Our Team
Carol Bennett
Chief Executive Officer, BSc, MPP, MAICD
Carol Bennett, Chief Executive Officer, BSc, MPP, MAICD
Over the last two decades, Carol has worked at senior executive levels in national health and aged care organisations and has served on national and international boards and advisory groups.
Carol has been National CEO of Alzheimer’s Australia, Consumers Health Forum of Australia, Rural Health Workforce Australia and the Victorian Alcohol and Drug Association.
Board and advisory roles have included: the Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency Paramedicine Board, National Health and Medical Research Council, Trustee of the Southcare Rescue Helicopter Fund Pty Ltd, Aged Care Sector Committee, National Aged Care Alliance, Aged Care Quality Council, Lifeline Canberra, Medicines Australia Advisory Council and the International Alliance of Patients Organisations.
Monika Boogs
Senior Project Manager
Monika has extensive experience in government relations, advocacy, communications and project management. In her most recent role with the Pharmaceutical Society of Australia, Monika was the Advocacy and Communications Manager responsible for raising awareness of medicine-related harm and having it listed as the 10th National Health Priority Area by the Australian Government.
Monika has also previously worked for the national health not-for-profit organisation Dementia Australia. Prior to this she worked in politics and as a journalist. She holds a post graduate masters degree in Industrial Relations and is passionate about communicating and awareness of health issues that impact every day Australians to government, policy makers, the media and broader community.
Nick Nguyen
Project Manager
Nick has been working for the non-profit sector for over nine years, engaging with many community groups both in Canberra and nationally. Nick is passionate about using his skill set to make a difference to contribute in the community.
Nick has developed core skills in creative, structural and aesthetic design, information technology and management in his various roles in the community sector.
Nick is currently Painaustralia’s web development administrator and project manager.
Ilan Sternfein
Policy and Project Officer
Ilan has spent the past seventeen years leading, guiding, collaborating and communicating with a magnitude of professional personnel from various sectors and Industries.
He has extensive experience in internal government communications, policy writing, procurement, contract management and project support.
Ilan is currently Painaustralia’s Policy and Projects Officer.
Ian Atkin
Chief Financial Officer
Ian has been CFO to Painaustralia since July 2014.
Ian attained his Bachelor of Business in 1980 and has worked as an accountant since that time. In 1998 Ian started his own practice and had a partnership role in various forms of that business up until leaving the profession on a full-time basis in 2014.
Ian has had exposure to a wide variety of clients and industries which have honed his skills as an advisor to many small to medium sized businesses.
Since 2014, Ian has focused extensively on the not-for-profit sector assisting with financial and compliance needs including working with Transplant Australia for 14 years.
Maddy Thorpe
Social Media
& Content
Co-ordinator
Maddy developed a passion for teaching from coaching martial arts as a child. Her passion for design developed during her experience with brain cancer, which she is currently battling and winning! Maddy works with several health advocacy non-profits. She is also an osteopath with an interest in nociplastic pain, neurological conditions, and innovative care.