Our Board

Damien 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.

Marija is a dynamic and purpose-driven Non-Executive Director with over 20 years’ executive and board-level experience across the not-for-profit, health, aged care and government sectors. Marija has a proven track record of delivering strategic transformation, governance reform, and workforce capability uplift in complex, people-centred organisations. With deep expertise in all things people, Marija is an advocate for care, connection, and courageous leadership, with a strong commitment to community service, social equity, and system-wide impact.

Linda is a Chartered Accountant with 18 years’ experience in advisory, audit and restructuring in both Australia and the UK. Linda is a Partner 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.

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.

Steffan 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. Steffan is currently the CEO of Evaris Pharma, a Perth-headquartered pharmaceutical company focussed on vital specialty medicines for hospitals across Australia and New Zealand. He also has experience leading the provision of health services, having been the CEO of a business 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.

Ingrid is a respiratory research scientist 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 Kids Research Institute Australia. She has previous governance and board experience as 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.

Sally joined the CFWA board in October 2020 and served as both Treasurer and Vice president during this time. Sally is an accounting and finance professional with more than 20 years’ experience. Sally has held senior leadership roles in large listed and global companies, both locally and internationally. She is currently the Chief Financial Officer at Azure Capital, a leading Australian corporate advisory firm. 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.

Laura is a Chartered Accountant with 16 years’ experience in audit and assurance. Laura is a Partner at KPMG, leading clients through complex accounting, reporting and governance matters. Laura has worked in assurance and advisory roles in serving large and small multinational businesses in public, private and not-for-profit sectors and across numerous industries. Laura holds a Commerce degree, is a qualified Chartered Accountant (member of Chartered Accountants Australia & New Zealand) and a Registered Company Auditor. Laura has family connections (through marriage) to Cystic Fibrosis and values the role organisations like CFWA play to the community. Laura joined the Board of CFWA in June 2025.

Craig Spangler is a corporate development professional with extensive experience across a variety of industries including healthcare. He is currently General Manager Corporate Finance and Property at St John of God Healthcare having previously held similar roles at HBF health insurance and Bupa Australia & New Zealand. Craig is a graduate of the Australian Institute of Company Directors and qualifications include bachelors of economics and finance and a graduate diploma in applied finance and valuation. He is on the board of Raise Your Hands a health promotion charity focused on advancing the prevention and treatment of diseases and injuries affecting the wrist, hand, and upper limb.

Kate Bingemann is a trained Registered Nurse with a Bachelor of Science and a Master of Business Administration (MBA), bringing 20 years of experience across the healthcare industry. Her career spans both clinical and executive roles, allowing her to bridge frontline care with strategic business leadership. Kate’s professional journey includes roles in business development at The Kids Research Institute Australia and as the WA Corporate Business Manager for Baxter Healthcare. She has successfully led contract, tender, and grant negotiations in both public and private sectors, with a consistent focus on improving healthcare delivery and outcomes in Western Australia. Passionate about sustainable, patient-centered healthcare, Kate is committed to integrating clinical insight with operational strategy.