Board of Directors

The WCH Foundation is an incorporated body under the Associations Incorporations Act 1985 and is governed by a Board of Directors. Directors serve in an honorary capacity and receive no financial benefits.

Dr Nicholas Begakis AO
Chairman

Nick has more than 30 years experience in senior management roles in manufacturing industries, as an entrepreneur in his own enterprises, in venture capital, merchant banking and corporate recovery roles. He currently has various State and National roles as an independent, non-executive Company Director and Chairman. In particular, he is Chairman of a number of Boards including Statewide Superannuation Trust, and a Director of Business SA and the Australian Chamber of Commerce and Industry. Awarded Doctor of the University, honoris causa, DUniv Flin, April 2012.

Michael O'Connor
Deputy Chairman

Michael graduated from the South Australian Institute of Technology with a Bachelor of Applied Science in 1984. Since then he has carved a significant career and business in the building industry in South Australia. In addition to his role on the WCH Foundation board, Michael is also a member of the Master Builder's Association and the Young Presidents Organisation.

Dr Tony Bourne

Tony studied Medicine at the University of Adelaide from 1964-1969 and subsequently trained in pathology at The Queen Elizabeth Hospital. Tony took up post as a Consultant Pathologist at the Adelaide Children's Hospital in 1977, a position which continued with the Women's & Children's Hospital until he retired in 2007.

Francis Wong

A prominent figure in marketing Australia and South Australia as a tourist destination, Francis established one of the country’s leading inbound tourism companies, Encounter Australia. Francis is the only South Australian to have ever been elected to serve as Chair on the Asian Industry Advisory Panel, is a Councillor on the Adelaide City Council and is National President of the Australia Brunei Darussalam Business Council.

Leigh McClusky

With a career spanning almost 30 years, Leigh is one of South Australia’s most experienced and respected journalists. Having worked in print, radio and television, Leigh is perhaps most well known for her role as host of Channel Seven’s top rating current affairs program, Today Tonight. She is also a mother to young twins.

Bronwen Gwynn-Jones

Bronwen Gwynn-Jones is Managing Director CumminsRoss SA, a full-service advertising and media agency, launched in February 2012. Previously, Bronwen was Founding Director of Jigsaw Media, an independent South Australian media company that published magazines including Sumptuous and The Vine and produced Sumptuous Television. Bronwen has written for and edited numerous national and South Australian publications.

Wee Keat Chan

Wee is a Partner of Bray Chan Chartered Accountants and his areas of expertise include the manufacturing, fashion and services industries. Wee Keat was formerly the National President of the Australia Malaysia Business Council on which he remains in an honorary role as Government Liaison/Strategic Adviser. In 2007, in recognition of his meritorious service and contribution in further strengthening the trade relations between Australia and Malaysia, Wee Keat was conferred the honorary award of Johan Mangku Negara (J.M.N.) (Companion in the Order of the Defender of the Realm) by the King of Malaysia, His Majesty Tuanku Mizan Zainal Abidin.

Mark Coughlin

Mark is currently PwC's energy and utilities national consulting industry leader. Prior to this Mark was the Partner in Charge of the PricewaterhouseCoopers Adelaide Advisory practice which covers the Corporate Finance and Consulting teams. Mark has a blend of operational and consulting experience developed over the past 30 years. Mark was national President and Chairman of CPA Australia in 2005/06. Mark holds various leadership roles within the Australian financial community including current Board membership of the Australian Government’s Financial Reporting Council which oversees key policy and regulatory elements of the Audit and accounting professions.