Our Team

Lesley Jordan

CEO

Lesley joined HeartKids in January 2023, and has significant executive experience across government, for-profit and for-purpose sectors, working namely in health, community and human service areas. Lesley is a former nurse and midwife, bringing both clinical expertise and senior executive experience to HeartKids. Following a number of senior roles in health, both in the public and not-for-profit sectors Lesley has been providing Interim CEO / Executive support to organisations since 2013. This has included work in aged care, the community sector, children's services, disability services and ophthalmology providing support in the areas of strategy, leadership, governance, quality and risk management.

On a personal note, Lesley is a mother of 3 adult daughters, one of which was diagnosed with a neural tube defect at the age of 4 ½ yrs old, so brings a level of empathy and understanding to the role.

Marcus Sandmann

Chief Operating Officer/Chief Marketing Officer

Marcus Sandmann joined HeartKids in February 2023 and is a senior management professional with over 25 years of experience in marketing and sales for products and services to businesses and consumers. He has supported the launch of products and services into new markets across 10 countries in Asia Pacific. Marcus has industry knowledge across diverse sectors including Information Technology, Media, Professional Services, and Telecommunications. Within the Not-for-Profit sector, he has built experience in both board member and senior executive positions, supporting fundraising and growth objectives for several NGO’s and Community Services organisations.

Paul Harris

Chief Financial Officer

Paul joined HeartKids in March 2023 as the CFO with significant senior finance and corporate services experience in both the For Profit and NFP sectors. Paul is a qualified accountant and has been a Fellow CPA Australia for over 35 years and is a Councillor on the CPA NSW Divisional Council. Paul’s experiences in the NFP sector have included CFO and GM Corporate Services roles with the Royal Institute for Deaf & Blind Children and most recently with Relationships Australia NSW including responsibilities in the areas of finance, audit, risk & governance, HR & payroll, property, IT and Boards & company secretarial.

Paul has also completed interim senior finance contract roles for Surf Lifesaving NSW, Good2Give and JewishCare in the NFP sector.

On a personal note, Paul is the father of 3 adult daughters, has and continues to enjoy volunteering in a number of areas contributing, for example, at the Invictus Games in 2018, for the McGrath Foundation Pink cricket test in 2023 and as an adjudicator for the Australasian Annual Reporting Awards.

Paul holds a B.Ec. and M.Ec. from Macquarie University, an MBA from Deakin University and was selected and attended the strategic NFP executive education program at Harvard Business School in 2013.

Tania Potts

National Support Program Development Manager 

Tania has twenty-five years of experience in fundraising, marketing, and management in the not-for-profit sector.

She has worked with international, national, and state-based charities such as World Vision Australia (World Vision Victoria and World Vision SA/NT), CARA, The Royal Flying Doctors, and Orana Australia Limited.

Tania's fundraising experience includes major events, capital campaigns, lotteries, appeals, grants, corporate partnerships/sponsorship, social enterprise, wills and bequests, volunteer management, ambassador programs, digital fundraising and much more.

With experience in marketing, management, communications, and branding and leading teams from six to thirty staff and volunteers, she brings a wide range of skills to the SA / NT team.

In her time off Tania loves to read. Having recently celebrated a significant birthday, she set herself a challenge to read 50 books in one year. She’s looking for recommendations for good books to read, so when you drop by the new SA / NT state office don’t forget to suggest a title or two.

Jessica Keating

Action Plan Project Manager - National Strategic Action Plan Team

Jessica joined HeartKids in April 2020 to lead the delivery of the National Strategic Action Plan for Childhood Heart Disease. Jessica is a Registered Nurse and holds a Master’s of Public Health and a Master’s of Health Administration. She is passionate about patient-centered models of care and health innovation with a strong focus on improving the health outcomes of people with complex health needs. 

Jessica spent the first part of her career working as a primary care nurse, with a special interest in the care and management of patients with chronic conditions in the community. This interest led her to step away from direct clinical contact and move into public health project roles. She has since worked on and lead many public health initiatives and pilot projects, all with the general themes of patient-centered care, health reform, using innovative technology to improve patient outcomes, and improving the health care journey for those with complex health needs. 

In her spare time, Jessica frequents the local music scene in Melbourne and volunteers for a dog rescue organisation, with unruly rescue puppies often attempting to join her in video conference meetings.

Julie Lam

National Fundraising and Events Manager

Julie Lam joined HeartKids at the end of August 2023, bringing over 12 years of fundraising experience having worked with World Vision Australia, Oxfam Australia’s Sydney Trailwalker team, ActionAid Australia and Children’s Medical Research Institute (Jeans for Genes).

She particularly enjoys creating new fundraising and community initiatives such as the Strong Women Challenge (ActionAid Australia), Ks for Kids (CMRI), Explore the Core (Raise Foundation) as well as the Jeans for Genes Ambassador Initiative and the Great Cycle Challenge Champions Program. She also enjoys creating supporter journeys, creative copywriting and keeping upskilled in all things techy.

Julie has an Adv Dip in Business (Advertising) and a BA majoring in Psychology, Philosophy and Development Studies. She played Chaser on the university Quidditch team, Guard on the university Basketball team and was Vice-president of the Teo Chew Student Association at UNSW.

Julie has two children (one furry, one human) and can spin a basketball on her finger for a really long time.

Tracy Stanley

National Community Engagement Manager

Tracy has worked in family support at HeartKids for over 17 years. She understands the CHD journey as her only child is a Heart Kid who recently transferred to adult care.

Tracy is passionate about working with young people and patient and family-centred care. She has created and participated in numerous programs, projects and committees. Tracy is Chair of The Royal Children’s Hospital Family Advisory Council, a member of the Heart Failure Patient Advocacy Committee and a member of the Australian and New Zealand Fontan Advocacy Committee.

Prior to working at HeartKids Tracy worked in HR and when she lived in Sydney worked as Facilities Coordinator at a TV Station.

In her spare time, Tracy frequents Melbourne's amazing restaurants, loves a bit of retail therapy and lots of walks with her dog.