The Western Australian Comprehensive Kids Cancer Centre is guided by a Steering Committee that provides strategic direction and oversight, ensuring the Centre remains aligned with its vision and accountable to its partners, funders and the community.
The Steering Committee brings together senior representatives from the Centre’s key partners and funders and is responsible for the Centre’s governance, approving strategic plans and budgets, and monitoring progress against agreed milestones.
Through this oversight, the Steering Committee ensures the Centre remains sustainable, strategically focused and aligned with its vision for a future where all kids with cancer survive and thrive.
Chief Executive, Child and Adolescent Health Service
Child and Adolescent Health Service Chief Executive, Valerie Buić has held a career within public health spanning over 30 years. From grass roots, hands on experience in nursing, to various senior leadership, executive and General Manager roles both nationally and within Western Australia, Valerie is dedicated to public health, service improvement and person-centred care.
Executive Director, The Kids Research Institute Australia
Professor Carapetis is Executive Director of The Kids Research Institute Australia in Perth, Western Australia, an infectious diseases consultant physician at Perth Children’s Hospital, and a Professor at The University of Western Australia.
Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Research), The University of Western Australia
Professor Anna Nowak is Deputy Vice Chancellor (Research), having initially commenced in the role in an acting capacity in 2022. As DVCR, she is a member of the UWA Executive and has responsibility for research strategy and operations, strategic research institutes and facilities, and HDR students, across the University.
Research and Partnerships Manager, Stan Perron Charitable Foundation
Dr Chaney was appointed to the Stan Perron Charitable Foundation Board in August 2018 and is now the Research and Partnerships Manager for the Foundation. Dr Chaney is a general paediatrician at Perth Children’s Hospital and previously served as Dean and Head of the School of Medicine at University of Notre Dame Australia.
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CEO, Perth Children's Hospital Foundation
In a career spanning over 25 years, Carrick has held senior leadership roles in the not-for-profit and corporate sectors as a Director, CEO and senior executive. Carrick has extensive marketing, communications, fundraising, business management and governance experience.
Clinical Director | Theme Lead, Survivorship (interim)
Professor Nick Gottardo is Clinical Director of the WA Comprehensive Kids Cancer Centre, Head of the Paediatric Oncology and Haematology Department at Perth Children’s Hospital, co-leads the Brain Tumour Research team at The Kids Research Institute Australia and is a Professor at The University of Western Australia.
Scientific Director | Theme Lead, Therapies for Surgery (interim)
Professor Joost Lesterhuis is Scientific Director of the WA Comprehensive Kids Cancer Centre, Head of Cancer Research at The Kids Research Institute Australia, Head of its Sarcoma Translational Research team and Professor at The University of Western Australia. Professor Lesterhuis has a background as a dual-trained medical oncologist and researcher in tumour immunology and cancer biology.
General Manager
Emma Stone is the General Manager of the WA Comprehensive Kids Cancer Centre, and holds a joint position between The Kids Research Institute Australia and the Child Adolescent Health Service. Previously, as Senior Program Manager of Cancer Research at The Kids, Emma played a pivotal role in driving the Centre's strategic and operational direction, leveraging her dual background in science and business.
