About Us
Evolve is an Australian-owned boutique digital health coaching and advisory firm specialising in leadership and workforce development.
James Foxall and James Carpenter founded the company in 2021 after recognising digital outcomes could be dramatically improved across healthcare with better leadership support and expert guidance.
Based in Brisbane, Evolve collaborates with healthcare teams and leaders around the country to overcome the complex technical and political challenges they face. With an extensive network of industry-leading consultants, the team provides a range of bespoke coaching, consulting and training initiatives.
Our approach
At Evolve, we’ve spent over four decades in the private and public sector understanding what makes a high-performing healthcare organisation tick. The combined industry tenure of our team is hard to beat, from award-winning CIOs to international chief change facilitators.
As a network of leading coaches and consultants, we’re deeply ingrained in digital health and at the leading edge of industry advancements and best practices. We hand-pick the most suitable team for every engagement.
We don’t believe generic training has a meaningful impact. Our services are tailored to each work scenario and individual, and we insist on measurable outcomes. This tried and tested process is how we develop high-performing teams and improve healthcare outcomes.
Our digital health coaching and advisory firm has grown primarily through word of mouth. We’ve always believed in delivering value and exceptional service to our clients, and we’re lucky enough to have worked with some of Australia’s leading state and federal health departments, aged care, private healthcare providers and consulting firms since 2021.
Meet our expert team
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James co-founded Evolve HD with James Foxall in 2021 and guides the company’s strategic direction dedicated to fostering sustainable growth in the digital health ecosystem.
As an expert in driving change initiatives and leadership programs within healthcare and IT, he has over 20 years’ experience working with leading organisations such as Gartner, Queensland Health, Mater Health, Uniting Care, Gold Coast Health and NSW Health. He is known for his ability to simplify complex problems.
You could describe James as an avid blues guitarist and part-time dog walker.
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James Carpenter
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Before co-founding Evolve HD with James Carpenter in 2021, James worked in public and private healthcare organisations for nearly 25 years. Today, he leads the company’s digital health consulting and advisory engagements.
Former CIO of West Moreton Hospital and Health Service, James is known for building high-performing teams, specialist healthcare executive coaching and driving transformation across digital health, IT, clinical and HIM.
Outside of the office, he’s a passionate basketball fan and player.
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James Foxall
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Kristal brings over 6.5 years of experience in the digital health space, where she’s built thriving networks and communities of leaders. Her expertise in project management, operations, and stakeholder engagement will be invaluable as she leads our HIMSS partnership, delivers CAHIMS, CPHIMS and CPDHTS certification programs, manages our coaching programs, and grows our community of digital health leaders.
Kristal is passionate about fostering collaboration, unlocking potential, and driving innovation through purpose-driven leadership. Her proven track record of connecting people and aligning strategic goals with practical execution makes her the perfect fit for our team.
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Kristal Kitto
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Byron Philips is a digital healthcare executive with nearly three decades of experience driving transformation across Australia, New Zealand, Southeast Asia, and the UK. With a background in strategy, sales, operations, and product management, he has led large-scale digital health initiatives across both public and private sectors, working with major organisations like Dedalus, DXC Technology, and iSOFT.
As a Senior Consultant with Evolve Health Digital, Byron advises healthcare leaders on digital strategy, technology adoption, and transformation. His expertise in market insights and stakeholder engagement enables him to drive innovation in healthcare delivery. Passionate about customer-centric care, he also serves as a Director on the Board of Jubilee Community Care, supporting aged care and community health services.
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Byron Phillips
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Marcus is an expert IT leader with 25 years’ industry knowledge in delivering practical, results-driven advice to ASX 200 companies and government agencies. He is a former Vice President and Executive Partner at Gartner.
A consultant and facilitator working with Evolve HD, Marcus specialises in helping leaders overcome operational and digital challenges and shares insight on IT governance, strategy and digital transformation.
You can also find Marcus travelling the world with his family.
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Marcus Darbyshire
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One of Australia’s top CIOs, Nina is an award-winning expert in building and leading high-performing teams and driving technological innovation across IT and cybersecurity.
Known as a passionate mentor and coach, Nina leads coaching programs at Evolve HD using a neuroscientific approach that emphasises personal growth and strategic problem-solving.
Nina is also a three-time author of children’s books on cyber safety.
LinkedIn
Nina Du Thaler
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Alan Eckstein is a highly regarded digital health strategist and transformation leader with over 35 years of experience driving technology-enabled change in healthcare. His expertise spans digital health strategy, technology implementation, governance, and risk management, making him a trusted advisor to healthcare organisations navigating complex transformations.
As a former senior partner at Deloitte, Alan played a key role in shaping Australia’s digital health landscape. He co-authored the country’s first National eHealth Strategy that resulted in the establishment of the Australian Digital Health Agency. As Deloitte’s inaugural National Health and Human Services sector leader, Alan led teams advising federal and state health departments, private providers, and not-for-profits on technology strategy and implementation.
Now, as a digital health consultant with Evolve Health Digital, Alan helps healthcare organisations optimise digital capabilities, align innovation with strategy, and drive meaningful change. With experience across Australia, South Africa, Hong Kong, and Korea, he brings a global perspective to delivering technology transformation.
Alan Eckstein
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Glen Higginbotham is an accomplished digital health professional with over a decade of experience in the healthcare industry, combining his background in software engineering and psychology to create a unique skillset that bridges the gap between technology and human behavior. His expertise enables him to develop innovative solutions that optimise both operational efficiency and patient care, making him a highly sought-after figure in healthcare transformation.
Glen’s ability to navigate between the technological, organisational, and human factors influencing healthcare programs has earned him international recognition, including awards for his work in digital transformation and analytics. His recent contributions continue to shape the future of digital health, ensuring that healthcare providers can successfully adapt to the challenges of a rapidly evolving digital landscape.
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Glen Higginbotham
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Dave is a senior healthcare executive and has worked across public and private providers, health insurers and consulting firms for over 30 years. At Evolve HD, he advises organisations and leaders on how to enhance value and drive innovation through people, process and technology.
A former CIO with experience implementing digital infrastructure including Epic and Cerner in inpatient and outpatient settings, Dave is a founding member of the Australasian Digital Health Executive Network and received a HIMSS Davies Award of Excellence for transforming clinical outcomes at St Stephens Hospital in 2019.
You can often find Dave hiking in national parks across the country.
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Dave Kempson
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Mike Lafford is a senior consultant and coach with over 25 years of experience in business and technology leadership. He partners with digital health leaders to build leadership capabilities, optimise operations, and drive strategic outcomes in complex environments.
Previously, Mike held senior roles at Gartner as Vice President of Executive Programs and as State Director at GWI, advising C-suite executives on digital transformation, cost optimisation, and team performance. With a background in operating models and organisational design, he has led large-scale projects across Australia, Asia Pacific, and EMEA.
Mike holds a Master of Management from MGSM, Sydney, and is passionate about guiding leaders through critical transitions and developing high-performing teams.
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Mike Lafford
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Tricia is a digital health leader best known for achieving high clinical adoption of integrated technological initiatives that improve patient outcomes and drive operational efficiencies.
An expert in delivering digital transformations in public and private healthcare, Tricia works with coaching and consulting clients at Evolve HD advising on digital strategy, change management and benefits realisation.
Tricia is a mentor for women in digital leadership with the Australasian Institute of Digital Health.
Tricia Liebke
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Bard is a respected chief change negotiator with 30+ years’ international experience developing workforce culture and maturing collective awareness and building resilience.
Former Executive Partner of Gartner Australasia, at Evolve HD Bard coaches executive teams on emotional intelligence, collaboration and trust in times of change.
Bard is also an avid author and has written on machine translation, personal development and enterprise design.
LinkedIn
Bard Papegaaij
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Taresa Rosten is a senior HR and workforce development leader with over 15 years of executive experience in Queensland’s public healthcare sector. With a background in people strategy, organisational development, and workplace culture, she has led teams to drive high-performance and positive workforce outcomes.
Previously, Taresa held key leadership roles, including Executive Director of People and Culture at West Moreton Hospital and District Director at Mid North Coast Local Health District, overseeing HR, workforce strategy, and employee wellbeing.
As a coach and consultant with Evolve Health Digital, she supports healthcare leaders in workforce planning, leadership development, and culture transformation. Her expertise in aligning people strategies with business objectives makes her a trusted advisor in healthcare workforce optimisation.
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Taresa Rosten
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One of Australia’s leading digital health executives, Amy is known for leading large-scale transformation across public health systems and building digital capability across clinical, operational, and executive teams.
She is an accredited Executive Coach and has a strong commitment to mentoring and developing the next generation of healthcare leaders. Amy supports leaders navigating complexity, stepping into new roles, and delivering system-wide change through coaching programs with Evolve Health Digital.
Amy is the former Chief Digital Health Officer at Alfred Health, a member of the Australasian Institute of Digital Health, and an active contributor to national digital health reform initiatives. An adventure a heart she is currently travelling around Europe whilst gaining a broader understanding of global healthcare issues and innovations.
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Amy McKimm
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Rhys brings over a decade of experience in consulting, coaching, and advisory across healthcare, technology, and leadership. He has worked with organisations in Australia, New Zealand, APAC, and North America, with previous roles at Gartner, Apis Group, Maximus International, and as Chief Transformation Officer for an enterprise technology provider.
Rhys is known for his practical, no-nonsense approach to leadership coaching. He supports leaders and teams under pressure, guiding large-scale transformations, leadership development, and resilience building. Drawing on his background in consulting, the Australian Army, and his own leadership practice, Rhys blends strategy with creativity to deliver meaningful results.
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Rhys Binney
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