Meeting the needs of companion animals - Australia CAN

Meet our Directors

Melissa Penn

MD, Sydney Dogs & Cats Home
President, New South Wales delegate

Melissa is the General Manager of Sydney Dogs & Cats Home, previously the Vice President of their Board, and committed supporter and volunteer with the home for over 20 years.

 

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Melissa has over 25 years’ experience in Operations & General Management, Project & Change Management and Leadership & Governance. Passionate about Animal Welfare & Leadership, Melissa is excited to be joining SDCH to support them to succeed through challenging periods of change. 

Dr Megan Alessandrini

Board Director, Dogs’ Homes of Tasmania
Vice President, Tasmanian delegate

Megan has a keen and long-standing interest in animal ethics, assisting in the development of our Positive Ageing in the Company of Animals Project and attending the 2015 Roundtable on Animal Welfare in Canberra.

 

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A member of the Dogs’ Home of Tasmania board for 12 years and our board since 2010, she lives in Hobart and works as a senior lecturer in politics and policy at the University of Tasmania. 

Sue Hedley

OAM
Founder, SAFE Inc (Saving Animals From Euthanasia)
West Australia delegate

Sue previously worked primarily in human services, driving towards de-institutionalising care in the welfare sector.

 

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It was a natural progression to champion the foster care model in animal welfare as the best means to achieve zero euthanasia for re-homable pets. Sue established SAFE Karratha in 2003 and the organisation is now a large network of branches, volunteers and supporters across Western Australia. 

Sam Jacklin

CEO, Animal Welfare League Queensland
Queensland delegate

Sam has a wealth of experience across both the not-for-profit and corporate sectors in the UK and Australia, including extensive work within the animal welfare sector across South Australia and Queensland.

 

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With a proven track record in strategic transformation, financial management, stakeholder engagement, and driving organisational growth, Sam is deeply committed to supporting animals and the community. She lives on the Gold Coast along with her Beagle Digby and foster fail cat Checkers who thinks he’s a dog!  

Mark Wild

CEO, Dogs' Homes of Tasmania
Treasurer, Tasmania delegate

Mark has extensive experience across the NFP and corporate sectors with a keen interest in strategy, governance and business excellence, and is valued for his management and leadership skills. Mark is passionate about animal welfare and advocating for businesses across the NFP sector.

 
 

Jane Donnelly

VP Board of Directors, Animal Welfare League Queensland
Queensland delegate

Jane is an experienced and energetic Director with a demonstrated history of leadership within the Financial Services and Telecommunications Sectors.

 

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The ability to navigate strategic shifts has been a core thread throughout a diverse career in sales, management and transformational turnaround within large International and Australian organisations. She is passionate about , customer experience, strategy and elevating organisational performance and culture to thrive in times of competition and reform. Jane has a deep experience in retail management, project leadership and change acceleration programs. Jane has been involved with the Telstra Womens Awards and Telstra Business Awards as a judge 2016-2018 and an active board member on several Not for Profit Boards . Jane is passionate about community and social causes and has been a long standing supporter of the Animal Welfare League Qld Jane is married with 1 daughter, 4 grandchildren and lives on the Gold Coast Qld. 

Frances Mirabelli

GAICD
CEO, Lort Smith
Victoria delegate

Frances joined Lort Smith as CEO in September 2024 with a wealth of experience leading several not-for-profit (NFP) organisations in the veterinary and health sectors.

 

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Before joining Lort Smith, she was the Interim CEO of the Veterinary Practitioners Board of Victoria. She has also held the position of CEO at the Australian Psychological Society, AMA Victoria, and Mayflower Group.  Frances has strong skills in strategy development, communication and stakeholder management. She holds a Bachelor of Applied Science, Masters from Monash University in Business Administration and is a graduate of the AICD. Frances has two beloved rescue dogs, Alfie and Charlie. 

Samantha Bing

Board Director, SAFE Inc (Saving Animals From Euthanasia)
Secretary, West Australia delegate

Samantha is an dedicated and energetic not for profit leader, currently working in the human services sector, specifically disability and homelessness. She became a Board Director of SAFE Inc in 2023 after the loss of her rescue dog and has found a deep passion in spending her time supporting the mission of rehoming companion animals.

 
 

Imagine a future where every dog and cat is safe and wanted - Australia CAN

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