Robert is a corporate adviser and company director with more than 30 years of investment banking experience.

His expertise is in the areas of mergers and acquisitions, financial analysis, valuation, corporate strategy, equity capital markets (including underwriting, risk management and investor relations), capital management and corporate governance.

Robert is presently the Managing Director of TC Corporate, the corporate advisory division of Taylor Collison stockbrokers, of which he has been a director and principal since 1997.

He has non-executive director roles as Chairman of ARB Corporation, Deputy Chairman of Magellan Financial Group and a non-executive director of FFI Holdings and MFF Capital Investments.

Robert has bachelor of Economics and Laws (Hons) degrees from the University of Sydney. He is also a licensed business broker and real estate agent and a registered tax (financial) adviser.

Robert wishes to use his professional skills and experience to advance the interests of the neuromuscular community.

Michelle is Senior Vice President and Head of Human Resources for Bank of America Merrill Lynch and a member of the Executive Committee for Australia. In addition, Michelle is the Regional Learning, Leadership Development and Diversity & Inclusion Executive covering 12 countries across Asia Pacific.

Previously, Michelle held several senior regional European and Emerging Market HR roles in both the Banking and Pharmaceutical industries. Before moving into HR, Michelle held a variety of roles within sales and marketing for Johnson and Johnson in the United Kingdom and Australia. Michelle is also a member of the Australia Institute of Company Directors. Michelle qualified as a Dietitian with the University of Newcastle and gained experience as a clinical and community Dietitian. Michelle is also an AOEC accredited Executive Coach.

Michelle is a mother of little boy with a rare form of Congenital Muscular Dystrophy and was one of the leaders of a crowdfund campaign called Beat4life which connected people globally to fund critical research in the US. Michelle has attended several international conferences to help advocate for the required research pathways and remains very connected to key scientists, clinicians and patient groups globally, all with a united vision to make strides forward in research for suitable treatments and a cure.

Anthony is General Manager of Government and Industry Relations ANZ/APAC, for Aristocrat and before that, for 10 years, was CEO of ClubsNSW CEO Executive Director of Clubs Australia, the national umbrella association for clubs.

He has a Bachelor of Economics from the Australian National University, a Certificate of Public Affairs from the University of Sydney and is a graduate of the American University’s Public Affairs and Advocacy Institute in Washington DC.

He is married to Megan, has two teenage children Austin and Matilda and loves aussie rules and golf.

Member Institute of Chartered Accountants in Australia, Fellow Financial Planning Association of Australia, Certified Financial Planner,  Diploma of Financial Planning – Deakin University, Principal Arnheim Gillard Financial Consultants 1986 – 2008 and principal Arnheim Hornbrook Chartered Accountants 1986 – 2000, Authorised Representative and principal advisor of Shadforth Financial Group 2008- present.

Rick Arnheim from early teens has had a neuromuscular condition broadly similar to Limb Girdle Muscular Dystrophy.

Nathan has worked in the Funds Management industry for 20 years, working in various roles across the Accounting, Investment Operations, Client Services and Performance Reporting teams.

He is currently Performance Reporting Team Leader at Magellan Asset Management, a leading global equity and global listed infrastructure investment manager. He holds a Bachelor of Commerce from The University of Newcastle and a Graduate Diploma of Applied Finance from Kaplan Professional.

Nathan’s young son, George, was diagnosed with a congenital myopathy at 4 months of age.

Laura is an experienced non-executive director and senior legal professional with over 17 years’ experience gained in-house and with preeminent global law firms in New York and Sydney. A commercial problem solver with a track record of delivering strategically significant project outcomes, Laura is a trusted partner and adviser to boards of directors of ASX-listed companies and significant private enterprises and other senior stakeholders. A strategic influencer and collaborator, Laura has sound commercial judgement and leadership courage. A diversity champion, coach and mentor, Laura has a keen focus on enhancing organisational culture and is passionate about developing and empowering teams.

Laura is a Graduate of the Australian Institute of Company Directors and a Fellow of the Governance Institute of Australia.  She holds a Juris Doctor from Georgetown University Law Centre and a Bachelor of Arts (Honours) in Government and Economics from the College of William and Mary.

Tait is an Analyst within KPMG’s Audit, Assurance & Risk Consulting division and is a recent graduate from Macquarie University with a Bachelor of Commerce Professional Accounting. Additionally, Tait is currently completing a Graduate Diploma of Chartered Accounting under CAANZ.

Tait has held several other governance positions most notably within Boccia NSW and Boccia Australia including Director, Treasurer and Chair and is currently the Treasurer of Boccia Australia. Further, Tait previously represented Australia in the sport of Boccia for a number of years and continues to be involved through his board position.

At 18 months of age Tait was diagnosed with Spinal Muscular Atrophy Type 2 and is driven to ensure others with neuromuscular conditions are also able to achieve their life goals.

Michelle FARRAR, is an Associate Professor in Paediatric Neurology at UNSW Sydney and specialist child neurologist at Sydney Children’s Hospital, leading the Neuromuscular clinical and research programs.

Michelle is focused on developing and translating innovative ways of providing the best possible care from the time of diagnosis, through treatment and beyond to people with neuromuscular diseases.

Mark has twenty years of experience as a non-executive director in banking, software, hospital and aged care sectors, and as chair of various board committees for over fifteen years, including three years with a small provider of services to people living with a wide range of disabilities.

His ‘day job’ is running his own professional practice advising the boards and CEOs of public and private sector clients on a wide range of governance and other business issues.

He was the original author of all director-related governance guidance notes published by Lexis Nexis through a subscription service.

His earlier career included several C-level roles (DOO, COO and CFO) in a mix of large international and smaller local organisations.

He has two adult children, one of whom lives with a disability.

Alastair Corbett is an Honorary Visiting Medical Officer in the Neurology Department at Concord
Hospital and Clinical Associate Professor University of Sydney.

He trained in Dunedin New Zealand and Rochester New York including a Muscular Dystrophy Association of USA Fellowship. In 1986 he was appointed as head of the Neurology Department, Concord Hospital
and continued in that role until 2016.

His main interests have been in Neuromuscular disorders, Stroke and Parkinson disease. He established a Neuromuscular clinic including Clinical Geneticist, Rehabilitation team and close liaison with Cardiology and Respiratory Medicine and continues clinical research in inherited and acquired Neuromuscular disorders.

He has a major interest in improving outcomes for people with Neuromuscular disorders and is very grateful for the opportunity to join MDNSW.

Zannie Abbott is a strategic communications leader with 25 years’ of experience in events, public relations and community building.

Deeply committed to lifting the visibility of for-purpose organisations and knowledgeable about emerging communication platforms and channels, Zannie enjoys connecting organisations with their audiences. With the organisation’s vision at the forefront, her integrated and aligned strategies encompass everything from social media and digital, events, and secured media coverage. The right messaging is critical to driving results, managing change, and achieving outcomes that empower people, and Zannie’s approach captures stories, information and data in a way that is compelling, heartfelt, and relatable.

Zannie is a big believer in community and equity. Using her skill to help others be their best selves motivates her every day.

Zannie’s decades of experience, knowledge and skill enable her to provide marketing and fundraising support to MDNSW to empower, support and connect our members and their families.