Governance
The Murrumbidgee Health and Knowledge Precinct is led by a dedicated board with members representing public and primary health, local government and education.
The board oversees the strategic direction of the Precinct through effective decision making to ensure intended goals are achieved and results-focused outcomes are delivered in our region.
Precinct partners are members of an alliance that collaborates on the development, growth and promotion of health and knowledge in the Murrumbidgee region. This group represents our community’s interests and expectations, bringing relevant issues and opportunities to the alliance for discussion.
The Precinct has working groups that are designing, developing and implementing identified initiatives across the three focus areas.
Board members
Neil Mangelsdorf
Chair of the MHKP Board
Neil was appointed as Chair of the Precinct Steering Committee in 2019, back when the precinct masterplan was limited to the hospital district in Wagga Wagga. With the expansion to encompass the entire Murrumbidgee region in 2021, this position developed into a co-chair role with the establishment of the Precinct’s Interim Board.
Neil has over 49 years’ experience working in the construction industry, working in multiple and varied positions over that period. For the past 20 years, he has been the owner and director of Regional Project Managers Australia, delivering high-level project management services to a vast and varied client base.
Emma Field
Chief Executive, Murrumbidgee Local Health District
Reporting to the Board and accountable to the Secretary of NSW Health, the Chief Executive provides strategic leadership, direction, and management of Murrumbidgee Local Health District.
The role carries responsibility for governance, financial stewardship, clinical safety, and quality for the overall performance of the district.
Narelle Mills
Chief Executive Officer, Murrumbidgee Primary Health Network
Narelle has over 20 years’ experience in primary health program development and implementation with interests in health system integration, aged and palliative care, chronic disease management and quality improvement.
Narelle has an Honours Degree in Applied Science, a Graduate Certificate in Public Sector Management and is currently finishing an MBA. Narelle has held senior leadership roles at MPHN, including Senior Manager Commissioning and Executive Integration and Partnerships, and as Acting CEO from February to July 2024.
Dr Zoe Terpening
Pro Vice-Chancellor – Precincts, University of New South Wales
Dr Zoe Terpening is a Clinical and Research Neuropsychologist with a Doctorate in Clinical Neuropsychology.
She is committed to working in partnership with stakeholders of several precincts across NSW, precincts that offer a ground-breaking area for the University overseeing large-scale transformational projects in health, education and innovation.
She has extensive experience leading strategic projects in Medicine and Health in the higher education sector and is a strong advocate for empowering people to achieve a shared vision, act with integrity and embrace opportunities to transform ways of doing things.
Peter Thompson
General Manager, Wagga Wagga City Council
Peter joined Wagga Wagga City Council as General Manager in 2017 and his ambition for the region is to build on the success of previous community leaders in continuing the role of Wagga Wagga as a leading regional city in NSW.
He has been employed in senior roles in NSW local government for 20 years, including General Counsel, Director of Planning and General Manager. Prior to employment in local government, Peter worked in private industry and NSW State Government in the areas of property, the environment and water regulation.
Peter holds qualifications in environmental science and law and has been a practising solicitor in NSW for nearly 30 years. He has been accredited by the Law Society of NSW as a specialist local government and planning lawyer since 1999. Peter is also a public notary.
Professor Megan Smith
Executive Dean, Charles Sturt University
Professor Megan Smith has over 25 years’ experience in higher education and has served as the Executive Dean of the Faculty of Science and Health since 2019, leading a diverse and complex faculty with strategic insight and inclusive leadership.
Her career includes founding the Charles Sturt School of Rural Medicine, the Biosecurity Training Centre, and the Three Rivers Department of Rural Health.
Originally a clinical physiotherapist, she transitioned to academia driven by her passion for teaching and research. She holds a PhD in clinical reasoning and decision-making and is a published author influencing clinical reasoning, work-integrated learning and inter-professional practice.
Professor Smith is committed to improving rural science and health outcomes through genuine partnerships and is dedicated to improving rural sustainability through the Faculty’s teaching and research in agriculture and environmental management.