NeuroEndocrine Cancer Australia's board are passionate and skilled individuals from a cross section of the medical and professional community.
David Farr
Chair of the Board
David is the Executive General Manager of the Group Program of Action at the Commonwealth Bank of Australia. The Program of Action holds a critical role in strengthening financial crime compliance across the Commonwealth Bank of Australia and reducing financial crime risks across systems and processes that manage Know Your Customer (KYC), Transaction Monitoring and Reporting (TM&R), Sanctions screening and Financial Crime Governance.
David has over 20 years’ of international banking experience including leading the Financial Crime Program of Action to uplift financial crime compliance in the Institutional Banking and Markets business of Commonwealth Bank of Australia from October 2017 to March 2019.
David has been with the Commonwealth Bank for almost 10 year and in his tenure he has held roles such as General Manager for Program of Action in the Institutional Banking & Markets division, Managing Director of Asset Finance and Managing Director of Global Markets.
Prior to joining CBA, David worked for Merrill Lynch International based in the United Kingdom and held the position of Managing Director, Chief Operating Officer, EMEA FICC.
David holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Commerce from the University of Melbourne Australia. He is also a Chartered Accountant, Member of the Australian Institute of Company Directors and ACAMS.
David is married to Tina and together they share 2 lovely daughters, Lexie 16yrs and Ava 12yrs and live in Sydney’s northern suburb of Mosman.
Simone Leyden AM
Co-founder
Simone Leyden co-founded NeuroEndocrine Cancer Australia in 2009 after seeing a huge disparity in treatment and support for rare and less common cancers, compared to more common cancers throughout her sister Kate’s neuroendocrine cancer journey.
After finishing her Bachelor of Business Management/Marketing degree from Monash University, Simone went into the field of Advertising/ Marketing and held various senior positions over 12 years. In 2011 Simone took on the full-time role of Chief Executive Officer of NeuroEndocrine Cancer Australia (previously Unicorn Foundation).
Simone advocates for greater access to treatments and diagnostics, raises funds for the NET Nurse Support Service and research, and raises awareness about NET cancers within the medical community and general public. Simone is an active member of many associations including past President, board member and Research and Communications Committee Chair of the International Neuroendocrine Cancer Alliance (INCA). Simone is passionate about driving research and is an Associate Investigator on a number of Neuroendocrine cancer studies, and has been the lead author and co-author peer reviewed publications in journals including the International Journal of Cancer. Simone’s pursuit of equitable access and investment in breakthrough treatments has now led to her current role as Director of Global Patient Advocacy and Government Affairs at Telix Pharmaceuticals. Simone is a graduate of the Australian Institute of Company Directors, and in 2023 was appointed a Member of the Order of Australia (AM) as part of the Kings Birthday Honours, for significant service to community health, particularly through neuroendocrine cancer organisations.
Dr John Leyden AM
Co-founder
Dr John Leyden is the eldest brother to Kate Carr (Leyden). The journey that they shared during her battle with pancreatic neuroendocrine cancer inspired the formation of NeuroEndocrine Cancer Australia. In light of the experience with his sister, Dr Leyden realised the issues surrounding rare cancers – isolation, ignorance, lack of support, knowledge and awareness. The ignominy that patients with rare cancers face is compounded by the overriding sense of disenfranchisement from the medical and general community. NeuroEndocrine Cancer Australia endeavours to support and promote the needs of neuroendocrine tumour sufferers and their families.
Dr Leyden graduated from Monash University and completed his specialty training at The Alfred, Melbourne and Royal North Shore Hospital, Sydney. He completed a clinical fellowship in Cardiac Anaesthesia at the University of Toronto, Canada, St Michael’s Hospital campus.
Dr Leyden is currently a Visiting Medical Officer at Royal North Shore Hospital, Sydney and is involved in teaching and other College activities.
In addition to being the Founder and Chairman of NeuroEndocrine Cancer Australia, he is past President of the International Neuroendocrine Cancer Alliance (INCA) and is a member of the management committee of Health Consumers New South Wales.
Professor Rodney Hicks AM
Board Member
As Director of the Centre for Molecular Imaging and Therapeutic Nuclear Medicine at the Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre in Melbourne, Australia, Rod has pioneered the use of PET and PET/CT in the assessment of cancer.
His group has a strong focus on development of novel theranostic agents and translational research linking imaging phenotype to genotype. He is actively involved in therapeutic nuclear medicine, especially for the treatment of neuroendocrine tumours and prostate cancer.
He has published over 500 peer-reviewed articles and more than 20 book chapters and is Editor-in-Chief of Cancer Imaging and International Associate Editor of the Journal of Nuclear Medicine and Lancet Oncology. He was inducted as a Fellow of the Australian Academy of Health and Medical Science in 2015 and was the recipient of the 2019 International Cancer Imaging Society Gold Medal.
Paul Stephenson
Treasurer of the Board
Paul graduated with Bachelor of Commerce from James Cook University, Townsville, and gained employment with Coopers & Lybrand (now PWC) in Audit and Business Services, before going on to complete his Professional Year to become a Chartered Accountant (ACA).
Four years at C&L were followed by another 10 years in Financial Controller roles in entrepreneurial businesses covering Civil Engineering & Contract Mining, International Shipping, large scale Retail chain operations, and Commercial Kitchens Manufacturing and Equipment supply.
From 1996 to 2014, Paul’s passion migrated to Supply Chain Operations and Systems Implementations. He was 3 years at Linfox, 2 years at Ansett-Air New Zealand and then 13 years at Telstra delivering major Strategic Projects in Supply Chain Operations and IT.
Since 2014 Paul and his wife Desiree, run their own consulting business specialising in PRONTO ERP implementations, training and support.
Paul is also a NET Patient.
He was “luckily” diagnosed in April 2010 following a CT scan for a non-related ailment. Two major surgeries in 2010, were followed by 26 months of “controlling” injections with Sandostatin LAR Octreotide.
Paul undertook his first of 4 rounds of Lu-177 PRRT therapy from February 2014 to August 2014. From February 2018 to June 2018, Paul completed 3 follow up treatments of PRRT. Like many other patients, he continues quarterly blood tests and six-monthly PET Scan reviews to monitor his disease.
You may have come across his story in several of our Patient Videos. You will see him from time to time at the Victorian NET Patient Support meetings, and during his work travels he has facilitated NET Patient gatherings in Tamworth NSW and Townsville QLD.
Meredith Lill
Board Member
Meredith has worked in senior executive positions within the healthcare sector for a more than 30 years and has extensive experience in issues and crisis management, stakeholder engagement, government affairs and corporate communications.
Following the acquisition of her consulting firm in 2010 by Omnicom Group, Meredith has worked with a number of organisations, such as Sydney’s Macquarie University on discreet strategic projects.
Before establishing her own firm, McGregors International in 1997, Meredith led the APAC healthcare business practice for the world’s largest private communications firm, Edelman Public Relations Worldwide. During her time there, she established and built the Healthcare and Government Relations practices – two of her passions.
Prior to this, she worked in the secretarial unit of a major political party managing marginal seats, candidate engagement and community outreach utilising all aspects of the marketing mix.
Meredith is a member of the Health Communicators’ Network and the Australian Institute of Politics and Science. Her community involvement extends from assisting local residents in getting things done as a member of the local precinct committee to rescuing seafarers in the waters off Palm Beach and Pittwater in her role as a volunteer with Marine Rescue NSW.
Michael Curtin
Board Member
Michael, Chief Executive Officer of Digicall Assist Australia – a business that specialises in getting cars back on the road in the event of a break down. He is also a member of the Digicall Group Executive Committee (International), has comprehensive knowledge of the automotive industry built on over two decades’ experience in various roles working for vehicle manufacturers and suppliers.
Michael holds an Masters in Business Administration BA from ACU, and is a member of the Australian Institute of Company Directors.
Michael is a strong believer in the “triple bottom line” approach to business, which seeks to build a sustainable business taking into consideration the social and environmental impact in addition to the financial results. Together with his adoption of a growth mindset, he encourages his team to work towards improvements by not only interacting with internal and external stakeholders, but also the broader community.
Michael is also a NET patient.
After initial misdiagnosis by a GP, and then a second misdiagnosis by a dermatologist, a Pancreatic NET was identified by accident based on an anomaly on one ultrasound. Subsequent testing confirmed the NET, and 2 major surgeries followed. Since surgery, Michael receives monthly injection of Lanreotide, and has had 2 rounds of TACE.
Michael enjoys spending time with family and friends or sails competitively when time permits.
