The Board is responsible for our strategic direction, organisational performance, and overseeing governance and risk requirements.
The Guide Dogs Victoria Board consists of up to eleven directors.
The Board is responsible for the development of our organisational strategic directions, monitoring organisational performance, and overseeing organisational governance and risk requirements. The Board operates the following subcommittees:
Michael joined the Guide Dogs Victoria Board in August 2025 and became Chairman in November 2025. He holds a Bachelor of Economics, Master of Business Administration and is a Graduate of the Australian Institute of Company Directors.
Michael is an accomplished Company Director, CEO, and Executive with experience in the Health Technology sector, Aged & Disability Care, and large-scale Technology Outsourcing. He currently serves as Chair of Healthcare Logic, Independent Director at Lanas Australia Investments and Independent Director at Prestige Inhome Care. Michael’s executive career spans over forty years, including more recently in Executive leadership roles at Telstra Health, where he additionally chaired Fred IT, the national provider of electronic medication management infrastructure in Australia.
Michael is passionate about supporting people and businesses to be the best versions of themselves and meaningfully contribute to society. He is an avid golfer with modest ability but a yearning to be better.
Cameron joined the Board in July 2023. Originally from West Gippsland, Victoria, Cameron was diagnosed with retinitis pigmentosa (RP), a degenerative retinal disease, in 1969. Despite this challenge, he pursued Law at Monash University and later led as CEO of an Australian Cooperative Housing Societies’ industry body.
Cameron’s dedication also extended to founding an RP research society alongside his wife. This commitment, along with his achievements in the housing sector, earned him recognition as a Member of the Order of Australia in 1993. Returning to Law in 1994, he undertook significant test cases in property law, eventually joining Planning Panels Victoria in 2002.
In 2006, Cameron transitioned once more, becoming a Facilitator with Vision Australia. His diverse experiences, along with those of the Clients he has worked with, have inspired his book “I Can See Clearly Now: Understanding and Managing Vision Loss.”
Appointed to the Board in January 2023, Melissa has 30 years of international senior executive and consulting experience in media and consumer focused businesses.
Melissa’s 18 year career with The Walt Disney Company in Paris, London, Hong Kong and Sydney included serving as Vice President & General Manager for Disney Channels Australia & New Zealand. She has also been an Executive Search Consultant in Heidrick & Struggles’ Consumer Practice and her early career was with Price Waterhouse.
Melissa is a Non-Executive Director on the Lauriston Girls’ School Council and a Member of the Finance & Audit Committee at Trinity College, University of Melbourne. She was also a Radio Presenter and Volunteer at Vision Australia.
Holding a Bachelor of Commerce degree from the University of Melbourne, Melissa is a Graduate Member of the Australian Institute of Company Directors and a Chartered Accountant.
James joined the Guide Dogs Victoria Board in March 2025. He is a highly experienced Melbourne-based ophthalmologist specialising in paediatric ophthalmology.
James graduated in medicine at University of Melbourne in 1981 and then undertook ophthalmology training at the Royal Victorian Eye and Ear Hospital. Following this, he underwent further advanced training in paediatric and genetic ophthalmology at the Royal Children’s Hospital, Melbourne and the Hospital for Sick Children in Toronto. He was the Director of the Department of Ophthalmology at the Royal Children’s Hospital from 1994 to 2009 and is an Associate Professor in the Department of Paediatrics at the University of Melbourne.
James brings a wealth of experience in clinical care and working with families and individuals living with vision impairment to gain optimal life outcomes.
Jonathan joined the Guide Dogs Victoria Board in October 2025. With a background in finance and a career spanning over 30 years, Jonathan is a Chartered Accountant and Fellow of The Institute of Chartered Accountants. He spent 22 years at Clemenger Group, including a decade as CFO/COO and major shareholder, where he led the consolidation of 35 leaseholds into six and played a key role in securing a 7,500 sqm lease at 280 Little Collins St. Passionate about the value of tenant representation, Jonathan now leverages his extensive network and financial expertise to support lease negotiations and connect clients with strategic real estate solutions.
Jane joined the Guide Dogs Victoria Board in March 2025. Jane is a proven leader in eye health and vision care sector along with over 20 years’ clinical experience across private ophthalmology practices and large teaching hospitals in Singapore, Thailand, USA and Australia.
Background of core governance skills as a non-executive director and councillor over the past decade. Leading governance roles with Vision 2020 Australia and Orthoptics Australia. Formal governance education from Australia Institute of Company Directors, Directors Course (GAICD) as part of 2019 WILD (Women in Leadership Development) program.
Strategic leadership and organisation management at national and state level of Orthoptics Australia, along with chairing several board committees and as current Chair of the International Orthoptic Congress 2025 (Brisbane) Local Organising Committee. Effective stakeholder and industry engagement across several organisations through sponsorship and corporate partners, policy committees, working groups and through industry advisory and course groups.
David joined the board in June 2024. David is currently a Director with Department of Transport and Planning, Victoria. In addition to his professional experience in government services, David brings a wealth of insights as a longstanding Client and former staff member, making him a cherished member of our Guide Dogs community.
‘Guide Dogs Victoria has supported me over a number of years through the provision of Guide Dogs and Orientation and Mobility services. I am very grateful for the opportunity to join the board of GDV to give back to an organisation that has given me so much over many years.’ David shares.
His dedication and passion for our organisation, combined with his extensive experience will provide valuable insight and undoubtedly shape the future direction of Guide Dogs Victoria.
Malcolm joined the Board in January 2023. He is currently the Group General Counsel and Chief Compliance Officer for Orica, an ASX 100 listed multinational corporation, and one of the world’s largest providers of commercial explosives and blasting systems to the mining, quarrying, oil and gas and construction markets. Malcolm is responsible for the legal and ethics and compliance affairs of the Orica group and the leadership and management of Orica’s global legal and ethics and compliance teams. Malcolm has over 26 years of experience working in blue-chip organisations and first tier law firms across the globe. Prior to joining Orica, Malcolm most recently held executive legal roles in London, Abu Dhabi and Australia for a Fortune 500 company and was responsible for legal teams across Asia Pacific, Europe, Middle East, and Africa.
Chris McFadden joined the Guide Dogs Victoria Board in March 2026.
Chris brings extensive experience in corporate governance, board leadership and risk oversight across international organisations. He has held board and senior executive roles within publicly listed companies, working closely with boards and management teams to strengthen governance frameworks, guide strategy and oversee performance in complex and highly regulated operating environments.
With qualifications in law, commerce and business administration, Chris provides the Board with additional depth in legal, commercial and risk governance. His experience engaging with investors, regulators, governments and community stakeholders further enhances the Board’s capability to manage external relationships and operating risk as Guide Dogs Victoria continues to grow and diversify its impact.
Chris holds a Bachelor of Laws and Bachelor of Commerce from the University of Melbourne, and a Masters of Business Administration from Monash University
