Lynley has been involved with the KYF since 2006 as a competitor and a volunteer. Since 2009, she has been a leader and group leader with the youth program, walking the Kokoda Track in PNG for the 8th time in 2018. She has also completed our 96km Kokoda Challenge event 15 times! In 2021 Lynley was elected Chair of the Kokoda Youth Foundation. Lynley works in IT and facilities management for the Brisbane office of a global medical indemnity group.

Eric joined the board of the Kokoda Youth Foundation in October 2021 and has been assisting the Foundation as a volunteer prior. Eric is a chartered accountant with over 15 years’ experience in business and taxation advisory and has been working with a wide range of businesses from varying industries and non-for-profit organisations. Eric is eager to put his knowledge and expertise to work for the KYF.

Doug is a Vietnam Veteran who served as a medic with 6th Battalion RAR in 1966-67. He was seriously wounded in service and medically discharged from the army due to the injuries he sustained. Doug later owned and operated a successful insurance assessing company and express courier business in Sydney, before retiring to the Gold Coast in 1994.

Doug has served on the Australian government’s National Suicide Prevention Committee and Department of Veterans Affairs’ National Operations Working Party. In 2004, he resigned from his 10-year tenure as a Veterans’ Advocate to pursue his interest in Kokoda and supporting young Australians as founder of Kokoda Youth Foundation.

Sophie is an original 2005 ‘Kokoda Kid’ having completed our inaugural Kokoda Challenge Youth Program, and she has been involved with KYF ever since. Sophie has a background in health and education, with interests in working with the community. Sophie works as a paramedic and has qualifications in community service, education, small business management and health science (Hons).

Sophie travelled to PNG as Doug Henderson’s medic and walked alongside him for the entire trek, tending to his medical needs and ensuring he completed the bucket list Kokoda Track in good health. This experience bonded Sophie to Doug and the Foundation more than she ever thought possible.

Susan is an accomplished senior leader whose expertise spans digital transformation and communications,  international marketing, brand management, and stakeholder engagement across the public and private sectors, and alongside entrepreneurial business ventures. Her dedication to charitable organisations reflects both her personal values and her strong belief in giving back and fostering positive, lasting change. Susan has completed over seven Kokoda Challenge events and has volunteered as a leader and mentor in the Kokoda Youth Foundation’s youth programs.

Her profound respect for Australian veterans extends beyond her family connection to the Australian Defence Force. It fuels her commitment to preserving the ANZAC spirit and ensuring these important traditions continue to be honoured and respected by future generations.

Belinda joined the KYF Board in November 2022. As a mother of two young boys, she knows all too well how critical the KYF values are to supporting young Australians in their journey into adulthood. Belinda has been practising as a property and commercial lawyer on the Gold Coast since 2006. Belinda regularly volunteers at the Kokoda Challenge and enjoys using her experience at events and on the Board, to support the KYF team continue the vital work they do in the community.

Mike’s involvement with the KYF began in 2006 through corporate sponsorship assistance. Since then, Mike has completed multiple Kokoda Challenge events, and supported the organisation in various volunteer roles. He attributes the Kokoda Challenge as the catalyst to changing his lifestyle and wellbeing for himself and family. Mike studied at Monash University and works in a Queensland State Operations role focused on preventing corporate loss, risk and improving team capability.

Mike was appointed to the KYF Board in 2022 and has remained committed to utilising his skills and knowledge to assist the Foundation’s future development and strategic goals.

Barry spent many years leading the Finance discipline within the University of Queensland Business School, where he now holds an honorary position and continues to lecture in the third year of the Bachelor of Commerce program.

Barry established Unorthodox Therapies Pty Ltd, a consulting practice which extends to a combination of biofeedback therapy and hypnotherapy. He is also the CEO and owner of Financial and Statistical Consultants Pty Ltd, a consulting practice to industry and government in finance and statistics.

In 2020, Barry became involved with Lifeline and is now a qualified Lifeline Crisis supporter, as well as being on their Disaster Recovery Team.  He is also involved in other volunteer work, as Treasurer for Braille House (a non-profit organisation which produces Braille products and services) and was heavily involved in developing the Digital Detox program for KYF.

Barry brings to the KYF Board a considerable amount of experience from the finance industry, the mental health and the non-profit sectors.