Centre staff and post-grads

Professor Myles McGregor-Lowndes

Director

Professor Myles McGregor-Lowndes OAM is the Director of The Australian Centre of Philanthropy and Nonprofit Studies (CPNS). Myles' special research interest is the law, regulation and taxation of nonprofit corporations. He has advised and held board positions in a large variety of nonprofit organisations over a period of twenty-five years. He is a consultant to McCullough Robertson Lawyers engaged solely in high level legal and taxation advice to large national and international nonprofit organisations.

He is also a member of the ATO Charities Consultative Committee and advisor to the Board of Taxation. He is presently a Governor of the Queensland Community Foundation and member of the Community Gaming Benefit Fund which distributes up to $35m annually to community organisations. In June 2003, Myles was awarded a Medal of the Order of Australia (OAM) “For service to the community by providing education and support in legal, financial and administrative matters to nonprofit organisations.”

Links with sector: Queensland Law Society, National Law Institute, Fundraising Institute - Australia, Founding Director - Australian and New Zealand Third Sector Research Limited, Volunteering Australia, International Third Sector Research, Association for Research on Voluntary and Nonprofit Associations, Association for Compliance Professionals of Association Inc.

Dr Jo Barraket

Associate Professor - Social Enterprise/Entrepreneurship

Jo Barraket is an Associate Professor of Social Enterprise/Entrepreneurship. Jo’s focus is on building the capacity of the nonprofit sector to progress innovative and entrepreneurial solutions to social problems. This will include working on developing sustainable and evidence-based models of social enterprise and entrepreneurship, and develop tools for nonprofits to adopt and encourage social enterprise and entrepreneurship.

Jo’s research interests include: network governance at the local level; third sector organisations and social policy; social inclusion and community development. In keeping with her research interests, Jo has recently published a book entitled ‘Strategic issues for the not-for-profit sector’.

Jo holds a PhD in applied sociology from the University of New South Wales, and has worked variously as a policy coordinator, research fellow and academic on postgraduate and undergraduate programs at the University of Technology, Sydney and UNSW.

Dr Cameron Newton

Senior Lecturer

Following completion of a Bachelor of Commerce, Cameron entered the banking and finance industries where he held various management positions within banking and financial services organisations. He worked in the fields of finance and investment consultancy for 9 years before commencing studies in psychology. He completed his PhD in organisational psychology at The University of Queensland focusing on organisational culture, work stressors and employee well-being. Cameron joined The Australian Centre for Philanthropy and Nonprofit Studies in September 2005 and is actively involved in research related to nonprofit organisational culture, identity and effectiveness including volunteer, employee, and nonprofit governance issues. Cameron is also the Subject Area Coordinator for nonprofit studies and lectures in management and governance.

Dr Wendy Scaife

Senior Research Fellow

As a Senior Research Fellow, Wendy (BBusComn, MBusMgt, PhD) researches and lectures in nonprofit management and marketing, fundraising, and corporate social responsibility. Recent team and individual work includes: a project on building a culture of giving in a city; motivations and barriers for high net worth giving; reviewing entry level fundraising training for Australia; the year-long Giving Australia project; work on best practice fundraising in the arts, sport and medical research; as well as benchmarking educational fundraising and looking at education and training needs of nonprofit marketing professionals. Wendy was formerly a state CEO of a major health nonprofit, and its national Deputy CEO. Her Masters thesis focused on corporate sponsorship of community causes and her PhD on improving the marketing and funding for Australian medical research. Wendy is a member of the Fundraising Institute Australia, a Fellow of the Public Relations Institute of Australia and is on the advisory panel of Research Australia Philanthropy.

Dr Kym Madden

Senior Research Fellow

Kym Madden has over 20 years’ experience in communication research and practice, particularly in exploring stakeholder group perspectives and relationship building. She has a PhD in communication and a Masters (Honours) in communication, and has been a senior researcher or consultant to CPNS for eight years.  

Research interests include donor decision-making, giving by the affluent, the role of professional advisers in assisting donors with philanthropy, and giving by businesses.  

Kym has advised a diverse range of leading public and private sector organisations including the Australian Taxation Office and the Prime Minister’s Community Business Partnership.  

She is a Full Member of the Social and Market Research Society of Australia, ARNOVA, and the Australian Institute of Company Directors, and has several years’ experience as a Board member in the nonprofit field.

Dr Gavin Nicholson

Senior Lecturer

Gavin Nicholson BEcon, LLB, MBA (Adv), PhD, AFAIM, FAICD is a Senior Lecturer in the School of Accountancy at QUT and an active director, governance researcher and board consultant. He has provided advice on corporate governance and strategy to listed and large public companies, government owned corporations, statutory authorities, not-for-profit organisations and local government. 

With Professor Geoffrey Kiel he is author of the best selling book Boards That Work: A New Guide for Directors and Board, Director and CEO Evaluation, which was released in November 2004. He is also a co-author of The ASX Corporate Governance Council's Principles: A Compliance Toolkit, a manual for boards seeking to implement the ASX Corporate Governance Principles.

Gavin lectures and develops program materials in the areas of governance policy and practice, board, director and CEO evaluation, and the board and strategy. He is an active speaker on both practical and academic governance issues and has presented his work in Australasia, Africa, Europe and North America. Gavin is a practicing director.

Professor Margaret Steinberg AM

Adjunct Professor

Margaret Steinberg is currently the Community Commissioner of the Health Quality and Complaints Commission. She is a former Commissioner of the Crime and Misconduct Commission and the Police Services Review Commissioner. She holds the position of Adjunct Professor at CPNS where her work has a focus on population ageing and women in philanthropy. Professor Steinberg has undertaken innovative, often pioneering, work on complex, contemporary matters at the intersection of health, education and social policy and services, such as discrimination, HIV/AIDS, telecommunications, mature-age work and ageing. Her work within the international, national and Queensland communities, as well as that of clinician, researcher, teacher and public servant, has covered areas as disparate as: early intervention, disability, discrimination, ageing, un/employment, decision-making incapacity, HIV/AIDS, community care, Indigenous health and education, cultural and linguistic diversity, rural and remote needs and services, population health, telecommunications/telemedicine, nonprofit organisations and philanthropy.

She was formerly Deputy-President of the Guardianship and Administration Tribunal and establishment Director of the Healthy Ageing Unit, School of Population Health, University of Queensland. She has a 40-year history of membership of significant Boards and Councils, with a social justice mandate, which currently include:

• Patron, Life-Long Learning Council of Queensland
• Governor, Queensland Community Foundation
• Director, Hear and Say Inc
• Director, The Centre for Rural and Remote Mental Health
• Board, Business Work and Ageing Centre, Swinburne University of Technology, Vic.

Sharon Newnam

Post-doctoral fellow

Sharon Newnam has completed her Bachelor of Psychology (Honours) at the Queensland University of Technology. She has been working in the area of fleet safety after completing her honours thesis entitled “A comparison of the factors influencing the safety of work-related drivers in a work and personal vehicle.” In collaboration with Dr Will Murray, Sharon was involved in an Australian Transport Safety Bureau project that aimed to evaluate and improve fleet safety in Australia. Sharon has submitted her PhD in the area of fleet safety. The PhD is entitled “Multilevel organisational structure in the management of fleet safety”, which evaluated three fleet safety initiatives and investigated the multi-level organisational structure in the management of fleet safety. Sharon is currently undertaking a position as Postdoctoral Fellow in the Centre of Philanthropy and Nonprofit Studies. The research project is investigating fleet safety in the nonprofit sector.

Harry Zaphir

Executive in Residence

Harry is a well-known personality in the Queensland business and IT community, having joined the Credit Union industry in 1979.  Prior to establishing The System Works Pty Ltd in 1988, Harry held a number of senior management posts in Credit Unions, as well as the major Credit Union IT supplier.  He is currently a non-executive director of a number of IT and associated service companies. Harry holds a degree in politics and computer science from the University of Queensland; is a Fellow of various professional bodies including the Australian Mutuals Institute, the AICD, the AIM and the Royal Society of NSW; and has acted as a chair for various committees and a number of industry-wide appointments.  Areas of interest and specialty include strategic issues for Management and Boards relating to Information and Communication Technologies, Corporate Governance, Management systems, generational change and their application for service delivery to customers, staff and the general public. He is also on the board of directors of Queenslanders Credit Union, where is serves as Deputy Chairman. His most recent publication, The Boss’s Guide to Bright Young Things, is a business book on the recruitment, management and retention of talent.

James Green

Executive in Residence

After taking a Bachelor of Commerce degree specialising in accounting,
James qualified as a solicitor in the United Kingdom and worked in
several large commercial firms.

On arrival in Australia, he worked in private practice initially before joining the State Government in 1974. He was a solicitor in the Solicitor-General's office until 1981 when he became Commissioner for Corporate Affairs.

In 1990 James joined Queensland Treasury as their first in-house counsel
and headed the Legal Unit. In 1996, James became Executive Director of the Office of State Revenue.

James resigned from the Office of State Revenue effective from the end
of February 2007. He was appointed an Adjunct Professor In the School
of Law at the University of Queensland in January 2008 and Executive in Residence of Business at QUT in July 2008.

Frances Hannah

Senior Resarch Assistant

Frances Hannah B Econ Dip Ed B Com LLB (Hons) LLM works ten hours per week in the Centre.  In between world cruises and long shopping expeditions to Europe, Frances previously worked in economics, accounting and the law as both practitioner and academic, before retiring at the end of 2006.  She now collaborates with Professor Myles McGregor-Lowndes in producing research papers in the areas of philanthropy and wealth taxes, and bequests and succession law. 

Anne Overell

Senior Research Assistant

Anne is a research assistant on the Developing Your Board project. Prior to working for CPNS she worked as a policy officer for the Queensland government and as a research officer for the Queensland Industrial Relations Commission. She also worked for many years as a research librarian.

Anne has also tutored students in the QUT Law School for several years.

Zoie Cook

Research Assistant and Sessional Tutor

Zoie holds a degree in Accountancy and Business Law from the University of Wollongong. Her honours year thesis was an investigation into Small Business Fraud. Zoie has an extensive work history covering management, teaching, accounting and auditing. She will commence a PhD next year into the Role Transitions of Boards of Directors.

Victoria Emerson

Research Assistant

Victoria is a QUT psychology graduate having finished her post-graduate diploma in 2004.  After her fourth year thesis piqued her interest in research she followed a research avenue.  She has previously worked with Psychiatric Rehabilitation Services, QUT Education Faculty, and QUT’s School of Psychology & Counselling on various projects.  Her research interests are quite broad, however as soon as she can narrow these interests down, she intends to pursue a PhD.

Kristy Hill

Research Assistant

Kristy Hill, MDev, BA/BSocSci has a background in community and international development, with a special interest in the rights of children and young people. Kristy provides research assistance to Professor Myles McGregor-Lowndes and Dr Cameron Newton in the form of desk research, editing and proofing and interview and meeting support. Kristy also provides support to students enrolled in the Graduate Certificate and Masters in Business (Philanthropy and Nonprofit Studies).  

Katie McDonald

Resarch Assistant

Katie McDonald holds a Bachelor of Social Science (Hons I) with a major in development studies. She is particularly interested in development practice, human rights, and gender based violence. Katie has a professional background in strategic policy and research, and has volunteered on projects in Australia, Bangladesh, and Cambodia. She provides research assistance to Dr Kym Madden and Dr Wendy Scaife.

Vathany Sambath

Research Assistant

Vathany Sambath MBus (Marketing), BA(Hons I)(Psych) is a provisionally registered psychologist and currently completing her Master of Organisational Psychology. Vathany has a background in both academic and market research as well as sessional teaching in psychology and marketing. Her specialties are research design, survey implementation, and statistical analysis, and she is particularly interested in emerging technologies and their impact on individuals and organisations.

Michelle Sheldrake

Research Assistant

Michelle holds a Masters degree in Psychology with postgraduate training in qualitative research methods. She has worked as a research assistant and evaluation officer in the public health arena for over 10 years, both in Australia and overseas, and has lectured at a tertiary level within public health programs. She is working on the Developing Your Board project.

Janelle Weissman

Research Assistant

Janelle has twelve years’ experience in fundraising, program management, Board and volunteer development, and philanthropy. Most recently, she served as Executive Director of two organisations: Social Venture Partners Boulder County (SVP), and the Rita and Harold Divine Foundation. Through SVP, Janelle facilitated grantmaking, coordinated capacity building projects, and provided training to nonprofits and donors alike to help increase their impact on communities. At the Rita and Harold Divine Foundation, she worked with three generations to develop and implement a grantmaking strategy directing support to diverse nonprofits around the world, with a focus on peace and social justice. Janelle was a Colorado Trust Fellow, and received her Masters in Nonprofit Management from Regis University in Denver, Colorado, USA, in 2001. She is currently a Rotary World Peace Fellow pursuing a Masters in Peace and Conflict Resolution at the University of Queensland.

Eleni Gill

Administration Officer

Eleni Gill is the Administration Officer within the Centre and provides assistance to Professor Myles McGregor-Lowndes. As the first point of call at the Centre, Eleni provides students and visitors with assistance on a variety of Centre-related queries. Eleni is also responsible for the coordination of all functions within the Centre.

Eleni has held previous administrative positions within the banking, recruitment and property development sectors and has a Diploma in Marketing.

Dr Lara Cain-Gray

Senior Research Fellow

Lara Cain-Gray has a PhD in cultural studies and a Grad Dip in library and information studies. Her professional background includes teaching and research experience at QUT and UQ and a curatorial role at the British Library.

Tim Feely

Tim Feely’s Master’s topic is “Charitable Bequests in Queensland”. Bequests, included in a Will, are an important source of funds in charitable organisations. His thesis will build on research completed in 1996. He will be accessing and analysing data from one of Australia’s largest Will Makers and Estate Administrators to establish the extent and value of charitable bequests,  demographics of testators, and the methods by which testators leave bequests in their Wills. Tim is a lawyer with over 30 years experience in the Trust Industry. He has worked with private Trustee organisations, including two years in the United Kingdom, and is currently Deputy Director, Client Services with the Public Trustee of Queensland. Tim is responsible for the development and implementation of policy in the Public Trustee’s Disability Services, Trusts, and Enduring Powers of Attorney areas for Queensland. He is also responsible for the community engagement of the Office with the not for profit sector, advocacy, government, the philanthropic sector and the general Queensland Community.

Tim is the Public Trustee representative on a number of Government Committees dealing with the Government’s strategy on issues relating to Disability, Ageing, Elder Abuse, legislation for the protection of people in supported accommodation, hostels, boarding houses and is responsible for the Public Trustee’s commitment in this area. Tim is also a graduate from QUT, Centre for Philanthropy and Nonprofit Studies. He is responsible for the oversight, on behalf of the Public Trustee, of a number of philanthropic Trusts including the Queensland Community Foundation, the Forde Foundation, and the Lady Bowen Trust. He is a member of the Board of Governors of the Queensland Community Foundation.

Catherine Hain

Catherine is a PhD student, working towards a doctoral thesis assessing Strategic Performance Management Systems in nonprofit organisations. She holds the position of Director Policy and Research, Australian Red Cross. Her work focuses on international trends in program development and nonprofit management, undertaking and coordinating research projects and obtaining funds from governments, trusts and foundations. Catherine is an experienced nonprofit board member, a Certified Practising Accountant, a Registered Nurse and an adjunct lecturer, School of Social Science, University of Queensland. Her previous studies include a business degree and a graduate certificate in nonprofit management. She is a member of the Performance Management Association (UK), the Association for Research in Nonprofit Organisations and Voluntary Associations (US) and the Australasian Evaluation Society. Catherine is committed to improving the lives of vulnerable people and believes that evidence based practice and performance measurement can improve nonprofit organisations’ effectiveness.

Alan Hough

Alan Hough is a doctoral student with CPNS. His thesis will look at how nonprofit boards understand and influence organisational performance. Alan has served as a volunteer, staff member and board member with many different nonprofit organisations. Much of his experience is in the HIV/AIDS sector, including having served as a Governor of the AIDS Trust of Australia and President of the Queensland AIDS Council.

Ruth Knight

Ruth Knight is a PhD student studying Organisational Culture and Change Management in nonprofit organisations. Ruth has been working as a youth worker, manager and consultant with many different nonprofit organisations in both the UK and Australia and is Chairperson of Lifehouse Project Inc, a Gold Coast organisation working with young people.  Ruth is studying at QUT because she is dedicated to helping organisations improve their performance and make a real difference in their community.

Matthew Turnour

Matthew Turnour's PhD topic is "Beyond Charity: a jurisprudence for civil society." The Charities Definition Inquiry has made topical defining what is, and what is not, a charity, at law. The Inquiry dealt only with the narrow legal definition of charity and did not deal more generally with the sector as a whole. A wider inquiry into the location of charity in the sector and the rationale for the laws enabling and preferring entities in civil society, is the subject of Matthew's research. Matthew's PhD argues that charity must be understood in the context of the third sector as a whole, and that seen from this wider perspective there are certain central concepts that shed light to the larger philosophic question: Why does law often grant preferential treatment not just to charities, but more generally to participants in the sector? As a consequence he offers a paradigm for understanding not just charity law but, beyond that, the law that regulates the whole sector. That is, he postulates a jurisprudence for civil society.

Matthew is the Managing Partner of his Brisbane based law firm, Neumann & Turnour Lawyers and is responsible for the commercial and nonprofit division. He presently serves as a director of the Timor Orphanages Foundation. He has a Fellowship with the Australian Institute of Company Directors and is an Associate Fellow of the Australian Institute of Management. His undergraduate degrees were in law and economics and his research Master of Arts was in Applied Ethics. His Masters thesis, titled: The Stewardship Paradigm, inquired into the ethical obligations applicable when in control of resources.