Our Leaders

Board of Directors

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Claire Higgins - Chair

B. Comm, CPA, Fellow AICD, Fellow Institute of Public Administration Australia
Director since September 2019

  • Member People and Culture Committee
  • Member Audit and Investment Committee
  • Chair - REI Superannuation Pty Ltd
  • Director - Ryman Healthcare Limited
  • Director - Margin Clear Pty Ltd

Marie Bismark

Prof. Marie Bismark

MBChB, LLB, MBHL, MPH, FAFPHM, FAICD, MD, MPsych
Director since March 2013

  • Member People and Culture Committee
  • Member Risk and Compliance Committee
  • Director – Summerset Group Holdings Limited
  • Director – Royal Women’s Hospital
  • Clinical Quality Committee - Health NZ
  • Council Member AICD - Victorian Branch
  • Consultant Psychiatrist Te Whatu Ora Health NZ

Dr. Denis Napthine

The Hon Dr Denis Napthine AO

BVSc MVS MBA MAICD
Director since August 2016 

  • Member Audit and Investment Committee
  • Chair People and Culture Committee
  • Patron Solve Disability Solutions
  • Director - National Disability Insurance Agency 
  • Ambassador - Myeloma Australia

Mike Hirst

Mike Hirst

B. Com, SF Fin, MAICD
Director since July 2018

  • Chair -  Audit and Investment Committee
  • Chair - AMP Limited
  • Deputy Chair - Racing Victoria Limited
  • Director - Adelaide Airport Limited
  • Director - AMCIL Limited 
  • Honorary Member, Business Council of Australia

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Sandy Morrison

BHA, MBA, Prof Cert in Health Systems Mgt.
Director since April 2021

  • Chair Risk and Compliance Committee

Michael Sammells, Director

Michael Sammells

BBus, FCPA, GAICD
Director since October 2023

  • Director - AMP Limited
  • Chair - Sigma Healthcare Limited
  • Member Audit and Investment Committee
  • Member Risk and Compliance Committee

 


GMHBA Executive Team

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David Greig

Chief Executive Officer

David joined GMHBA in May 2021 bringing with him a wealth of experience in financial services, management consulting and health insurance.

His most recent role was General Manager for HBF on the East Coast. David’s broader business experience comes from Booz & Company (now Strategy &), Bankwest, Bank of Queensland and Medibank.

David is excited about contributing to GMHBA’s rich history in Geelong as a local, member-focused health insurer and employer of choice. He is committed to making a genuine difference to the health and well-being of our customers and a positive contribution to the communities in which we operate.

David has a Master of Business Administration and a Bachelor of Science with Honours in Psychology.

Kate Barlow

Chief of People & Culture

Kate started with GMHBA in 2019 and was appointed to the Chief of People & Culture in 2020. Kate is accountable for all aspects of the people and culture strategy including organisational development, workforce planning, change management and staff health and wellbeing.

She has over 15 years senior executive not-for-profit experience across the health and community service sectors addressing complex social issues such as homelessness and family violence. Kate has considerable expertise in leading reform and transformation that enables organisations to grow and flourish.

Kate brings to GMHBA a passion for harnessing the talent of our people to support and empower our members and communities to lead healthier lives, with a particular focus on the social justice principles of equity and inclusion.

Kate holds a Bachelor of Social Work and a Bachelor of Arts (Sociology).

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Mazen Hachem

Chief Finance & Corporate Services Officer

Maz is responsible for the effective delivery of the finance and corporate services function which includes accountability for the actuarial support function, financial reporting and strategy, facilities and governance.

Maz has over 10 years’ experience as a leading finance and strategic business partner including 7 years within the private health insurance industry. Maz’s expertise includes leading and establishing business targets and performance indicators to enable organisations to articulate what success looks like.

Maz commenced with GMHBA in 2015 and was appointed as Chief Financial Officer in 2021. Maz holds a Bachelor of Commerce in Accounting and Finance and is a Chartered Accountant.

Jade Ibrahimovic, Chief Risk Officer

Jade Ibrahimovic

Chief Risk Officer

Jade Ibrahimovic is GMHBA’s Chief Risk Officer, commencing this role in October 2021. Jade is accountable for ensuring the effective management and governance of all risk types including financial, private health insurance, operational, legal & regulatory, sustainability, environment, information security and clinical.

Jade has had more than 20 years of experience within the Private Health Insurance sector. Prior to her appointment as Chief Risk Officer, she was appointed as Head of Risk in 2018. She has also held positions within operations, human resource and program management. Jade’s focus is to empower our people to manage risk and compliance, maintaining the trust placed in us by our members, patients and community.

Jade has a Bachelor of Commerce with majors in Marketing and Economics from Deakin University. She was also a participant in the Committee for Geelong Leaders program 2010-2012 and held a volunteer board position with the Geelong Food Relief Centre in 2013-2014.

Natalie Lanarus, Chief of Operations, Health and Branch Network

Natalie Lanarus

Chief Operating Officer - Health & Branch Network

Natalie joined GMHBA as the Chief of Operations – Health & Branch Network in December 2022 and is responsible for the strategic direction, vision and performance of our growing network of Retail Branches, Dentists, GP’s, Physio and Eye Care businesses.

A seasoned professional in her field, Natalie has over 20 years of extensive leadership expertise with businesses such as Nokia, Weight Watchers, and most recently in Private Health Insurance. Natalie is passionate about driving customer-led integration changes, as well as designing and executing omni- channel and optimisation strategies.

Natalie holds a Master of Business Administration and is particularly excited about maximising operational excellence and creating exceptional member experiences to help improve customer and patient outcomes.

Wes Self, Chief Operating Officer -PHI

Wes Self

Chief Operating Officer - Health Insurance

Wes is the Chief Operating Officer – Health Insurance at GMHBA Limited. The key accountability areas of his portfolio include Customer Engagement and Operations, Product, Digital and Growth, Customer Portfolio Management and Benefits Management (inclusive of hospital contracting) for the business.

Throughout his 10 years at GMHBA, he has held a number of key roles including Chief Financial Officer, Group Financial Controller and Commercial Manager of Digital Business running GMHBA’s digital brands.

Wes is a Chartered Accountant with over 10 years at KPMG Melbourne working in Private Enterprise, with a focus on privately-owned client groups, corporate group structuring and incorporations, financial reporting and advisory, taxation and audit.

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Helen Stevens

Chief Marketing Officer 

Helen is responsible for providing strategic leadership and management of GMHBA’s corporate communications, marketing, customer engagement and digital product teams.  In this capacity, she is charged with leading the dual brand strategy to deliver compelling private health insurance, and support GMHBA’s connected health services network.    

Helen joined GMHBA in 2022, bringing over 20 years’ experience as a marketer working in industries as diverse as finance, travel and education.  She is passionate about applying customer insights to develop and execute marketing strategy that drives sustainable growth. A Geelong local, she is relishing the opportunity to contribute to the community in which she lives.  

Helen holds a Bachelor of Commerce in Marketing and Management and a Graduate Certificate in International Relations. 

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Kath Young

Chief Information Officer

Kath joined GMHBA as Chief Information Officer in December 2024, where she is responsible for overseeing the organisation's technology strategy, transformation initiatives and support GMHBA's business goals.

An accomplished CIO and CTO with a strong technical foundation, Kath brings more than 20 years of proven leadership experience in complex and highly regarded organizations across the Asia Pacific region. Prior to joining GMHBA, she served as CIO at Catholic Church Insurance and has an extensive background in insurance and financial services.

Kath holds a Bachelor of Engineering, is a graduate of the Australian Institute of Company Directors, and an alumna of the Williamson Community Leadership Program.