River’s Gift Board

Roger is Trustee of an investment trust, Chair/Director of serveral charities and Chair of United Disability Care. He is a gradule of the Royal Military College Duntroon, UNSW, Cranfield University (UK) and USQ with qualifications in economics, business, project management and marketing.

He has wide ranging operational, leadership and business experience across Defence, the public and private sectors in finance, logistics, property, franchising and sales and marketing. He has been a member of Rotary since 1994 and has acted as a Justice of the Peace (Qualified) for more than 30 years.

Alex is an associate in the Corporate and Commercial group at Bird & Bird, an international law firm headquartered in London, specialising in advising on technology transactions. Alex advises on risk and regulatory compliance for innovative national and international business ventures, ranging in size from small start-ups to the largest multi-national entities.

Alex has extensive experience advising on contract risk, intellectual property rights, and privacy & data protection rights and obligations; and has negotiated agreements, and advised on corporate governance and best practice, for some of the nation’s leading charities.

Qualifications:

Deakin University, Australia, Bachelor of Commerce (major in management and international management)/Bachelor of Laws (Honours)

College of Law, Australia, Graduate Diploma of Legal Practice

Craig graduated from Latrobe University with a Bachelor of Behavioural Science (Honours) and is a registered Psychologist with over 10 years’ experience. Craig is a member of the Australian Psychological Society. Within his profession, he has worked in a range of roles, including public mental health, private practice, forensic services, crisis assessment and providing support to organisations and individuals. Craig is experienced in facilitating group based interventions and has delivered programs targeting depression and anxiety, violence reduction, and drug and alcohol rehabilitation. Craig is an experienced trainer for individuals and organisations in areas such as Mental Health First Aid, Violence Risk Assessment, Autism Spectrum Disorders and Responding to At Risk Individuals.

Craig is the owner and Managing Director of Home Psychologist, a business providing psychological services to people in their own homes. Craig prides his business on providing affordable psychological services and support to vulnerable people that may not be able to access traditional services.

Craig also works for Deakin University providing counselling and supervision to students, and facilitating training and promoting mental health awareness to fellow staff members.

Craig says “Through my personal friendship with Karl and Alex, I shared in part both the joy surrounding River’s birth, and the horrible pain of his loss. As a result I have had a close personal connection with River’s Gift since its inception. I have always had an interest in neuroscience and hope to share in the advancement of knowledge in this field that may ultimately prevent any other families from experiencing such an overwhelming loss”. Craig has three young children, including a son of very similar age to River, and enjoys sharing his love of science, nature and travel with them.

Heath McCartney is one of three Directors of WMC Accounting, rapidly moving up the corporate ladder following his graduation from Deakin University with a Bachelor of Commerce in 2000. He has continued building his education and financial knowledge throughout his career and holds post-graduate qualifications with CPA Australia, and a Diploma of Financial Planning. Heath is a registered SMSF Auditor, Tax Agent and an Authorised Representative of SMSF Advisors Network.

Heath specialises in the complex capital gains tax issues arising from property, land developments and large-scale investments. He is proactive in tax minimisation and can be relied upon at the onset of business development to offer innovative advice to support effective strategic planning advice.

Heath and his team have major clients in trade and construction, and provide support and advice to individuals looking to branch out on their own, through the development of business structures that provide asset protection and tax minimisation. This support continues throughout the business life, from start-up, business development and maintaining reporting obligations for taxation compliance.

Heath is a Director of River’s Gift and has spent countless hours providing direction on fundraising and the distribution of funds to facilitate the deliverable objectives of the organisation. Additionally, Heath advises on the intricate and specific reporting requirements of running a not-for-profit registered charity. Heavily involved with many sporting associations throughout his youth, Heath continues to be immersed in building strong community ties.

Rebecca is a NED/ executive leader in health innovation and commercialisation, and is mission-driven to create real impact through evidence translation in health, disability and ageing. As a specialised health strategist, Rebecca brings together cross-disciplinary teams from across extensive and influential industry networks, and manages multiple and complex projects, stakeholder relationships (and competing priorities) without losing momentum. She thrives in dynamic, ambiguous and changing work environments.

Carly Irving-Dolan is the NRMA CEO, Energy. Responsible for developing, driving and evolving the NRMA’s Energy Strategy. This dynamic strategy, addressing both current and future energy infrastructure needs, will aim to reduce carbon emissions, meet energy industry greening targets, and create a robust pathway for innovation in energy. All the while shaping the next generation of the clean energy industry for a sustainable future.

Carly was formerly the Executive General Manager of Yurika, responsible for the operation and strategic management of Energy Queensland’s commercial, unregulated arm. Boasting a diverse portfolio of full turn-key energy, connectivity, and sustainability solutions, Yurika guides organisations through the complexity of the energy transition, keeping things simple and changing the way people live and do business.

With over 30 years’ experience achieving organisational growth and success, Carly’s rich career history and global perspectives, strong customer relationships, leadership and commerciality are all traits of Carly’s unique approach that delivers consistent visionary and accomplished results. Her ethos enables a collaborative working environment that is hands-on, while her open-door policy ensures the ongoing wellbeing and safety of the diverse people she works with.

She has witnessed first-hand how women leaders improve business outcomes and is a fierce advocate for gender balance in the workplace. Carly is focussed on supporting women in roles and leadership positions, in under-represented, traditionally male-dominated industries. Her passion in supporting women in leadership roles has translated to numerous national speaking credits, appointment to the Sherwood Magpies AFL Board, the Springfield Anglican College Council, Rivers Gift and recognition in Telstra’s Businesswomen’s Awards.

Carly views success as a journey of self-development, growth, and reflection. Every day she strives to be better than the day before, empowering herself and encouraging and supporting those around her to also be the best versions of themselves, face challenges head on, and to live an extraordinary life.