
Under Mary Aikenhead Ministries, the many health (including aged care and research institutes), education and some social service ministries that were established and developed by the Sisters of Charity in Australia, are governed by a group of Trustees.
The Trustees are the Canon Law and Civil Stewards of the Ministries. As such, the Ministries report to, and are accountable to the Trustees.
The Trustees exercise ecclesial leadership on behalf of the church in a collaborative manner that enables discernment to underpin the decision making process.
For a statement about the Ministry of Governance for the Trustees of Mary Aikenhead Ministries click here (see page 42).
For a listing of past Trustees click here.

Mr Gary Humphrys
Deputy Chair
Gary was appointed to the Trustees of Mary Aikenhead Ministries on 1 July 2017.
Gary has almost 40 years’ experience in senior executive roles covering a number of disciplines including finance and accounting, treasury, taxation, IT, procurement and audit in the energy and mining industries in both the public and private sector.
Gary has held various directorships in the health, mining, water and energy sectors. He was previously a Director of St Vincent’s Health Australia Limited and is currently a Director of HESTA Superannuation.

Ms Janet Freeman
Janet Freeman was appointed to the Trustees of Mary Aikenhead Ministries on 1 January 2018.
Janet previously served as a member of the Mary Aikenhead Education Advisory Council and is a proud ex-student of Bethlehem College Ashfield.
Janet has worked in Catholic Education for over 40 years, 25 of which were as Principal of Catholic schools; first, at Mercy College at Chatswood and then at Loreto, Kirribilli for 15 years. Amongst other appointments in her career, she has been a Director on the The National Executive of both The Association of Catholic School Principals and The Alliance of Girls Schools Australia, State Secretary and Treasurer for the ACT/NSW Branch of the Association of Heads of Independent Schools, a member of the Parramatta Diocesan Schools’ Council, the Broken Bay Diocesan Schools’ Board and for ten years was a member of the NSW Catholic Education Commission Education Policy Committee.
Presently she is a member of the Marist Regional Education Council (NSW) and the Armidale Catholic Schools Advisory Council. Janet consults in education, particularly being involved in the selection and performance review of executive staff for independent and system schools.

Margaret McKenna
Margaret was appointed as a Trustee of Mary Aikenhead Ministries on 1 February, 2022.
Margaret brings 40 years’ experience in education, including appointments as principal of Catholic Ladies’ College, Eltham, St Columba’s College, Essendon and Mary MacKillop College, Leongatha. In recent years, she has worked as an education consultant and as Mary Aikenhead Education Mission Development Coordinator. She holds a Batchelor of Education and a Masters of Educational Leadership at the University of Melbourne.
Margaret has served on various committees of the Catholic Education Commission of Victoria (CECV) and Victorian Catholic Principals Association (PAVCCS), being involved in directions, initiatives, conference organization and supporting and mentoring new leaders. In 2015, Margaret was awarded an Australian Council for Educational Leaders (ACEL) National Fellowship. Margaret has contributed as member to different education governance groups, she is currently Board Chair of Whitefriars’ College, Donvale.
Margaret’s enduring association with the Sisters of Charity began in her own education and has continued in her contributions as a teacher, leader and principal. A particular highlight was her participation in the ‘Prophetic Culture Task Force’ and the ‘Leadership Development’ working parties that contributed to the establishment of Mary Aikenhead Ministries. Margaret’s great love of the Sisters of Charity, their charism and ministry inspire her as trustee to continue this mission in Mary Aikenhead Ministries.