Staff and Management Team

Dr Julia Newton-Howes, CEO of CARE Australia

Julia Newton-Howes became Chief Executive of CARE Australia in October 2007. As CEO she has focused on ensuring gender equality and women’s empowerment are central to CARE’s programs.

She has emphasised the importance of measuring the impact of CARE’s work, on improving systems to ensure effective use of funds and on growing the number of Australians who understand the importance of supporting women to overcome global poverty.

Julia is on the Board of CARE International and is Vice President of the Australian Council for International Development (ACFID). She is also a Member of the AusAID Business Engagement Steering Committee and a Member of the Lowy Institute for International Policy Advisory Panel for the G20 Studies Centre.

Julia joined CARE Australia from AusAID, where she was the Assistant Director General. While at AusAID, she was posted to Vietnam as Counsellor (Development Cooperation) and was an adviser for two years to Australia’s Executive Director to the World Bank, based in Washington DC.

Julia was born in India and spent her early life in Zimbabwe, leaving to attend Imperial College at London University, where she obtained a bachelor degree and PhD in science. After spending a number of years in scientific research in Australia, Julia decided to pursue her passion for development.

Greg Brown, Principal Executive Corporate Services

Greg joined CARE Australia in January 2009. He is a fellow of the Australian Society of Certified Practising Accountants and holds a Bachelor of Business (USQ), Graduate Diploma in Management (AGSM) and a Master of Economics degree (UNE).

Greg has held senior positions in the Commonwealth public sector, including Director Corporate Services and Chief Finance Officer at the Australian Film Commission and Chief Financial Officer at the Federal Court of Australia. He is currently the Chief Financial Officer and Company Secretary for CARE Australia. He is also responsible for human resources, business support and information communication technology.

Greg is currently Deputy Chair of the Australian Council for International Development's (ACFID) Code of Conduct Committee.

Peter Leahy, Principal Executive International Programs

Peter started his career in international development in 1996 as a graduate recruit with AusAID. After seven years working in country programs with the Agency, including a three year posting to Manila, he moved to the private sector, working for a number of leading development contractors in senior project management and business development roles. He joined CARE in January 2010.

Peter has experience in design and management of both small- and large-scale programs, with a particular focus on community and public sector governance. He has an MA in Political Studies from Queen’s University in Canada and a Bachelors Degree (Hons) in Politics from the University of Western Australia.

Andrew Buchanan, Principal Executive Fundraising and Communications

Before joining CARE Australia in November 2009, Andrew worked for a number of leading NGOs, including Mission Australia and Oxfam. Andrew has also held a series of brand and communications roles in both the fast moving consumer goods marketing and advertising sectors.

During his career, Andrew has led the strategic development and implementation of a broad range of marketing and fundraising initiatives spanning direct marketing, PR, brand management, product development, and corporate and key stakeholder relationship management. Andrew has a BA Hons Degree from the University of Durham, UK.

Robert Yallop, Principal Executive International Operations

In 1991 Robert joined CARE Australia as Country Director in Iraq, before establishing CARE’s Regional Office for the Middle East in Jordan. As Regional Director from 1992, Robert established programs in Jordan, Mauritania, Palestinian Territories and Yemen. He took up his current position in 1996.

Robert has extensive experience in management, governance, project design and implementation in both small and medium sized NGOs within Australia and internationally, and has engaged a wide range of bilateral and multilateral agencies. In addition, he has been a member of the Executive Committee of the Australian Council for International Development (ACFID) from 2007 to 2010, and the ACFID Development Practice Committee from 2002-2010 including three years as Co-Chair of the Committee.