Dementia Australia Research Foundation Board

Graeme Samuel AC is a Professor at Monash University’s Business School. He is also Chair of Dementia Australia, Chair of the Dementia Australia Research Foundation, Chair of Australian Dementia Network Ltd (ADNet), Co-Chair of the National Network of Comprehensive Dementia Centres Steering Group, Chair of Airlines for Australia and New Zealand (A4ANZ) and also Chair of Quipex Pty Ltd. 

He was a member of the APRA Panel to conduct a Prudential Inquiry into the culture, governance and accountability of Commonwealth Bank of Australia and chair of the panel which conducted the Capability Review of APRA. He completed an Independent Review commissioned by the Commonwealth Government of the Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act. He was Chair of the Commonwealth Government’s Panel of Review of Australia’s Independent Medical Research Institutes and advisor to the Commonwealth Department of Health in relation to its review of private health insurance. Graeme has held a number of roles in public life including former Chairman of the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission, Associate Member of the Australian Communications and Media Authority and President of the National Competition Council. He was appointed an Officer of the Order of Australia in 1998. In 2010 he was elevated to a Companion of the Order of Australia "for eminent service to public administration through contributions in the area of economic reform and competition law, and to the community through leadership roles with sporting and cultural organisations".

Henry Brodaty AO is a researcher, clinician, policy advisor and strong advocate for people with dementia and their carers. At the University of New South Wales in Sydney, Australia, he is Scientia Professor of Ageing and Mental Health and Co-Director of the Centre for Healthy Brain Ageing. As well as being a prolific researcher, he is a senior psychogeriatrician at Prince of Wales Hospital in Sydney. Henry was previously President of the International Psychogeriatric Association, Chairman of Alzheimer’s Disease International, and President of Alzheimer’s Australia NSW and Alzheimer’s Australia. In 2000, he became an officer of the Order of Australia and in June 2016 received the Ryman Prize for the world’s best development, advance or achievement that enhances quality of life for older people. Henry is an Honorary Medical Advisor for Dementia Australia.

He established the Dementia Australia Research Foundation in 1985 and chaired the Board of Directors (or its forerunner) between 1985 and 2016. Henry now serves as a director on the Board of the Dementia Australia Research Foundation.

Amy Brodtmann is a stroke and cognitive neurologist at the Royal Melbourne Hospital and Eastern Health and holds honorary appointments at Austin Health, Alfred Health and the Florey Institute of Neuroscience and Mental Health. She leads the Cognitive Health Initiative at the Central Clinical School, Monash University, and holds professorial appointments at both The University of Melbourne and Monash University. She is the recipient of many awards and grants for her work in stroke and dementia and is the chief investigator on a Dementia Research Team Grant. Her research focuses the contributions of vascular risk factors to late-life cognition and improving the diagnosis of dementia syndromes. She is on the editorial boards of Neurology and International Journal for Stroke. She is a founding member of the Australian Frontotemporal Dementia Association, the inaugural Chair of the Australian chapter of the Organization of Human Brain Mapping, the inaugural President of the Australian Cognitive Neurology Association and is a member of the Wicking Strategic Review Panel.

Amy serves on the Board of the Dementia Australia Research Foundation and in 2020, became one of Dementia Australia’s Honorary Medical Advisors.

Tanya Buchanan studied Nursing at Curtin University of Technology and an MBA in Health Services at Edith Cowan University. She also holds a PhD and a range of qualifications including governance qualifications from the Australian Institute of Company Directors (GAICD). Tanya commenced her career as a Registered Nurse with clinical work in neuroscience, and has worked in health, academia, local government and the voluntary sector. Tanya is Chief Executive Officer of Dementia Australia and also an Honorary Professor of Practice at the School of Health and Society (Public Health) at the University of Wollongong. She is active in public health research and practice. In 2011, Tanya won the Leading Wales Award for the not-for-profit sector and was admitted as a Member of the Faculty of Public Health by Distinction for her contribution to Public Health in the UK. In 2023, she was awarded the University of Wollongong Alumni Award for Social Impact.

Isabelle Burke cared for her mother, Christine, who died with younger onset dementia at age 59. Isabelle advocates for the timely diagnosis of dementia as she has seen the devastating impacts of delayed diagnosis firsthand
 
As a consumer contributor, Isabelle has provided advice to many research organisations including The University of Sydney Brain and Mind Centre and the Monash University Central Clinical School. Isabelle was previously a member of the NHMRC National Institute for Dementia Research Expert Advisory Panel and has reviewed NHMRC Boosting Dementia Research grants. Isabelle is passionate about reducing the stigma surrounding dementia by sharing her experience with the wider community through conversations with politicians, conference presentations and media interviews. Isabelle hopes that timely diagnosis and the continuous improvement of behavioural interventions can allow people living with dementia to live active and purposeful lives post-diagnosis.

Isabelle is currently a research assistant at Deakin University, investigating the benefits of cognition-oriented treatments in older adults. Isabelle's experience as an advocate helps to inform her academic work. She joined the Dementia Australia Research Foundation Board of Directors in 2021.

Ian Knight is Executive Chairman of Axsia HTL, a specialist asset manager. Ian has had an extensive career in investment banking for over 40 years and was a Partner at KPMG (Chartered Accountants) from 1995 to his retirement in June 2012. Ian also sits on a number of not-for-profit, private and public company boards including Dementia Australia, Dementia Australia Research Foundation and the Australian Dementia Network (ADNet). He has been a member of various Dementia Australia finance, risk, audit and investment committees for a number of years and following his appointment to the Dementia Australia Board in 2018 also became Chair of the Finance and Risk Management Committee for the Dementia Australia group.

Tony Newman is a highly experienced senior executive with expertise in Finance, Supply Chain, Sales and Marketing and Information Technology. Tony is a strategic thinker and leader and a highly effective operations manager.  His highly developed skills in negotiation, collaboration, relationship management and delivery of customer satisfaction and his coaching and mentoring approach with staff have contributed to Tony’s success in a complex international environment. The work of Dementia Australia holds a special place with Tony. His father was diagnosed with Alzheimer’s five years before his death in 1996. Tony also serves on the Board of Dementia Australia and the Dementia Australia Research Foundation. He is a member of both the Finance Audit and Risk Management and Governance Committees for Dementia Australia.

Over the past 45 years Neil Samuel OAM has been actively involved in business with an emphasis on Finance, Administration, Sourcing and Procurement. Neil has travelled extensively throughout Asia and Europe, enabling him to become a regular guest lecturer at Deakin University. He is currently CEO of Golden Warp Pty Ltd.

Neil has served in leadership positions on numerous Boards within the not-for-profit sector for many years, specialising in governance and finance. Neil served on the Board of Alzheimer’s Australia Vic from 2003, including as Honorary Secretary, Deputy Chair and Chair. In 2007, he was appointed to the Board of Alzheimer’s Australia, now Dementia Australia, and he retired from this Board role in November 2019. Neil continues to serve on the Board of the Dementia Australia Research Foundation and is an independent member of the Finance Audit and Risk Management Committee for Dementia Australia. In 2020, Neil was recognised as the first recipient of a Dementia Australia Honour, a new award acknowledging those who have made significant contributions to Dementia Australia.

Professor Blossom Stephan is a neuroepidemiologist at Curtin University. She holds the inaugural Chair of Dementia (in partnership with Dementia Australia) and is director of the Dementia Centre of Excellence. She also co-leads the Dementia and Ageing Domain within the Curtin enAble Institute. Her research focuses on risk prediction and risk reduction of neurodegenerative diseases including work using Artificial Intelligence methods to develop new dementia risk algorithms in culturally diverse groups. She has programs of research in high as well as low- and middle-income countries. In 2023, she became one of Dementia Australia’s Honorary Medical Advisors.

James Vickers is the Director of the Wicking Dementia Research and Education Centre at the University of Tasmania. James is also a Past-President of the Australasian Neuroscience Society and has served on the Board of Glenview Community Services (2013-2023). His research interests include neurodegenerative disease (particularly Alzheimer's disease), brain plasticity, acquired brain injury and dementia prevention. James also has a strong interest in educational programs in dementia. James joined the Dementia Australia Research Foundation Scientific Panel in 2006 and held the position of Chair from 2014 to 2016. James currently serves on the Board of the Dementia Australia Research Foundation.

Michael Woodward AM is currently Head of Aged Care Research, Heidelberg Repatriation Hospital, Austin Health and Director, Memory Clinic and Director, Wound Management Clinic, Austin Health. Michael’s clinical specialties are Geriatric, General and Rehabilitation Medicine, with a major interest in Alzheimer’s disease and other cognitive disorders. Michael previously chaired the Dementia Australia Dementia Research Foundation – Victoria Board (2012 to 2018) and until recently was Chair of the Australasian Consortium of Centres for Clinical Cognitive Research, now Dementia Trials Australia. Michael is an Honorary Medical Advisor for Dementia Australia and serves on the Board of the Dementia Australia Research Foundation.