Western Health Executives
CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER
Professor Russell Harrison
Russell Harrison commenced with Western Health on 26 February 2013 in the position of Executive Director Operations.
Russell came to us directly from the UK, where he held a range of senior positions over a period of 16 years within the National Health Service and prior to that, in private Health. His experience spans acute hospitals, mental health, the community sector and commissioning health services.
Russell holds a range of qualifications, including an MBA from one of the UK’s leading universities (Durham) and a Certificate in International Health Care Management from Yale Business School.
He has held a number of executive management roles and has a substantial track record in a many relevant areas including: executive leadership; clinical reform and governance; service innovation and models of care; risk and change management; workforce development; and managing demand within the constraints of tight financial resources.
Russell was appointed as the CEO of Western Health in 2017.
CHIEF OPERATING OFFICERMr John Ferraro John Ferraro commenced with Western Health in August 2021 as Deputy Executive Director Operations before stepping into the Chief Operating Officer role. John has more than 20 years’ experience in health including senior executive appointments at Austin Health as the Interim Chief Operating Officer, Eastern Health as the Executive Director Clinical Operations and most recently at the Department of Health as the Executive Director Commissioning and Logistics for Victoria’s vaccination program. In addition to his extensive operational and executive experience, John has significant corporate governance expertise. He was previously the Board Chair of Banyule Community Health Service for 10 years, former Chair of the Eastern Melbourne Primary Health Care Collaborative Governance Group and a former Board Director of the Victorian Deaf Society. 
CHIEF MEDICAL OFFICER
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EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR, PEOPLE, CULTURE AND COMMUNICATIONSAdj. Prof Ms Sandy Schutte Sandy Schutte was appointed Executive Director People, Culture & Communications in June 2022. Sandy's previous role was the Interim General Manager of Bacchus Marsh, Melton and Caroline Springs. This role, in conjunction with the transition team, supported staff through the transition process whist ensuring excellent patient care continued to be delivered. Sandy’s substantive role is the Director of Education and Learning at Western Health, where she has designed programs to build clinical and leadership capabilities to support Western Health's significant growth strategy. Sandy is a passionate and positive leader with extensive operational experience leading large teams across multiple sites. Before joining Western Health in 2018, Sandy held the role of Director of Nursing at Austin Health. In this role, Sandy had extensive clinical and operational experience managing an Austin Health Campus, overseeing the delivery of aged care, operating suites, subacute and mental health inpatient beds and extensive outpatient and community rehabilitation services. In addition to leadership and management in public health, Sandy has considerable experience in the corporate as a lead consultant for multinational mergers. She holds a master's in Business Administration and a postgraduate qualifications in HR, OHS and Critical Event Management.
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CHIEF FINANCIAL OFFICERMr Mark Lawrence Mark joined Western Health in 2011 as Executive Director Finance. Mark has a Bachelor’s Degree in Accounting and a Diploma in Management. Mark is currently Vice President of the Health Management Finance Association, the peak body for finance staff working in health services. Prior to commencing at Western Health, for 11 years Mark was the CFO at Royal Freemasons, a large not for profit aged care provider. Prior to this Mark was with AMCOR for over 9 years in a variety of roles, culminating in the position of Commercial Manager for the Recycling division. Mark has over 25 years’ experience in the Finance sector, with additional experience in supply, purchasing and warehouse management. Privately Mark has held committee positions with a number of organisations such as the Standardbred Breeders and Stud Masters Association, 13th Beach Golf Club and is a former director of Chaplains Without Borders. Mark is currently Western Health’s Chief Financial Officer.
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EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR, STRATEGY, PARTNERSHIPS AND CORPORATE GOVERNANCETess Lye (she/her) Tess Lye joined Western Health as General Counsel in February 2022. Tess was appointed to the position of Executive Director, Strategy, Partnerships and Corporate Governance in February 2024, continuing as Western Health's General Counsel. Tess is a commercial lawyer who has extensive company secretariat, in-house legal, corporate records and risk management experience in the healthcare, government, banking and mining sectors. Prior to joining Western Health, Tess held the position of General Counsel and Director, Corporate Governance and Risk with Epworth HealthCare.
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