Maxine Morand's principles for successful governance 

In addition to the non negotiables such as regulatory compliance and risk management, Maxine summarised her three key principles:

1. Create an environment where people can perform at their very best.  Culture and values of the organisation is critical to creating a high performance culture.  Having the right people in place who demonstrate and champion good leadership.  Ensure that all people in the organisation are held to the same standard, regardless of their position. 
2. Ensure the organisation has clarity of purpose - and that all staff understand the goals and strategy of the organisation and how they can contribute.  This can be achieved through tangible examples of the impact that organisation has on the community it serves. 
3. Understand your stakeholders and shareholders.  It is important to cultivate respectful collaborative and positive relationships.  

About Maxine Morand AM

Board Chair, Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre Board Member, Association of Australian Medical Research Institutes (AAMRI) Board Member, Peter MacCallum Cancer Foundation Limited Professorial Fellow in School of Public Health and Preventive Medicine, Monash University

Maxine has a background in health, cancer research, government and NFP management. She began her career in general and specialist nursing and then worked as a Victorian Transplant Coordinator. An interest in health and statistics lead to a research role at the Centre for Behavioural Research in Cancer at the Cancer Council Victoria.

In 2002 Maxine was elected to the Victorian Parliament. During her eight years in Parliament Maxine served in a range of senior Government positions including Parliamentary Secretary for Health, then Minister for Children and Early Childhood Development, and Minister for Women’s Affairs. Maxine is a passionate advocate for women’s equality of opportunity and led major legislative reform in women’s health.On Australia Day 2022, Maxine was acknowledged as a Member (AM) in the General Division of the Order of Australia, for significant service to the Parliament of Victoria, and to community health.

A very big thank you to Clayton Utz for hosting the event.