Meet the people who lead RSPCA South Australia
RSPCA South Australia is governed by a Board of elected directors who volunteer their time to preside over the organisation. The Board meets regularly to establish our long-term strategic direction, approve and monitor organisational performance against budgets, plans and policies, and ensure RSPCA South Australia acts lawfully and responsibly.
Marcus Gehrig, Chief Executive Officer
Marcus’s broad-ranging business career includes expertise in commercial and business development, strategic planning, marketing and brand development. He has spent more than a decade in executive roles across the corporate and not-for-profit sectors.
Mr Gehrig’s long held passion to give a voice to those who need it, paired with his experience as an RSPCA South Australia board director has given him strong insight into how the organisation works and makes him very well-equipped to lead the organisation at this pivotal point.
Rob DiMonte, President
FCA, BA(Acct), MAICD
Rob is a chartered accountant and professional company director. He has held many board and advisory roles over the past 35 years and is passionate about improving the social and economic wellbeing of South Australians.
Leanna Read – Science
Leanna brings broad-ranging company executive, board and investment experience, particularly in biotechnology. She is chair or board member of a number of companies and innovation committees, and the immediate past Chief Scientist for South Australia. She is also the proud owner of RSPCA SA graduate, Ahmani. Leanna is passionate about animal welfare in the agricultural sector and broader community.
Paul Hutchinson – Finance
Paul’s career has spanned more than 30 years in the financial services sector in Australia, New Zealand and the broader international marketplace. He currently works with the University of Adelaide responsible for major organisational projects. Paul is also a professional company director including governance roles in publicly listed, statutory and Not for Profit sectors.
Stephen Voss – Legal
Stephen is a lawyer and partner at national law firm Thomson Geer and acts for a number of national and international institutional corporations. He’s also the proud owner of his dog, Nelson (pictured).
Susan Hazel – Veterinary
BVSc, BSc(Vet), PhD, GradCert(Public Health), GradCert(Higher Education), MANZCVS
Susan is a veterinarian by training and an academic at the University of Adelaide, School of Animal & Veterinary Sciences, where she teaches animal behaviour, animal welfare and ethics. She is a member of multiple animal boards, committees and associations and her research interests centre on human-animal interactions with a goal to improve both animal and human welfare.
Sheenagh Edwards – Accounting
Sheenagh is a chartered accountant and audit partner with more than 20 years’ experience and has been involved in the audit of larger not-for-profit organisations throughout her career both in the UK and in Australia. Sheenagh shares her home with two golden retrievers, tbay and Schultzy (pictured).
Kate Gray – Commercial
Kate has a Bachelor of Economics and a Bachelor of Commerce from the University of Adelaide and has worked in a range of marketing and analyst roles in FMCG, retail and property and is now a business owner. At home, she has a spoodle named Leo and a rescue cat, Joel.
Professor Chris Daniels – Wildlife
BSc (Hons), PhD, DSc, FAICD
As CEO of the International Koala Centre of Excellence and Chief Strategic Advisor to Cleland Wildlife Park, Chris brings a wealth of experience to the board. Chris has a passion for wildlife conservation and connecting with nature and he devotes his downtime to his Golden Retriever, Mara (pictured).
Julie George – Marketing
GAICD
Julie has over 25 years’ experience in corporate and agency marketing roles having previously run branding and marketing agency, Algo Mas, before it was acquired by Them Advertising in early 2023. She is currently the Strategy and Growth Director at Them.
Ron Baker – Veterinary Science, Business & Leadership
Ron Baker is a veterinarian with extensive experience over the last 30 years owning and managing veterinary practices. From 2019-2022 Ron was General Manager of the Specialist and Emergency Hospital Division at Greencross. In 2022 he stepped back to begin his own consultancy as a business and leadership coach.