Board of Directors

In 2000, Kate established her own event company promoting motivational speakers in Australia. Kate successfully ran this business until 2006. In the following years, Kate worked at the Australian Retailers Association and also at Progressive Business. In 2012, Kate together with husband Richard Vines, formed Rare Cancers Australia. 

As Founder and Head of Patient Care, Kate’s main role is to provide support, guidance and information for patients and their families. Kate works diligently with government, clinicians and industry to ensure that rare cancer patients voices are heard and advocates for change to ensure patient needs are met.

In 1996, Richard returned to Australia where he was retained by an American company to establish a sales channel in Australia. In 2001 Richard left the IT industry and has since worked in a number of not-for-profits associated with retail, politics and health.

In 2012 Richard and his wife Kate established Rare Cancers Australia, a patient advocacy group whose mission is to improve the lives and outcomes for rare cancer patients. Richard is now a highly sort after spokesperson for cancer patient advocacy issues and is a member of a number of committees. In September this year, Richard was named Co-Chair of the Cancer Drugs Alliance Committee, a stakeholder coalition tasked to promote timely access to drugs for cancer patients.

Trevor spent ten years as the Head of Government Affairs with Australia’s global financial services provider, Macquarie Group Limited. He had responsibility for external relations, public affairs, and government relations across the Group

Prior to this, Trevor was Head of Government and Parliamentary Relations for the Australian Broadcasting Corporation (ABC), and Director of Communications and Government Relations for the Australian Automobile Association (AAA).

He has worked in ministerial offices and held senior positions in Federal, State, and Local Government in Australia.

She hopes that this experience together with her passion for reducing inequity to the access of pharmaceutical drugs will serve RCA well.

In her spare time, Leah can often be found running with her two golden retrievers or enjoying a game of tennis.

Prior to co-founding Omega, Mathew was Head of Fixed Interest at Vanguard Investments for over 10 years, where he built and managed the growth of global and domestic fixed interest capabilities to over $18 billion. Mathew also worked at Treasury Corporation of Victoria for 7 years and was responsible for managing $30 billion against a liability benchmark.

Bruce is a respected Industry Leader and is currently a Selected Director and Board Member of Medicines Australia. Whilst in Japan he served as the Vice Chair of the Japan Based Executive Committee of the Pharmaceutical Research and Manufacturers of America (PhRMA).

Bruce has a strong track record in advocating for policies that support timely and affordable access to innovative medicines and since 2018 has been a Director and Board member of the Australian Genomic Cancer Medicine Centre (Omico). In December 2020 he was appointed as Director and Board Member of Rare Cancers Australia.

He holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Economics and a Masters Degree in Business Administration from Macquarie University, and is also a graduate of the Australian Institute of Company Directors.

Born and educated in Tasmania, Kate was diagnosed with thyroid cancer at age 14 and subsequently a chronic immune condition. Now living in Sydney with her husband and teenage children, she is passionate about helping others through their cancer journey and improving outcomes by advocating for those with rare, lesser known and complex cancers across Australia and beyond.

Steve brings a pragmatic, solutions-focused mindset to every engagement, and his broad knowledge across a range of industries and technologies combined with an open and engaging communication style enables him to rapidly understand challenges and advise and align stakeholders to drive outcomes.

Steve has a long-standing connection with Rare Cancers Australia, participating in and supporting the annual Kosi Challenge since 2013, as well as working closely with RCA to scope, develop and launch the Can.Recall mobile app. Steve is currently volunteering his time to provide executive consulting and mentoring for RCA staff as they undergo a Digital Transformation project.