Brisbane North PHN farewells long-serving Board member Kathy Campbell

After nine years of dedicated service, Brisbane North PHN is farewelling Kathy Campbell as she concludes her tenure on the PHN’s Board.

Kathy has built a distinguished career across healthcare leadership, governance and transformation in Australia and Canada. Her extensive experience spans senior executive, board and consulting roles across health services, aged care, research and government. As a former Chief Information Officer, Kathy has also brought considerable expertise in digital transformation, information technology and cyber security to her work with Brisbane North PHN.

Throughout her time on the Board, Kathy has contributed her experience and insight across a broad range of strategic and governance matters. She served on the Finance, Audit and Risk Management (FARM) Committee from 2017 to 2021 and the Governance Committee from 2022 to 2024, before returning to FARM as Chair in 2025. Her leadership across these roles, together with her broader contribution as a Board director, has supported strong governance, risk oversight and informed decision-making across the organisation.

A significant part of Kathy’s contribution has also been her commitment to ensuring community voices are heard, valued and reflected in decision-making. Elected Chair of the Community Advisory Committee (CAC) in 2018, she has played a pivotal role in strengthening community engagement and helping Brisbane North PHN remain informed and led by community choice.

Kathy has championed meaningful consumer and community involvement across the organisation, fostering opportunities for people with lived and living experience to contribute to planning, commissioning and service design. Her leadership has helped ensure community perspectives are embedded in the PHN’s work and that health services are shaped by the needs of the people who use them.

Under Kathy’s leadership, the CAC has provided valuable advice and feedback to both the Board and the organisation, contributing to discussions ranging from health needs assessments and service planning to co-design, procurement and community consultation.

Kathy has also supported initiatives to broaden and diversify community participation, including most recently the establishment of People Bank, creating new opportunities for people across our region to share their experiences and help shape local healthcare services.

Milestones of Kathy’s tenure

• 2017: Appointed to Board
• 2017-2021: Member of FARM Committee
• 2018-2026: Chair of Community Advisory Committee
• 2022-2024: Member of Governance Committee
• 2025: Elected as Chair of FARM Committee

Reflecting on Kathy’s time on the Board, Brisbane North PHN Chief Executive Officer Libby Dunstan said her contributions had left a lasting impact on the organisation.

‘Kathy has been a thoughtful and respected leader, bringing strong governance expertise, sound judgement and a deep commitment to community engagement to her role,’ she said.

‘Her contribution has strengthened our organisation while ensuring community voices remain central to our work.

'On behalf of Brisbane North PHN, I thank Kathy for her dedicated leadership and significant contribution.’

Kathy’s fellow Board Directors and Chair also thanked her for her tenure.

‘It has been a pleasure to work with Kathy over many years on the Brisbane North PHN Board. She’s been a committed and thoughtful director, always willing to go the extra mile and has been a terrific support for both her board colleagues and the executive.’ – Board Chair Jane Schmitt.

‘Kathy brought warmth, collegiality and a genuine commitment to community to everything she did. Her contribution to the Community Advisory Committee particularly reflected her passion for listening to local voices and ensuring the needs of our community remained at the heart of our work.’ – Board Director Dr Jared Dart.

‘Kathy, thank you for nine years of wise counsel and steady stewardship, whether chairing our Finance, Audit and Risk Management Committee or making sure the community’s voice was heard through the Community Advisory Committee. I have especially valued your steadfast advocacy for a primary care system that includes every discipline, and your generosity in guiding new directors through the complexities of the PHN world.’ – Board Director Dr Kelly Lai.

‘Thank you for the warm welcome to the Board, and for sharing your time, insights and experience with me over the past year. I’m grateful for your contribution and wish you all the very best for what comes next.’ – Board Director Sharon McAvoy.

‘Kathy, thank you for your thoughtfulness, I wish you all the best for the future.’ – Board Director Jody Currie.

Kathy chaired her final meeting of the CAC on 28 October 2026, which was followed by an afternoon tea that brought together current CAC members, PHN Board and Executive team members, and staff.

Reflecting on her time at the PHN, Kathy said:

‘It has been a privilege to serve on the Brisbane North PHN board for nine years.

‘There has been a lot of change during that time, but the commitment to improving health outcomes for our community by all personnel and our commissioned service providers has been a constant.’

Brisbane North PHN thanks Kathy for her significant contribution and wish her all the very best for the future.

Following Kathy’s departure, fellow Board member Dr Jody Currie will take on the role of CAC Chair, with the first meeting under her leadership expected in February 2027.

A new Board member appointment will be announced following Brisbane North PHN’s AGM in November 2026.