, specifically fundraising for Day Oncology for over 10 years including helping to upgrade treatment chairs, privacy screens and scalp cooling machines for Northern Hospital Epping and Craigieburn Centre.
Josie Minniti OAM
Patron

Josie Minniti OAM has been fundraising for over 24 years supporting a number of Hospitals and Cancer Charities during that time.

Josie works within her local community to fundraise as cancer has affected many of her family and community members.
She organises a range of activities to bring the community together with the hope of raising funds to buy medical equipment to be used to improve the comfort of those suffering from cancer.
During this time Josie has raised over $700,000 through her events, raffles and auctions to support both Northern Hospital Epping and Austin Hospital Cancer Units.
Busy Fingers
Auxiliary 

Busy Fingers was founded in 1973 and since that time have been enthusiastic fundraisers and volunteers within the Northern Community.

Their first project was to raise funds to establish independent Aged Care services in the North, fast forward to 2019, they fundraise for the Northern Health Bundoora Centre who provide a range of aged care services and outreach programs to the local community.
The outreach program’s main aim is to provide care and support in the home enabling the elderly to remain in their own homes as long as possible. The Busy Fingers Shop was opened 25 years ago in the Foyer of Bundoora Centre and stocks a wide range of items including hand-made items and donated goods from members and the local community.
The Busy Fingers Shop has raised well over a million dollars since that time and is busier than ever. This dedicated group, led by their current President, Kerry Wall, has raised over $3,000,000 for aged care services and support since 1973 which is an amazing effort and an indication of their dedication to Bundoora and the aged care services that Northern Health provide to the local community.
We are grateful for the support of the Auxiliary in funding medical equipment for our aged care service. Each and every day they have a positive impact on patient care within the Centre and the Bundoora Centre and for that we will be forever grateful.
Northern Knitting Community
The Knitting Guild is a dedicated group of ladies who have been supporting Northern Health and the Foundation for over thirty years.
Bina Connelly, pictured,  is a former Northern Health employee who started at PANCH and that is where she began knitting in 1991 with one of the local volunteers.  When Bina moved to Northern Hospital Epping to work she continued to knit to support our patients to have a positive experience whilst in hospital.
Bina and the team of ladies from the Knitting Guild are using their talent to help the Northern Health Foundation. The items they make are sold at Northern Hospital Epping and in the Busy Fingers Shop at Bundoora Centre.  All the funds go to the Northern Health Foundation to help fund the purchase of medical equipment
Since the Knitting Guild was formed over thirty years ago they have raised more than $100,000 for medical equipment for Northern Health.
Salvation Army Whittlesea Craft Group
Auxiliary 
The Salvation Army Craft Group led by coordinator, Joan Matthews, are long term supporters of Northern Health and the Foundation.
The craft group come together to share in fellowship, connect with others and undertake craft projects to raise vital funds to support their local community, including special projects at Northern Hospital Epping.
The group has funded many projects at Northern Health over the years with their most recent projects including the purchase of Pepi-Pods, a safe sleep space for newborn babies, a children’s car to transport our youngest patients to theatre and  medical equipment for our Women’s and Children’s wards.