Our Board

Jenny Smith

Chair – Director since 2019

Bachelor in Computer Science, Information Systems and Accounting, MBA Melbourne Business School, CPA, Graduate of the Australian Institute of Company Directors

Jenny is a senior executive and consultant with a wealth of experience across the not-for-profit sector including Public Health, Aged Care and Disability Services as well as the for-profit sector with experience in Oil and Gas, Mining, Media and Retail.  Most recently Jenny held the role of Executive Director, Strategy, Planning and Major Projects at Mercy Health.

Jenny has expertise in Strategy, Financial Planning and Analysis, Major Infrastructure Projects and Mergers and Acquisitions.  

Jenny’s Able Australia Board Committee membership includes:

• Finance, Audit, Investment & Risk Committee
• Integration Committee

Monica (Meg) Downie

Deputy Chairperson since November 2018. Director since 2016

Bachelor of Business
Fellow, Institute of Public Administration (Vic)

Meg is the Director of the Infrastructure, Government and Healthcare Industry Group at KPMG where she has been managing the strategic growth and market positioning of its government business for a number of years and brings a wealth of expertise and knowledge to Able Australia. Prior to KPMG, she spent 16 years with the Commonwealth and Victorian Public Services where she specialised in organisational re-structuring and a range of human resource management functions.

Meg’s Able Australia Board Committee membership includes:

• Chair – People & Engagement Committee
• Chair – Client Advisory Committee

John Rowan

Treasurer – Director since 2019

Bachelor of Business (Accounting), CPA, Fellow of the Governance Institute of Australia

John has held a variety of leadership roles in diverse areas including Human Resources Management, Superannuation, Company Secretariat, Fleet Management, Sales & Marketing, Supply Chain and Occupational Health and Safety.  John has extensive skills in business development and continuous improvement (kaizen) and has previously served as a longstanding Board Director for a not-for-profit disability organisation.

John’s Able Australia Board Committee membership includes:

• Chair – Finance, Audit, Investment & Risk Committee
• People & Engagement Committee
• Integration Committee

Ro Marks

Director since 2019

Bachelor of Applied Science Recreation, Master of Social Science Human Services, Graduate Diploma Strategic Foresight

Ro is an experienced senior policy adviser with a 30-year history of working across the social policy spectrum with state, regional and local governments, statutory authorities and not for profit organisations in Victoria and Western Australia.  She has a keen understanding of the aged and disability sectors and is committed to strengthening engagement with Able’s clients and employees to ensure quality in policy and service outcomes.

Ro’s Able Australia Board Committee membership includes:

• Client Quality & Safeguarding Committee
• Client Advisory Committee
• Integration Committee

Dr Prue Morgan

Director since 2018

PhD, Master of Applied Science (research), Bachelor of Applied Science (physio), Graduate Diploma Neuroscience

Prue is a Professor of Physiotherapy at Monash University. She is an experienced physiotherapy clinician and academic with more than 30 years of experience in neurological clinical practice, physiotherapy education and research. Prue has assumed many state and national leadership roles in physiotherapy over her career and was awarded the title of Specialist Neurological Physiotherapist in 2008 by the Australian College of Physiotherapists in recognition of her expertise in clinical practice and scholarship.  She has particular skills in the management of issues affecting people aging with complex disability and brings her clinical experience to Able Australia.

Prue’s Able Australia Board Committee membership includes:

• Chair – Client Quality & Safeguarding Committee

John McKenna

Director since 2021

John has over 60 years of living experience having a physical disability. He has been an Empowerment Advocate for over 30 years. As an Empowerment Advocate John has worked with a range of people and their families. He has a thirst to learn from others including gender diversity and culturally and linguistically diverse (CALD) people and their experiences.

With extensive experience living with a physical disability, John was an Advisor during the establishment of the National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS).  He has a special interest in the significance of developing communication that is accessible for all regardless of their ability and was the Chair of the Internet Industry Association web Accessibility task force and highlighted the issue of inclusive website accessibility.

Today, John operates his own consulting business ‘Better Access Consulting’ and is an Honorary Justice of the Peace.