Skip to main content

Board of Directors

The BCRC-WA Board of Directors is comprised of both medical and business experts who are uniquely positioned to drive the organization’s strategic direction, fundraising efforts, and research initiatives.

Chairman

Dr Peter Willsher

In 2000, Peter received an award from the American College of Surgeons as the International Guest Scholar. He has published approximately 100 Abstracts and Papers including two book chapters.

Peter graduated from the University of Melbourne Medical School and completed his surgical training in Melbourne.

He then practised in the UK at the Nottingham City Hospital Breast Centre as a Clinical and Research Fellow. During that time, he completed a Doctorate of Medicine, undertaking a research project and thesis on biological changes in breast cancer. Peter then worked at the Mount Sinai Hospital in Toronto where he completed a Fellowship in Minimal Access Surgery.

In 2000, Peter received an award from the American College of Surgeons as the International Guest Scholar.

Peter has published approximately 100 Abstracts and Papers including two book chapters. He is a Fellow of the Royal Australasian College of Surgeons.

As of December 2023, Dr. Willsher has retired, bringing his extensive career in surgery and breast cancer research to a close.

Vice Chairperson

Professor Arlene Chan AM

Professor Arlene was awarded Western Australian of the Year, Professions Division in recognition of her accomplishments, expertise, and dedication to the field of breast cancer.

After graduating from the University of Melbourne Medical School, Professor Chan obtained her Fellowship in Medical Oncology from the Royal Australasian College of Physicians and then a Master of Medicine in Palliative Care from the University of Melbourne.

She went on to receive a Fellowship in Breast Cancer and Cancer Genetics from Princess Margaret Hospital in Toronto and returned to Australia in 1997 and practiced as a Consultant Medical Oncologist at Royal Perth Hospital where she stayed until 2002.

She has been an academic breast cancer-specific oncologist since 1999 and is currently a professor at the School of Medicine (adjunct) at Curtin University and is Vice-Chair of Breast Cancer Research Centre-WA.

She has been the principal investigator of more than 110 breast cancer trials, advises for several pharmaceutical companies involved in breast cancer treatments and has authored more than 200 publications. She has been an invited speaker at more than 170 local, national and international breast cancer conferences.

Her areas of interest include clinical research in understanding biological determinants of therapeutic response in breast cancer, optimising symptomatic care in early and advanced breast cancer and developing data collection systems for clinical research and measuring patient outcomes.

In June 2016, she was awarded Western Australian of the Year, Professions Division in recognition of her accomplishments, expertise, and dedication to the field of breast cancer. She was a finalist in Australian of the Year Awards in 2017 and was awarded a Member of the Order of Australia in 2018 for her contribution to medicine.

As of December 2023, Professor Arlene Chan has retired, marking the conclusion of her remarkable career in the field of medicine, particularly in medical oncology, breast cancer research, and palliative care.

Board Member

Mr Jose Cid Fernandez

Jose is a Specialist Breast Surgeon, working at the forefront of oncoplastic surgical techniques, which combine, in appropriate cases, optimal treatment of breast cancer with excellent cosmetic outcomes.

Jose is a Specialist Breast Surgeon, working at the forefront of oncoplastic surgical techniques, which combine, in appropriate cases, optimal treatment of breast cancer with excellent cosmetic outcomes.

After graduating from the University of the Basque Country in Spain, Jose underwent general surgical training in the UK before completing a Doctorate in Medicine thesis degree in breast cancer genetics with the University of Nottingham in 2006. He has presented his research at scientific meetings in Australia and Europe, and published over twenty articles and abstracts, including a book chapter in familial breast cancer.

In 2007 Jose came to Perth to undertake sub-specialty fellowship training in Oncoplastic Breast Surgery, then worked as a Consultant Surgeon at the Royal Perth Hospital until January 2020. Whist at RPH he was Head of the Multidisciplinary Breast Service from 2009 to 2011 and Head of Department of General Surgery during the years 2013-2018.

Since February 2015 he is a staff Consultant at Fiona Stanley Hospital, and he also holds an appointment as Clinical Senior Lecturer at the Medical School, UWA.

In recent years Jose has broadened his knowledge from visiting attachments to Breast Units in Scotland, Nottingham, Paris, and USA, bringing back new skills to WA.

As well as offering expertise in the management of all aspects of benign and malignant breast conditions, Jose has special interests in partial breast reconstruction with chest wall perforator flaps, fat grafting correction of developmental and postoperative breast deformities, and primary and revisional breast implant augmentation and reduction surgery.

Company Secretary

Fiona Cocks

In her role as CFO and Company Secretary at BCRC – WA, Fiona is responsible for assisting the CEO and Board in determining and implementing financial and commercial strategy for the various parts of the organization.

After graduating from UWA in 1993 with a Bachelor of Commerce degree, Fiona spent mostof her career in the fields of investment banking and corporate advisory, with the majority of her career at Macquarie Bank in Perth and Sydney and at a number of corporate advisory firms in Perth.

In 2021, Fiona made the switch from corporate advisory to not-for-profit with the vision of applying her financial and corporate experience to a cause which is close to her heart and at an organization with a reputation as a world-leader in breast cancer research and clinical trials. In her role as CFO at BCRC – WA, Fiona is responsible for assisting the CEO and Board in determining and implementing financial and commercial strategy for the various parts of the organization.

Outside of work, Fiona enjoys travel, spending time with her family and relaxing when she can.

valeria
Board Member

Valeria Cooney

Valeria is a lawyer with over 25 years’ experience in national and international firms and in-house in Perth and London, with a particular focus in the projects and resources sectors.

Valeria is a lawyer with over 25 years’ experience in national and international firms and in-house in Perth and London, with a particular focus in the projects and resources sectors. In 2011 Valeria joined the North West Shelf Project. She is currently Principal Counsel at North West Shelf Gas Pty Ltd.

Valeria holds a Bachelor of Laws degree from the University of Western Australia.

Board Member

David Della Bona

David is currently the Managing Director of the WA Limestone Group of Companies and has been working in the family business for over 30 years.

David is currently the Managing Director of the WA Limestone Group of Companies and has been working in the family business for over 30 years. Predominantly a Quarries, Concrete and Civil Constructor, WA Limestone is one of the largest raw materials supply in WA with 12 operating quarries in the Perth Metropolitan area as well a large footprint across the state with quarries in many regional locations.

David is also a National and State Board member of the Civil Contractors Federation, a key not-for-profit industry representative body for the Civil Construction Industry.

David has also served on the Villa Dalmacia Aged Care Facility board for almost 10 years and has recently stepped down as Chairperson but remains on the Board of Directors for the organisation.

“I feel very privileged to have been asked to join the BCRC board. My mum had Breast Cancer 15 years ago and has recovered and is going very well now so in a small way, this is my way of giving something back to help such a wonderful cause and great organisation.”

Board Member

Anna Giumelli

Anna has worked in a variety of industries including mining, energy and agriculture in leadership roles in finance, research and development and IT.

Anna has worked in a variety of industries including mining, energy and agriculture in leadership roles in finance, research and development and IT. Anna is currently the Operations Manager at Kleenheat, overseeing the distribution of LPG and LNG in Western Australia, and sales and operations in the Northern Territory.

Anna has worked for the Wesfarmers Group since 2007, including eight years in Wesfarmers Business Development during which time she lead a number of corporate transactions and the development of Wesfarmers’ five year strategic plan, working closely with the Group CEO and CFO. Anna also lead a number of major investment projects with Wesfarmers’ divisions. Anna reported directly to the Wesfarmers CEO for 14 months, providing investment analysis and preparing and reviewing Board papers.

Anna has a Bachelor of Commerce from the University of Western Australia and a Graduate Diploma in Applied Finance.

Board Member

Robyn Sutherland

Robyn has significant Board experience through non-executive director appointments in both the community and health settings spanning 20 years.

Robyn has significant Board experience through non-executive director appointments in both the community and health settings spanning 20 years.

She has a proven history of strong Board contribution and relationship development. Her key board strengths lie in the wealth of her experience in the strategic and operational management of large hospitals and services in both the public and private sectors where she has built a solid background in leadership, risk management, organisational and clinical governance, and strategic and operational planning and service development.

“I am confident that my years of experience in healthcare will add value to the Board. I feel very privileged to be part of a highly motivated and committed organisation that continues to deliver great outcomes through evidence-based practice and clinical research. From a personal perspective and my own journey of breast cancer I value the opportunity to give something back to others.”

Board Member

Sal Vallelonga

Sal Vallelonga is a co-founding Partner of Plexus Global Consultants and is a Chartered Accountant of some 23 years standing who holds a Bachelor of Commerce degree.

Sal Vallelonga is a co-founding Partner of Plexus Global Consultants and is a Chartered Accountant of some 23 years standing who holds a Bachelor of Commerce degree.

Sal specialises in providing corporate advisory, business coaching, strategic planning, business optimisation, succession planning, taxation, accounting and wealth creation solutions to its SME and emerging growth clients. He is also a non-executive director of many businesses and has served on numerous community-based boards and committees.

Sal continues to serve as President of The WA Italian Club, Board member of Care Cure Support (MND Fundraising), MyVista Retirement and Aged Care and other community organisations.

Leadership Team

Meet our leadership team.

2023 Financial Report

The 2023 Financial Report from the Breast Cancer Research Center – WA offers a comprehensive overview of our financial performance, underscoring our dedication to delivering exceptional value to our stakeholders.

Open Report