Consumer and Community Advisory Committee

Sam brings a consumer perspective and social justice approach to mental health research, education, and service design. She brings lived expertise to mental health research governance. Applying the tenet of 'nothing about us without us',

Sam advocates for meaningful participation at all levels of study design; academic tenure by people with a lived experience of mental distress; and sharing power between researchers, academic clinicians and people who use mental health services to increase the effectiveness of research processes and outcomes. Sam is a lived experience educator and facilitator with extensive experience in consumer advocacy, peer education and consultancy roles in NSW and nationally. She completed the Primary Health Care Research, Evaluation & Development program and is a member of the Independent Advisory Board for the ALIVE National Centre for Mental Health Research Translation.
Sam says: “As Deputy Chair of the CCAC, I hope to embed research partnerships with the people most affected by the research and ensure that mental health research agendas are shaped by people with a lived experience of mental distress and recovery.”

Sue is a health promotion advocate dedicated to improving the health and wellbeing of all people. She has experience in leading organisations that fund research, design research strategy, and communicate about research to consumers. Throughout her career, Sue has focused on health for the community and has expertise in communications, education, and organisational development. She currently leads the Zero Suicide Institute of Australasia which aims to support the healthcare system understand and more effectively manage those who are vulnerable to suicidal behaviour. Sue is a Director of Good2Give and ShareGift Australia, a member of Chief Executive Women and the Centre for Social Impact Sydney Advisory Council. She is formerly the CEO of the National Breast Cancer Foundation (10 years) and Suicide Prevention Australia, a director of Research Australia and Chair of Macquarie Community College.
Sue says: “As a member of the CCAC, I hope to ensure the inclusion of service users in research processes to better match services to consumer needs.”

In 2003, she lost her son Preston, aged 2½ years, to sepsis, though sepsis was not communicated as the cause at the time – he had been suffering from viral pneumonia. Mary consequently collaborated with the Mater Foundation to establish the Preston James Fund which enabled significant advancements in respiratory research and practice for children. Ten major areas of research were supported over eight years. Mary is a member of several health committees and boards (local, state, and national) and works closely with Sepsis Australia. She shares her experience and professional expertise to raise awareness and help improve diagnosis, treatment, and outcomes for patients who develop sepsis. Mary is a bilateral breast cancer survivor who underwent chemotherapy and had a double mastectomy (2018-19). Mary is a professional business communication practitioner and consultant with over 30 years of experience. She is currently the director of her own communications and engagement company.
Mary says: “As a member of the CCAC, I hope to contribute to effective consumer engagement strategies and to support The George Institute to become a leader in the practice of consumer involvement in health research.”

Karen Carey is a nationally recognised health consumer advocate and strategist, known for her leadership in media, research, and policy. She co-founded Tonic Health Media, Australia’s largest out-of-home health and wellbeing network, and served as its founding CEO. Under her leadership, Tonic delivered evidence-based health content that now reaches millions of Australians each month. She also co-founded GSB TV and GSB Consulting and Communications, producing health programming for broadcast and leading strategic planning projects for government and research organisations.

Karen’s advocacy is deeply informed by personal experience. Over two decades, she has undergone five open-heart surgeries, including a heart transplant, and has faced multiple strokes and other serious complications. Her resilience has made her a powerful voice for improving safety and quality in healthcare.

She served on the Council of the NHMRC and chaired its inaugural Community and Consumer Advisory Group, shaping national policy on consumer involvement in research. She has led consulting projects for Cancer Australia, the National Diabetes Services Scheme, and Diabetes Australia, including governance reviews and strategic health initiatives. Karen is a Chief Investigator on several research projects, widely published and a frequent speaker at national conferences and forums, including the National Press Club Health Debate.

Alison lives in Canberra, and has had a long association with the health sector. Caring for family members living with dementia, a neurological disorder and cancer has provided her with insights into the aged care, disability and health systems, and in particular, end-of-life care. She also has personal experience as a consumer living with a chronic condition, requiring regular interaction with health services. Her professional experience includes eight years as the Chief Executive of the Australian Healthcare and Hospitals Association and five years as a senior executive with the Australian Institute of Health and Welfare. She was previously an adjunct professor with Deakin University’s Institute for Health Transformation, and is currently a community member of the Nursing and Midwifery Board of Australia (Ahpra) and a director of Croakey Health Media. She has lived and worked in the Netherlands, France, Taiwan, Fiji and China.

Alison says: “The experience of patients and carers is a valuable resource for researchers and clinicians. I am enthusiastic about the opportunity to work with the George Institute to amplify the voice of consumers."

Steven Marsh has lived experience of back pain since the age of eleven, which led to five major spinal surgeries between 1992 and 2023 and extensive interaction with the NSW health system.
Since 2015, Steven has contributed to health and medical research ethics committees, offering a strong consumer perspective to research governance.

In July 2023, he joined the UNSW Health Systems Research Theme Executive Committee as a Consumer Representative, supporting efforts to improve healthcare services and promote equitable access and outcomes.

In April 2024, Steven was appointed Consumer Chair of the Consumer & Community Involvement Portfolio for the Centre for Pain IMPACT at Neuroscience Research Australia. In this role, he oversees the development and implementation of consumer and community involvement strategies across all research activities.

Steven says, “As a member of the CCAC, I hope to contribute to the development of a best practise Consumer and Community Involvement Program to maximise the value it can provide to impactful health research.”

Ankith Arun Aswath is a young and passionate healthcare and mental health advisor, driven by his lived experience as a carer. He has contributed to key policy initiatives including the Medicare Mental Health Centres rebrand, Canberra Hospital Expansion, and NDIS reforms, advocating for consumer-focused improvements in healthcare and disability support.

Currently studying Actuarial Studies and Politics, Philosophy, and Economics at the Australian National University, Ankith also brings experience in advocacy, consulting, AI-driven legal technology, and international sustainability discussions. A skilled communicator, he has been a radio broadcaster, international chess player, Cricket Australia umpire, Model UN chairperson, and award-winning debater. His diverse experiences fuel his commitment to systemic change in healthcare, finance, and policy.

Ben Brien is a passionate lived experience advocate with professional experience in mental health, suicide prevention, and lived experience practice across community, inpatient, and education settings. With lived experience of mental ill-health, suicidality, and addiction, alongside the loss of many loved ones to suicide, Ben is deeply committed to meaningful reform.

Living on Wiradjuri Land, Ben serves as Suicide Prevention Regional Response Coordinator at Western NSW Primary Health Network, leading regional initiatives focused on community leadership and capacity building. His work prioritises lived experience and community-led approaches to suicide prevention and postvention. Ben has dedicated his career to ensuring the inclusion of lived experience across all aspects of suicide prevention and mental health systems.
In addition to his primary role, Ben also holds various strategic advisory roles, including Co-Chair of the National Suicide Prevention Office Lived Experience Partnership Group and Councillor of the NSW Mental Health Commission Community Advisory Council.