Professor Sarah Hosking
PhD FAICD
Chief Executive Officer
Sarah Hosking is an experienced CEO and non executive director, and for nearly 30 years has worked as a researcher, clinician, and senior executive mostly in the UK and Australia. With a proven track record in business start-up, turnaround, development, and change management, she has extensive knowledge of private and government, primary and acute health sectors across a broad range of disciplines. Her special areas of interest have been in cancer, paediatric palliative care, and eye health. Sarah volunteered as a clinician and educator for many years in countries across Africa and Asia.
Winner of the 2020 Telstra NSW Business Woman of the Year for Purpose and Social Impact, Sarah is described as a leader with inspired vision, boundless drive, enthusiasm and determination, and exceptional negotiation skills. She has a dynamic yet pragmatic approach, is a team player, and energises those around her to achieve to the best of their ability.
Mr Greg Bisset
BBusSc, BCom(Hons), MBA
Chief Operating Officer
Greg leads the Finance, Strategy & Operations Division, which includes Information Technology, Finance, Risk, Audit, Property and Facilities, Legal, Company Secretarial, Project Management, and Strategy and Planning. Greg joined Cancer Council NSW in October 2017 after a nine-year career with InvoCare Limited, including five years as InvoCare’s Chief Operating Officer of Australia. Greg has had an extensive international career in retail and operations management and business development, including senior operational roles in South Africa, the Middle East, and Australia.
Greg holds a Bachelor of Business Science from the University of Cape Town, a Bachelor of Commerce Honours from the University of South Africa and an MBA from the University of Stellenbosch, and is a registered Justice of the Peace for NSW.
Professor Karen Canfell
D.Phil (Oxford)
Director, Cancer Research
Professor Karen Canfell leads the Cancer Research Division and is an Adjunct Professor at Sydney Medical School, The University of Sydney. She holds a D.Phil. (PhD equivalent) in Epidemiology from the University of Oxford. Her work involves the evaluation and translation of new strategies for cancer screening. A focus has been the interplay between HPV vaccination and cervical screening in both high and low resource countries. She has led economic evaluations of new cervical screening approaches for government and her group’s work also underpins the current Renewal (review) of the National Cervical Screening Program in Australia.
In collaboration with the Victorian Cytology Service, Karen initiated Compass, which is Australia’s largest clinical trial to assess cervical screening in an HPV‐vaccinated population. In 2015, Karen received a ‘100 Women of Influence’ nomination in the AFR/Westpac awards and also received a national Research Excellence Award from the National Health and Medical Research Council (NHMRC).
Ms Anita Dessaix
MA (Communication Management), MPH
Director, Cancer Prevention & Advocacy
As Director Cancer Prevention & Advocacy, Anita is responsible for leading strategy and program efforts in the two Cancer Council NSW strategic priority areas of Prevention and Advocacy. The Division’s focus is on reducing the burden of cancer and reducing cancer risk across NSW communities, through targeted programs, policy, advocacy and retail stores.
Anita holds a Master of Arts in Communication Management from the University of Technology, Sydney and a Master of Public Health from The University of Sydney. She has more than 15 years’ experience within the NSW public health sector, with 12 years in cancer prevention specifically. Anita has held a number of senior management positions in public health having previously worked in organisations such as the Cancer Institute NSW, the NSW Ministry of Health as well as private consulting.
Ms Kaylene Jacques
BEc
Director, People & Communications
Kaylene Jacques leads the People and Communications Division and is responsible for growing and enabling our people to deliver on Cancer Council NSW’s strategic priorities. The Division’s focus is on attracting and retaining a diverse and talented workforce, fostering a vibrant, agile and community focused culture and embracing transformational leadership across the organisation.
She holds a Bachelor of Economics and has more than 20 years’ experience in human resources, including significant experience in organisational culture and strategic change. Kaylene has held a number of senior human resources positions across both the corporate and not for profit space. Her most recent role was General Manager, People & Culture for the Heart Foundation.
Ms Sarah Penman
BA LLB
Acting Director, Cancer Information and Support Services
Sarah Penman leads the Cancer Information and Support Services Division. The Division’s focus is on proving information and support to enhance the quality of life for people affected by cancer. She holds a Bachelor of Art and Juris Doctor and has over 15 years’ experience in not-for-profit sector, including providing support through community legal centres and helping to set up Cancer Council NSW’s free Legal and Financial Referral Services. Sarah has held a number of leadership positions within Cancer Council NSW, working across patient support, community engagement, organisational projects and strategy.
Ms Naomi Watson
BA (Hons 1), ACIM
Director, Marketing & Fundraising
As Director of Marketing and Fundraising, Naomi works in collaboration with the Chief Executive Officer and the Executive Leadership team in leading Cancer Council NSW’s brand, mission marketing and fundraising through campaigns, direct marketing, marketing insights, philanthropy, digital marketing and supporter experience. Naomi oversees the growth and diversification of Cancer Council NSW’s fundraising portfolio and supports the development of long term sustainable income generation.
Naomi holds a Bachelor of Arts (Hons 1) a Diploma in Professional Marketing and is a mentor at Fundraising Institute Australia. She has over 15 years’ experience gained across international settings working across a diverse range of not-for-profit and for-profit organisations in publishing, education and the arts sectors. Prior to joining Cancer Council NSW, Naomi led marketing teams at Hodder Education part of Hachette UK.