Our People

Making a difference for the families in our care.

Our Board

Ronald McDonald House Charities South East Queensland (RMHC SEQ) is supported by a dedicated Board. RMHC SEQ Board members bring a broad range of experience across many different sectors.

Tim was on the Board of RMHC Australia from 2019 to 2023.  Tim then joined the RMHC SEQ Board in and was appointed Chair in July 2023.

Tim holds qualifications in Business Accountancy and Electronic Data Processing, and was a Chartered Accountant for more than 12 years.  He has comprehensive experience across Audit, Business Advisory, Insolvency and Administration, as well as Taxation, including internationally working for organisations such as Price Waterhouse advising multinationals including Jardines, Newsweek, UBS and Gestetner.

Tim has been a McDonald’s Licensee since 1996.

OAM, MBBS, MPH, FRACGP FRACMA

Dr Dines joined the RMHC SEQ Board in May 2016 and currently holds the Deputy Chair position.

Dr Dines is a Monash University medical graduate and has a Masters of Public Health in Health Care Management from the Harvard TS Chan School of Public Health, USA.  She is a Fellow of the Royal Australasian College of General Practice and Royal Australasian College of Medical Administration. She is a member of the Australian Institute of Company Directors.

Dr Dines brings a wealth of experience including more than 20 years in Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) and currently as an Air Commodore in the RAAF Specialist Reserve.  She is also Chair of the Gallipoli Medical Research Foundation and Chair of the GMRF Research Advisory Committee.   

Dr Dines holds an honorary appointment in Medical Services, Metro North Health and has previously held executive leadership positions at the Royal Brisbane and Women’s Hospital and Redcliffe Hospital.

Michael has had a long association with RMHC SEQ, having been Board Chair of Ronald McDonald House Mater from 2000 to 2004. He joined the RMHC SEQ Board in May 2020 and was appointed Board Chair in October 2020, concluding this role in July 2023. He was also a member of the RMHC National Board from 2005 to2009.

Michael holds qualifications in Business Communications, Management and Retail Management.  He commenced with McDonald’s in 1976 and went on to become the National Training Manager.  Michael spent two years at the McDonalds Hamburger University in Chicago, and after qualifying was responsible for setting up The McDonalds Management Training Centre at Thornleigh (NSW) Head Office in 1988.  

Michael has been a McDonald’s Franchisee affiliated with McDonald’s for over four decades. 

Leone is a lawyer specialising in commercial property transactions at Herbert Smith Freehills. She joined the RMHC SEQ Board in July 2014.

Leone’s qualifications include Bachelor of Laws and Bachelor of Business Accounting. She is a Queensland Law Society Accredited Specialist in property law, as well as a member of the Tax Institute.

Mick joined the RMHC SEQ Board in February 2014. He is also a current Board Member of Ronald McDonald House Charities Australia.

Mick is the Managing director of Bencee Pty Ltd trading as Les Wilson Detail Cabinet Maker, which specialises in commercial, office and retail fit out and construction.  He is also a board member of Interior Fitout Association (IFA), formerly ASOFIA.

Mark joined the RMHC SEQ Board in January 2020. His qualifications include Bachelor of Business Studies and he is a Chartered Management Accountant and a graduate of AICD.

Mark is a McDonalds Franchisee owner operator of four restaurants. Prior to joining McDonalds was the President & CEO Kerry Group Asia Pacific based in Singapore for 14 years. A founding board member of the Irish Chamber of Commerce Singapore from 2003-2010, Food Industry Asia Board member from 2010-2014 and is a member of the Global Irish Network – an advisory to the Irish Government of senior executive across the globe. Current Chair of Audit and Risk Committee for RMHC SEQ.

Mark has been a McDonald’s Licensee 2016.

Suzanne joined the RMHC SEQ Board in February 2020.  She has qualifications in Dip App Sc – Nursing Education, B Arts, Grad Cert Bus Admin, and Master Nursing Leadership.

With significant experience as a Registered Nurse, Suzanne has worked extensively in the delivery of healthcare, in diverse specialty areas such as surgical, paediatric, and emergency nursing as well as in the delivery of training and education programs for nurses. She was a Board Member for the Nursing and Midwifery Board QLD until 2022 and is a current member of the Boards for Children’s Health Queensland and Karuna Hospice.  

Troy joined the RMHC SEQ Board in December 2020.   He is a former Chief of Staff and senior public servant, whose areas of expertise include developing public private partnerships, navigating regulatory pathways, approvals and political sensitivities. His business interests include strategic advisory services, renewable fuels, waste glass recycling, government training and medical technology.

In the last three years, Troy has assisted a number of clients, helping them secure more than $ 50 million in grant funding from the Queensland and Commonwealth governments across health, indigenous education, renewable energy and waste resource recovery.

Troy is also a member of the Queensland Government’s Bio futures Industry Advisory Group, a Committee Member for BioEnergy Australia, and a Board Director with the Queensland Former Origin Greats (FOGS). He holds the position of Chair at Greening Australia, the Queensland Advisory Council, and the Cleaner Fuels Alliance.

BMed Sci (Hons), First Class, MB, BS (UK), FRACP

Dr Cooke is a specialist Paediatrician and Neonatologist and joined the RMHC SEQ Board in May 2021.

Lucy is a medical graduate of The University of Nottingham (UK) and holds a Fellowship at the Royal Australian College of Physicians. She is currently the Medical Director of NeoRESQ, a neonatal retrieval service for South East Queensland. In the 17 years prior to that, Lucy held a range of senior positions at the Mater Mother’s Hospital, including Director of Neonatology, and has served and currently serves on a range of state and national committees relating to neonatology, maternity and paediatrics. Lucy brings a wealth of knowledge and experience in the hospital and health system and the care of children and families to the Board.

Tara has been a member of the RMHC SEQ board since July 2023 and was appointed Finance Committee Chair in July 2023.

Tara has qualifications include Bachelor of Business Accounting, Business Law and Professional Accounting along with accounting experience in company structures and taxation.  She worked in Finance Management and Procurement roles at McDonald’s Australia for almost 20 years.

She has volunteered for Ronald McDonald House Charities across various finance positions for more than 17 years, including Ronald McDonald House South East Queensland Finance Committee for nine years.  She is currently Director of Mater Group.

Our Executive Team

Ronald McDonald House Charities South East Queensland is managed by a team of professionals with diverse skills, expertise and backgrounds from across the not-for-profit, health and corporate sectors.

Emma Thompson

Emma joined Ronald McDonald House Charities South East Queensland (RMHC SEQ) as Chief Executive Officer in May 2022. 

Emma is a not-for-profit leader with more than 12 years’ experience leading family and health focused organisations in both New Zealand and Australia.  Having been connected to the RMHC system since 2011, Emma is passionate about ensuring that families experiencing childhood illness receive all of the support they need.

Emma holds a degree in English Language and Literature and post graduate qualifications in Law and Business Administration.

Meaghan Bush

Meaghan joined the RMHC SEQ team as Executive Manager Fundraising, Marketing and Communications in February 2023.

She is recognised as a visionary leader, successfully managing multi-disciplinary teams of 50+, building inclusive, engaged and inspiring cultures to achieve the best possible outcomes for the communities served.

With over 20 years’ experience across the for-purpose sector, Meaghan has developed strong skills in strategic planning, fundraising, marketing, philanthropy, digital transformation, stakeholder management and leading highly effective teams.

At executive level, she drives growth and change by leveraging years of experience, leading large and complex marketing and fundraising functions in for-purpose organisations to raise funds, improve brands and create exceptional supporter experiences. 

Meaghan holds qualifications in Marketing, Communication and Strategic Leadership, is a member of the Australian Institute of Company Directors and Fundraising Institute of Australia.

Fiona Vink

Fiona Vink has held the position of Executive Manager People & Culture since December 2019.

Fiona is a dedicated leader known for her creative and passionate approach. Committed to supporting mission-driven organisations specialising in people development, generalist HR, volunteer management and training. She focuses on fostering individual growth through a safety-centric and well-being-oriented approach, while instilling a strong growth mindset culture. Fiona has experience in the development and delivery of large scale training programs, performance management, employee/industrial relations, reward and recognition, and strategic and operational management of HR and volunteer programs. Fiona is dedicated to initiating impactful initiatives that contribute to both organisational and personnel growth, building capabilities and capacities aligned with strategic goals.

Fiona holds qualifications in Human Resources, Leadership, Volunteer Management, Rehabilitation/Return to Work and Training.

 

Peter Meier

Peter joined Ronald McDonald House Charities South East Queensland (RMHC SEQ) team as Executive Manager Operations in January 2023. 

Peter is an experienced Operations Manager with a demonstrated history of working in the Not For Profit sector in Community Housing and Homelessness, In Home Support Services in Aged Care and NDIS, and Employment Services.

Peter holds qualifications in Community Services Management, Business Management, and Case Management and Social Work.

Peter Lynch

Peter joined the Ronald McDonald House Charities South East Queensland (RMHC SEQ) in July 2023.

He is an experienced professional with a Tax/Accounting background and has spent the last 25 years in Finance leadership roles across a variety of for-purpose organisations.

Whilst managing and overseeing the core functions associated with senior roles, he has had a focus on transforming the finance function in these organisations and has been involved in restructures, team rebuilds, system replacements and generally improving processes and reporting.  

With a passion for supporting the community, emphasis on Strategic Planning and delivering on Mission are key drivers for Peter in his work.