Trustees

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 listing of past Trustees click here.

Chair

Mr Richard Haddock AO KCSG

Richard was appointed a Trustees of Mary Aikenhead Ministries on 1 December 2019 and became Chair effective 1 January 2020.

Richard has had a longstanding relationship with the Catholic Church in Australia.

Richard is currently Chair of the Investment Committee of the Archdiocese of Sydney, member of Archdiocese of Sydney Ecclesiastical and Civic Honours Committee, Chair of his local Parish Finance Committee.

Richard is also a director of University of Notre Dame Australia and Chair of St Vincent’s Curran Foundation.

His previous positions have included being a member of the Finance Committee of the Archdiocese of Sydney, Chair of the Australian Catholic Superannuation and Retirement Fund, Chair of CatholicCare Sydney, Chair of the Sisters of Charity Foundation., National Treasurer of Caritas, director of Catholic Church Insurances, director of Aid to the Church in Need,

His previous positions and career in the law and finance sectors have included being a director of several public companies (both listed and unlisted), senior executive of the BNP Paribas Group and a solicitor with Dawson Waldron.

Richard was awarded an officer of the Order of Australia for distinguished service to the community, to charitable groups, to the Catholic Church and to the finance sector.

He is also a Papal Knight Commander of St Gregory.

Married to Katy, Richard has two married adult children and five grandchildren.

Deputy Chair

Ms Deirdre O'Donnell PSM

Deirdre was appointed as a Trustee of Mary Aikenhead Ministries on 3 June 2024. Deirdre was appointed as Deputy Chair on 1 July 2026

Deirdre possesses broad experience in executive roles in the public and not-for-profit sectors, including as State Ombudsman for Western Australia and as the Telecommunications Industry Ombudsman, a national role. In 2008 she was awarded the Public Sector Medal for outstanding public service as the WA Ombudsman.

She has chaired the boards of two Mary Aikenhead Colleges – St Columba’s in Essendon and St Vincent’s in Potts Point, and is a Companion of the Sisters of Charity.

Deirdre has undergraduate qualifications in arts and education, an MBA and a Masters in Commercial Law from Melbourne University. She lives in Victoria.

Dr 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 Bachelor 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.

Professor Michael E. Drew

Prof. Michael Drew was appointed to the Trustees of Mary Aikenhead Ministries on 1 May 2019.

Michael is Co-Founder and Director of Drew, Walk & Co. and Professor Emeritus of Finance at Griffith University. He serves as Chair of Jobs Queensland, Volunteering Australia, and St Vincent’s Foundation Queensland and Deputy Chair of CareSuper.

Michael read for his DPhil at St Peter’s College, University of Oxford, and holds a PhD in economics from the University of Queensland. He is a Fellow of the Australian Institute of Company Directors, the Governance Institute of Australia, the Chartered Governance Institute, and the Chartered Institute for Securities & Investment.

Ms Penelope Wright

Penelope Wright was appointed to the Trustees of Mary Aikenhead Ministries on 1 May 2019.

Penelope is a practicing solicitor in a small firm in Sydney. She holds a Master of Laws, Master of Bioethics and a Bachelor of Economics.

Prior to studying law, Penelope worked in retail banking, funds management and government relations with a major Australian bank.

Previously Penelope has been a member of the Board of the Sisters of Charity Foundation and Waverley College. Penelope is a past Chair and Deputy Chair of the NSW Premier’s Youth Advisory Council and remains active in local community organisations in various roles.

Trustees

Chair

Mr Richard Haddock AO KCSG

Deputy Chair

Ms Deirdre O'Donnell PSM

Dr Margaret McKenna

Professor Michael E. Drew

Ms Penelope Wright

Mary Aikenhead Ministries

02 9291 9400

info@maministries.com.au