Diabetes Australia, this week, welcomes new Group CEO Justine Cain to her role.

Ms Cain has more than two decades of senior executive experience within the health and human services sectors. Ms Cain’s experience includes executive management roles in Operations and Strategy for one of Australia’s largest health insurers, Director of Integration with a national assistive technology company within the Aged Care and Disability Sectors, as well as significant experience leading large scale national health services.

Diabetes Australia Independent President and Board Chair Dr Michael Stanford AM said the organisation was excited to be able to attract a leader of Ms Cain’s calibre.

“Justine has had a distinguished career leading complex organisations, including key business units of Medibank, as well as experience on the Board of Uniting Care Queensland and the Queensland Advisory Board for the Starlight Children’s Foundation. We believe her expertise will help drive Diabetes Australia forward,” Dr Stanford said.

“Justine is a leader with the skills and strategic foresight to lead the organisation through its next chapter to become an even stronger, more unified and influential organisation supporting all people living with, or at risk of, diabetes.”

Ms Cain’s major achievements with Medibank included winning and running the national $1.3 billion Garrison Health Services contract which provided the full range of health services for the Australian Defence Forces in Australia. Under her leadership the tender grew to $2 billion over the life of the contract.

Ms Cain has led teams of more than 2500 staff, with annual revenue of more than $580 million. Leadership has spanned management of the Beyond Blue Counselling lines, National Disability Medical Assessments, National Nurse on Call and GP After Hours services, 1800 RESPECT Domestic Violence and Sexual Assault support lines and a range of mobile health and rehabilitation services delivered in homes. 

Ms Cain is a passionate advocate for high quality, timely and equitable access to health services, maximising the value of emerging technologies and working hand in hand with health carers and government to positively impact health outcomes. She hopes to make a positive and lasting impact on the lives of Australians living with diabetes.

“There are 1.4 million Australians living with all types of diabetes and Diabetes Australia works hard to improve the lives of all of these people,” Ms Cain said.

“Diabetes is one of the major health challenges facing this country and I’m looking forward to supporting the delivery of services and programs that help people live well with diabetes.

“Our health impacts our physical and mental wellbeing, our ability to go out and spend time with family and friends, our ability to work and enjoy hobbies. It is fundamental to how we live our lives and that’s why I’m so passionate about it.”

Dr Michael Stanford also paid tribute to outgoing CEO Professor Greg Johnson.

“Under Professor Johnson’s leadership Diabetes Australia has been transformed into a strong, respected advocate for people living with all types of diabetes,” he said.

“He has laid the platform for our journey to become a more unified organisation and has been instrumental in the development and implementation of major initiatives that are benefiting the lives of people with diabetes.

“On behalf of the organisation, and people living with diabetes, I wish him the best in all his future endeavors.”

Ms Cain has a Bachelor of Laws and Bachelor of Science (Psychology) from ANU. She will be based in Diabetes Australia’s Brisbane office.