Meet Our Board of Directors

Peter Hawe

Peter has worked extensively in various senior executive, commercial and accounting roles within the sugar industry with over 25 years experience as a Director and over 10 years as a Company Secretary.

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Peter’s more recent executive roles include being the Chief Executive Officer, Company Secretary and Business Development Manager of Isis Central Sugar Milling Company.  He has also been a Director of Queensland Sugar Limited and Australian Sugar Manufacturers.

He has strong strategic planning, governance, corporate policy setting and risk management experience, and is an advocate for inclusion and diversity.  Peter is a Graduate Member of the Australian Institute of Company Directors, a Fellow of CPA Australia, and holds a degree in Business (Accounting).

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Peter’s objective is to eliminate any stigma and barriers experienced, and to better support those, on a mental health journey.  He is keen to use his skills and experience in assisting Bridges Health and Community Care Ltd.

Alexandra (Alex) Dodson

Alexandra currently works for Macquarie Group in the Retail Banking group division. She has worked in the financial services industry since 2016 across accounting, business partnering & treasury roles. Alex previously worked in the professional services industry (specialising in business advisory and tax), obtaining the Chartered Accounting qualifications in 2015. She enjoys giving back to the community and has been serving as a Board Member of Bridges Health & Community Care since 2017.

Gayle Job - GAICD

Gayle brings more than 47 years of executive leadership experience in the banking and financial services sector, where she held senior roles spanning people leadership, organisational transformation, workforce strategy, risk and compliance, and property portfolio management.
Throughout her career and in her previous role as Chief People & Property Officer at Auswide Bank, Gayle has been recognised for leading large teams through change, building strong workplace cultures, and delivering people-focused strategies that support sustainable organisational performance and positive community outcomes.
A Graduate of the Australian Institute of Company Directors (GAICD), Gayle now focuses her experience on governance and community service, supporting organisations that strengthen health, wellbeing, and social connection within regional communities.
With strong ties to the Bundaberg and Wide Bay region, Gayle is passionate about contributing to her local community and is proud to support Bridges Health & Community Care in its continued delivery of essential health and support services across the region.

Douglas Brown

Douglas is a Brisbane-based medical practitioner specialising in addiction medicine. He is a Fellow of the Royal Australian College of General Practitioners and an advanced trainee in Addiction Medicine. Douglas works across public and private AOD services, along with the military, and brings a strong interest in clinical governance, service development, and harm-reduction approaches to his role with Bridges.

Karen Ansen

Karen is the Principal Lawyer and Consultant at Ignite HR & Employment Law, supporting organisations to navigate complex people, performance and compliance matters with clarity and confidence. With extensive experience advising leaders across the aged care and community care sectors, Karen brings a practical, values-led approach to governance, risk and workplace culture.
Karen is passionate about building safe, respectful and inclusive workplaces, and supporting organisations to deliver sustainable outcomes for their people and the communities they serve. She is committed to contributing her expertise to assist Bridges Health & Community Care Ltd in achieving its purpose and strategic goals.

Sharon Sarah

Having worked in the health and community sector for 30 years, Sharon’s role is to ensure the company meets it legal and contractual obligations. Sharon is a registered practicing psychologist with a Bachelor of Science (Honours) Psychology, Masters in Mental Health Practice – Griffith University and Diploma in Alcohol & Other Drugs and, certified as a Personal Medicine Coach.

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Sharon served on the Executive team for the local branch of the Australian Psychological Society for many years, Board member and Chair of the Qld Alliance for Mental Health (QAMH) for 9 years and a Fellow of the Australian Institute of Management (FAIM).