OUR
BOARD & TEAM
Big brains making a difference for kids with brain cancer
LIZ DAWES
Founder and CEO
Connor’s mum. Business woman. World-mover.
liz@rcdfoundation.org
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
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.
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!
ELLEN WEBB
Company Secretary
Strategic Maven. Results-Driven Visionary.
ellen@rcdfoundation.org
Ellen brings extensive experience in business transformation and strategic governance, guiding organisations across diverse industries with robust financial oversight.
Ellen’s career spans the US and Australia, in organisations ranging from small NFPs to large multi-national ASX companies. A qualified accountant and AICD graduate, her expertise includes finance, investments, people and culture, IT, property management, risk management, and governance.
Ellen’s dedication to advancing children’s cancer care is deeply personal, as her first-born son died of a rare cancer when he was just three. This has driven her commitment to help organisations fund much-needed paediatric cancer research. Her work with Cancer in Kids @ RCH (CIKA) and other NFP organisations highlights her advocacy skills.
Tim Mitchell-Adams
Director
Passionate change-maker. Reluctant runner.
rathmorezim@gmail.com
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
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
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!