Our people

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Peter Russo

In 2022, Peter’s life took an unexpected turn when he was diagnosed with MND. While initially confronting, this diagnosis became a catalyst for transformation.

In 2022, Peter’s life took an unexpected turn when he was diagnosed with MND. While initially confronting, this diagnosis became a catalyst for transformation. Rising above feelings of helplessness, Peter stands as a testament to the strength of the human spirit, embracing a renewed sense of purpose: to turn his personal journey into a platform for advocacy and hope. As an Ambassador for MND Australia, Peter is passionately committed to raising awareness by amplifying the voices of those affected; as well as fostering greater understanding, compassion and meaningful change around this devastating disease.

Peter is an accomplished professional with extensive experience within the private, public, and non-profit sectors; encompassing leadership, behavioural change, stakeholder engagement and governance. Peter also served with distinction in the Royal Australian Air Force for over 35 years, an experience that shaped his resilience, discipline, and deep sense of purpose.

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Jane Simpson

Jane’s husband, Robert, died 10 months after his diagnosis of MND. Since his death, Jane has worked tirelessly to make a difference to people living with MND and their carers.

Jane’s husband, Robert, died 10 months after his diagnosis of MND. Jane understands the intricacies of caring for someone with rapidly progressive MND, particularly within the aged care system.

Since her husband’s death, Jane has worked tirelessly via numerous initiatives, to make a difference to people living with MND and their carers. Jane is the current Chair of the MND Research Collective: Lived Experience Research Advisory Panel and is also the producer and host of the podcast Let’s Talk MND. Jane spent 20 years in the corporate world, before starting her own award-winning business.

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Andrew Danson | Chair

Andrew is Director of The Leasing Collective, which assists retailers with their property portfolios and leasing requirement on a national and international level.

Andrew is a current Director of The Leasing Collective business (previously Urban Food Collective) which assists retailers with their property portfolios and leasing requirement on a national and international level. He is a current board member of the South Melbourne Market and is the current Chair of the Motor Neurone Disease Association of South Australia. He has lived experience with the disease, with his father having passed away at the start of 2020.

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Peter Ricketts | Treasurer

Peter has more than 15 years’ directorship and governance experience including within the “for profit” and “for purpose” sectors.

Peter has more than 15 years’ directorship and governance experience including within the “for profit” and “for purpose” sectors and as a past facilitator for the Australian Institute of Company Directors in its finance, strategy and risk programs. Peter is also a member of the Finance, Audit and Risk Management Committee for Neurological Research Australia.

Peter’s executive career included senior broad financial management and governance responsibilities across a wide spectrum of business sectors, various sized businesses and within both listed and non-listed environments. His areas of expertise include strategy development and implementation, financing, negotiation, governance, organisational risk assessments, organizational evaluation and restructuring and financial management.

Peter is a Fellow of the Australian Institute of Company Directors, a member of the Institute of Chartered Accountants Australia and New Zealand, a Fellow of the Governance Institute of Australia, and a senior member of the Australian Corporate Treasurer’s Association.

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Diana Melham | Company Secretary

Diana has spent 25+ years as a senior executive and company director in the not-for-profit sector.

Diana has spent 25+ years as a senior executive and company director in the not-for-profit sector. An experienced CEO, she has led both not-for-profit and commercial organisations involved in agriculture and sport. Diana currently provides company secretary and governance services to several community sector organisations through her consultancy, NFP Assist, and in addition to serving as President of MND Queensland, her other voluntary roles include director/secretary of a disability charity and company secretary for an Aboriginal family legal service.

Diana has a Master of Business Law and is currently studying for a Bachelor of Laws. She is also a graduate of the Australian Institute of Company Directors and an Associate of the Governance Institute of Australia.

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Prof Samar Aoun

Samar is Perron Institute Research Chair in Palliative Care at the University of Western Australia and 2023 WA Australian of the Year.

Samar is Perron Institute Research Chair in Palliative Care at the University of Western Australia and 2023 WA Australian of the Year. Samar adopts a public health approach and a focus on under-served population groups such as people with MND and advocates for person-centred health and social care. Her research programs on supporting family caregivers at end of life and the Public Health Model of Bereavement Support have informed policy and practice at the national and international levels. Samar is also currently the President of MND WA.

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Prof David Burke AC

David is Professor Emeritus in the Department of Neurology at Royal Prince Alfred Hospital and University of Sydney.

David is Professor Emeritus in the Department of Neurology at Royal Prince Alfred Hospital and University of Sydney. Previously he held Chairs of Clinical Neurophysiology from 1987 and of Neurology from 1991 at the University of New South Wales during which he was appointed Chairman of the Department of Neurology, Prince Henry and Prince of Wales Hospitals. David led one of the two research teams around which the Prince of Wales Medical Research Institute [now renamed “NeuRA”] was formed in 1991, and was Director of Clinical Research until 2002. From 2002 to 2008, he was Dean of Research for the Health Faculties at University of Sydney and from 2008-2013 Bushell Professor of Neurology at Royal Prince Alfred Hospital.

He is a Fellow of the Australian Academy of Science and of the Australian Academy of Technology and Engineering, was a member of the Executive Committee of the International Federation for 18 years, immediate past Editor of Clinical Neurophysiology, and inaugural Editor of Clinical Neurophysiology Practice. He was appointed Officer in the Order of Australia in 1999, and elevated to Companion in the Order of Australia in 2019.

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Amy Critchley

Amy is a public sector professional with over 20 years experience in government, both at the Federal and State level.

Amy is a public sector professional with over 20 years experience in government, both at the Federal and State level. She has held senior positions focussed on policy, strategy, intelligence and governance in her day job and is mum to four lively kids and a Labrador in her non-paid job! 

Amy likes to keep herself busy through being a member of the local ACT MND community and has been an MND NSW Board Member since 2013, where she currently serves as Vice-President.

Amy brings her lived experience to the Board, through being a carer for her mother who passed away from MND.

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Marion Hemphill

Marion is a corporate lawyer with over 25 years’ experience and is currently the General Counsel and Chief Privacy Officer of Australian Red Cross Lifeblood.

Marion is a corporate lawyer with over 25 years’ experience. Marion is currently the General Counsel and Chief Privacy Officer of Australian Red Cross Lifeblood. Prior to joining Lifeblood, she worked for large firms in Australia, London and New Zealand and regulators in New Zealand.

Marion is a fellow of the Cranlana Centre for Ethical Leadership and was previously a director of MCM.

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Chris Symonds

Chris is living with Kennedys Disease, a progressive motor neuron disease without cure or treatment.

Chris is living with Kennedys Disease, a progressive motor neuron disease without cure or treatment. He is married to Fayellen for 45 years and has four children Nicole, Michael, Claire and Bronwen.

A boilermaker welder by trade, Chris left employment in 2010 and now focuses on his health, family, community, sailing, and self-managing his NDIS plan. Chris is also a three-time World Champion sailor, who competes successfully at national and international level and has won  Australian Sailing's Para Sailor of the Year a record five times in succession.

In addition to the MND Australia board, Chris volunteers his time to several other boards throughout Tasmania, Australia and internationally. Chairing the Tasmanian Premiers Disability Advisory Council, Commodore of Wynyard Yacht Club, President of MND Tasmania, Vice President of Sailability Tasmania, Chair of Australian Sailing Tasmania Regional Advisory Committee, and Board member of the International RS Venture Connect Sailing Class Association.

Chris has a high focus on physical and mental health and believes a positive attitude, combined with high moral values and respect for others, are key attributes.

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Jeremy Urbach

Jeremy is an accomplished finance professional with extensive expertise in governance, strategy, and finance.

Jeremy is an accomplished finance professional with extensive expertise in governance, strategy, and finance. He is a partner and CFO at IDA, a boutique private credit and investment manager. His career highlights include significant roles at Macquarie Group, where he contributed to the real estate structured finance division and later to the real estate and infrastructure funds management arm. Before joining IDA, Jeremy founded Jameson Capital, a boutique real estate investment manager. He is a Fellow of the Tax Institute.

Jeremy has been an active member of the State Council for MND Victoria since 2016 and has served as Treasurer and Chair of the Finance, Audit, Investment and Risk (FAIR) Committee since 2017.

Jeremy’s father passed away from MND at a young age.

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Clare Sullivan | CEO

Clare is a results oriented leader with over 20 years’ experience in leadership and advocacy across a range of sectors including health, community, infrastructure and government.

Clare is a results oriented leader with over 20 years’ experience in leadership and advocacy across a range of sectors including health, community, infrastructure and government. Clare is driven to make Australia a better place to live and to improve the lives of Australians in her professional and personal life.

Clare comes to the role of Chief Executive of MND Australia having delivered significant policy change, millions of dollars in funding programs and greater engagement for a diverse range of organisations. She now oversees millions of dollars in research funding while supporting State Associations in service delivery to improve the lives for people with motor neurone disease, and their families and carers.

Drawing on her experience as a CEO, Chief of Staff and senior executive, Clare is driven to deliver strong results for MND Australia, working to continually improve the care and support services available for people with MND while relentlessly pursuing a cure.

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Heba Abudiak | Project Manager

Heba joined the MND Australia team in February 2025 as a Project Manager in community activation.

Heba joined the MND Australia team in February 2025 as a Project Manager in community activation. She has 15 years' experience in health and IT project management and has worked in contract roles for government and not for profit organisations since 2016. Heba has Bachelor of Science in Pharmacy and a Master in Business Administration.

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Laura Birks | Research Coordinator

Laura joined the MND Australia team as Research Coordinator in November 2018 and manages MND Australia’s research grants program.

Laura joined the MND Australia team as Research Coordinator in November 2018 and manages MND Australia’s research grants program. Laura has a background in science and environmental law and a masters in education. She worked part time at MND NSW while studying at university. Since moving to Canberra in 2009, Laura has worked in a policy role at an industry association, undertaken committee work at Parliament House and has worked at a local publisher. Outside of work, Laura loves spending time with her three kids and getting out in the beautiful Canberra bushland for a run.

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Maddie Catlin | Executive Officer

Maddie holds a Master of Project Management and a Bachelor of Communications from the University of New South Wales.

Maddie holds a Master of Project Management and a Bachelor of Communications from the University of New South Wales. She is passionate about working with not-for-profit organisations which have a social impact. Maddie’s experience extends across governance, project management, event management, marketing strategy and implementation, operations and stakeholder engagement. In her spare time, Maddie volunteers some pro-bono hours for deserving charities and spends weekends with her two dogs – usually at the beach!

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Olivia Everitt | Grants Coordinator

Olivia joined the MND Australia team as Grants Coordinator in September 2023.

Olivia joined the MND Australia team as Grants Coordinator in September 2023. Olivia has extensive grant writing, strategic planning, event and project management experience across the arts and culture, economic development, not-for-profit and local government sectors. Based on Gubbi Gubbi country in Queensland, Olivia holds a Master of Business (Arts and Cultural Management) from Deakin University and a Bachelor of Fine Arts (Visual Arts) from the Queensland University of Technology. Outside of office hours, Olivia is a busy mum to four children and enjoys getting lost in a good book. 

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Melissa Fagan | Information Resources Development Manager

Melissa joined MND Australia in September 2023 and is a writer, editor and communications specialist with over 20 years experience.

Melissa joined MND Australia in September 2023. She is a writer, editor and communications specialist with 20 years experience within the health and medical, not-for-profit and travel sectors, including roles at Melanoma Institute Australia and Cancer Council Queensland. Melissa is the author of What Will Be Worn: A McWhirters Story, published by Transit Lounge in September 2018, and also writes essays, reviews and short stories. She has lectured and taught writing to undergraduate and postgraduate students at The University of Queensland and the Queensland University of Technology and recently completed a PhD in creative writing within the Aberdeen-Curtin Alliance program.

Melissa is based on Bundjalung country, in the Tweed region of northern New South Wales.

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Louise Henry | Business Manager

Louise commenced with MND Australia in August of 2024 as Business Manager and brings 35 years’ experience in managing small to medium sized businesses.

Louise commenced with MND Australia in August of 2024 as Business Manager. Louise brings 35 years’ experience in managing small to medium sized businesses, in both the legal and franchising sectors, working as Practice Manager and of a number of small to medium legal firms as well as a large franchise operation across Australia, New Zealand and the UK. Louise is a multi- award winning businesswoman, having won the ACT Telstra Business Woman Awards in both 2008 and 2013, as well as Franchising Woman of the Year in 2010 and 2011. Louise is a fanatical AFL fan, and has been a member of the Sydney Swans since she was 10 years old.

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Julie Labra | Program Manager, National MND Lived Experience Network

Julie joined MND Australia in September 2023, to co-design, implement and now manage the National MND Lived Experience Network.

Julie joined MND Australia in September 2023, to co-design, implement and now manage the National MND Lived Experience Network. Coming from an allied health background and coordinating a multidisciplinary MND Clinic for 17 years, she has extensive experience coordinating healthcare for people living with MND. Julie has a keen interest in managing projects and remains actively involved in MND care research, publishing papers in peer-reviewed journals.

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Morag Millington | Communications Manager

Morag joined MND Australia in February 2019 and has extensive experience in marketing and communications, initially in book publishing before moving into the the heath and research sectors.

Morag joined MND Australia in February 2019 and has extensive experience in marketing and communications, beginning in book publishing before moving into the the public heath and research sectors. Before moving to Canberra, Morag worked for a research and health promotion centre at the University of NSW, where she also completed a Master of Public Health.

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Dr Ginny Sargent | Communications & Engagement Manager

Ginny joined MNDA in February 2025, bringing 30 years of experience in science communication, adult education, and evaluating government health promotion policies.

Ginny joined MNDA in February 2025, bringing 30 years of experience in science communication, adult education, and evaluating government health promotion policies. Ginny is dedicated to making knowledge actionable and accessible and brings her expertise as an academic in population health research, knowledge exchange and translation, and fostering collaboration to improve health outcomes and inform policy.

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Isobel Shearman | Policy and Advocacy Manager

Isobel joined the MND team in October 2024 as the Policy and Advocacy Manager and has worked with not for profits and government organisations for more than 20 years.

Isobel joined the MND team in October 2024 as the Policy and Advocacy Manager. She has worked with not for profits and government organisations in policy, program and participation roles in the areas of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander health and education, rural health and mental health for more than twenty years. Isobel has a Bachelor of Community Education from the University of Canberra and has volunteered extensively in environmental restoration and seed banking in Canberra and the surrounding region.

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Shaun Stemmett | Strategic Communications & Marketing Advisor

Shaun is a strategic marketing and communications leader with 15 years of global brand experience across FMCG, automotive, and telecoms.

Shaun is a strategic marketing and communications leader with 15 years of global brand experience across FMCG, automotive, and telecoms. Shaun specializes in brand strategy, integrated communications, and stakeholder relations. At MND Australia, Shaun is committed to amplifying the organisation's voice, strengthening connections, and enhancing its impact for those affected by MND. Outside of work, he's a dedicated father of two and a passionate surfer whenever coastal trips permit.