Our Board

Prof Brett Heyward comes to the role of Chair of the Wide Bay Hospital and Health Service after more than 30 years’ experience in senior leadership, governance and public sector reform. He is committed to supporting the delivery of safe, high-quality and accessible healthcare for the communities of the Wide Bay region.

Brett has worked across government, higher education and consultancy, and he is known for his strong focus on improving service delivery, organisational performance and community outcomes. He is a Graduate of the Australian Institute of Company Directors (GAICD) and brings expertise in governance, risk oversight and strategic leadership in complex service environments.

In addition to his governance roles, Brett is an Industry Professor in the Business School of the University of Queensland, specialising in leadership development and organisational effectiveness. His research and teaching interests have a strong focus on regional economic and community development, reflecting his ongoing commitment to strengthening regional and rural communities.

Brett is passionate about working with clinicians, staff and the community to ensure health services are responsive, equitable and sustainable, with a strong focus on access, safety and continuous improvement.

Brett is also Chair of the Wide Bay Hospital and Health Service Board Executive Committee and a Member of the Board Audit & Risk Committee, Board Finance Committee and the Board Safety & Quality Committee.

Emeritus Professor Helen Huntly OAM

EdD, MEdStd, BEd, DipTeach, GAICD

First appointment: 01 April 2024
Current term: 01 April 2026 - 31 March 2028

Emeritus Professor Helen Huntly OAM served in various university executive roles throughout her career in Tertiary Education, including Vice President (Academic), Deputy Vice Chancellor (VET) and Dean of the School of Education & the Arts at CQUniversity.

In 2022, Helen was appointed a Principal Fellow of internationally recognised Advance HE, after which she was invited as a member of the organisation’s Australasian Strategic Advisory Board.

Helen has undertaken leadership roles such as the Chair of the Queensland Deans of Education Forum and Deputy President of the Australian Council of Deans of Education (ACDE).

As well as a life (and founding) member of the Bundaberg YMCA, Helen was a long-term Board Director for IMPACT: Community Services. These community-based roles consolidated her commitment to supporting the provision of high-quality services for regional, rural and remote communities, with her focus now on equitable and inclusive health care in the Wide Bay region.

Helen is also Chair of the Wide Bay Hospital and Health Service Board Audit & Risk Committee and a Member of the Board Safety & Quality Committee and the Board Executive Committee.

Dr Fiona Baker

BMus, MBBS, MMed, GCAG, JCCA, AFRACMA, FARGP, FRACGP, FACEM

First appointment: 01 April 2026
Current term: 01 April 2026 - 31 March 2030

Dr Fiona Baker is the Clinical Director of Integrated Care and an Emergency Staff Specialist in the Fraser Coast.  Within the Healthcare Improvement Unit (Clinical Excellence Queensland), Fiona is the Chair of the Queensland Dementia Ageing and Frailty Clinical Network (QDAF) and the medical clinical lead for the statewide GEMHITH / GEMRHITH Project (Geriatric Evaluation and Management / Rehabilitation Hospital in the Home).

In addition to being a Fellow of the Australasian College of Emergency Medicine, Fiona holds fellowships in General Practice, Advanced Rural General Practice and is an Associate Fellow of the College of Medical Administrators. She is committed to advancing high-quality, consumer‑centred healthcare and improving systems to better support patients and their families.

Fiona is also a Member of the Wide Bay Hospital and Health Service Board Finance Committee, Board Executive Committee and the Board Safety & Quality Committee.

Mr Peter Hawe

BBus (Acc), GAICD, FCPA, JP(Qual)

First appointment: 01 April 2026
Current term: 01 April 2026 - 31 March 2030

Peter is a highly experienced director and senior executive, with more than 25 years as a director and over a decade as a company secretary.  He is a Graduate member of the AICD and a Fellow of CPA Australia, and his extensive career in the sugar industry spans more than 40 years, including roles in rural, regional, and international settings.

Peter’s expertise encompasses strong governance, board accountabilities, risk management, compliance, community engagement, and the development of collaborative partnerships.  His broad knowledge ensures he brings valuable insight to every organisation he works with.

Currently, Peter acts as Director and Chair of Bridges Health and Community Care, which is a respected provider of mental health, drug and alcohol rehabilitation services for the Wide Bay and Fraser Coast communities, and as a member of the Partners in Care Together Board. Peter’s recent executive position was as Chief Executive Officer of Isis Central Sugar Milling Company, and he has also served as a Director for Bundaberg Sugar Ltd, Queensland Sugar Limited and Australian Sugar Manufacturers.

A strong advocate for inclusion and diversity, Peter is committed to using his skills to help Wide Bay Hospital and Health Service meet its strategic goals and deliver quality healthcare across the region.

Peter is also a Member of the Wide Bay Hospital and Health Service Board Audit & Risk Committee and the Board Safety & Quality Committee.

Ms Kirsti Kee

Dip T, M Ed(Admin).

First appointment: 1 July 2024
Current term: 1 April 2026 - 31 March 2030

Kirsti brings to the Wide Bay Hospital and Health Board extensive human resource management and corporate governance experience as a senior executive working in the Education sector.  Kirsti has volunteered her time to a number of community based organisations covering her areas of interest – education; community development and social support.

In her role as Regional Executive Director of Education for Wide Bay Burnett, Kirsti developed a strong interest in the provision of services in regional and rural Queensland and actively promotes this through her current voluntary endeavours.  She believes keenly in the importance of listening to the experiences of the consumers of services.

Kirsti holds a Bachelor of Arts and Masters of Educational Administration.

Kirsti is also a Member of the Wide Bay Hospital and Health Service Board Finance Committee and the Board Audit & Risk Committee.

Mr Stevan Ober

Dip Health Sci, DipBus, Dip Ldrship & Mgt, National Medal for Service (NM), Medal of the Order of Australia (OAM)

First appointment: 01 April 2024
Current term: 01 April 2024 - 31 March 2028

Stevan is the Chief Executive Officer of Galangoor Duwalami Primary Health Care Service in Fraser Coast. He has over 25 years’ experience in Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Health in both the Queensland Government, and in the community control sector.

Stevan is a Board Director of the Queensland Aboriginal Islander Health Council, a member of the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Community Advisory Council (Wide Bay Hospital Health Service), a former member of the St Stephen’s Private Hospital Advisory Committee and a former member of the Statewide Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Alcohol and Drug Committee.

He is also a current serving member of Marine Rescue Queensland (Hervey Bay) and has been awarded the National Medal for Service (NM) from the Governor-General of Australia for over 15 years of continuous service.

Stevan is also Chair of the Wide Bay Hospital and Health Service Board Safety & Quality Committee and a Member of the Board Executive Committee and the Board Finance Committee.

Mrs Leanne Rudd

BBus, FCPA, DipFinPlan GAICD  JP

First appointment: 01 April 2024
Current term: 01 April 2024 - 31 March 2028

Leanne is a highly experienced Non-Executive Director and finance professional with more than 20 years of board and committee experience across the government, private and not-for-profit sectors. She brings extensive expertise in financial oversight, governance, risk management, strategic planning, taxation, wealth management and business advisory, supported by more than 30 years in public practice.

Leanne is the Director of Frontgate Advisory, a business advisory, accounting and financial services firm she founded. Through this role, she has advised small to medium enterprises across a range of industries, with particular depth in regional and agribusiness sectors, supporting long-term sustainability, succession planning and informed strategic decision-making.

She currently serves as Chair of Impact Community Services, Board Member and Chair of the Audit and Risk Committee of Rural Solutions Queensland and a Board Member of Impact Community Academy.  Her passion for community development and healthcare improvements in regional, rural, and remote areas stems from her upbringing in the region.

Leanne is a Fellow of CPA Australia, a graduate of the Australian Institute of Company Directors, and holds a Bachelor of Business and a Diploma of Financial Planning. She is recognised for her sound judgement, commercial acumen and strong commitment to effective governance, financial stewardship and improved outcomes for regional communities and organisations.

Leanne is also Chair of the Wide Bay Hospital and Health Service Board Finance Committee and a Member of the Board Executive Committee and the Board Safety & Quality Committee.

With over 20 years’ experience in the community sector and more than a decade in executive leadership, Tanya has driven initiatives that improve health and wellbeing outcomes through place-based, preventative approaches. Tanya is currently the Chief Executive Officer of the Hervey Bay Neighbourhood Centre (HBNC), where she has led significant growth in community-based services, social innovation, and integrated support models for vulnerable populations.

Tanya holds a Bachelor of Psychology and a Master of Education, bringing a strong understanding of human behaviour, learning, and community engagement to her leadership. She is particularly passionate about addressing social isolation, strengthening social capital, and supporting community-led responses to complex health and social challenges.

A long-term Fraser Coast resident, Tanya is committed to cross-sector partnerships and collaborative approaches that enhance health equity and improve outcomes for individuals, families, and communities. Her contributions have been recognised through several awards, including Fraser Coast Young Businessperson of the Year (2012), University of Southern Queensland Young Alumni of the Year (2013), and as a finalist in the Queensland Council of Social Service Frontline Hero Award (2022).

Tanya is also a Member of the Wide Bay Hospital and Health Service Board Audit & Risk Committee and the Board Safety & Quality Committee.

Jade Wellings brings experience in business leadership, governance and strategic planning across both the private and public sectors.

Jade is an executive within a family-owned group of hospitality and accommodation businesses and has held senior roles supporting business growth, property development and operations across multiple jurisdictions. Her areas of focus include human resources, organisational culture, marketing, governance, compliance, stakeholder engagement and community engagement.

Jade previously served as an elected Councillor with the Fraser Coast Regional Council, where she contributed to strategic direction, policy development and organisational oversight, including the operational and capital budget and the organisation’s long-term sustainability.

Jade is a long standing active member of the committee for the annual Mother’s Day Classic in Hervey Bay, which attracts around 500 participants each year and raises more than $20,000 annually for breast and ovarian cancer research. She is committed to her community and is passionate about contributing to positive outcomes across her local area and the wider region.

Jade holds a Bachelor of Business Management from the University of Queensland and is a Graduate of the Australian Institute of Company Directors, where she was awarded an Order of Merit for her efforts.

Jade is also a Member of the Wide Bay Hospital and Health Service Board Audit & Risk Committee and the Board Finance Committee.