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.

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.

Rachael is a lawyer and is currently the Corporate Counsel of a government statutory authority. Over the years, Rachael has provided advice both in the private sector and government sector on legal and governance issues. In addition, Rachael has significant experience in developing and implementing regulatory frameworks and in consulting with and supporting stakeholders, both locally and nationally, in major business change initiatives. Rachael has previously served on the CFWA Board, first joining in 2006, and is the parent of a child with CF.

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 Advisory Board, for Curtin University. Sally was recently accepted into the 2020 Director Pipeline Program, conducted through the Australian Institute of Company Directors (AICD). This program is an initiative aimed at providing development opportunities for around 40 emerging women leaders annually. Sally holds a Bachelor of Business Degree, Double Major in Accounting and Finance, is a fellow Chartered Accountant (CA) and Chartered Secretaries Australia (CSA). Sally Joined the Board of CFWA in October 2020.

Feliciano is an executive level engineer with experience in project delivery and business management. Feliciano has experience in managing company business units and project delivery with engineering companies, resource companies and public utilities as well as reporting to boards of management. Feliciano joined the Board of CFWA in 2006 and held the position of President from 2008-2012 and vice President from 2012-14. He is currently serving on the Board of CFA as a special skills Director and is a parent of a child with CF.

Kenny has been in the oil and gas industry for the last 33 years at an executive level and in the later stages he has worked as an independent consultant. Kenny is also the founder of a new start-up which is focussed on the challenges of reducing our carbon footprint in our day to day activities. Kenny brings to CFWA his experience from a business development and strategic perspective having worked on opportunities around the world where he had the opportunity to meet and work with many stakeholders. Kenny joined the CFWA board in August 2019.

A highly qualified practitioner holding advanced qualifications in Business Administration and Law, Damien is a turnaround practitioner, qualified fraud examiner and an accredited mediator registered with the Law Society of Western Australia with 15 years of professional practice experience. Damien synthesizes a deep understanding of the accounting, legal, financial and business aspects of corporate distress, with a proven track record of executing insolvency files that set precedent and case law. Damien has worked across all Australian jurisdictions (including Indigenous corporations for the Office of the Registrar of Indigenous Corporations) as well as conducted a number of in depth fraud investigations for the Office of Fair Trading (QLD). His professional portfolio spans SME, institutional and ASX-listed entities.

Jude is the founder and Managing Director of Optimal Resourcing. She is a workforce of the future specialist, with lived experience leading remote, global, multi-cultural and outsourced teams. As a senior leader with a proven track record in implementing complex organisational transformation and change, Jude focuses on helping businesses design and review their workforce models to maximise value. Workforce Transition: Through her previous experience in the global resources sector, Jude has championed, implemented and managed various cycles of in-house, outsource, centralise, decentralise, offshore, onshore, insource, remote and local service delivery models; and understands in-depth, what it takes to transition to and maintain success in any version of these workforce configurations. Jude Joined the Board of CFWA in October 2020.