Joy Savage

Joy has more than 30 years of senior executive experience across both the Aboriginal community-controlled health sector and the Australian public sector.

She is committed to self-determination, in practice, excellence in governance, and innovation in comprehensive primary health that best meets the changing needs of First Peoples.

She is currently the Chief Executive Officer of Wuchopperen Health Service Limited, based in Gimuy (Cairns), the first established ACCHO in Far North Queensland.

Joy’s family connections are to the Kuuku I’yu Kaanju peoples in Cape York and the Girramay people in Far North Queensland; with historical connections with the Gunggandji peoples, of Yarrabah, where her father was born.

Ms Savage brings expertise in policy development and service delivery at national, regional and local levels. She currently serves as a Board member of the Tropical Australian Academic Health Centre, the Northern Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Health Alliance, serves on CQU Jawun Management Committee, and has recently joined the Foundation for Rural and Regional Renewal.

Her previous board roles include non-executive appointments with the Australian Healthcare and Hospitals Association and The Fred Hollows Foundation.

Joy is an alumnus of the Australia and New Zealand Health Leadership Program and has a Master of Business Administration (MBA).