About Us
The Jacaranda Foundation empowers our community to fund life-changing projects at the Sutherland Hospital, enriching care, enhancing services, and leaving a lasting legacy for and by locals.
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Gary Grant, an Australian sculptor and visionary, was admitted to the Sutherland Shire hospital where he would spend his time between treatment looking out at the blooming violet Jacaranda trees. Unfortunately, Gary lost his battle with cancer, however a lasting wish was to start a legacy of support and inspiration for the Sutherland community through a Jacaranda themed art installation, inspiring the hospital and community which supported him.
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Inspired by Gary Grant's courage and his adoration for the Jacaranda flowers that blossom across the Shire, the Jacaranda Foundation aims to continue his vision and secure a better medical future for the residents of the Sutherland Shire for decades to come.
OUR VISION
OUR INSPIRATION
Gary Grant
Sculptor, Visionary, and the heart behind the Jacaranda Foundation
Gary Grant was a gifted Australian sculptor whose creative spirit and compassionate heart left an enduring legacy. Known for his evocative works that celebrated nature and human resilience, Gary’s final and most heartfelt vision was to create a jacaranda-themed art installation to raise funds for Sutherland Hospital – a place that had cared for him during his battle with cancer.
As a patient himself, Gary understood the profound impact of compassionate care and dreamed of giving back through his art. Though he sadly passed away before his vision could be realised, his passion and purpose inspired the formation of the Jacaranda Foundation. The Jacaranda Foundation now carries forward his dream, to uplift the community and support cancer care initiatives in his memory.
Gary’s legacy lives on not only in his sculptures, but in the blossoming of hope and healing that the Jacaranda Foundation brings to life.
Meet the board:
Jeanne Zweck
Chair of the Board
A strategic marketing expert, facilitator, and award-winning business leader, Jeanne Zweck brings over 30 years of leadership experience – including as founder and CEO of Mint Marketing, Australia’s industry-leading agency servicing the infrastructure sector’s tier one players – positioning clients for success through cut-through brands, strategic marketing, and winning tenders.
Jeanne is founder of the Jacaranda Foundation, working with the Sutherland Hospital to establish a board, governance and with her team at Mint to create the brand.
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Since becoming President of the Sutherland Shire Business Chamber in January 2022, Jeanne has strengthened the organisation through strong governance, a diverse and representative board, and a clear mission, vision, and strategy refreshed annually. Under her leadership, the Chamber has built valuable partnerships across all levels of government and local institutions, positioning it as the leading voice of business in southern Sydney.
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Passionate about creating positive change, Jeanne gives back as a sponsor of the Cronulla Sharks Water Polo Club and as a mentor for the Australian Marketing Institute, including other initiatives that support her community.
Magdalena Tsonev
Board Member
Magdalena Tsonev is a respected leader in strata management and community advocacy, known for her commitment to transparency, innovation, and client-focused service. As the founder of StrataBee, she has built a business rooted in integrity and excellence, supporting property owners and communities across New South Wales.
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In 2021, Magdalena experienced a SCAD (Spontaneous Coronary Artery Dissection) heart attack – a rare and often misunderstood condition. This personal journey inspired her to champion greater awareness and support for medical research and public health initiatives.
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As a board member of the Jacaranda Foundation, Magdalena brings strategic insight, lived experience, and a deep passion for community wellbeing. Magdalena is committed to empowering individuals through education, advocacy, and community-driven support, and is honored​​ to contribute to the foundation’s mission.
Tim Boyle
Tim Boyle is the Chief Executive Officer of ARCS Australia and a globally recognised leader in research translation and intellectual property commercialisation. With more than 20 years of experience bridging the gap between research and business, he has an exceptional track record in technology licensing, industry collaboration, and the creation of new ventures across diverse technology fields both in Australia and internationally.
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Throughout his career, Tim has held numerous governance, advisory, and leadership roles within the pharmaceutical, research, and technology transfer sectors. He currently holds appointments as an Adjunct Professor at Swinburne University of Technology and as a Global Expert faculty member at Singularity University.
Board Member
James Winchester
Board Member
James (Jim) Winchester brings more than two decades of leadership experience across business ownership, technology, and community organisations. Currently the owner of Quest Woolooware Bay, James combines commercial acumen with a passion for creating strong local partnerships and meaningful impact.
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His career has spanned senior roles with IBM, Cisco, and RIoT Solutions, where he led national and regional teams driving innovation and digital transformation across Australia and Europe. Beyond the corporate world, James has dedicated significant time to community initiatives – including serving on the board of the Australian Kookaburra Kids Foundation and while as a board member for The Primary Club chairing Marathon Cricket helping raise over $100,000 annually for charitable causes.
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With a background that began in occupational therapy, James brings a people-first perspective to his leadership. His focus at the Jacaranda Foundation is on fostering collaboration between business and community to deliver sustainable fundraising outcomes for hospital programs and families in need.
Vicki Weeden
Vicki is a senior leader who has held executive positions across the health sectors for many years. Vicki has diverse experience across clinical portfolios in acute & sub-acute care and is a qualified Registered nurse. Vicki has served as a Board member for Civic Disability services since 2023.
Vicki has a passion for delivering high quality care to our community and holds the role of General Manager for The Sutherland Hospital & Garrawarra Centre.
General Manager – Sutherland Hospital and Garrawarra Center
Lisa Black
Community Engagement & Fundraising Manager – The Sutherland Hospital
Brett Norris
Brett Norris, CPA, is a Certified Practicing Accountant with experience in financial management and planning. His background spans finance and operations, with roles at Dimension Data and NTT Australia, and co-founding Elysium Digital. A proven change management leader, Brett has a strong track record in driving operational transformation, improving efficiency and compliance, and aligning business strategy with future needs.
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He serves on the board of the Jacaranda Foundation, contributing to fundraising efforts for Sutherland Hospital.
Board Member
A seasoned Hospitality professional who ran a successful catering company for 20 years, Lisa transitioned into the public sector in 2022, where she now serves as the Community Engagement & Fundraising Manager at The Sutherland Hospital.
Lisa has a passion for people and with her strategic acumen, fosters meaningful partnerships that drive impactful fundraising initiatives, supporting Sutherland Hospital and our local community.
We are committed to bringing Gary's vision to life with the launch of the inaugral Jacaranda Day this November
Your Local Hospital
Concept images of the new facilities under development at the Sutherland Hospital
ENDEAVOUR TO SERVE
The Sutherland Shire Hospital was opened in 1958 and is a major metropolitan and teaching hospital. Outfitted with 375 beds, and seeing more than 50,000 patients a year, the hospital has operated under the same motto since its inception: Endeavour to serve.
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The Jacaranda Foundation aims to support the Sutherland Hospital by bringing in new avenues of funding and endorsement from the community, aiming to strengthen all areas of treatment in the hospital. The funding will aim to support two new projects within the hospital, including a new floor for the Bangawarra Cancer Care Center, outfitted with a gymnasium, more clinical spaces, offices and inpatient rooms, and a Dedicated Education and Research Centre, to serve all hospital staff and community members with state-of-the-art training.