Changing of the guard

The Kids’ Cancer Project announces Doug Cunningham’s decision to step down from the charity’s Board of Directors after voluntarily serving for four years with the last 14-months in the Chair role.

The news comes as Doug transitions to an exciting new career opportunity with Kimberly-Clark where he is now President: Europe, Middle East and Africa.

Owen Finegan, the charity’s CEO, described Doug as a passionate advocate for childhood cancer. Doug had a deeply personal appreciation of the tragic nature of childhood cancer, he was able to lead our organisation with compassion and drive. Owen says:

Throughout Doug’s tenure on our Board he has continued to lead The Kids’ Cancer Project Board, he made sure that we have accelerated our commitment to research despite COVID-19, has overseen our teams’ continued strategic transition to a sustainable fundraising model and continued to drive awareness of what we do and our impact.

Meet The Kids' Cancer Project Board of Directors

Nigel Everard, Deputy Chair will step up as a temporary move while The Kids’ Cancer Project seek a new Chair. He says:

I would like to thank Doug for his outstanding leadership and passion for childhood cancer research during his time on the Board and in the Chairperson role for The Kids’ Cancer Project.

Doug has led the Board and The Kids’ Cancer Project team through one of the most turbulent times in the charity’s history due to the COVID pandemic and the charity has come through this time in a very strong position. We wish Doug well on his new endeavours.

As the end of the calendar year approaches, the Board have reviewed a variety of positions as Nigel explains.

With the departure of Doug we have taken the opportunity to look at the skills and diversity of the Board and very excited to welcome Tim Blair, Kaz Naito and Jessica Glew to The Kids’ Cancer Project family.

All of our new members bring a wealth of experience and passion to the Board and we are excited to be leading The Kids’ Cancer Project forward with them as part of the team.

Meet The Kids’ Cancer Project’s new Board members

Jessie Glew

Jessie is Joint Managing Director and Chief Operating Officer (COO) for the BlackWall Limited (ASX:BWF) and its funds. Jessie has been with BlackWall since early 2011. She was made COO in early 2018 and took on the Joint Managing Director role in late 2019. Jessie has a Bachelor of International Communication from Macquarie University and finalising a Bachelor of Property Economics at the University of Technology Sydney. 

Tim Blair

Tim Blair is founder of the Run for Kids Foundation, a philanthropic venture he started in 1994 after a diagnosis of epilepsy. Over the years, Tim has channelled his personal desire to be fitter and healthier into a way to raise awareness and funds for children with cancer. He believes kids are the biggest asset this world has and does all he can to enable them to be the best versions of themselves.

Kazuma Naito 

Kaz Naito most recently served as a Managing Director and the Head of Sales and Marketing for J.P.Morgan Australia and New Zealand for their Markets and Custody businesses. He also served on the Board of J.P.Morgan Securities Australia Limited. Prior to assuming this Australasian role in August 2019, Kaz was the J.P.Morgan Asia Pacific Head of Sales and Trading for the Prime Finance business based in Hong Kong. Kazuma was also a member of J.P.Morgan Global Prime Finance Management Team as well as the Asia-Pacific Sales and Marketing Management team. He also served J.P.Morgan as a Responsible Officer with the Hong Kong Securities and Futures Commission and as an Executive Officer with the Hong Kong Monetary Authority. Prior to his 10 year career at J.P.Morgan, Kaz spent over 15 years working for Goldman Sachs in Hong Kong, London and Tokyo in their Equity Derivatives business. Kaz received a L.L.B from Keio University in Japan. Kaz lives with his wife, Catherine, and their four children on Sydney's Northern Beaches.

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