Managing Founder and Director, Practice Lead, Strategy and Governance
Cynthia Payne
With over 35 years of governance, executive, and leadership experience, Cynthia Payne is a regulatory markets specialist focused on governance and quality. She excels at converting strategic problems into well-defined approaches and executable plans that propel core aspirations. As a mother of four and a former President of a community-based child care operator, Cynthia also brings deep, relevant insight. She is skilled at building high-performing teams and making the complex clear and achievable.
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- Fellow of the Governance Institute of Australia
- Expert Independent Evaluator for the Australian Business Excellence Framework (Business Excellence Australia)
- Fellow of the Institute of Managers and Leaders
- Director - PainChek, Past Director National Heart Foundation
- Board Advisor to multiple entities for quality care and consumer focus
- Advisory Board Member - Total Construction
- MBA, Bachelor of Applied Science
- Independent Statutory Compliance Advisor and Remediation Specialist
- Certified Advisory Board Chair
Practice Lead, Complex Business and Finance Advisory
Payal Kapoor
With over 25 years of distinguished experience across public health and professional services, Payal Kapoor is a strategic finance leader dedicated to driving excellence within the childcare sector. Specialising in financial turnarounds and sustainable growth, she masterfully blends rigorous financial management with a unique ability to translate complex data into compelling narratives that inspire confidence. Payal excels at building proactive, high-performing finance functions that serve as trusted advisors to educational leadership, ensuring that operational health translates directly into superior care and resources for the next generation. By combining her proven legacy-building skills with a creative approach to problem-solving, she consistently transforms business performance to create lasting, positive impacts for providers and the families they serve.
Practice Lead Risk Advisory
Carla Beheram
Carla Beheram is a highly accomplished risk advisory specialist with a strong focus on practical application. She plays a vital role in enhancing our services by integrating real-world risk and compliance drivers, particularly through third-line independent performance assessment. Carla's expertise lies in her unique ability to demystify complex risk concepts, translating them into practical, actionable plans.
Her approach is designed to be straightforward yet profoundly effective. She ensures that all addressable risks are meticulously controlled, always with a careful eye on the specific regulatory performance requirements of your organisation. Carla doesn't just identify risks; she equips businesses with the tools and strategies necessary to navigate the regulatory landscape confidently, ensuring compliance yields a tangible benefit to the business's overall health and operations. Her work delivers the dual advantage of robust risk control and assured regulatory alignment.
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Her approach is designed to be straightforward yet profoundly effective. She ensures that all addressable risks are meticulously controlled, always with a careful eye on the specific regulatory performance requirements of your organisation. Carla doesn't just identify risks; she equips businesses with the tools and strategies necessary to navigate the regulatory landscape confidently, ensuring compliance yields a tangible benefit to the business's overall health and operations. Her work delivers the dual advantage of robust risk control and assured regulatory alignment.
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- Certificate in Clinical Governance and Patient Safety
- Graduate Certificate in Strategic Business
- Bachelor of Nursing
- Certified Infection Prevention Control (IPC) Lead
- Certified TMS Practitioner (TMP and Linking Leaders 360)
- Certified Advisory Board Chair
- Member of the Australian Institute of Clinical Governance
Practice Lead - Anchor Policy & Academy
Dr Shae Hourigan
Dr. Shae Hourigan holds a Bachelor of Laws with Distinction and a Doctor of Medicine, bringing valuable expertise to the team. Her experience includes clinical work at Logan Hospital and strategic roles at the Department of Defence, where she has developed strong leadership and communication skills.
Dr. Shae Hourigan’s career spans various fields such as government and finance. Shae is also interested in public health advocacy and medico-legal practice. With skills in legal compliance, critical thinking, and patient advocacy, Dr Shae Hourigan brings a great dynamic to the Anchor Policy and Academy Team.
Dr. Shae Hourigan’s career spans various fields such as government and finance. Shae is also interested in public health advocacy and medico-legal practice. With skills in legal compliance, critical thinking, and patient advocacy, Dr Shae Hourigan brings a great dynamic to the Anchor Policy and Academy Team.
Meet Our Leaders
We are an independent, experienced team that partners with you to navigate this complexity, from strengthening governance and compliance frameworks to instilling a culture of sustained operational excellence.
- Managing Founder and Director, Practice Lead, Strategy and Governance Excellence AdvisoryFounder of Anchor Excellence with 30+ years of executive leadership. Cynthia provides strategic governance for NFP and FP providers, ensuring high-quality service delivery and sustainable organisational health within the care sector.
- Practice Lead Complex Business and Finance AdvisoryWith over 25 years of experience in strategic finance and professional services, Payal Kapoor specialises in financial turnarounds and building proactive, trusted finance functions that drive sustainable growth and operational excellence within the sector.
- Practice Lead Risk AdvisoryWith 20+ years of management expertise, Carla focuses on operational excellence. She uses evidence-based practices to empower leadership teams and improve developmental outcomes for clients.
- Practice Lead - Anchor Policy & AcademyDr. Shae Hourigan holds a Bachelor of Laws with Distinction and a Doctor of Medicine, bringing valuable expertise to the team. Her experience includes clinical work at Logan Hospital and strategic roles at the Department of Defence, where she has developed strong leadership and communication skills.
Support Team
- Alexandra BrockhurstBusiness Operations ManagerAlexandra Brockhurst is a dedicated professional currently serving as the Consultancy Practice Manager at Anchor Excellence. With a strong background in business improvement and administration, she brings a wealth of experience to her role. Alexandra’s career trajectory showcases her adaptability and commitment to professional growth.
- Sarina RodgersBusiness Development & Marketing ManagerSarina Rodgers focuses on driving sustainable growth by bridging the gap between high level strategy and daily operations. She places a high value on the collaborative nature of their role, partnering closely with the marketing team and colleagues across the various business brands to ensure marketing and business development objectives are met with practical, effective solutions.
- Hanna BeaverAssistant Business Operations ManagerHanna Beaver is a highly adaptable and creative office professional with a strong background in finance, executive support, and graphic design. She currently serves as the Assistant Consultancy Practice Manager at Anchor Excellence, leveraging her skills in accounts receivable, diary management, and insurance.
- Nona BaiData AnalystAs a highly motivated and detail-oriented Data Analyst, Nona consistently prioritises stakeholder needs. She possesses a proven ability to translate complex data into clear, vivid and actionable insights, ensuring alignment with business objectives and maximising overall impact.
- Nandini Rao ChallapalliGraduate AssociateNandini Rao Challapalli is a motivated Master of Commerce graduate specialising in finance and strategy. With a solid educational background from the University of Sydney and experience in finance, consulting, and business development, she excels in generating data-driven insights and enhancing customer engagement.