Days after accepting the role, and before he even received an employee number, John De Rango braved the elements to be a part of the 2025 Monash Children’s Walk. And two weeks ago, not even a month into the role, he joined his team at the MCH Shine Gala.
This active and enthusiastic participation is typical of John’s leadership style. Not content with just being the Director of the Monash Health Foundation, he has also signed up to be a donor.
In his roles with AFL clubs St Kilda and Carlton, he was able to put aside the strong ties to his home team – and first employer out of university – Fitzroy (now Brisbane) Lions, to ensure the best outcomes for the supporters of their respective clubs.
‘When you do work at those places, you get… an affinity with the players, the staff, the supporters,’ he says, ‘you absolutely get drawn into supporting the team because you’re part of that environment and culture.’
‘But now I’m out of the AFL industry, I can say, hand on heart, “I’m a Brisbane Lions man”.’
When talking about the choice to become a donor to the Monash Health Foundation, John is equally committed.
‘As the director of the Foundation, I need to practice what I preach. So, I’m now a donor to Monash Health. I’m a supporter of our programs. I’m an advocate [for] the work we do. And I need to lead by example in that.’
And joining during two of the biggest events of the Monash Health Foundation calendar has given John a quick primer in what makes Monash Health special: connection.
‘I keep being marvelled by how willing ex-patients, or people that have gone through the journey of being treated at Monash Health, are to share their personal journey and story for the benefit of a department or Monash Health more broadly. ’
‘I think we should never take that for granted and we should celebrate it, but also do it in a way that’s very respectful’ he says, ‘That enables us to say, “This is how your support can impact”.’
John has a wide range of experience in the corporate, public health and charity sectors, including working with the Royal Melbourne Hospital, Stroke Foundation, and Save the Children Australia, and as a Board Member with the Public Fundraising Regulatory Association of Australia. He also co-founded specialist international NGO and charity consulting firm Redstone Marketing.
Welcome, John! We’re sure your local, national and international experience will hold you in good stead for this exciting and challenging role.
Read John De Rango’s profile on the Monash Health Foundation website.