The MRC Tas Board is responsible for overseeing the strategic direction of our organisation and ensuring we meet our long-term goals. The Executive Team, led by the Board, works to implement these strategies, ensuring our operations remain effective, efficient, and aligned with our mission.
Peter Gutwein
Chair
Peter is the former Tasmanian Premier and Treasurer who chose to leave politics recently after a distinguished career serving the people of Tasmania.
He has over 20 years’ experience in the Parliament of Tasmania representing the needs of Tasmanians. As a former Premier, Treasurer and senior Minister he understands our community and the economic and social challenges we face, as well as the opportunities that abound here in Tasmania.
As a member of the National Cabinet, he was one of the 8 State and Territory leaders who, along with the Prime Minister set the broader national policy response to the pandemic.
A former migrant himself arriving in Tasmania with his parents at four years of age he understands the richness that diverse backgrounds and different cultures bring to our state, as well as the challenges that new arrivals face.
He is a member of the Australian Institute of Company Directors (MAICD), a company director and was a senior manager and a qualified financial planner prior to entering the Parliament. He enjoys spending time with his family and enjoys Australian rules football, reading and staying fit.
Fahim Chowdhury
Treasurer
Fahim joined the Board in November 2020. He is a Graduate of the Australian Institute of Company Directors. Fahim is a senior executive at a government business enterprise. He has experience as a non-executive director across a number of community based organisations and is currently on the board of a bank as an intern director. Originally from Bangladesh, he has a keen interest in Tasmania’s multicultural society. He is a passionate social cricketer and devotes his spare time towards the development of the game.
Daniela Ruiz
Secretary
Daniela is from Patagonia, Chile, and has lived in Australia since 2012. She has a Master’s in International Sustainable Tourism Management from Monash University and a Bachelor’s in Journalism and Marketing. She has eight years of experience in communications, marketing, and tourism, having worked in Tourism Tasmania for the past three years. More recently, Daniela joined the Department of State Growth as a Project Manager, Tourism. Daniela has extensive experience managing diverse projects, including training, development, operations, volunteer programs, and marketing partnerships, working with people from diverse backgrounds. Daniela has also worked in international student recruitment and as an international student ambassador. Daniela has worked in local council and state Government, bringing critical skills to the Board. Being a recent migrant and having lived experience as one, Daniela is committed to supporting the migrant community in Tasmania. Daniela loves the outdoors – especially waterfalls and sunsets – pasta, and a good glass of vino (Tassie Pinot is always her first choice).
Ruth Chalk
Board Member
Ruth grew up on a sheep and cattle station in Southwest Queensland and moved to Tasmania after university. She is CEO of a not-for-profit organisation supporting and employing people with disability.
Ruth, a graduate of the Australian Institute of Company Directors, holds a Bachelor of Speech Therapy and masters’ degrees in Health Services Management and Business Administration.
Ruth’s values-based and purpose-driven approach to life has led her to serve on a number of community and not-for-profit boards and committees. She is honoured to have the opportunity to serve on the board of MRC Tasmania.
Archana Brammall
Board Member
Archana Brammall is a well-respected Tasmanian entrepreneur, community leader, and advocate for cultural diversity and social inclusion. Born in Ambo, Ethiopia, to an Ethiopian mother and Indian father, she spent her early years in both Ethiopia and India before migrating to Tasmania. For over two decades she has made Tasmania, especially Launceston, her home, where she has built a vibrant life with her family and established a successful career.
As owner and Managing Director of The Buna Collective, Archana operates several venues including Sweetbrew and Tatler Lane. Through her businesses, she employs people from various backgrounds, an expression of her commitment to multiculturalism, inclusion and opportunity.
Archana’s diverse educational background includes Economics, English Literature, Project Management and Tourism Operations. She is also a graduate of the Tasmanian Leaders Program, a testament to her leadership credentials.
Beyond her entrepreneurial work, Archana plays an active role in shaping community and civic life. She is a board member of Multicultural Council of Tasmania (MCOT), a Director of Football Tasmania, and was recently appointed to the Tasmanian Women’s Council.
Driven by her own multicultural roots and lived experience as a migrant, Archana is committed to building a more inclusive, diverse and welcoming Tasmania.
Catherine Stubberfield
Board Member
Catherine relocated to Tasmania in 2023 after a fifteen-year-long career with the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees around the world. She joined the MRC board in 2025. Admitted as a barrister and solicitor, Catherine has worked in Refugee Law and policy in Ethiopia, Sudan and Thailand, and as the head of external relations and communications in UNHCR’s Regional Office for Australia New Zealand and the Pacific, Regional Bureau for Asia and country representation in the United Kingdom.
Catherine is now happily based in Hobart as Communications Manager for the Commission for the Conservation of Antarctic Marine Living Resources.
Dr. Krishnakumar Kalpurath
Board Member
Dr Krishna (as he likes to be called) has an impressive background both as a clinician and as an academic. He is a fellow of the Royal Australasian College of Physicians and an associate fellow of the Royal Australasian College of Medical Administrators. He obtained his Bachelor of Medicine, Bachelor of Surgery degree from the University of Calicut (India) in 1990. He joined the public health service with the government of India after graduation.
In 2002 he relocated to Australia from India and after specialist training in General Medicine and Geriatrics and in 2018 he was awarded fellowship with the Royal Australasian College of Physicians. He is a specialist in memory and movement disorders.
He is also a senior clinical lecturer with the Rural Clinical School of Medicine UTAS. He is a gut microbiome researcher (ORCID -0000-0002-9501-8400). He is a reviewer with the British Medical Journal (BMJ). He is a past president of IMAT (Indian Medical Doctors Association Tasmania) and current president of the Launceston Malayali Association.
Currently, Dr. Krishna works as a specialist consultant, geriatric physician and staff specialist internal medicine at Mersey Community Hospital Latrobe and consults privately in his rooms at Calvary Sessional Launceston.
To communicate with the MRC Tas Board please email board@mrctas.org.au