Co-Founders & Board Members

Former Essendon player and Melbourne Football Club Coach, Neale Daniher needs little introduction. Debuting for the Bombers in 1979, Neale is one of four brothers making up part of the Daniher football dynasty. His football career, although plagued by injury, was well respected with Neale winning wide spread praise and accolades for his actions both on and off the field.

Those personal characteristics are what drive Neale, and it is these values that are now echoed in his approach with his current battle with Motor Neurone Disease (MND).

Diagnosed with MND in 2013, Neale’s continued determination to live life to the fullest, and face the challenges this disease brings with courage, humour, and a drive to help prevent the suffering of those that may be diagnosed with this disease in the future, is inspiring.

During his career working at the AFL, Pat Cunningham first crossed paths with Neale Daniher. He joined the FightMND Board in early 2015, and has a personal connection to MND through his wife Angie who sadly lost her battle with MND in 2016.

Pat has spearheaded the project management of the Foundation’s largest public fundraiser – Big Freeze at the G, and also leads the FightMND Care Committee in overseeing the Foundations Care portfolio and grant application/award processes.

Pat, along with his two daughters Maggie and Sophie, live in Melbourne’s East and are supported by a wonderful group of friends and family.

The late Dr Ian Davis played a pivotal role in the establishment of FightMND in 2014 following his retirement as a medical doctor due to his diagnosis with MND on 13 September 2011. He served as Chairman of the Foundation while also chairing the FightMND Cure subcommittee. Prior to his diagnosis, he worked in Haematology practice at Melbourne’s Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre.

On November 1, 2018, FightMND co-founder Ian Davis lost his courageous battle with Motor Neurone Disease.

Ian’s medical background and experience enabled him to provide FightMND with significant knowledge and expertise in the medical science environment, achieving positive progress and development in the quest to find a suitable treatment and cure for MND.

Since the Foundation’s inception, Ian’s tireless work, passion and commitment to finding a cure for MND has impacted and inspired people affected by MND worldwide.

Among his many achievements was the creation of the inaugural Australasian Motor Neurone Disease Symposium in March 2018, attracting over 400 delegates from around the world, who all assembled with the joint intent to create a world free from MND.

Mike Schneider is the Managing Director of the Bunnings Group. With a passion for seeing people and organisations thrive through strong cultures, clear and aligned purposes and actions and brand trust, Mike brings a wealth of HR, commercial and leadership experience to the role of Chair.

Outside of Mike’s role at Bunnings, he also sits on the boards of mental health charity Love Me Love You, the Corporate Mental Health Alliance of Australia and Melbourne United Basketball Club.

Gary Nugent is Managing Partner with the Nugents Group in Melbourne, and brings a wealth of experience and knowledge in accounting practice, business development, and financial management to his role as FightMND Foundation Treasurer and Vice-Chairperson.

Andrew Dillon is currently serving as the Chief Executive Officer of the AFL, and brings with him a wealth of legal expertise, passion, and drive to his role on the FightMND Board.

Andrew’s chief role at the Foundation is in overseeing the Foundations legal obligations and governance.

The Director of Guest Group, Property 4 Retail, Guest Nominees, and BallPark Entertainment, Bill is a highly respected Melbourne businessman. While he has enjoyed success in the corporate world, it is Bill’s commitment to many charitable causes that has had the greatest impact.

Along with his role on the FightMND Board, Bill is Patron, Director and Board Member for Australian Prostate Cancer Research, and sits on the Board of Care Australia.

Mark Evans is General Manager of Football Operations at the AFL, and brings a very strong record in administartion and management operations to his his role on the Cure for MND Foundation Board where he plays a significant role in Communications and Branding.

Having lost a close friend to MND and seeing first hand the devastation the disease brings, Mark is determined to help push the disease into the spotlight, raising awareness and funds for research.

Peter Charles is the Victorian and National Independent Agency Sales Director for Channel 7 Melbourne. Peter has spent 30 years in the media industry. He joined Channel 7 as a Group Sales Manager in 1999 and spent time in Sydney in 2015/16 as the Sydney & Melbourne Sales Director. More recently he has been promoted to Victorian and National Independent Agency Sales Director. Peter is responsible for building and managing client relationships across both agencies and independence/direct.

Peter is married to wife Meredith and have 3 children Sam, Jessica and Emily.

Dr Judith Slocombe’s career spans many roles; veterinarian, entrepreneur, business owner, corporate senior executive manager and non‐executive director.

Judith built a small home‐based pathology business into the largest veterinary diagnostic group across Australia and New Zealand.   In 2001, she sold her business and was appointed to head up a major diagnostic company with laboratories operating across South East Asia.

Graduating with an MBA from the Melbourne Business School in June 2002, Judith is a Fellow of the AICD and a Fellow of the AIM.  In 2003 she was awarded a Centenary Medal for service to Australian society in business leadership.

Judith holds numerous directorships including Agriculture Victoria Services, Leadership Victoria, and The Young and Well Cooperative Research Centre.  She is a past director of the Australian Red Cross Blood Service, VicHealth, Open Universities Australia, South East Water, former President of the Lort Smith Animal Hospital, and most recently former CEO of The Alannah and Madeline Foundation.

I believe that magic can happen when people come together around a purpose and this clearly evident at FightMND which is why it is a delight for me to be part of this team.

I am an experienced consultant and Senior Executive in both the public and private sectors. My not-for-profit experience includes my current role as President of International Social Services Australia, as well as time as General Manager – Programs at The Alannah & Madeline Foundation and a secondment with the International Red Cross in Geneva.

My corporate experience includes being a partner at both Deloitte and Korn Ferry, and for over a decade with The Boston Consulting Group. I have a Doctorate in Psychology and am a Registered Psychologist.