Board Directors
The Circle Foundation is a registered cooperative and a registered health charity with tax deductible status.
It is governed by a Board of Directors which was established at its Foundation meeting in May 2021.
Dr. Belinda Thewes
Co-Chair and Founder
Clinical Psychologist
Belinda is a clinical psychologist in private practice and the Founder of the Circle Foundation. With a keen interest in Oncology and Chronic Disease Management, she saw the need for increased holistic and affordable regional and rural support for those living with chronic conditions.
Belinda has been a registered psychologist for over 20 years and has previously worked in government services including community mental health, disability services, tertiary hospitals, academia and private practice.
As part of her post-doctoral training in Europe she had the opportunity to visit many inspirational community-based centres which have helped shape the vision for The Circle Foundation. As a researcher she has focused her attention on psychological aspects of cancer and the development of telehealth and online psychological interventions. Belinda has also completed training programs on community co-design and consumer participation in healthcare reform, and social enterprise.
Philip Brown
Co-Chair
Social Policy Consultant and Former Senior Commonwealth Public Servant
Philip (or Phil) is a highly experienced and passionate social policy practitioner, with over 30 years experience in the Australian Public Service (APS), including nearly 20 years in the Senior Executive
Service.
In the APS, his experience ranged from policy analysis and development, implementation, research and evaluation, service delivery, audit and compliance, and regulatory and legislative reform. His APS career included working in remote and regional settings, as well as at the national policy level. His expertise encompasses social security; youth affairs; Indigenous community and family safety; early childhood and family policy; disability employment; and women’s economic participation. Most recently, he led the Try, Test and Learn program, as well as initiatives around social impact investing and social enterprises.
He has a strong record and reputation for successfully delivering results. Since retiring from the APS in April 2020, Phil has established a new career that utilises his skills, experience and capabilities to design and deliver a range of projects across government and non-government organisations. His ambition is to make a discernible positive impact for vulnerable Australians.
Prof. Britt Klein
Board Director
Professorial Chair: Digital and Mental Health;
Director: Biopsychosocial and eHealth Research and Innovation (BeRI) Hub;
Director: Digital Health and Models of Care Stream, Health Innovation and Transformation Centre (HITC), Federation University
Professor Britt Klein is internationally recognised for her digital mental health work and is an innovator and creator of numerous digital platforms and digital intervention programs spanning the healthcare activity spectrum from health promotion to prevention to treatment to crisis management.
Britt has been awarded or co-awarded over $35 million of funding as Chief or Co-Investigator and has published extensively in the mental health and digital health areas. Britt has a Doctorate of Clinical Psychology, is an AHPRA registered psychologist with clinical endorsement, sits on a number of digital health expert advisory committees and has worked in community health anxiety, mood, alcohol and other drug settings, as well as aged care.
Peta Andreone
Board Director
Health Manager
Peta is the Senior Project Officer, Regional Health Division, NSW Ministry of Health. She is also a council member of the Australasian College of Health Service Management NSW Branch.
Peta has knowledge and skills in project, change and human resource management demonstrated by leading a number of operational and strategic projects for the health and non-government sector.
Peta has adopted a human-centred design approach to build an understanding of the contributing factors for take-own-leave across NSW Health facilities. She has also led an award winning counselling service transformation and volunteer recruitment, training and onboarding program.
Peta has an interest in the field of creative arts-health and conducted a critical literature review that asked the question 'What has facilitated the successful integration of arts-health initiatives in Australia over the past decade?'.
Karen Patterson
Board Director
Registered Nurse and Midwife
Karen is currently on the Health Executive for NSW Health leading state-wide portfolios focused on healthcare safety and quality. She has experience in co-designing and evaluation of integrated models of care, practiced as a clinician and manager in NSW rural and regional health services for over 20 years. Karen has a key interest in health and well-being for all, strengths-based coaching, health management and leadership as well as skills in health service management. Karen facilitated the Bega Valley Health Service NSW Health Leadership Program in 2016 as well as local collaborative pair participants to progress their vision for reform and improvement of health services in the Eurobodalla.
Kathryn Shugg
Board Director
Former APS worker & Eurobodalla Resident
Kathryn Shugg, a retired professional residing in Moruya since 2017, boasts a distinguished 34-year career in the Australian Public Service (APS). Initially trained as a primary school teacher in the early 1980s, Kathryn transitioned into the APS, where she focused on pivotal policy areas such as Early Childhood Education, Vocational Education, Adult Literacy, and Indigenous Affairs.
Throughout her tenure, Kathryn led national consultation processes, crafted strategic policies, managed large funding programs, and negotiated COAG agreements, demonstrating her unwavering commitment to effecting positive change on a national scale.
Her advocacy is deeply rooted in personal experiences as a caregiver for family members with chronic conditions, driving her passion for systemic improvements in healthcare and social support sectors, particularly in underserved regions like Eurobodalla.
Since retiring, Kathryn has dedicated herself to community service, volunteering with the Cancer Council and providing support to elderly family members navigating cancer treatments. Her ongoing commitment underscores her belief in the urgent need for cohesive, wraparound services for vulnerable individuals in Moruya and beyond. Kathryn Shugg continues to be a driving force in championing accessible and inclusive support systems for those in need.
Secretary
Currently taking applications
The Circle Foundation is looking for a Secretary to the board. Please send your resume to belinda.thewes@circlefoundation.coop.