Ms Elthies (Ella) Kris (Chair)

Ms Elthies (Ella) Kris

A/Prof CPHMVS(JCU), MPH, GDipIndigHProm

Appointed: 18 May 2019

Current term: 1 April 2022 to 31 March 2024

As well as being the Chair of our Board, Ms Elthies (Ella) Kris also holds the following positions:

  • Chair, Executive and Performance Committee
  • Member, Audit, Risk and Finance Committee.

Ella brings more than 20 years of experience within the health industry. This includes corporate, primary health care and public health.

As a volunteer with Torres Shire Council she leads, supports, and empowers health changes within her community of Thursday Island.

Her current role with Torres Strait Island Regional Council includes developing, planning and implementing sustainable health related activities in council communities.

Ella has a Graduate Diploma in Indigenous Health Promotion and a Master of Public Health.

She's also an Adjunct Associate Professor within James Cook University’s College of Public Health, Medicine and Veterinary Science.

She is a proud Torres Strait Islander woman, with cultural connection to the land and sea from her father from the Mabuiag, Saibai and St Pauls and her mother from Mer and Erub. She carries and lives by her mother’s totem Serar (tern bird).

Dr Scott Davis (Deputy Chair)

Dr Scott Davis

PhD IndSoc&EcCapBldg, MIPH, GradCertARLP, DipEd

Appointed: 18 May 2016

Current term: 1 April 2022 to 31 March 2026

Dr Scott Davis is the Deputy Chair of our Board.

He also holds the following positions:

  • Chair, Safety and Quality Committee
  • Member, Executive and Performance Committee.

Scott has worked in regional, rural, and Indigenous health and development. He's committed to addressing the social determinants of health for rural and remote Indigenous committees.

He has more than 25 years’ experience in senior leadership roles within the health, education and research sectors and more than 20 years of board experience.

Scott holds a range of directorships in the commercial, not for profit and community sectors.

He holds a Doctorate in Indigenous Community Capacity Development and a Master's in International Public Health.

Ms Karen (Kaz) Price

Ms Karen Price

MEd, PGDipVocEd, BAgrSc(Hons), AdvDipCommSecMgmnt, MAICD

Appointed: 11 December 2015

Current term: 1 April 2020 to 31 March 2024

Ms Karen Price is a member of our Board and also holds the following positions:

  • Member, Audit, Risk and Finance Committee
  • Member, Executive and Performance Committee.

Karen lives in Cooktown. She's been involved with community and land management organisations, and also regional economic and development projects for the past 18 years.

She was the CEO of the Cooktown District Community Centre, responsible for many programs. These ranged from helping young people, seniors and vulnerable jobseekers, to family support, domestic violence, and intensive support playgroups.

She served 8 years as a councillor for Cook Shire. She's also a former manager of the Cape York Hospital and Health Service Learning and Development Unit.

Karen has qualifications in management, agriculture and education.

Ms Susan Hadfield

Ms Susan Hadfield

BScN, CertIVTA, CertTLQM, CertTLQM(NDIS)

Appointed: 19 September 2020

Current term: 1 September 2020 to 31 March 2024

Ms Sue Hadfield is a member of our Board and also holds the following positions:

  • Member, Safety and Quality Committee
  • Member, Executive and Performance Committee.

She's worked in clinical nursing, leadership, and management of clinical services roles throughout Queensland for over 40 years.

Now retired, Sue is committed to improving the delivery of health services and outcomes for people in rural and remote communities.

She offers experience and advocacy for reforms that are sensitive to indigenous people and rural and remote communities.

Sue led the coordination of cancer service projects and service reforms across Far North Queensland rural and remote communities. These reforms improved patient experience, timeliness, and access to services.

Mr Darren Thamm

Mr Darren Thamm

BCom, FCA(Aust), CIA, RCA

Appointed: 18 May 2021

Current term: 18 May 2021 to 31 March 2024

Mr Darren Thamm is a member of our Board and also Chair of the Audit, Risk and Finance Committee.

Darren has more than 20 years of experience in commerce and public accounting across a wide number of industry sectors.

He's a fellow chartered accountant, a registered company auditor and a certified internal auditor.

He's acted as auditor for a wide range of clients across local government, indigenous organisations, charities and not for profit community organisations.

Darren is a partner of Jessups NQ, a specialist auditing and assurance firm based in North Queensland.

He's also presented training courses in accounting and audit for universities and professional accountancy bodies.

Ms Karyn Watson

Ms Karyn Watson

GDipIndigHProm, DipATSIPrimH, DipBusGov

Appointed: 18 May 2021

Current term: 18 May 2021 to 31 March 2024

Ms Karyn Watson is a member of our Board and also holds the following positions:

  • Member, Safety and Quality Committee
  • Member, Executive and Performance Committee.

Karyn is a proud Torres Strait Islander woman who lives in Seisia, Northern Peninsula Area of Cape York.

She has extensive knowledge of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander health, specifically primary health care.

Karyn has a great passion for health and social wellbeing, and has been involved with delivering positive health outcomes for the region.

She's worked in the primary health care sector for the past 16 years, including 7 years in management positions.

She's enjoyed the challenges involved with the business, and tailoring services to meet the specific needs of the community.

Ms Tara Diversi

Tara Diversi

GAID, MBA, MND, GDipPsyc, PGDipPsyhc, APD

Appointed: 1 April 2022

Current term: 1 April 2022 to 31 March 2026

Ms Tara Diversi is a member of our Board and also holds the following positions:

  • Member, Safety and Quality Committee
  • Member, Audit, Risk and Finance Committee.

Tara is an accredited practising dietitian working in all areas of dietetics.

She started her career in Cairns in 2003 working in both private practice and in public health nutrition throughout Cape York.

She's the CEO of Sophus Nutrition, a digital nutrition platform that improves accessibility and affordability of expert nutrition and dietetic care. This is done through a combination of evidence based nutrition with psychology, behavioural economics and technology.

Tara also holds the following positions:

  • President and Chair of Dietitians Australia
  • National Dietetic Adviser to the Department of Veterans Affairs
  • Co-chair of North Queensland PHN and Entrepreneurship Facilitator for Cairns.

Growing up in Kunnunurra and Cairns, she's passionate about improving health and outcomes for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples in Australia and Papua New Guinea.

Ms Kirsty Davis

Ms Kirsty Davis

AdvDipBusMgmt (HRM)

Appointed: 8 February 2024

Current term: 8 February 2024 to 31 March 2026

Ms Kirsty Davis is a member of our Board.

Kirsty is a proud First Nations woman, of both Torres Strait and Aboriginal heritage. She grew up on the lands of the Gimuy Walubara Yidinji people (Cairns).

She has more than 20 years' experience leading strategic community and business development projects in FNQ. She has held senior executive positions across Cape York and the Torres Strait region.

Kirsty is the Chief Executive Officer of the Cape York Institute for Policy, Leadership, and Innovation. She is passionate about improving the health, education and safety of First Nations communities.

She is a member of the Torres Strait Kaziw Meta Boarding College Management Committee, a Director of the Puuya Foundation, Lockhart River and the Girls from Oz Australia. These positions align with Kirsty's passion for building capability in our youth and grass roots program and policy development.

Mr Jason Ramsamy

Mr Jason Ramsamy

AAdvDipProcCtrt, DipProjMgmt, DipMgmt, DipGovt

Appointed: 8 February 2024

Current term: 8 February 2024 to 31 March 2026

Mr Jason Ramsamy is a member of our Board.

Jason is a proud Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander man who grew up in Cairns.

He has more than 20 years' experience in policy and program areas in Queensland, Northern Territory and Commonwealth government agencies.

Jason has worked to conserve, protect and manage country in the environment and social services sectors. He also has experience in procurement and contract management, and project management. He is a qualified boilermaker.

He is currently the Director for the Traditional Use Marine Resources Agreements (TURMAs) with the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park Authority in Cairns.

Last updated: March 2024