Cathy O’Connor (Chair)
Appointed as Chair in 2020
Cathy O’Connor is the Chief Executive Officer of oOH! Media and joined the Sony Foundation Board as a Director in 2017. Cathy was formerly the CEO of Nova Entertainment for over 10 years.
Stephen Basil-Jones
Appointed as a Director in 2016
Stephen Basil-Jones is the Managing Director and Executive Vice-President of Sony Pictures Releasing Australia & New Zealand. He has held numerous industry positions over the years including: Chairman of the Motion Pictures Distributor’s Association (MPDAA) in 2001, 2009 and 2015, and is a member of British Academy of Film & Television (BAFTA-UK).
Yuzo Otsuki
Appointed as a Director in 2019
Yuzo Otsuki is the Managing Director of Sony Australia and New Zealand, a position he was appointed to in April 2019. Otsuki-san has a wealth of experience gained during an impressive 25 year career with Sony.
Goncalo Fialho
Appointed as a Director in 2020
Goncalo Fialho is the General Manager of Sony Interactive Entertainment (PlayStation) Australia and New Zealand. He joined Sony Interactive Entertainment in 2004 and held various sales and marketing roles in Iberia and Italy before moving to Australia.
Dr David Rosengren
Appointed as a Director in 2020
David is the Chief Operating Officer of Queensland Health and a Specialist Emergency Medicine physician with more than 20 years of clinical and leadership experience in both public and private hospitals. In his former position as Executive Director of Royal Brisbane and Women’s Hospital, David was instrumental in the development of the Brisbane You Can Centre at The Royal Brisbane & Women's Hospital which opened in 2019.
Lou Barrett
Appointed as a Director in 2022
Lou Barrett is the Managing Director of News Corp Australia's National Sales. She is responsible for driving national sales inclusive of key existing client relationships across all of News Corp's print and digital assets and is focused on building and strengthening News Corp's commitment to its advertising clients.
Lou has over 35 years experience in the media industry and was the former Executive General Manager of Network Ten. She joined Network Ten in March 2013 as its Chief Sales Officer and was promoted to the EGM role in September 2015. She has previously held senior sales and mangement roles at Nine Entertainment Co, ACP Magazines, Southern Cross Broadcasting and Macquarie Radio Network. Lou is passionate about delivery ROI for clients whilst ensuring a seamless experience that drive recurring revenue.
Lou is a Board Director for Snow Australia and Sony Foundation Australia.
Vanessa Picken
Appointed as a Director in 2022
Vanessa Picken is the Chair and CEO of Sony Music Entertainment Australia and New Zealand. She has over 15 years in leadership with a reputation for strategic thinking and business transformation from previous Managing Director roles in the global music industry. She is also Founder of digital agency and label services company, Comes With Fries.
Honorary Patrons
John Kirby AM
Patron of the Melbourne You Can Centre
Mr. Kirby has held a wide number of executive positions in cinema exhibition, film distribution, radio, theme parks, construction and strategy over his 45 years within Village Roadshow. He is currently Chairman of Village Roadshow Corporation Pty, Ltd. and awarded Honorary Doctorate, Griffith University. Served as Chairman from 2015-2019.
Chris White
Patron of the Brisbane You Can Centre
Chris has worked in the sports and talent management and marketing field for over 18 years and has a well-earned reputation and standing within the industry. He currently sits on the board of the Queensland Reds and Sony Foundation. White is also the CEO of International Quarterback. Served as a Director from 2010-2019.
