Our OPAN Board of Directors comprises representatives from OPAN network member organisations, along with independent, non-executive directors. Each director brings a unique set of expertise and experiences to deliver effective governance.
The Chairperson, Ara Cresswell can be contacted here.
Board members
Ara Cresswell, Non-executive Chairperson
Ara Cresswell is OPAN’s first Independent, Non-Executive Chairperson. Ara is an experienced board director, executive manager and policy adviser in the not-for-profit sector. Senior management roles include CEO Carers Australia, for over Acting CEO and Director of Policy and Public Affairs at Reconciliation Australia, CEO of Homelessness Australia and CEO of the ACT Council of Social Service.
She has a passion for securing a better future for older people.
Susan Barrera, Director
Susan is the chair of Advocare WA. Susan has worked for over 30 years in a number of senior management and policy positions in the Western Australian public sector. Her last position was Director General, Department for Communities. Prior to that she was Executive Director, Labour Relations. She also held senior policy and management positions in the Department of Premier and Cabinet and Corrective Services. She currently works as a consultant specialising in training, human resource, organisational development and evaluation.
Anne Burgess, Director
Anne has invaluable and extensive experience at an executive level in government with previous roles as Director of Mental Health at the Dept. of Human Services, Director of the Office for Women and Acting Commissioner at the Equal Opportunity Commission. She is Chair of South’s Australia’s Aged Rights Advocacy Service, Vice-President of COTA SA and Chair of its Policy Council, and Chair of the Community Visitor Scheme’s Advisory Committee.
Judy Davis, Director
Judy is an experienced Board Director and Executive Manager with demonstrated success in government and not for profit organisations across health, community and social service sectors. With postgraduate academic qualifications in Public Health, Governance, Company Directorship and Strategic Management, Judy is skilled in leading management teams to plan, deliver and assess programs to address identified needs, deliver quality services and make a difference in people’s lives. She brings these skills to her governance role with OPAN.
Liz Kearins, Director
Liz is an experienced senior executive, board director and consultant, with expertise in strategy, culture change, engagement, and communication. Her diverse background spans the management consultancy, utilities, healthcare, local government, environment, tourism, and media sectors. She also chairs the board of Aged and Disability Advocacy Australia.
Peter Langkamp, Director
Peter is a non-executive director of Elder Rights Australia Ltd and has over 20 years experience as a company / chair director having previously served on the boards of Karingal St Laurence ‘genU’, Wellways, Forticom Group, Yooralla and Carers Australia. He is Chair of The Disability Trust Ltd, (including ermha365, OC Connections, Marriott, Bedford and embarc) that provides mental health, disability and employment services. He was a member of the General Advisory Standing Committee of .au auDA (Domain Administration). He has significant executive level experience with prior CEO and senior executive roles with Callista Software Services, Loyalty Pacific ‘FlyBuys’, Bendigo and Adelaide Bank, Accenture, National Disability Insurance Agency, Axciom, NRMA, Shell Australia and NAB. He holds a Doctor of Philosophy, Master of Agriculture Science, Bachelor of Agriculture Science and Graduate Diploma in Accounting and Finance and is a fellow of the Australian Institute of Company Directors.
Luke Youd, Director
Luke Youd brings over 17 years of executive and directorship experience across diverse industries, including financial services, construction and retail. He holds a Bachelor of Business from RMIT University, studies Law at Sunshine Coast University, holds numerous accreditations as his time as a Financial Planner and was formerly a nationally accredited mediator. Luke is passionate about his experiences learnt serving the Aged Care community through his niche strategic advice whilst being a Financial Planner, with a strong alignment to the values of OPAN. Luke is currently the CEO of Ethical Brand Co and is a Graduate of the Australian Institute of Company Directors. He is passionate about giving back to the community and enjoys spending time with his family in semi rural Sunshine Coast.
Bridget Browne, Director
Bridget was appointed Chair of the ADACAS Board in June 2025 after her retirement as a Partner with Ernst & Young in 2024. Bridget is a Fellow of the Institute of Actuaries of Australia and Chartered Enterprise Risk Actuary, currently a Senior Actuary with the Australian Government Actuary and a Senior Lecturer in Actuarial Studies at the Research School of Finance, Actuarial Studies and Statistics at the Australian National University. She has worked on disability and aged care issues for over 20 years, including supporting the NDIA, the Departments of Social Services and of Health and Aged Care, the Independent Health and Aged Care Pricing Authority and the Royal Commission into Aged Care Quality and Safety.
Andrew Byrnes, Director
Andrew is Emeritus Professor of International Law and Human Rights at the University of New South Wales (UNSW), an associate of the Ageing Futures Institute and the Australian Human Rights Institute at UNSW, and a Fellow of the Academy of Social Sciences in Australia and of the Australian Academy of Law. He has served as President of the Australian and New Zealand Society of International Law and Vice-President of the Asian Society of International Law, as well as external legal adviser to the Australian Parliament’s Joint Committee on Human Rights and as a member of the Human Rights Committees of the NSW Bar Association and the Law Council of Australia. Andrew is also a Board Director of Seniors Rights Service.
Dr Leanne Ward, Non-executive Director
Leanne brings extensive experience at a senior executive level across a diverse range of industries, most recently the Financial Services and Retail sectors. Her expertise spans finance, strategy, transformational change, risk and governance. Leanne has held CFO roles at Police Bank, Big W (Woolworths Group), AMP Bank, AMP Wealth Management and Bank of Melbourne as well as senior positions at St. George Bank, Coca-Cola Amatil and Optus.
Leanne holds a Doctor of Business Administration, Master of Business Administration (Distinction), Bachelor of Business (Honours). She is a Graduate of the Australian Institute of Company Directors (GAICD) and is a fellow of the Australian Society of CPA’s.