Our Board

John Rothwell has played a major role in the development of the Australian aluminium shipbuilding industry and is a Founding Director of Austal Ships. In January 2004, John Rothwell was appointed an Officer of the Order of Australia for services to the Australian shipbuilding industry through the development of trade links and for significant contributions to vocational education and training. In March 2010 John accepted the role of Patron of Cystic Fibrosis WA (CFWA), taking over from Harold Clough who retired in 2008. John has been a major financial contributor to cystic fibrosis (CF) research and continues to provide sound mentoring and advice to the organisation despite having no direct connection to CF.

Damien O’Reilly was appointed Board President in June 2022, having served on the Board since September 2019. Damien brings valuable insight from diverse experience in business strategy and governance, compliance and regulatory management, and accounting and financial management. Currently a Senior Manager with Herbert Smith Freehills, Damien successfully leads transformation initiatives for global and national businesses. His role involves overseeing large and complex business transactions and programs, which enable Damien to stay abreast of emerging business challenges and risks. Damien is a fellow of the Governance Institute of Australia and a member of the Australian Institute of Company Directors. He is also a member of the Business Law section of the Law Council of Australia, the Association of Certified Fraud Examiners, Turnaround Management Association and Insol International. His qualifications include a Bachelor of Commerce, MBA and a Juris Doctor, as well as post graduate qualifications in financial analysis and investigation, mediation/dispute resolution and insolvency.

Sally Rose was appointed Board Treasurer in February 2021 and Board Vice President in June 2022, having served on the Board since October 2020. Sally is an accounting and finance professional with more than 18 years’ experience. Formally a Senior Manager with Ernst & Young (EY) Sally worked in Perth, New York and Toronto. Sally is currently the Group Financial Controller of ASX listed Australian Finance Group Ltd (AFG), Outside of this role, Sally is currently on the Curtin School of Accounting, Economics and Finance - Accounting Discipline Advisory Panel, for Curtin University. Sally holds a Bachelor of Business Degree, Double Major in Accounting and Finance and is a qualified Chartered Accountant (CA), Chartered Secretary (CSA) and Australian Institute of Company Directors (AICD) graduate.

Carolyn has over 40 years’ experience with CF, having been diagnosed with CF in 1971 and undergoing a successful double lung transplant in 1994. Carolyn works as a Personal Assistant for an Associate Clinical Professor of Endocrinology, and for a Doctor of Immunology. She joined the Board of CFWA in 2010 being elected as Vice President in 2017. Carolyn is a regular speaker and advocate for people living with CF and a tireless fundraiser. Carolyn was elected as President in 2018.

Rowena is a master’s qualified Human Resources professional with 19 years’ experience in strategic HR. She also holds a Bachelor of Psychology. Her background is in talent strategy, workplace culture, employer brand development and performance optimisation. She spent more than 15 years abroad, living in the UAE and working across 6 continents, before returning home to Australia in 2021, where she is currently a senior consultant. She supports global brands with workplace transformation goals and is passionate about developing future focussed workforce strategies and authentic employer brand identities. She has strong ties to the CF community as the aunt of a young niece living with cystic fibrosis. She joined the Board of CFWA in October 2021.

Linda is a Chartered Accountant with 18 years’ experience in advisory, audit and restructuring in both Australia and the UK. Linda is a Director at advisory and restructuring firm, McGrathNicol, with extensive experience in leading complex restructuring and investigation matters, working with directors and lenders to assist businesses in distress. Linda holds an Honours Degree in Finance and Marketing, is a qualified Chartered Accountant (being a professional member of Chartered Accountants Australia and New Zealand and the Institute of Chartered Accountants Scotland) and member of the Australian Restructuring Insolvency and Turnaround Association. She has previous governance and board experience being the Treasurer for a not-for-profit organisation for several years. Linda has family connections to CF and is passionate about lung health and chronic respiratory conditions having bronchiectasis. Linda joined the Board of CFWA in September 2022.

Steffan Crausaz has spent his career in health working to improve access to medicines and health services. Originally qualified as a pharmacist in the UK, Steffan subsequently achieved advanced degrees in health technology assessment and in business. He has worked hands on with the evaluation of new medicines for Government funding, ultimately becoming the CEO of the Pharmaceutical Management Agency in New Zealand, running the equivalent of the PBS. Most recently Steffan has been the CEO of a health care network which owns and operates 50 General Practices and associated support services. Steffan is an experienced director with other directorships including a listed health services company, and is a graduate of the Australian Institute of Company Directors. Steffan was appointed to the CFWA Board in June 2023.

Marija is an experienced executive with a passion for healthcare and community organisations. She has over 20 years of experience in providing human resources, operational and strategic advice across a variety of industries in WA. With strong business acumen, Marija brings expertise in organisational development, stakeholder management, and mergers and acquisitions. Currently with Ramsay Healthcare Australia, Marija provides support and direction on all things people and business. Marija’s energy for change and excellence sees her building high performing teams and fostering a culture of innovation in all that she does. In her spare time, she is also a mum of 3 boys, a leadership mentor and coach for organisations such as WA Police and Curtin University whilst actively contributing to leadership conversations on a national and state-wide level with cross-sectoral participation, such as The West Australian CEO Voice series.

Ingrid Laing is a respiratory research scientist and a consumer advocate, who lives with cystic fibrosis. Ingrid has a Bachelor of Science and a doctorate in paediatric respiratory research and her professional focus has been on children’s asthma; and she leads a team of scientists and PhD students at the Telethon Kids Institute. She has previous governance and board experience as she was a member of the Thoracic Society of Australia and New Zealand board for 4 years. Ingrid has a strong connection to CFWA, with her parents being founding members and Ingrid herself having previously served on the Board. Ingrid is both a lung and kidney transplant recipient She is passionate about ensuring that CFWA remains a vibrant and supportive association for all its members. Ingrid joined the Board of CFWA in June 2023.