New Board Member: Elizabeth Gaines

Elizabeth Gaines joins the Victor Chang Cardiac Research Institute’s Board of Directors

10 August 2022

The Victor Chang Cardiac Research Institute welcomes the appointment of Elizabeth Gaines, outgoing CEO and current Director of Fortescue Metals Group to its Board of Directors.

As CEO of the iron ore giant, Ms Gaines brings a wealth of leadership experience, and her appointment aligns with the recent expansion of the Institute’s footprint into Western Australia.

Ms Gaines says: “The Victor Chang Cardiac Research Institute has an incredible reputation worldwide for the breadth of its discoveries. I feel honoured to be joining the Institute at such a pivotal time with the opening of the Institute’s new heart disease hub at the University of Western Australia.

“The work that the Institute is doing here in Perth, will not only benefit the most disadvantaged communities, it will also drive investment and opportunities that will benefit the wider population too.

“As someone whose family has been impacted by the devastation of cardiac disease, I look forward to helping the Institute deliver on its important work across scientific discoveries, breakthroughs, and new treatments that will improve lives far beyond our State border.”

The Institute’s Chairman, Matthew Grounds AM, says Ms Gaines’ skills would complement the existing Board members.

Mr Grounds says: “Elizabeth is one of the most highly experienced and respected business leaders not only in Australia but on the world stage. It’s a privilege to have her join our Board and help us achieve our goal of ensuring all our discoveries deliver clinical impact.”

Professor Jason Kovacic, Executive Director of the Victor Chang Cardiac Research Institute, adds: “To achieve our bold new vision, we not only need to attract and retain the brightest scientific minds, we also need visionary leaders like Elizabeth who can help deliver new and exciting partnerships with world-leading industries and innovators.”

About Elizabeth Gaines

Ms Gaines has led Fortescue Metals Group Ltd as Chief Executive Officer and Executive Director since February 2018 after joining the Executive Team as Chief Financial Officer in February 2017 and serving on the Fortescue Board as a Non-Executive Director since 2013. She will step down from the role of CEO in September 2022 and will remain a non Executive Director of Fortescue as well as taking on a new non-executive role as Global Ambassador for Fortescue Future Industries.

Ms Gaines was ranked second in the 2019 Fortune Magazine's Businessperson of the Year, and in 2020 the Chamber of Minerals and Energy of Western Australia awarded her the ‘Women in Resources Champion’ at the annual Women in Resources Awards. In 2020, Ms Gaines was awarded Joint Australian Business Person of the Year by the Australian Financial Review.

Learn more about Elizabeth Gaines from her Board of Directors bio.

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For all media enquiries and interview requests, please contact:

Julia Timms
Head, Media & Communications
j.timms@victorchang.edu.au
0457 517 355