Reporting to the Board, the Foundation oversees HMRI's marketing, communications and fundraising initiatives. The members of the Foundation are drawn from a diverse range of businesses and community organisations and are leaders in their fields. The Chair of the Foundation is also a member of the Board.

 

Mr Glenn Turner
Chair, HMRI Foundation

Mr Turner had a thirty-year career at senior executive level in the mining services, manufacturing, engineering and contracting sectors in Australia, as well as USA, China, South American, South Africa and India. He is an accountant by training but has always worked in commercial and management roles in engineering/manufacturing/construction organisations. He occupies non executive roles in public and private companies in a variety of industries and the services sector.

Mr Mark Alexander
Partner, Crosbie Warren Sinclair

Mr Alexander has been a partner of Crosbie Warren Sinclair, one of the Hunter’s largest Business Advisory and Wealth Management Groups, since 2001. Mr Alexander’s responsibilities lie within the Wealth Management team, a highly awarded group specializing in areas of wealth creation and retirement planning. He has served on the National Advisory Council and committees of Securitor Financial Group, one of Australia’s largest Dealer Groups and a member of St George Bank group of companies. He has held similar positions with some of Australia’s leading fund manager groups over the past five years, and is now dedicated to the success and future growth of HMRI.

Mr Richard Anicich
Partner, Sparke Helmore

Mr Anicich has been a partner of Sparke Helmore since 1981. Sparke Helmore is a specialist law firm providing services to business, the insurance industry and government. He is a member of the Board of the Hunter Children's Research Foundation and a Director of Newcastle Grammar School. He has served on committees of the Newcastle & Hunter Business Chamber and the Newcastle Business Club. He is a past President of the Newcastle Law Society, past Chairman of the Young Lawyers Section of the Law Society of NSW, and formerly an executive councillor of the Young Lawyers Section of the Law Council of Australia.

Ms Kristie Atkins
National Sales & Partnership Manager, AHL Entertainment, Greater Union Organisation

Ms Atkins, a National Radio and Film Marketing award winner, joined Greater Union Cinemas after eight years at 2HD as an announcer, journalist and Promotions Manager. Her current role is overseeing sales, marketing and sponsorship activity for the entertainment division of Greater Union parent company Amalgamated Holdings Limited. She is also the company’s national media spokesperson. A multi-award winning singer and CONDA nominated actress, Kristie has also worked as a drama teacher and featured performer at many events. She is a dedicated member of HMRI's Foundation and also serves on the Newcastle and Hunter Events Corporation's Marketing Committee.

Mr Stephen Connell
Oceania Technical Services Manager, Shell

Mr Connell brings to the Foundation demonstrated experience and knowledge in strategy, resource allocation, networking and marketing. While primarily working in the industrial environment he has acquired a range of business management skills in goal driven business planning and market-focused strategy development which will enhance HMRI's operations greatly. He is motivated to make a meaningful contribution to the broader community through the activities of the Foundation.

Mr Christopher Cusack
Area General Manager, Telstra Country Wide

Mr Andrew Fletcher
Chief Executive Officer, Hunter Region Tourism Organisation

Mr Fletcher is a passionate Hunter person, with an in-depth knowledge of the region. He is currently the Chief Executive Officer of the Hunter Regional Tourism Organisation. The Hunter Regional Tourism Organisation's primary role is to market the entire Hunter Region with the vision of making it a premier regional tourism destination in Australia. Mr Fletcher has also served in a variety of voluntary roles in the Hunter community.

Mrs Christine Gregson
Centre Manager, Marketown and Hilltop Plaza

Mrs Gregson has a background in marketing, hospitality and retail with nine years in the shopping centre industry and currently manages Marketown Shopping Centre and Hilltop Plaza. She was awarded the National Marketing Award from the Property Council of Australia for the campaign Special deeds for special needs. Mrs Gregson was the inaugural Chair of Life Activities for a period of four years and remains on the Board.

Mr Mark Gusse
Proprietor, Gallerie Fine Jewellery

Ms Lynn Mangovski
Regional Marketing Manager, Greater Building Society

Ms Mangovski has over 30 years experience in customer services, marketing and business development. As the Regional Marketing Manager for the Greater Building Society she brings a wealth of experience in networking, marketing, public relations and human resource management to the Foundation. Since 2001, Ms Mangovski has been a member of the Board of Directors of the Honeysuckle Development Corporation.

Ms Samantha Martin
General Manager, NUSport

Ms Martin is the General Manager of the Newcastle University Sport (NUSport), the governing body that assumes responsibility for the sport, recreation and programs offered to the University of Newcastle community. Ms Martin has a Bachelor of Business and Masters in Industrial Relations/Human Resources Management from The University of Newcastle. Ms Martin has received numerous awards including the Hunter Business Women’s Network Woman of Enterprise Award 2003. She brings to the foundation strong industry and community advocacy experience.

Ms Heidi Pollard
Director, Leading Value Pty Ltd

Ms Pollard has over 12 years strategic marketing communications experience in the public sector, seven of which were in the field of health. As Director of Leading Value, Heidi supports leaders and emerging leaders to bring prosperity, passion and purpose into their worklife through the vehicles of leadership and communication training and career and prosperity coaching. As well as being a member of the Foundation, Heidi is also a member of the Board of Management for the Hunter Region Women's Group and the Chair of the Professional Communicators Network.

Mr Robert Scrymgour
General Manager, Leadership Management Australia

Mr Scrymgour has over 30 years experience in the finance industry, with an emphasis on marketing and human resource management. His association with HMRI dates back to its inception and he is a strong advocate of the collective and united approach to medical research in this region. He is a management coach with Leadership Management Australia and a committee member of the Australian Marketing Institute in the Hunter.

Ms Belinda Smith
General Manager, Mullane Maintenance

Ms Smith has been instrumental in the growth of Mullane Maintenance, a subsidiary of the Mullane Group. In her role as General Manager, she has formulated growth strategies, acted as an ambassador for the business and developed strong relationships with stakeholders. In 2005, she was awarded Telstra National Young Business Woman of the Year for her ability to develop professional networks beyond the Hunter region. She is currently completing a Masters of Business Administration through the University of Newcastle Graduate School of Business and is a member of the Newcastle and Hunter Junior Chamber.

Ms Sonia Walkom
Director, Walkom Linehans First National Real Estate

Ms Walkom brings energy and spirit to everything she does. One of the first female real estate agents in Newcastle, she established a reputation for success in property sales. Ms Walkom started her own real estate business in the sixties. In 1985 this incorporated another group and Walkom Linehans Real Estate was born. As Director, Ms Walkom now heads a team of 20 from her Newcastle office. She has recently won both gold and platinum industry awards but still remembers the thrill of her first $1million property sale.