The Brain Cancer Collective
The Brain Cancer Collective (BCC) was established in 2018 as the fundraising arm of Brain Cancer Biobanking Australia (BCBA) with the objective of raising funds to build Australia’s capacity for brain cancer research.
BCC Founder, Robyn Leonard, is a passionate consumer advocate who lost her 34 year old daughter, Lucie, to brain cancer. Robyn is also the Founder of BCBA, which she established in 2015 with the help of leading brain cancer clinicians and researchers across the country.
BCC is a response to the lack of funding available to support research platforms such as BCBA, tasked with enabling transformational brain cancer research. For more information CLICK HERE.
BCC is a registered health charity with full Deductible Gift Recipient (DGR) status, governed by a Board of Directors.
Directors
Prof. Michael Besser AM
Chair
Michael is a consultant neurosurgeon at Royal Prince Alfred Hospital (RPA) and the Children’s Hospital Sydney. He is a clinical professor at the University of Sydney and lectures in surgical anatomy. Michael was formerly the Head of the Department of Neurosurgery RPA, Chairman of the Institute of Clinical Neurosciences, Chairman Neurosurgical Board, President Neurosurgical Society of Australasia and Examiner in Neurosurgery RACS. Michael is a triathlon enthusiast and has represented Australia at eight triathlon world championships in standard, long course and ironman events.
Robyn Leonard OAM
Founding Director
Robyn has been an active brain cancer consumer advocate for over 12 years. Her diverse background includes qualifications in landscape architecture, horticulture, general nursing and midwifery, as well as many years working in the media as a television producer. Robyn is the founder of BCC and BCBA. She currently sits on the Cooperative Trials Group for Neuro-Oncology (COGNO) International Clinical Research Committee and was an inaugural member of the Australian Brain Cancer Mission Strategic Advisory Group.
Sharon Bell
Director
Sharon is General Manager HR at CBA with over 20 years senior leadership experience in human resources both within Australia and internationally. She has an MBA from the University of Queensland and is a qualified executive coach. Sharon has a proven track record in business partnering and managing national and global teams to achieve results. She is an active member of the Australian Institute of Company Directors with a keen interest in philanthropic work.
Andrew Boak
Director
Andrew is Chief Economist (Australia and New Zealand) for Goldman Sachs, where he has worked since 2007. Andrew previously held roles at the Reserve Bank of Australia, United Nations, and NSW Treasury, is a Chartered Financial Analyst, and holds a Master of Economics from Sydney University. Andrew is a former school friend of Lucie Leonard – the inspiration for Brain Cancer Biobanking Australia.
Robert Bogdanoski
Director
Robert is Principal, Elucidate Accounting & Tax, a boutique tax practice he established in 2004 after many years of tax and accounting experience in a broad range of industries. Robert is a Chartered Accountant, has a Bachelor of Commerce (Accounting) from University of Western Sydney and is a Registered Tax Agent.
James Stanton
Director
James is a risk, regulatory and advisory lawyer at MinterEllison, with experience working with corporates, directors, government, and charitable entities. He has assisted on Royal Commissions, worked together with Australian regulators, and held in-house legal roles with several local and multinational financial institutions addressing internal and external compliance, regulatory and legal affairs. His passion for charitable institutions and medical research goes hand in hand with his ancillary role working as a senior community investment lawyer.
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