Our People

Marcus Sandmann joined HeartKids in February 2023 and is a senior management professional with over 25 years of experience in marketing and sales for products and services to businesses and consumers. He has supported the launch of products and services into new markets across 10 countries in Asia Pacific. Marcus has industry knowledge across diverse sectors including Information Technology, Media, Professional Services, and Telecommunications. Within the Not-for-Profit sector, he has built experience in both board member and senior executive positions, supporting fundraising and growth objectives for several NGO’s and Community Services organisations.

Paul joined HeartKids in March 2023 as the CFO with significant senior finance and corporate services experience in both the For Profit and NFP sectors. Paul is a qualified accountant and has been a Fellow CPA Australia for over 35 years and is a Councillor on the CPA NSW Divisional Council. Paul’s experiences in the NFP sector have included CFO and GM Corporate Services roles with the Royal Institute for Deaf & Blind Children and most recently with Relationships Australia NSW including responsibilities in the areas of finance, audit, risk & governance, HR & payroll, property, IT and Boards & company secretarial.

Paul has also completed interim senior finance contract roles for Surf Lifesaving NSW, Good2Give and JewishCare in the NFP sector.

On a personal note, Paul is the father of 3 adult daughters, has and continues to enjoy volunteering in a number of areas contributing, for example, at the Invictus Games in 2018, for the McGrath Foundation Pink cricket test in 2023 and as an adjudicator for the Australasian Annual Reporting Awards.

Paul holds a B.Ec. and M.Ec. from Macquarie University, an MBA from Deakin University and was selected and attended the strategic NFP executive education program at Harvard Business School in 2013.

Tania has twenty-five years of experience in fundraising, marketing, and management in the not-for-profit sector.

She has worked with international, national, and state-based charities such as World Vision Australia (World Vision Victoria and World Vision SA/NT), CARA, The Royal Flying Doctors, and Orana Australia Limited.

Tania's fundraising experience includes major events, capital campaigns, lotteries, appeals, grants, corporate partnerships/sponsorship, social enterprise, wills and bequests, volunteer management, ambassador programs, digital fundraising and much more.

With experience in marketing, management, communications, and branding and leading teams from six to thirty staff and volunteers, she brings a wide range of skills to the SA / NT team.

In her time off Tania loves to read. Having recently celebrated a significant birthday, she set herself a challenge to read 50 books in one year. She’s looking for recommendations for good books to read, so when you drop by the new SA / NT state office don’t forget to suggest a title or two.

Jessica joined HeartKids in April 2020 to lead the delivery of the National Strategic Action Plan for Childhood Heart Disease. Jessica is a Registered Nurse and holds a Master’s of Public Health and a Master’s of Health Administration. She is passionate about patient-centered models of care and health innovation with a strong focus on improving the health outcomes of people with complex health needs.

Jessica spent the first part of her career working as a primary care nurse, with a special interest in the care and management of patients with chronic conditions in the community. This interest led her to step away from direct clinical contact and move into public health project roles. She has since worked on and lead many public health initiatives and pilot projects, all with the general themes of patient-centered care, health reform, using innovative technology to improve patient outcomes, and improving the health care journey for those with complex health needs.

In her spare time, Jessica frequents the local music scene in Melbourne and volunteers for a dog rescue organisation, with unruly rescue puppies often attempting to join her in video conference meetings.

Tracy has worked in family support at HeartKids for over 17 years. She understands the CHD journey as her only child is a Heart Kid who recently transferred to adult care.

Tracy is passionate about working with young people and patient and family-centred care. She has created and participated in numerous programs, projects and committees. Tracy is Chair of The Royal Children’s Hospital Family Advisory Council, a member of the Heart Failure Patient Advocacy Committee and a member of the Australian and New Zealand Fontan Advocacy Committee.

Prior to working at HeartKids Tracy worked in HR and when she lived in Sydney worked as Facilities Coordinator at a TV Station.

In her spare time, Tracy frequents Melbourne's amazing restaurants, loves a bit of retail therapy and lots of walks with her dog.

Tara is a seasoned partnership, events and fundraising executive. Her diverse career spans non profit, government and industry associations. Her expertise lies in donor journey management and securing major gifts of significance. She is committed to equipping and enabling the next generation of fundraisers who seek to deliver measurable social impact to support those in need.

Elizabeth Foley is a seasoned Non-Executive Director and CEO, with experience across a range of sectors, including financial services, digital innovation, health and medical
research and professional services industries. Over the past ten years, Elizabeth has worked in the Australian health and medical research sector, five years as CEO and Managing Director of Research Australia, six years on the Board of the Population Health Research Network (PHRN), and three years creating the Digital Health Cooperative Research Centre (DHCRC).Elizabeth has extensive board experience in health research and patient support organisations, which have faced similar concerns and challenges to HeartKids.

Most recently Elizabeth, as CEO, led a digital transformation of The Australian Institute of Project Management, which resulted in an increase in membership and services offered,
and a dynamic turnaround in profitability.

Elizabeth is currently on the Board of the Australian National Research Organisation for Women’s Safety (ANROWS) and Chair of the audit and risk committee. She has also worked at Chief Executive Women as Director Research and Business Engagement, and has extensive knowledge and experience operating in the fundraising sector.

Elizabeth has exemplary formal qualifications, proven business acumen and brings exemplary stakeholder management credentials, particularly working with senior
levels of government, including Federal, State MP’s and senators, as well as senior public servants. Elizabeth is ambitious to see Australians who have congenital heart disease or who develop heart disease as children lead fulfilling and healthy lives.

Rohan has over 25 years' experience in personal and employment-related tax matters, specialising in FBT, payroll tax, superannuation, employment termination, and redundancy arrangements, and PAYG.

He is a Partner at PricewaterhouseCoopers, where he leads the Employment Taxes and Payroll Consulting Practices. In these roles, he provides proactive advice to employers, assisting them with the processes and policies used to help manage the tax and administrative impacts of remunerating their employees and their contractors. He has also worked in Australia and the US, providing personal tax assistance to high net wealth individuals and expatriates.

Rohan is a heart kid.

Elsa is an experienced and trusted adviser to Australian and international organisations and their boards. Her experience has been gained in the technology and innovation sectors, developing and delivering digital content and solutions to consumers and clients.

She has shaped, developed and implemented strategy and organisational direction in multidisciplinary teams. Elsa engages and builds strong relationships with stakeholders to achieve organisational goals. Elsa has a child with CHD so is acutely aware of the journey and experiences of heart families. Elsa has joins the HeartKids Board to contribute to and achieve equitable access to support and allied health services and funding to all CHD patients and their families.

Felicity is the Senior Manager, Strategy and Services for Australia’s national data linkage infrastructure, the Population Health Research Network. She has extensive experience in the development, coordination, and operation of national data linkage systems particularly the navigation of cross-jurisdictional legislative, policy and ethical issues. She also has many years of experience in research ethics including working as a research ethics manager as well as being a member and Chair of the Sir Charles Gairdner and Osborne Park Health Care Group Human Research Ethics Committee. Felicity has a PhD in Microbiology.

The father of an eleven-year-old heart kid boy (2018 Toowoomba Ambassador - Two Feet & a Heartbeat), Ken Murphy joined the Board of HeartKids in January 2019.

Ken has over 20 years of experience as a qualified Company Director/Chairman across multiple industries including Health and Community Services in both the Not For Profit and Private sectors. Complemented by over 25 years of Chief Executive and Managing Director level experience in the Not For Profit, Commercial, and Government-Funded sectors across multiple industries, Ken is also a current/past member of various Government, Business, and Community Committees and Taskforces. He brings capability with Corporate Governance, Finance, Risk Management, Strategic, and Operational Development, Human Resource Management, Company Restructures, Mergers & Acquisitions, Project Management, Community and Stakeholder Engagement, Funding, Problem Solving, Innovation, and Change Management.

Ken is a Fellow of the Australian Institute of Company Directors, Fellow of the Institute of Management & Leaders (Aust. & New Zealand), Certified Practicing Member of the Australian Human Resources Institute, and a Member of the Safety Institute of Australia.

Lionel Henderson is an experienced Company Director and manager of large-scale research engagements. He is a Director of Business Development & Commercial with CSIRO, where he has developed the framework for several research alliances and collaboration frameworks, including public-private partnerships, and has managed CSIRO’s involvement in multiple CRCs. Lionel has managed the licensing for a range of CSIRO’s technologies domestically and internationally and has recently returned from a USA posting. He has also been a member and Chair of a number of external committees for CSIRO. Lionel is an experienced Company Director, having been a Director or Company Secretary for several CSIRO joint ventures, since 2004.

Prior to joining CSIRO, he managed a horticultural biotechnology company for 10 years, which had a significant international business and large intellectual property portfolio. Lionel has a science background and has worked in the commercialisation of new technologies since 1988.

As the grandfather of a heart kid, Lionel is committed to the success of HeartKids Ltd.

Shane is currently the Chief Financial Officer and Chief of Strategy and Innovation at Bethanie Group Inc, and the Chief Executive Officer of Bethanie Housing Ltd.

Shane is a highly motivated senior leader with extensive experience leading commercial development, strategy and innovation teams across the mining, manufacturing, defence and financial services industries.

With a keen interest in applying technology to solve business problems, Shane has built strategic partnerships with international start-ups and scale-ups to deliver astounding customer experiences. Prior to joining Bethanie, Shane delivered a strategic partnership which allowed the launch of an Australia market-first wearable payment product and spent time working with a start-up digital bank in South Africa.

Shane holds a degree in Actuarial Science, holds post-graduate qualifications in accounting and was formerly the Chairperson of the Spirit of the Streets Charity.

Simone Wright has held Directorships with Pearson Australia Group and is an experienced Executive Director with a career background spanning many industries from High Tech Manufacturing, Fast Moving Consumer Goods, Architecture, Financial Services, to Publishing and Education.

Simone has worked primarily in human resources in many different organisations including co-operatives, partnerships, and high-profile public organisations with globally based teams. Her professional areas have spanned to include leading talent management, sales excellence, and customer service teams internationally. Her current executive role is Chief Human Resources Officer at Victoria University.

She has worked extensively in reporting to Boards on matters of risk and compliance and was a member of the Heart Kids Steering Committee for the Government Action Plan. She is Chair of the Nomination and Remuneration Committee for Heartkids.

In addition to experience in strategic human resources management, organisational design, leadership capability, employee experience, wellness and skills development, Simone has post-graduate qualifications in business management and the new world of work. She is an active mentor and a member of the Mentor List.

As a parent of a heart child, Simone is committed to the purpose of Heart Kids and ensuring a successful future focussed HeartKids Ltd.

Gary Sholler is a paediatric and fetal cardiologist, with hospital and research activities through the Heart Centre for Children in Sydney, and the University of Sydney.

He is Chair of the Management Committee of the Australian National Standards of Care for Childhood-onset Heart Disease, and was Co-Chair of their development (launched February 2024), and part of the Steering Group for the Australian National Action Plan for Congenital Heart Disease. He is on the Steering Committee for CHAANZ Registry. .

Gary has extensive administrative and organisational experience, and was Director of the Heart Services in NSW from 1992 – 2019. He has had a longstanding working relationship with Heartkids, recognising its unique role in the support of families affected by congenital and acquired heart disease in childhood and on into adult life. He has developed important initiatives in clinical care including a cardiac psychological clinical and research programme within the Heart Centre for Children from 2012.

Gary’ academic work & publications have covered innovations across most important areas in childhood-onset disease including heart structure and function, optimising outcomes after heart interventions, and the genetics of CHD. His research also focusses on psychological care and neurodevelopmental outcomes.

Kylie Houlihan, BPhty (Hons), is an experienced health care executive and clinician with over 25 years’ experience driving strategic innovation and transformative change in national and global health service delivery across government and industry.

Her expertise in bridging operational and strategic priorities across all levels within Australia's health ecosystem, coupled with her ability to unite and mobilise diverse stakeholders, has seen Kylie successfully forge strong partnerships and linkages to co-design human-centered solutions that address unmet needs in areas of chronic disease, heart health, aging, and regional, rural, and remote healthcare all complex, sensitive and high profile.

Kylie is committed to integrating the biopsychosocial determinants of health across the continuum and is driven by inspiring human stories, shared purposes and the fusion of human ingenuity and digital innovation.

Kylie has been at the forefront of developing pioneering services such as MeCare and Core by integratedliving, which have attracted significant investment and helped shape government policy, best practice guidelines, and the scaling of proven models through proofs of concept and quality and safety assurances. Her advisory work has supported national and state-based bodies in service and business model redesign, contributing to significant healthcare frameworks, models of care and strategic reform initiatives.

Kylie has held leadership positions with private and public sector leaders including integratedliving Australia, Biofourmis, Philips Healthcare, Queensland Government, and Ernst and Young. Her roles have included Chief Health Transformation Officer, Head of Clinical Affairs, Head of Health Transformation Australia and New Zealand, Director of Integrated Health and Social Services, and Associate Director of Health and Aged Care.

As a non-executive director of HeartKids Australia, Kylie applies her expertise in human-centred design and service model innovation, strategic partnerships, industry-based research and development and digital health innovation to help propel the organisation's mission forward, ensuring those impacted by Childhood-onset Heart Disease receive optimal care and support to live well.

Kylie’s unwavering dedication to crafting sustainable, integrated and measurable health services and business models underscores her commitment to improving and at times challenging conventional practices, to better meet evolving healthcare needs and expectations.