“It’s been rewarding to see Brain Cancer Australia's focus on national research infrastructure and its determination to tackle such a challenging area of medical research.”
Keith Rovers, Partner, MinterEllison
Keith Rovers joins Brain Cancer Australia Board.
Brain Cancer Australia is delighted to welcome Keith Rovers - Partner in MinterEllison’s Corporate and Capital Markets Group and Head of its Social Impact Practice - to its Board of Directors.
The Social Impact Practice, which integrates the firm’s pro bono, social enterprise, and ESG initiatives, focuses on supporting change-makers and innovators tackling complex social and environmental challenges — from employment inclusion, housing and medical research to sustainability and impact investing.
"I've always been interested in the bigger picture — how ecosystems and networks work, how "value" is created and captured and how power and resources are used in politics, economics and nature - these raise governance or stewardship issues and it's interesting to find ways to make them more sustainable and fairer,” he said. “We work with many organisations seeking to improve social foundations like housing, health, education, and employment, because when any of those falter, people struggle to thrive.”
Keith first connected with Brain Cancer Australia several years ago through its founder, Robyn Leonard OAM, when MinterEllison provided advice on governance for the organisation’s growing research network.
“It’s been rewarding to see Brain Cancer Australia’s evolution — its focus on national research infrastructure and its determination to tackle such a challenging area of medical research,” he said. “Brain cancer hasn’t had the same profile or funding as other cancers, but our brain is our most powerful tool and it’s concerning that the dial hasn’t moved on survival rates.”
Keith said his decision to join the Board was also influenced by his connection to MinterEllison Partner Nigel Lokan, who sits on Brain Cancer Australia’s Consumer Advisory Panel and was diagnosed with glioblastoma after experiencing seizures in 2023. "Nigel's experience brought home the personal impact, and how urgently progress is needed."
With an extensive career in governance and social innovation, Keith hopes to contribute to Brain Cancer Australia’s long-term sustainability and impact. “I’m keen to support the development of infrastructure and partnerships to unlock funding and deliver on the mission.”
Brain Cancer Australia Founding Director Robyn Leonard said:“Keith’s understanding of systems change, coupled with his extensive governance and legal expertise, has been incredibly valuable over the past four years — and will be even more so as we grow our impact nationally."
