OUR

BOARD & TEAM


The brains behind brain matters

LIZ DAWES

Founder and CEO

Connor’s mum. Business woman. World-mover.
liz@rcdfoundation.org

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In December 2011 Liz Dawes’ world was turned upside down when her eldest son Connor was diagnosed with brain cancer.
Turning her greatest tragedy into her greatest purpose, Liz sold her creative fundraising business Art By Kids, to focus her energy on building Connor’s legacy.
Liz has always been a savvy businesswoman and passionate about helping her community, having held several high-profile roles in sales and marketing across the United States and Australia.
In her role as CEO and Chairperson of the Board of the Robert Connor Dawes Foundation, Liz has worked tirelessly to build the foundation into the biggest paediatric brain cancer charity in Australia, raising millions along the way.
Liz has been recognised as Bayside’s Australia Day Citizen of the Year and asked to take part in a Federal Government round table with the top minds in paediatric brain cancer in Australia and abroad.
Liz is an inspirational speaker and regularly shares her journey with schools, corporates and community groups. Liz is available for speaking opportunities via lizdawes.org.

SCOTT DAWES

Director

Connor’s dad. Brave runner. Quiet heart-stirrer.
scott@rcdfoundation.org

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Like Liz, Scott’s world was turned upside down in December 2011 when Connor was diagnosed with brain cancer. Now, he’s passionate about making a difference for kids and families impacted by paediatric brain cancer.
Scott has always been a passionate runner and supporter of charities. Every year Scott takes part in the Oxfam 100km Trailwalker, a tradition that’s become even more significant since completing his 10th annual Trailwalker in 2013, just hours before Connor passed away.
Scott is an experienced senior executive with more than 25 years of experience in the technology industry. Throughout his career Scott has been a fierce advocate for outcome-based selling and a customer-first mentality.

MICHELE WILLIAMS

Director

General Counsel. Source of Wisdom.

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Michèle is a General Counsel with over 20 years’ experience. After growing up and starting her legal career in England, she took the leap and moved to Australia in 2001. With her experience in two leading global law firms, an international management investment company and an Australian manufacturing business with global clients, she is a woman driven to help make a difference. Michèle’s expertise from her involvement with Cancer Council Victoria (CCV), a director since 2018, furthermore brings strength to the RCD Foundation’s team, and when she isn’t in the office you can find her juggling 3 sons, a dog, a rabbit, and 3 guinea pigs!

JANE ABBOTT

Company Secretary

Paperwork genius. Lover of details. Artful administrator.
jane@rcdfoundation.org

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Jane worked for over 30 years in corporate superannuation as an administrator, consultant and trustee director. She is currently an Ombudsman with AFCA, and has participated for many years in volunteer and committee positions.

Tim Mitchell-Adams

Director

Passionate change-maker. Reluctant runner.
tmitchell-adams@asg.com.au

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Tim is an experienced senior executive and business leader. He has over 30 years’ experience covering the Wealth Management, Education, and more recently Sustainability sectors. Tim is also involved in a number of start-up entities covering the Veterinary, Loyalty and NFP sectors. Tim’s passionate about supporting young people and driving change through advocacy and awareness, having previously worked with the Reach Foundation, Tim recognised that this was where significant value could be found. However, you won’t find him doing any fun runs outside of Connor’s – he is far happier cruising Victoria’s incredible landscape on his motorbike!

GRAHAM LEE

Director

A strong desire to contribute

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Graham has now retired from the full-time working world and wants to bring to bear 40 years of professional experience as a base to “do good things”. He qualified as a Chartered Accountant and his professional career as a public accountant has taken him around the world, most recently 20 years in Singapore. He is actively involved in volunteering in sporting and community activities in the Bayside area.

MIRIAM DEXTER

Director

NFP Growth Driver

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Miriam is a Not-for-profit leader. She served as CEO for the Snowdome Foundation for eight years and turbo-charged the organisation to raise $35million for Australian blood cancer research. She also helped Snowdome receive the inaugural National Telstra Business Award – Charity Division. She now serves on NFP Boards and consults broadly in the NFP sector. Miriam loves walking by the bay and cannot wait for the next Connor’s Run!

TEAM USA

CHERI McCUSKER

US Operations Manager

cheri@rcdfoundation.org
1 201 247 7485

DEBBIE DAWES CLARK

Director, RCD USA

debbie@rcdfoundation.org

JANA PAGEL

Director, RCD USA

janampagel@yahoo.com

DAVID HARRIS

Director, RCD USA

david@rcdfoundation.org