Minda announces appointment of Dr Susan Neuhaus as Board President

Pre-eminent South Australian surgeon and distinguished ex-Army officer, Dr Susan Neuhaus CSC, has been announced as the newly-elected President of the Minda Board.

In welcoming Dr Neuhaus to the key strategic role at the helm of SA’s largest non-government disability organisation Minda CEO, Cathy Miller, said the organisation would greatly benefit from her strong networks and experience across the defence, health, research, government and not-for-profit sectors.

“Minda is most pleased to have Dr Susan Neuhaus commit to the pivotal role as President as we enter an exciting chapter in our organisation’s evolution in response to the National Disability Insurance Scheme and embark on Stage 2 of our Master Plan development at Brighton,” Ms Miller said.

“Susan’s strategic input, wise counsel and extensive leadership experience at a Board level is invaluable, and her integrity, vision, passion and commitment to South Australia mirrors our own core values,” she said.

Dr Neuhaus welcomed her appointment, saying it was Minda’s long-standing contribution to enhancing the lives of people with disability, their families and the broader South Australian community that affirmed her decision to accept the President role.

‘Minda has clearly been pro-active in responding to the challenges coming its way because of the NDIS, as well as recognising the demand on the not-for-profit sector to be far more innovative in finding ways to secure its future funding and sustainability,” Dr Neuhaus said.

“At is core though, I have had the enormous privilege to have worked with vulnerable people in Australia and overseas, and I truly believe that people can do the most extraordinary things if you give them the opportunity and the resources to do so – and this is really what the Minda mission is all about – enabling people to reach their true potential,” she said.

“I look forward to working with the Board and Executive team to build on the great work already underway, and I am deeply honoured at the opportunity to be part of Minda’s future success.”

Dr Neuhaus is a Fellow of the Australian Institute of Company Directors (FAICD) and is a Consultant Surgeon in private surgical practice. She holds a Fellowship of the Royal Australasian College of Surgeons (FRACS), an academic position in the Department of Surgery and Faculty of Medicine at University of Adelaide, and is appointed to the RACS Court of Examiners.

Dr Neuhaus has also completed an Army career spanning over 20 years, consisting of command, clinical and administrative appointments in the Regular Army and Army Reserve. Her military service was recognised with the award of the Conspicuous Service Cross in the Queen’s Birthday Honours List in 2009 and in 2012, and she was South Australian finalist for the Australian of the Year.

She remains a non-executive Director of the Cancer Council SA and has previous experience as non-executive director in several organisations, including Chairperson of the Repat Foundation.

Also announced as joining the Minda Board is Ms Noelene Wadham.

“In her previous role, Noelene was State Manager (SA) for National Disability Services and she has a strong understanding of the disability sector, having been appointed as the inaugural chairperson of the NDIS Working Group which supported the introduction of the 0-8 year age group rollout of the NDIS for SA children’s service providers,” said Minda CEO, Cathy Miller.

“With extensive experience as a board member and private consultant to a range of management teams at top levels of government, Noelene offers excellent credentials across strategic planning, management and governance.”

About Minda

Established in 1898, Minda is the largest non-government disability support organisation in South Australia that assists people with disability to thrive in their local environments as valued members of their communities by offering residential and lifestyle services, employment and respite support. Minda is a major employer of more than 450 supported workers across its highly successful range of commercial enterprises. Across seven businesses, Minda provides the community with a broad range of services that include manufacturing, design, packing solutions, commercial laundry and catering.