Iris Foundation is administered by a volunteer Board of Directors:

• Jean Russell – Chair
• Dawn Hooper – Co-Founder and Secretary
  

• Leesa O’Keefe – Director

• Liz Griffin – Director

Jean Russell – Chair

Jean Russell has over 30 years marketing and management experience.  She holds a Bachelor of Business (Marketing and Business Management) degree from Charles Sturt University as well as a Certificate IV in Training & Assessment from the Central Coast Community College.

Jean has held marketing and leadership positions in a variety of multinational and Australian companies including:

• Village Roadshow, where she commenced as National Marketing Manager, with the Disney Studios using her work in other countries around the world;
• Harper Collins Publishers, where she headed up the Golden Press division; and
• The Palmdale Group, where she held the position of Group Marketing and Customer Service Manager.

Jean is a brand champion who has developed marketing and sales areas to an unprecedented level.  She has also been instrumental in change management, improvements in customer experience and the development of strong and focused teams.

Jean now undertakes a great deal of voluntary work for not-for-profits and is committed to utilising her knowledge, experience and qualifications to help community-focused organisations reach their goals. She also runs a marketing, editing and training consultancy.

Jean joined the Iris Foundation board in 2017 and was appointed Chair in October 2025.

Dawn Hooper – Co-Founder and Secretary

As the eldest of four children, Dawn learned at a young age the benefits of being in a team and the rewards of working together to achieve a common goal. In 1962, Dawn was employed as a telephonist/typist at Munmorah Power Station with the Electricity Commission of NSW, staying 10 years. During this time, Dawn became involved in a number of state, regional and community organisations. Dawn married Peter Hooper in 1972 and they have two children and and three grandchildren.

In 1979, Dawn joined a group of local women to form ’Marian’s Place’, which later became Wyong Neighbourhood Centre. Initially, it was a volunteer-run drop-in centre and craft group. Between 1979 and 1995, Dawn also took up part-time employment with Aubrey Brown Partners, a law firm. From 1999, Dawn was employed by WorkWise Inc, a Central Coast training and employment service which later merged with BreakThru. In 2015, Dawn chose to retire.

Dawn befriended Bev Baldwin through a shared commitment to community service, and co-founded Iris Foundation with her in 2006.

Leesa O’Keefe – Director

Leesa has over 14 years of experience in the not-for-profit industry.  She grew up in Tasmania and moved to the Central Coast in 2017 to take up a position as Compliance and HR Manager with Meals on Wheels.  Leesa holds a Diploma in Human Resources Management, Diploma of Business and Diploma of Quality Auditing, she has experience in Not-For-Profit Management and Compliance Management, and is knowledgeable in the accreditation and external auditing processes.  Leesa is a strong administrative professional who puts a high regard on Mental Health in the workplace.

Leesa loves to travel and is always researching new destinations.  She is always eager to spend time with her three adult children whenever she can which is often not an easy feat with them living in Canada and Tasmania.  She is proud to be a part of the Iris Foundation Board since 2022. 

Liz Griffin – Board Member

Liz is a senior organisational development specialist with deep expertise in diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI), leadership development and organisational change. She has worked across global, regional and local roles in Hong Kong and Australia, and has held senior leadership positions including leading the DEI functions for the Qantas Group and Commonwealth Bank.

In her role at the Minderoo Foundation, Liz partnered with large organisations across the private, public and not for profit sectors to drive systemic and inclusive change based on the Woort Koorliny Australian Indigenous Employment Index 2022 research which she led.

Liz grew up in Newcastle and spent many holidays on the Central Coast. She has also lived and worked in Young and Muswellbrook as a school teacher. For the past 14 years, she has lived between Sydney and The Entrance.

Liz holds a Master of Business Administration and a Bachelor of Education. She is a Fellow member of the Australian Human Resources Institute and volunteered for nine years on its DEI Advisory Panel. Liz is honoured to have joined the Iris Foundation Board in 2026.