About Us

Our Governance

HeartKids is committed to good governance, and continues to focus on ensuring the right organisational structures, systems and practices are in place to facilitate delivery of our strategic objectives for the CoHD community.

Governance and Ethical Leadership

As a charitable institution and Company Limited by Guarantee, HeartKids Limited is reliant upon community and corporate goodwill to achieve its goals. As a community organisation, HeartKids also has considerable legislative, administrative and other accountabilities that need to be maintained to a high standard.

The Board is comprised of twelve Directors who bring expertise in CoHD, medical science and research, governance and executive management, finance, marketing and communications, not-for-profit administration, as well as extensive networks with the corporate, public and government sectors and the broader community. Many of the board have their own lived experience of CoHD.

Role of the Board of Directors

The role of the Board is defined by HeartKid’s Constitution, being the legal instrument guiding the organisation. The Board, staff and volunteers operate in line with a Code of Conduct.

The Board’s primary role is to ensure a range of strategies that support people impacted by congenital and childhood heart disease is achieved.

To undertake this role, the Board is responsible for the overall corporate governance of the organisation.

This includes:

Formulating its strategic direction;
Approving and monitoring financial performance;
Setting executive remuneration;
Appointing, removing and creating policies;
Establishing and monitoring the achievement of organisational goals; and
Ensuring the integrity of internal control and management information systems.

The Board is also responsible for approving and monitoring finance and other reporting and compliance.

The Board delegates responsibility for the operation and administration of the organisation to the Chief Executive Officer. Responsibilities are delineated by formal authority delegations.

Board Planning Framework

The HeartKids Strategic Plan 2024- 2027 provides the strategic initiatives and direction for the HeartKids over the next three years. This strategy represents the vision of the Board to be recognised as the leading advocate and service provider for those impacted by CoHD in Australia. The HeartKids Board and management are committed to this plan which is built on the following key platforms:

A Future Support Model (For Life Model)
Digital Transformation
Stakeholder Relations
Brand Impact, and;
Future Funds

Read our Strategic Plan

Board Processes

To assist in the execution of its responsibilities the Board of Directors has established a number of committees including:

Finance, Audit and Risk Sub Committee;
Research Advisory Committee; and
Health and Clinical Advisory Committee

These committees have written terms of reference and operating procedures reviewed on an annual basis.

Board of Diversity

The Board is a skills based Board and is broadly representative of the CoHD community. It includes Cardiologists, health sector professionals and policy analysts, medical researchers, and parents of children CoHD and adults living with congenital or acquired heart disease. Fifty percent of the Board is female and seventy percent have direct or lived experience of CoHD either as a patient, family member, or treating health professional.

Board of Directors Education

HeartKids has a formal process to induct and educate new and continuing Directors about the nature of the organisation, health and medical issues, the corporate strategy and the expectations concerning performance and conduct of Board Members.