Mr Paul Bell (Chair)

Mr Paul Bell (Chair)

BBus Admin

First appointed: 25 September 2015
Current term: 18 May 2020 – 31 March 2024

As well as being the Chair of our Board, Paul also holds the following positions:

  • Chair,  Central Highlands Healthcare Ltd Board
  • Chair, Queensland Local Government Grants Commission
  • Chair, Central Highlands Community Services.
  • Paul has a long history of board leadership in the health, energy, rail, superannuation and community service sectors.

He has a strong belief in the public sector and its ability to deliver, given the right leadership and clear objectives.

Paul was awarded the Order of Australia, General Division in 2005, and is a Member of the Australian Institute of Company Directors.

Dr Lisa Caffery (Deputy Chair)

Dr Lisa Caffery (Deputy Chair)

PhD, MAPR, GCB, BA, GAICD

First appointed: 18 May 2016
Current term: 10 June 2021 – 31 March 2024

Lisa is a non-executive director and business owner with strong governance, engagement, strategy and corporate social responsibility experience gained over 25 years. She has worked across the health, higher education, resource, and government sectors in regional Queensland.

Lisa is based in Emerald. She is the founder and managing director of a small Environment Social Governance advisory firm. She is a social researcher who specialises in stakeholder relations, social impact and performance-led strategy development.

Lisa is the Deputy Chair of our board and also holds the following positions:

  • Chair, Sunwater Ltd Board
  • Deputy Chair, CQShines Foundation.

She has undergraduate and postgraduate qualifications in communications and a PhD with a research focus on rural health equity and social impact.

Lisa is also a graduate of the Australian Institute of Company Directors course.

Professor Fiona Coulson

Professor Fiona Coulson

BSc (Hons) PhD (Pharmacology)

First appointed: 18 May 2020
Current term: 18 May 2020 - 31 March 2024

Fiona has a background as a university teacher and researcher, primarily in medical science and pharmacology. She is currently Pro Vice-Chancellor Education Strategy at Charles Darwin University, following 18 years in Central Queensland working with The University of Queensland and CQUniversity.

Fiona grew up in small towns across outback Queensland. This makes her a powerful advocate for training, education and research in regional Australian communities.

As a university leader, Fiona has been responsible for the development and delivery of a wide range of undergraduate and postgraduate courses in the health and medical sciences across Queensland.

This has included the establishment of the Regional Medical Pathway, a collaboration between Central Queensland Hospital and Health Service, Wide Bay Hospital and Health Service, The University of Queensland and CQUniversity.

The Regional Medical Pathway allows medical students to study, train and practice in Central Queensland and Wide Bay – helping to secure long term, locally trained medical workforces for the regions.

Dr Poya Sobhanian

Dr Poya Sobhanian

BDSc (UQ), GAICD

First appointed: 18 May 2016
Current term: 18 May 2021 – 31 March 2024

As well as being a member of our board, Poya is also Chair of the CQHHS Audit and Risk Committee.

Having a special interest in audit and risk, Poya has served on multiple audit committees across different fields, including in local Government at Gladstone Regional Council, and in natural resources (water) at the Gladstone Area Water Board.

During his time as a local government Councillor, Poya was Chair of the Commercial Services Committee which had oversight of Council businesses such as water, the airport and the Entertainment Centre.

Poya is a graduate of the Australian Institute of Company Directors.

He is also a University of Queensland (UQ) trained dentist, and is affectionately known by his patients as "Dr PJ". He did his University placements in Rockhampton, Yeppoon and Emerald public hospitals.

Poya is driven by his passion for a healthier Queensland.

Ms Michelle Webster

Ms Michelle Webster

BCom, GAICD

First appointed: 1 April 2022
Current term: 1 April 2022 – 31 March 2026

As well as a being a member of our board, Michelle holds the following positions:

  • Interim Chief Executive Officer Hinchinbrook Shire Council
  • Member, CQHHS Finance and Performance Committee
  • Member, CQHHS Risk and Audit Committee
  • Member, CQHHS Investment, Research and Planning Committee.

Michelle has over 30 years’ experience working in local government, including senior executive roles with Central Highlands Regional Council.

Having lived and worked in Central Queensland for many years has given her a good understanding of the benefits and challenges our communities face living in rural and remote areas.

Michelle has also managed a number of commercial and housing portfolios, including Emerald Airport, Saleyards, Quarries, Property Acquisitions and Disposals.

She understands the importance of service provision to the community having been responsible for the delivery of extensive capital works programs.

Michelle has qualifications in accounting, leadership, project management and planning, and is a graduate and member of the Australian Institute of Company Directors.

Ms Tina Zawila

Ms Tina Zawila

CA, GAICD, BBus(Acct) CQU, GradDipFinPlan Kaplan, FIML

First appointed: 18 May 2019
Current term: 1 April 2022 – 31 March 2026

As well as being a member of our board, Tina holds the following positions:

  • Non-Executive Director, Gladstone Area Water Board
  • Non-Executive Director, Gladstone Airport Corporation
  • Chair, CQHHS Finance and Performance Committee
  • Chair, GAC Finance and Audit Committee
  • Member, GAC Nominations, Remuneration and Human Resources Committee
  • Member, GAWB Audit and Risk Committee.

Tina is a chartered accountant, business advisor and professional director with over 35 years’ experience in the finance industry. She's also a director of a public practice accounting firm in Gladstone.

She sits on several local not-for-profit boards including Gladstone Area Group Apprentices Limited and Yaralla Sports Club.

Tina is a graduate of the Australian Institute of Company Directors course and is a Fellow of the Institute of Managers and Leaders.

Ms Leann Wilson

Ms Leann Wilson

First appointed: 18 May 2019
Current term: 1 April 2022 – 31 March 2026

Leann sits on a number of state and national boards and holds the following positions:

  • Managing Director, Regional Economic Solutions (RES)
  • Non-Executive Director, Aboriginal Hostels Limited Board
  • Non-Executive Director and Deputy Chair, The Healing Foundation
  • Non-Executive Director, Gallang Place
  • Non-Executive Director, Australian Rugby League Indigenous Council
  • Non-Executive Director, Timber Queensland.

Regional Economic Solutions (RES), is a majority Indigenous owned business in partnership with the global engineering and project management company Ausenco.

As the Managing Director of RES, Leann's focus is to identify opportunities to connect local businesses and employment into project supply chains. She supports business, government and Indigenous groups to create sustainable economic and social development outcomes.

In 2016, in recognition of her influence, Leann received the Premier’s Reconciliation Award. She also joined the Australian Government and attended the 61st Commission on the Status of Women held in New York in 2017 as a non-government representative.

Leann was recognised by the Financial Review as one of the top 100 women of influence in 2019.

Mr Matthew Cooke

Mr Matthew Cooke

First appointed: 18 May 2019
Current term: 1 April 2022 – 31 March 2026

Matthew is a proud Aboriginal and South Sea Islander from the Bailai (Byellee) people in Gladstone, Central Queensland.

As well as being a member of our board, he's also the CEO of Gladstone Region Aboriginal and Islander Community Controlled Health Service Limited t/a Nhulundu Health Service.

Matthew's actively involved in all aspects of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander affairs at national, state, regional and local levels. He's spent over 10 years serving the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Community Controlled Health Sector in Director and CEO roles.

Matthew was named Young Leader in Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Health in 2007, and received the Deadly Vibe Young Leader Award in 2008.

In 2011 he received the Australian Institute of Management 2011 Young Manager of the Year Award – Gladstone.

Matthew is a member of the Australian Institute of Company Directors.

Mr John Abbott

Mr John Abbott

B.Eng, LLB, RPEQ, CPEng, FIEAust, MAICD

First appointed: 18 May 2021
Current term: 18 May 2021 – 31 March 2024

John has over 40 years executive experience in company leadership and governance across a wide range of industries.

As well as being a member of our board, he also holds the following positions:

  • Chairman, Queensland Pacific Metals Ltd
  • Deputy Chairman, Regional Development Australia (Central and Western Queensland).

John was awarded Member of the Order of Australia in recognition of his contribution to education, regional development and to the resources Industry. Following the end of his term as Chancellor, Central Queensland University, he has been appointed as an Emeritus Chancellor in recognition of his contribution to the University.

John is a Fellow of the Institution of Engineers Australia.

Last updated: July 2023