Board

Patrick Moloughney– Representative of the Community Sector (Deputy Chair)

Pat has over 20 years’ experience in the business of sport. He has recently launched a new business in Second Half Sport and Entertainment – helping brands, sporting federations and networks strategise and execute their commercial pathways. Second Half currently contracts to Basketball Australia and JAMTV as Head of Commercial in both. He has worked across broadcast medium in digital, radio and as Network Director of Sport Sales with Channel 7 for 14 years before that.

 

Claire Richards –Representative of the Community Sector

Claire is a Partner in KPMG’s Audit, Assurance and Risk Consulting (AARC) Division based in Melbourne. Finding her passion to be in healthcare, Claire leads KPMG’s National AARC practice for the Health, Ageing and Human Services (HAHS) sector. In this regard, she has insight into emerging opportunities and trends across the sector nationally.

 

Julia Hernan – Representative of the Community Sector

Appointed to the Board in April 2022. Lived program experience, Julia and then husband Simon stayed in the Parkville Ronald McDonald House with three of their four children in 2020, when their fourth child River was diagnosed with Stage 4 Lymphoma and HLH, a rare and life-threatening disease that causes the body’s immune system to shut down.

Julia has held Chief Operating Officer positions for a group of wealth management and investment companies. 

Anthony Pearse–Representative of McDonald’s Owner/Operators (Board Chair)

Anthony was originally appointed Chairman of Ronald McDonald House Parkville in 2015, after being a Board Member since 2012.  He then became the inaugural Board Chairman for the merged board in 2018. Anthony re-joined the Ronald McDonald House Victoria & Tasmania Board in April 2024. Anthony is a McDonald’s Licensee in Victoria.

Currently, Anthony owns and operates six restaurants across Melbourne.

As well as sitting on the Ronald McDonald House Australia Board and has been on the Board of the Victorian Ronald McDonald House Golf Day for the past 15 years, and has served as Event Chairman since 2012.

 

David Upham– Representative of McDonald’s Owner/Operators

David is the Chair for the Ride for Sick Kids (RSFK) event for Ronald McDonald House Victoria. He has been in this role for the past 7 years. David and his wife, Sally, are very passionate about the charity. They have been involved in the ride event for 12 years. 

David is a McDonald’s Licensee in Victoria. Currently David owns and operates 2 McDonald’s restaurants in the Geelong area, being Lara and Belmont.

 

Kelly Nardella – Representative of Community Sector

Kelly Nardella’s affiliation with Ronald McDonald House Victoria & Tasmania is intrinsically linked with her 25-year career in the McDonald’s business. Her current role as Regional Director – South East follows a strong operations career path with responsibilities as Operations Consultant, Brand Standard Auditor, and Franchise Business Consultant while completing her Master Degree in Business Administration (HR).

 

Sarah Connolly– Representative of our Health Providers

Sarah is currently Director of Allied Health at the Royal Children’s Hospital, Melbourne.  An experienced social worker, Sarah brings 20 years of clinical, operational and leadership experience in paediatric health to the Ronald McDonald House Board.  As a busy mum of two young children. Sarah holds a Masters of Social Work and a Masters of Human Services Management, is an honorary clinical fellow at the University of Melbourne School of Social Work, and a graduate of the Australian Institute of Company Directors.  

  

Alice Gilbertson – Representative of McDonalds Owner/Operators

In 2013 Alice became a Franchisee and owns and operates two McDonalds restaurants in Tasmania. Alice is an active member of her local community and has assisted Ronald McDonald House through several fundraising events. She is an active and current member of the Ronald McDonald House Tasmanian Ball committee. Along with her McDonald’s experience Alice holds a Bachelor of Commerce degree and has worked in finance as an auditor and has over 20 years’ experience in commercial business leadership.

David Zalunardo- Representative of the Community Sector

David is a highly accomplished retail executive with over 25 years of leadership experience, currently serving as both Regional Managing Director for Victoria at ALDI Australia and Chair of ALDI’s National Store Operations Committee. He has also held the role of Regional Vice President of ALDI in the Midwest USA. His career has focused on driving operational excellence, people and culture initiatives, and sustainable business growth.

David is deeply committed to community engagement, having established partnerships between ALDI, OzHarvest, and Foodbank to support vulnerable communities.

 

Danielle Smith – Representative of our Health Providers

Dani is currently the Operational Director Monash Children’s, Director of Nursing Children’s Program and Monash Children’s Hospital Monash Health

With over 20 years’ experience across a major public paediatric hospital environment, Dani has attended the Company Directors Course, hold a Diploma of Management, Postgraduate Diploma in Advanced Clinical Nursing (Child Health) and a Bachelor of Nursing. Dani’s experience demonstrates success across operational delivery, service improvement, change management and working with both internal and external key stakeholders in a complex environment. 

 Dani’s passion and focused on utilising my skills and abilities to enhance care and people’s lives as they journey within the health system with an emphasis on allowing them to spend time in a home environment rather than a hospital environment.  Dani is an active member on Girl Guides Victoria Board since 2022 and joined Roneld McDonald House Victoria & Tasmanania as Board Director in 2023.