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Cancer wellness support

Meet Our Board

Introducing our purpose-driven Board

Our Board Members

Dr Ilse Blignault 

Chair

Ms Judith Field MAICD

Vice-Chair

Mr Chris Bryett

Secretary

Mr Paul Harris

Treasurer

Ms Merrilyn Tinsley

Board Member 

Mr Jared Pichler

Board Member 

Dr Ilse Blignault

Chair
Dr Ilse Blignault has over 40 years of experience in the health and community sectors in Australia and overseas.
Her specialist expertise lies in mental health and wellbeing, health promotion and public health, and she is registered with the Psychology Board of Australia.
Dr Ilse Blignault is an Adjunct Associate Professor at Western Sydney University’s Translational Health Research Institute. She holds qualifications in psychology and global health and has broad expertise in clinical and population mental health and wellbeing, health services research and evaluation, and research translation.
A key focus of Ilse’s career has been to address complex health and social issues as they affect disadvantaged groups, working with government and not-for-profit organisations. She has extensive experience in resource-constrained and geographically isolated environments, including Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities in rural and remote Australia and developing countries in the Pacific and South-East Asia.
Her research has contributed to health policy and program development in a diverse range of cultural contexts. She has expertise in quantitative, qualitative and mixed research methods, including participant action research, and experience in coordinating large multi-site collaborations with multiple stakeholders including different levels of government and community organisations and groups. She has authored over 170 peer-reviewed publications and major reports.

Ilse grew up in Western Sydney and now lives in the Upper Blue Mountains. Her commitment to community, expertise and strong understanding of clinical governance and strategic thought are instrumental in her role as Chair.

Ms Judith Field MAICD

Vice-Chair
Judith is an experienced manager and leader with over three decades of experience spanning the construction, education, and retail industries.
Joining Lendlease in 2002, she has held diverse roles focusing on economic and social sustainability across the Western Sydney region. Notable projects include Jordan Springs, Ropes Crossing, and Bingara Gorge. Currently, she serves as a strategic leader within the Social Sustainability Group, providing strong leadership in workforce participation initiatives across the Lendlease Group in Australia.
Passionate about reconciliation and inclusivity, Judith actively participates in the development and implementation of the Lendlease Reconciliation Action Plan (RAP) Elevate. She champions opportunities for the employment and engagement of First Nations people and organisations within the business.
Prior to Lendlease, Judith spent over 11 years at the University of Western Sydney, working across business development and research commercialisation. A highlight of this time was the establishment and management of Cooperative Programs at UWS Nepean. Additionally, she served as the elected staff representative on the Board of Trustees, served on staff selection and job evaluation review panels, provided support as a staff mentor, and engaged in many university committees and working parties.
Currently, Judith holds the position of Non-Executive Director on the Board of NSW Business Chamber, where she chairs the HR & Succession Committee and serves as a member-elected representative on the State Council. She also chairs the Business Environment and Economics Committee and previously led the Workforce Skills Committee.
In 2018, Judith was nominated by the NSW Minister for Environment and Heritage to serve as a member of the Board of Western Sydney Parklands Trust. She has actively participated in local community organisations such as being President and Vice President of the Penrith Valley Chamber of Commerce, Vice Chairperson of the Board of Mamre Plains Ltd, Board Member of Penrith Business Alliance, and Chair of its Finance and Risk Committee.
A long-time resident of Western Sydney for over 40 years, Judith’s commitment to community service shines through her involvement in school councils, P&C associations, church leadership, and fundraising for school and community groups.

Mr Chris Bryett

Secretary
Chris Bryett is an experienced solicitor and World War I historian who has a passion for honouring the sacrifices of those who served.
After many years leading the firm, Chris handed over the reins at A R Walmsley & Co in 2021 and he is the former Vice President and Executive Committee Member of Toongabbie Legal Centre.
Beyond his legal career, Chris has dedicated himself to preserving and commemorating the legacy of the Great War.
As the president and founder of Recovering Overseas Australia’s Missing Inc (ROAM), he has led efforts to locate and honour missing soldiers from Australia’s involvement in conflicts internationally. His commitment to honouring the memory of those who served extends to his membership with Family and Friends of the First AIF Inc.
Chris has contributed significantly to the understanding of the Great War. As the editor of “Over the Top” by Harry Hartnett, based on the diaries of this digger on the Western Front, Chris has helped bring to light the experiences of those who fought in one of history’s most tumultuous conflicts.
His collaboration with authors and researchers has played a crucial role in raising awareness of important historical investigations. Patrick Lindsay AM’s book “Fromelles” highlighted the groundbreaking research and advocacy led by Lambis Englezos and his team, alongside Chris and ROAM, in the quest to uncover the truth behind the missing soldiers of the Battle of Fromelles.

His passion for community flows into this passion for Cancer Wellness Support with his legal and compliance focus adding a depth into his role as Secretary.

Mr Paul Harris

Treasurer
Paul is an accomplished Chief Executive Officer and HR Executive with a record of achievement across government administration.
With a wealth of experience in the rail industry and public sector, Paul has held prominent roles in executive leadership, corporate human resources and business services management.
His expertise spans government operations, change management, business planning, financial management, and risk management. Renowned for implementing successful change initiatives, Paul is passionate about driving business transformations with a strong focus on human resources.
Paul’s career saw him appointed as Chief Executive Officer at the NSW Independent Transport Safety and Reliability Regulator in January 2014, subsequent to his role as Executive Director, Corporate Services and Planning. Throughout his leadership, he played a pivotal role in leading significant workplace reforms.
Paul holds a Masters in Public Administration from The Australia and New Zealand School of Government (ANZSOG), a Bachelor of Commerce and Human Resources from Western Sydney University, and is a member of the Australian Institute of Company Directors (AICD).
As Treasurer of Cancer Wellness Support, Paul brings his proven track record of driving organisational excellence, operations, human resources management and fostering strategic growth.

Ms Merrilyn Tinsley

Board Member
Merrilyn is a senior safety, health and environment (SHE) professional with over 20 years working across rural and remote Australia in mining, defence, rail and steelmaking.
A highly regarded senior executive, she has proven success engaging stakeholders to influence and lead SHE strategy in large geographically diverse and high-risk organisations.
Central to Merrilyn’s SHE success is her exceptional talent for collaboration, forging strong partnerships with key stakeholders, industry peers, and suppliers. This focus extends to a passion for diversity and inclusion where she supports several initiatives and programs.
Merrilyn has been the Director of Health and Safety at Transport for NSW since 2021 as well as being a Board Member, Health and Safety Coach, and Project Manager for Breakingground.
Merrilyn has held significant SHE positions across BAE Systems Aerospace, BHP, Dalrymple Bay Coal Terminal Pty Ltd, and Port Waratah Coal Services.
She has a Masters in Occupational Health and Industrial Hygiene from the University of Newcastle and a Bachelor’s degree in Biological Sciences from Flinders University. Merrilyn is also a Certified Organisational Coach with the Institute of Executive Coaching and Leadership and a member of the Australian Institute of Company Directors (AICD).
Throughout her career, Merrilyn has actively contributed to numerous boards and committees, including the Confederation of Australian Motor Sport, Volleyball Australia, and the Safety Institute of Australia.
At Cancer Wellness Support, she brings her passion and expertise for balancing effective risk management while fostering a culture of safety.

Mr Jared Pichler

Board Member
Jared has over 15 years of experience spanning diverse sectors including banking and insurance, non-profit organisations (NFPs), government, and aged and disability services across both small and large businesses.
As a specialist in risk management consulting, Jared’s expertise encompasses the development and implementation of robust risk management frameworks, policies, and procedures, ensuring compliance with industry regulatory standards, and overseeing business continuity and emergency management strategies.
Currently serving as the Head of Risk and Compliance at Mercy Services and the Managing Director at Gryphon Risk Consulting, he continues to leverage his wealth of experience to provide strategic risk management solutions.
Jared’s career includes working in senior risk management and compliance roles at the University of Newcastle, NSW Department of Industry, Action for Children, Save the Children UK, and Goldman Sachs.
Jared holds a Post Graduate Diploma in Risk, Disaster, and Resilience from University College London (UCL) as well as a Bachelor of Development Studies and Environmental Sustainability and a Bachelor of Finance from the University of Newcastle.
Jared brings his passion for risk management, emergency preparedness, resilience, business continuity management, and disaster risk reduction to Cancer Wellness Support.