TheMHS Board

Taimi Allan is the Mental Health Commissioner for South Australia, known for her compassionate, future-focused, and inclusive approach to system reform. With over 20 years across Australia and Aotearoa New Zealand, she has led national anti-discrimination initiatives, cross-sector innovation, and suicide prevention efforts. Taimi brings a strong intersectional lens to all her work, elevating marginalised voices and building practical tools that support change. She has served on mental health commissions in both countries, and contributes globally to digital mental health, ethics, and recovery-oriented design. Her leadership is grounded in lived experience, shaped by values, and focused on turning ideas into action. 

Shannon has over 15 years’ experience at EY and is a fully qualified Chartered Accountant (CA) with a strong commercial finance background. He brings deep expertise in governance, audit, and financial stewardship, and has completed governance training through AICD, alongside a Senior Executive MBA from Melbourne Business School. As Director and Treasurer, Shannon is focused on pragmatically applying lessons from the corporate environment—particularly financial reporting discipline and core operational hygiene—to strengthen the organisation’s sustainability and enable greater community impact.

Barbara has extensive leadership and management experience leading large teams within the New Zealand education and health sectors.  She has held senior public sector positions including chair of the first Mental Health Commission and Deputy Secretary, Ministry of Education where she had responsibility for special education.    Barbara has been the Chief Executive of several non-government organisations including the Mental Health Foundation and Richmond Fellowship. She was the Chief Executive of Emerge Aotearoa, New Zealand’s largest national mental health, addictions, disability and social housing provider.   

Barbara is on the Board of the New Zealand Mental Health and Wellbeing Commission Te Hiringa Mahara.      

Barbara has a doctorate in education from Macquarie University Sydney and in 2011 was made an Officer of the New Zealand Order of Merit for her services to mental health. 

Kerry Hawkins is the CEO of CMHA, the peak body for the CMO sector in Australia. With a background in senior roles at the NDIA, NGOs, and public mental health services, she brings a rights-based approach to reform. She served three terms as a National Mental Health Commissioner, and is the former Chair of Mental Health Carers Australia.  A Churchill Scholar and graduate of Boston University’s Global Leadership Institute, Kerry is currently researching the role of families within the context of contemporary understandings of mental health and distress. She is a passionate voice for system transformation towards rights-based mental health systems. 

Dr Steph Kershaw is a Senior Research Fellow at The Matilda Centre for Research in Mental Health and Substance Use. Steph leads an innovative program of research and translation to reduce the impact of substance use and co-occurring conditions including mental health and suicidality. Her research aims to improve the health outcomes for individuals, families and communities especially among vulnerable and disadvantaged groups. Steph is also the Program Lead in Stigma and Substance Use, and is passionate about addressing the stigma associated with mental health and/or substance use.

Vanessa May is an accomplished executive leader with more than 25 years’ experience spanning finance, risk management, information technology, human resources, and governance across both the for‑profit and not‑for‑profit sectors. Her career includes senior roles in aged care, drug and alcohol recovery, and mental health organisations, where she has consistently led organisational transformation, strengthened governance systems, and built high‑performing teams. As a leader, she is committed to driving continuous improvement and embedding sustainable future-focused systems and processes that support long‑term organisational resilience, enhance operational efficiency, and ensure responsible stewardship of resources.

Vanessa holds a Bachelor of Business (Accounting), Graduate Diploma in Psychology, Master of Business Administration, and a Master of Information Management & Systems (Business Intelligence). Vanessa is a Fellow of CPA Australia (FCPA), a Fellow of the Governance Institute of Australia (FGIA), a Project Management Professional (PMP), a Senior Professional Member of the Australian Computer Society, and a Member of the Australian Institute of Company Directors (MAICD).

Vivienne Miller is a mental health leader, occupational therapist, quality improvement manager, university lecturer, co-ordinator of mental health site visit programs, member of research teams, and mental health educator.  She is a co-author of the AIMHS (Area Integrated Mental Health Service) Standards (1991), National Standards for Mental Health Services (1996), advisor to the National Mental Health Workforce Standards (2002). She is the Founding Executive Director of TheMHS Learning Network Inc; Board member of TheMHS; Board member of WAPRAus (World Association for Psychosocial Rehabilitation Australia); executive member of the Public Policy section of WPA (World Psychiatric Association); member of the Australasian College of Health Service Management, founder of NECTA, an arts therapy network.   

Community Psychiatrist, Professorial Fellow, Graduate School Medicine, former Australian Health Services Research Institute, University of Wollongong; Clinical Associate Professor, Brain & Mind Centre, University of Sydney; Member, Royal College Psychiatrists UK; Fellow, Royal ANZ College Psychiatrists [RANZCP]; Board,The Mental Health Services [TheMHS] Learning Network; Deputy Chair,Transforming Australia’s MHS System, [TAMHSS]; Senior Consultant Psychiatrist, Far West NSW LHD Remote MHS; Officer of Order of Australia; Ian Simpson Award, RANZCP; Formerly: Inaugural Deputy Commissioner, NSW Mental Health Commission; Psychiatrist, Director/Clinical Director, Royal North Shore Hospital and Community Mental Health Services; Visiting Professor, University Wisconsin & Harvard University; Author 170+ academic articles/chapters, 6 books.  

Tully Rosen is a respected mental health and disability reform leader in Australia, currently serving as Director of Health and Disability Reforms at the Australian Government Department of Health, Disability and Ageing. Previously Tully spent 3 years with the NDIS, as Director of Mainstream Interface Policy in the NDIA; and earlier as Director of Health Strategy at the NDIS Quality and Safeguards Commission.

With a background in health systems, community services, non-profit development and policy reforms, Tully has held leadership roles in organisations including the NSW Mental Health Commission, the State Insurance Regulatory Authority, Suicide Prevention Australia, Homelessness NSW and the Mental Health Coordinating Council. He is known for his strategic leadership in advancing inclusive, person-centred approaches to mental health and disability support

Megan is the Service Planning and Innovation Manager for Sydney Local Health District. She trained as an Occupational Therapist and did her final year placement in mental health which ignited a passion. Megan has worked clinically across inpatient and community services, mostly adolescents and adults, and done some research. She has a firm belief that people should have access to high quality, free health services; and choice in who they receive those services from. “I lean into things that are consumer led, community oriented, rights based, and help people achieve the things that are important. Usually this includes good housing, people you love in your life, and something that gives meaning to your day. When I’m not on the job I am a lousy cook, killer of most plants, constantly not meeting my cats’ expectations, and have an unnatural attraction to sensational earrings.”

Stephen Suttie is the Senior Manager of Operations at Neami National, one of Australia’s leading providers of community-based mental health services. With over 17 years of experience at Neami, Stephen oversees service delivery across New South Wales, focusing on innovative outreach programs that support individuals with complex mental health needs to live meaningful, independent lives. He has also served as a Board Director for TheMHS Learning Network and held roles in local government. Stephen is known for his leadership in developing inclusive, recovery-oriented services, including the Liverpool Head to Health Centre, a walk-in mental health support initiative 

Rob Warriner is a respected mental health advocate and former CEO of WALSH Trust, a leading NGO in Auckland providing recovery-focused support services. Beginning his career in 1991 as a vocational support worker, Rob rose to national prominence through his leadership, policy influence, and commitment to community-based care. He holds qualifications in psychology, education, and management, and completed a leadership program at Oxford University. Rob has served on multiple advisory boards, including the NZ Mental Health Commission Reference Group, and is a published author and international speaker. Now retired, he continues contributing insights through his column, Warriner’s Window