The Lifeline Direct (LLD) Board of Directors help lead LLD’s strategic direction, establish a governance framework including compliance systems to ensure the organisation meets its obligations, oversee the financial performance and help ensure that LLD stays focused on working towards its guiding vision of an Australia free of suicide.
Steve is an experienced academic psychiatrist and board director who is driven to improve the mental health of our community. Steve is the Clinical Director of Mental Health, Drugs and Alcohol Services at Barwon Health in Victoria, and Professor with Deakin University School of Medicine.
Steve has strong interests in health leadership and governance, mental health systems, clinical care including general and psychiatry of old age, and translational research psychiatry, and has contributed widely to local, state and national mental health reforms.
Steve completed his psychiatry training with the Royal Australian and New Zealand College of Psychiatrist in 2016 with a specialty in psychiatry of the old age. Through training he was awarded the Maddison Medallion, and in 2015 was named Early Career Psychiatrist of the Year. Steve has completed his PhD in psychiatric epidemiology (2015) and Masters of Business Administration (2020) with Deakin University, and Master of Public Health at Harvard School of Public Health (2010).
Steve is an experienced board director and is the current Chair of Lifeline Direct and a non-executive Director with the Victorian Collaborative Centre for Mental Health and Wellbeing. Steve was formerly the Chair of On The Line Australia, successfully leading the organisation through an amalgamation with Lifeline.
Shona Tarrant is a senior executive leader with experience across not for profit, retail, consulting and construction. Since 2018 she has been Group Executive, People and Culture for Chartered Accountants Australia and New Zealand, and has previously held executive leadership roles within operations, strategy and people and culture. In these roles she has supported organisations through start up, growth, transformation and change. Shona holds an MBA from Deakin University, is a graduate of the Australian Institute of Company Directors and has completed the Dr John Yu Fellowship Program at the University of Sydney Business School. This is Shona’s first Board position.
Colin is Chief Executive Officer of Lifeline Australia. Colin has held leadership positions in the health sector for more than 20 years. Previously Colin was Chief Executive Officer of Healthdirect Australia and prior to that he held senior executive positions with the National Safety Council of Australia, the Hospital Benefits Association and Sano Consulting.
Colin has worked across a broad spectrum of health sector issues including governance, policy development, stakeholder engagement and advocacy.
Colin spent seven years in management positions at the Sydney Swans Football Club, where he was appointed Chief Executive Officer in 2002.
Originally from a financial executive background and currently as CEO, Jeff has broad industry experience across construction, engineering and property development market segments. Leveraging his skills obtained from being a Chartered Accountant and completing an MBA, Jeff has a passion and strong experience in implementing transformational leadership and driving strategic growth whilst ensuring strong financial and commercial discipline is maintained.
Jeff brings these skills to his past and current board roles by considering issues from multiple perspectives.
Sally Hasler (she/her) is passionate about addressing structural barriers to inequity with over 20 years' experience in executive, volunteer and board roles. Sally brings expertise in social policy, government relations, inclusion and intersectionality, stakeholder engagement and partnerships. She has lived experience of the mental health system as a consumer and carer, and a strong interest in the social determinants of health, gender outcomes and early intervention.
Sally has held executive and senior leadership roles with the Victorian and Commonwealth Governments, The Fred Hollows Foundation, and Hong Kong-based NGO, the Women’s Foundation. Sally has been a volunteer with St John Ambulance since a young age and lives on Wurundjeri County with her husband and three daughters.
Nicki is a dedicated community leader who is passionate about raising awareness and reducing stigma for mental health, and encouraging early intervention. She is currently a Councillor with the City of Stonnington and non-executive director of Mental Health First Aid. Previously she was the Chair of PANDA (Perinatal Anxiety and Depression Australia) and Emerge Women and Children Support Services, and a non-executive director of On The Line Australia. Nicki joined the Lifeline Direct Board in 2023 following the voluntary amalgamation of Lifeline with On The Line Australia. With lived experience of perinatal depression, Nicki understands the importance of accessible and quality support services to those in need.
Nicki’s professional experience is as a management consultant specialising in change management and leading organisations through workforce transformation programs. She has worked across a range of industries including government, professional services, resources and the not-for-profit sector in Australia and London.