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
Deputy CEO and 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.
Associate Professor Andreas Behren
Ph D
Director, Research Strategy and Operations
Andreas joined Cancer Council NSW in July 2024 as Director Research Strategy and Operations. He holds a PhD from the University of Tuebingen, Germany and was recruited to the Ludwig Institute for Cancer Research in Melbourne, Australia in 2008 to work on melanoma. Dr. Behren was appointed as Laboratory Head in 2018 at the Olivia Newton-John Cancer Research Institute and as Associate Professor at La Trobe University, Melbourne in 2020. His highly successful work reached across many cancers with a focus on translational tumour immunology. His laboratory program has been widely published and attracted major funding from government, philanthropy and industry.
As Director Research Strategy and Operations Andreas will help shaping our cancer research investments and partnerships in alignment with our strategic priorities. His division will ensure evidence-based funding and support of scientific excellent research across the cancer spectrum. Research Advocacy, collaborations and community engagement are focus areas underpinning Andreas’ vision for the way forward.
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.
Dr Vanessa Johnston
PhD, MPH
Director, Cancer Information and Support Services
Vanessa Johnston 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. Vanessa has a passion for prioritising collaboration, social justice, and health equity in her work. She has extensive experience working together with culturally and linguistically diverse communities and First Nations people with the aim of reducing health inequities across a wide range of areas in public health. She has served in a voluntary capacity in Executive positions across NFP organisations.
Vanessa is a public health medicine specialist who has held senior roles across academia and government in research, health policy and program delivery over the past 15 years. In addition to her medical qualifications, Vanessa has a MPH and PhD and has held a previous role as Associate Professor at the ANU Medical School.
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.