Board of Directors
Board of Directors
The COPE Board reflects the range of expertise required to implement COPE’s strategic objectives and is comprised of the following Directors:
Chairman – Mr Glen Watts
As former Managing Director of Kimberly Clarke, Glen brings a wealth of corporate knowledge and experience with corporate industry, particularly in relation to the mother and baby sector. Glen is an adaptable leader, driven by innovation and a change agenda. His experience as a Managing Director, country and industry board member with well-developed skills in senior executive mentoring and board responsibilities is a great asset to the establishment and growth of COPE.
Founder and Executive Director – Dr Nicole Highet
Founder and Executive Director, Nicole was the former Deputy CEO and National Perinatal Advisor of beyondblue between 2001-2013. Her role in the perinatal area specifically included oversight of the National Research Program, advocacy and the implementation of Australia’s $85M National Perinatal Depression Initiative (NPDI). Other areas of specialisation within the perinatal field include consumer research, national community awareness campaigns, clinical guidelines and resource development, digital screening and research and advocacy to inform and guide policy and best practice. Her leadership and strong commitment to perinatal mental health has resulted in the formal establishment of COPE in 2013.
Director – Mrs Deb Bauer
Deb has over 30 years marketing experience building world-renowned brands like HUGGIES ® and KLEENEX® in Australia and internationally. She is an experienced General Manager from Kimberly-Clark who adapts insights and best practice from big corporates into meaningful, actionable strategies for small-medium sized organisations.
She brings a passion for making life better for new mums, mums-to-be and their families.
Director – Mr Tony MacMahon
Tony has enjoyed a career in roles covering all aspects of Finance and gaining extensive experience in Consumer, Commercial, Health Care and Aged Care Sectors in Australia and Asia. With a passion for good governance, developing culture, and building capabilities, Tony applies his knowledge and experience to support the development of people and communities. Currently, Tony has a senior finance role in the Not for Profit Sector and is on the Board and Finance Committees of a number of community and commercial organisations.
Director – Mr Ross Wall
Ross has been involved in the Event Management industry for the last forty years. He was a founding director of FrontRow Group, a Sydney based agency specialising in events, hospitality, and sponsorship. FrontRow Group has been responsible for many of the major sporting and charity functions held throughout Australia, especially in Sydney.He is also a director of Mito Foundation where he has overseen their fundraising activities since their inception in 2009. Their major fundraising initiative raises in excess of $3m each year. He joined the COPE board with personal experience of perinatal difficulties within his family and a desire to contribute to assist others in the same situation.
Director – Ms Sally Branson
With over twenty-four years of diverse experience in the Diplomatic, Military, Government, Not-for-profit, and Corporate sectors, Sally Branson Dalwood is a seasoned public affairs specialist and brings this lense to the Board of COPE. Sally excels in reputation and crisis management, leadership planning, and strategy, overseeing public affairs programs for significant scale and geopolitical projects. Her expertise includes managing crises for renowned Australian and international brands and high-profile individuals. Sally is also a regular media contributor, providing expert analysis on news and current affairs. Sally is the founder of the ecommerce brand The Suite Set, which makes and manufactures bag organisation systems for packing for hospital, including the Margigold Set, for parents experiencing loss through TFMR and antepartum stillbirth.