Our team is dedicated to representing the interests of Australian healthcare consumers, and making your voices and needs heard at the national policy level.
Dr Elizabeth Deveny
Chief Executive Officer
Elizabeth is an experienced, well-respected senior executive with a strong commitment to improving health outcomes for all Australians. Working primarily in the health and education sectors she’s had responsibility for significant P&L ($250M) and capital projects ($70M). Her roles have required her to lead regional, state, national and international collaborations where she has successfully engaged a broad church of stakeholders in order to meet strategic objectives.
She was Chief Executive Officer of the South East Melbourne Primary Health Network from 2015 – 2021. Working with thousands of health professionals, the national network of PHNs, peak bodies and state and federal jurisdictions, Elizabeth led the largest PHN in Australia. With a team of one hundred staff Elizabeth was responsible for the oversight of the commissioning of 30+ primary health care programs, primary care capacity building, and outcome and impact evaluation. Elizabeth took up the role of interim Chief Executive Officer from Monday 22 August 2022 and was permanently appointed on 24 October 2022.
Jo Root
Policy Director
Jo manages the policy team to help CHF develop policy positions and advocate for reform to a consumer-centred health system. Jo has been involved in health policy since 1990, working for the Commonwealth and Queensland Governments and then moving to the non-government sector; community-controlled aboriginal health, and Council on the Ageing. She has undergraduate and postgraduate qualifications in economics and has been with CHF since November 2014.
Arul Ruban
Financial Business Partner
Arul is a Chartered Accountant and manages the finances of CHF. Arul has extensive experience managing finances of Non-profit entities that included budget management, monthly reporting, annual audits and board reporting. In the past, Arul worked for well-known charities such as Vision Australia and the Salvation Army and has implemented two significant process improvement projects such as document scanning and automation of financial operation. Arul is passionate about efficiencies, not only in financial matters, but also in the wider operation.
James Ansell
Senior Policy Officer
James joined Consumers Health Forum in 2018. He is a science communicator with a background in the intersection of science, policy and public interests. James is involved with CHF’s research activities including Australia’s Health Panel and he works across multiple areas including therapeutic goods, data, primary care and insurance. Please talk to him about Survivor at any time and AFL if the GWS Giants are doing well.
Jenna Gray
Communications Manager
Jenna Gray is a Communications professional with advanced digital, programming and design skills. Her career has been predominantly in not for profits in New Zealand and Australia, she has also worked in commercial web production and owned a business in adventure tourism for seven years. Jenna brings in experience from the refugee and migrant sector, disability, mental health, education and professional associations. She has worked on landmark and award-winning Community Access Radio and TV in NZ. She is a qualified web developer and designer and studies communications at the University of Canberra.
Daniel Weber
Policy Officer - Digital Health
Daniel joined CHF in 2023, and prior to that had a history of hospital work, and a medical science background. At CHF, Daniel is primarily involved in work surrounding digital health and environmental sustainability. In addition, he is currently undertaking a Masters of Public and Environmentally Sustainable Health. Ask him about his budgies.
Madika Penrith (She/Her),
Admin Assistant
Madika is originally from Sydney where she has spent the past 10 years working in museum and arts admin. They are new to the health sector and are happy directing you to the correct person to answer all your consumer health enquiries.