Meet Cara's Board of Directors
Cara is governed by a Board of Directors, a group of South Australian business leaders, including several with lived experience of disability, all committed to guiding our strategic direction and business performance.
Matthew Nicholls
President
Matthew was elected President in 2022 and has a broad range of tax and strategic business financial skills.
Matthew joined Cara’s Board of Directors in 2018 and brings over 30 years of experience in a range of roles across public administration, consulting and corporate finance. Matthew also brings a lived experience of disability having lost both of his arms in a farming accident at a young age.
He says “I am honoured to accept the role of Board President. Cara is a leading disability provider in South Australia and I feel privileged to be able to share my skills and experience with an organisation that has such a rich history and excellent reputation.”
Lucy Davies
Vice-President
Lucy was elected Vice-President in 2021. She is a widely experienced professional with a working background which extends across law, government, management consulting and brand strategy. Lucy is skilled in policy development, government processes, strategy, business development and marketing with strong negotiation and analytical skills backed by a Bachelor of Laws and a Bachelor of International Studies from the University of Adelaide.
Lucy is a Member of the Australian Institute of Company Directors and joined the Cara Board in October 2018. Lucy was motivated to join Cara’s Board as the organisation’s values align strongly with her own. She says: “I consider myself to have a strong sense of social justice and community, and I care deeply about helping people grow and thrive. I’m so proud of and touched by the work Cara does.”
Jane Carey
Jane is a degree-qualified recruitment professional who co-owns a highly successful boutique agency established in 1998. Jane has extensive experience recruiting at all levels, with a specific focus on the property industry in South Australia.
Jane was a finalist in the 2007 Telstra Young Business Women of the Year, and the 2008 Telstra Business Awards. Jane is a member of the Australian Institute of Company Directors and joined Cara’s Board of Directors in October 2018.
Jane says that she was drawn to Cara for the organisation’s values-based approach, and “the genuine care that everyone at Cara has for customers. Cara is continually striving to improve the lives of children and adults with disability and be a leader in the field of disability support.”
Michael Hutchison
Michele Smith
Michele is a Certified Healthcare Executive, experienced CEO and Professional Company Director with 36 years’ experience in the health and human services industry.
Michele is the inaugural Governing Board Chair of the Eyre Far North Local Health Network; Non-Executive Director of NSW based Rural and Remote Medical Services (RARMS); member of the State-wide Clinical Services Committee, a subsidiary of the Central Adelaide Local Health Network Board (RAH) which governs the state-wide services of SA Pathology, SA Medical Imaging, Breast Screen SA, SA Dental Services and SA Pharmacy. She is also an inaugural member of SA’s Voluntary Assisted Dying Review Board and Director of Unity Housing Board. Michele is a Registered Nurse; Fellow of the Australasian College of Health Service Management; and member of the Australian Institute of Company Directors.
Pamela Lee
Pamela is a widely experienced board member and senior executive with an MBA, degree in applied economics, post graduate qualifications in strategic management, governance and risk management.
Pamela joined the Cara Board of Directors in 2015 and is now the Chair of Governance and Risk. She is a fellow of the Australian Institute of Company Directors, a member of the Leaders Institute of South Australia, Governor’s Leadership Foundation, an affiliate member of the Governance Institute of Australia, certified member of Australian Human Resource Institute, and is internationally accredited in change management (PROCSI).
Pamela is a past recipient of a Telstra Business Women’s Award.
Peter Auhl
Peter is a passionate South Australian who is a specialist in holistic transformation combining strategic, cultural and digital reform to improve business agility, cyber resilience, service delivery and customer outcomes.
His 30-year career has focused on delivering results in strategy, technology, communities and economies. He has delivered innovative change programs and solutions across a diverse portfolio of businesses including health, planning, transport, economic development, peak industry groups, infrastructure, education and technology. Peter was named CEO Magazine Australian “CIO of the Year” in 2017, #6 in the CIO50 list of 2018 and was the Australian Digital Innovator of the Year in 2019.
Sam Scammell
Sam joined Cara’s Board of Directors in 2021. As an experienced corporate lawyer, Sam has an extensive background in private practice, having served as in-house counsel for several major companies.
Sam has worked in Chief Executive and general management roles with a focus on strategy and planning, business development, operations and logistics. For more than a decade, he has offered mentoring and consultancy to small and medium-sized enterprises, while he also holds Board roles for multiple disability service providers and TAFE SA.
Sam has achieved a Master of Business Administration, in addition to his formal qualifications in Law and Economics.
