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Leadership Team

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BallyCara’s staff are dedicated to inspiring healthy and happy living. The core of BallyCara’s organisational ethos is Sona®. Sona® reflects our commitment to developing a happy, supported community, and acknowledges the strengths, passions, and ambitions of all BallyCara staff.  This is continuously integrated into our everyday performance management and planning.

Marcus Riley
Marcus RileyExecutive Chairman
Sharon Blackburn CBE
Sharon Blackburn CBEExecutive Director
Kate Newton
Kate NewtonService Quality Director
Trudi Ashcroft
Trudi AshcroftCorporate Services Director
Marcus Riley

Marcus Riley has been involved with the ageing sector for over 25 years and has a distinguished record of leadership roles with international, national, and state-based organisations.
He is a leading advocate for the human rights of older people and is a representative to the United Nations on global ageing.

He is the recipient of the 2025 Award of Honor, LeadingAge (USA)'s most prestigious award, in recognition of his exceptional contributions to the ageing services field.

Marcus has extensive experience as a Board Chair and Director with charitable organisations, industry and government bodies as well as private companies. He has a Master of Business Administration and is a Graduate of the Australian Institute of Company Directors.

Sharon Blackburn CBE

Sharon's career spans 46 years. Dedicated to Health and Social Care, the majority spent influencing and shaping the Aged Care Sector, Sharon brings breadth and depth of experience. She has expertly navigated Executive Leadership roles across diverse sectors: for-profit, charity, housing, and not-for-profit organisations. She has previous experience of being a Board Director. Sharon's professional background is in nursing, establishing a strong clinical background that fuels her strategic leadership today.

Key components that have shaped her career and experience are: Driving Quality of Life: Placing the resident's experience and well-being at the core of all clinical operations; ensuring Quality of Care: Implementing and upholding the highest standards of evidence-based nursing and care practice and establishing Robust Systems: Developing the systems and metrics necessary to rigorously measure, audit, and influence outcomes across the entire organisation, ensuring strong clinical and care governance. In recognition of her contributions, Sharon was awarded a CBE (Commander of the Order of the British Empire) in the 2016 New Year's Honours for her services to nursing and the not-for-profit care sector. Since March 2019, Sharon has been a vital part of BallyCara's Executive Team.

Jamie McPherson

Jamie is a current Principal at McCabes law firm with over 30 years' experience in the legal sector. He is well known for his work in the areas of occupational health and safety, employment law, and workers' compensation.

Jamie has been acknowledged on the 2020 "Best Lawyers" Australia list in the area of Occupational Health & Safety, with consistent recognition by the prestigious Doyle's Guide in the health and safety space since 2015.

He has been a trusted advisor to WorkCover Queensland over a 25-year period in addition to holding partner and chair roles across the legal sector.

Jaynesh Gounder

Jaynesh is the co-founder and Managing Director of Agilis Chartered Accountants. He has over 20 years' experience in the finance sector and has strong financial expertise in multiple areas including business and corporate structures, business management and improvement, cash flow analysis and superannuation.

Jay has served on numerous boards across different sectors and organisation types.

Alan Adams

Alan is a long-time business owner and operator who has previously served on the Board of BallyCara and a long standing member of the previous Hibernian Friendly Society.

He has held numerous Board and Committee roles with various other charitable and community organisations.

Alan is well regarded for his community engagement, volunteer contributions and effective stewardship of diverse organisations.

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For more information or to book a visit please contact us.

Acknowledgment of Country

BallyCara acknowledges the Traditional Owners and Custodians of the land on which our residences are located and we pay our respect to their Elders past, present and emerging. We extend that respect to the Traditional Owners across this country where we live, work and play.

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Scarborough
Brisbane North
Logan
Gold Coast
Melbourne