Board of Directors

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.

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.  

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.

Damian Trotter

Appointed as a Director in 2023

Damian is the Managing Director of Sony Music Publishing Australia and currently the Deputy Chair of the APRA Board, Director and former Chair of the AMCOS board and a Director of AMPAL. Damian has been with Sony since the company re-started its publishing arm in 1992. Following the merger of Sony Music Publishing with EMI Music Publishing in 2012, he was appointed Managing Director of the combined publishing companies. He began his music industry career in 1981 at CBS Records.

Dr David Rosengren

Appointed as a Director in 2020

David is 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 and 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.

The Hon. Brad Hazzard

Appointed as a Director in 2023

Former NSW Health Minister, The Hon Brad Hazzard, is now serving on the Sony Foundation Board. Brad was a Science Teacher before becoming a solicitor and eventually entering Parliament in 1991.

In the 32 years he served the NSW community, he was for 28 years continuously either a shadow Minister or a Minister holding a range of senior portfolios. Of particular note is that he was Attorney General at the time of the Lindt Café siege and was the Health Minister during the most challenging Covid pandemic. He brings his vast knowledge of delivering services for young people and is looking forward to working with Sony Foundation and its partners in delivering on their mission objectives.

Mikael Borglund

Appointed as a Director in 2024

Mikael Borglund is one of Australia’s most highly regarded film and television executives, and is a founding director of one of Australia’s leading television production and distribution companies, Beyond International. Additionally, Mikael is currently a Director of South Sydney Football Club (Souths) and Chair of the Australian Children’s Music Foundation (ACMF). Mikael is a chartered accountant and has been a member of Chartered Accountants Australia and New Zealand for over 40 years.

Peter Ayling

Secretary

Peter Ayling is Finance Director of the Universal Sony Pictures Home Entertainment joint venture. Prior to the JV's formation in 2012, Peter was the APAC Regional Finance Director for Sony Pictures Home Entertainment and held various Finance and Operations roles with Sony Pictures for over 27 years.

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. 

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