Our team

Kellie-Ann has over 30 years’ experience as a leader in public health and health promotion. She has a Masters in Health Sciences and was a senior lecturer in health promotion at LaTrobe University. She has held senior management roles in policy and program development in State Government, VicHealth, community health and the not-for-profit sector and until recently, was the Chief Executive Officer Vic/Tas at the National Heart Foundation of Australia.

Kellie has served on numerous boards, advisory groups, research institutes and Ministerial appointed committees including the Cabrini Research Institute and Dental Health Services Victoria, where she chaired the Community Advisory Committee for 7 years.

In 2008, Kellie co-founded the not-for-profit organisation Victoria Walks and has been the Chair since 2010.

Kellie has a passion to prevent rather than treat disease which has driven most of her career. She has also been a strong advocate for community engagement and the need for organisations and services to actively listen and respond to the ‘voices’ of consumers to ensure quality care and effectiveness.

In her spare time, she works on her mental and physical fitness, catching up with friends and family, going to the theatre and travelling.

Heather Renton is the founder and President of Syndromes Without a Name (SWAN) - Australia, an advocacy group for families with undiagnosed children. Heather is the mother of a 10-year-old who until recently remained undiagnosed.

Heather is a member of the Croxton School Council, and also runs the Croxton parent support group and fundraising group.

Margaret retired in 2016 following a distinguished career of more than 40 years at the forefront of genetic counselling and patient support.

Appointed senior social worker at the Victorian Clinical Genetics Services (VCGS) in 1974, Margaret began working with families of children with genetic conditions, principally in the Bone Dysplasia Clinic. Margaret recognised the important role of parent support groups; she facilitated the formation of many and served on various boards. In 1996, together with various genetic support groups, Margaret founded the Genetic Support Network of Victoria (GSNV).

Margaret was a member of the inaugural Board of the Human Genetics Society of Australasia (HGSA), which developed the first guidelines to establish the profession of genetic counselling in Australia, in 1989. She went on to be appointed founding Director of the Master of Genetic Counselling (University of Melbourne).

Margaret was awarded the inaugural University of Melbourne (Department of Paediatrics) prize for excellence in teaching in 2016, and an Order of Australia in 2018. Two awards have been established in Margaret’s name: a GSNV incentive award for new support groups, and an academic excellence award in the Master of Genetic Counselling course.

Dr Janney Wale has a PhD in pharmacology and post-doctoral experience in industry, university and research institute environments. Forced to rethink her priorities because of her own health issues, Janney became an active member of the  Consumer Network for the evidence-based organisation, The Cochrane Collaboration, and a health consumer voice both locally and nationally in Australia.

Janney is particularly interested in empowering consumers with the health information they need to inform their choices for the health of themselves and their families. As a consumer editor at Cochrane, Janney contributes to the development of plain language summaries of systematic reviews of best evidence, published in the Cochrane Library. She is also a member of HTAi and enabling consumers to have a voice in new health technologies and health policy.

Janney is a member of The Royal Melbourne Hospital Community Advisory Committee.

Christine is a board member of the Consumer's Health Forum, a member of the Medical Services Advisory Committee Evaluation Subcommittee and a practising sociologist.

Christine manages a longitudinal survey into the social impact of epilepsy in Australia. Christine has researched and published extensively on self-management in chronic diseases, as well as consumer participation in health services.

Christine is a board member of NPS MedicineWise and of the National Standing Committee on Quality for the Royal Australian College of General Practitioners (RACGP). Current activities include working with Centre for Stem Cells Systems at the University of Melbourne, the consumer perspective on multiple conditions and a Primary Health Network in Victoria.

Spase has a strong interest in social justice and has over 20 years’ experience concerned with how to improve marginalised communities’ access to, and engagement with, health and community services. He has a particular interest in evaluation.

Spase started in community engagement working for Migrant Resource Centres in Melbourne’s west. He has worked in mental health and community health in ethnic diversity, equity and inclusion roles.

Spase is an experienced project worker and trainer in organisational cultural competence, health literacy and language services at Centre for Culture, Ethnicity and Health.

Stacey is an experienced management consultant with over 15 years’ experience in both private, public and community sectors.

Stacey leads her own consulting practice - One Red Step - focusing on social policy and social justice. Stacey is a former Director with PricewaterhouseCoopers leading its social policy practice particularly on education, gender equality  and family violence. 

Stacey is a Board member of Safe and Equal and Melbourne City Mission and is a Finance and Risk Subcommittee member of Our Watch. She is an IPAA Women of Colour mentor and was PwC’s inaugural staff lead for its cultural diversity and inclusion network for three years enabling conversations about racism and inclusion with over 8,000 people. 

Sue’s interest in genetics, and health care started over 45 years ago when her youngest sister was diagnosed with cystic fibrosis (CF). This initial interest led her into the field of medical laboratory science in the areas of haematology and blood bank and she worked across a number of metropolitan Melbourne public hospitals.

Following the birth of her son (1994) with CF she moved into the field of information technology working across many different sectors, including government, health, education, and telecommunications in a variety of roles such as technical writing and training. At the same time, she stepped up her CF volunteer work, which includes peer support, public speaking, advocacy, and research fundraising.

Sue is an experienced healthcare consumer representative (HCR) with established community connections and networks. She is an active HCR member of Safer Care Victoria, Health Issues Centre and Eastern Health, which includes Community Advisory Committee experience and other initiatives to improve patient-centred care.

Sue is a past recipient of a Cystic Fibrosis Community Care award for her continued support and dedication to raising CF awareness, and a Victorian Premier’s Volunteer Champion teamwork award relating to the annual ‘65km for CF’ research fundraising event that she and four other CF mums organise.

Sue is very excited about the subject of genomics and its application in helping improve healthcare and is grateful for the opportunity to be a member of the Community Advisory Group.

Maya wears many hats but is first and foremost a mum to two beautiful children, Lloyd aged 6 and Elsie aged 3. Lloyd was diagnosed with ‘Iqsec2 Associated Disorder’ – a syndrome without a name in 2019. She is currently completing a Bachelor of Science (Honours) and owns a small business that sells adaptive clothing for children. She is a passionate advocate and volunteer who applies capacity building approaches at all levels, including through research, policy and beyond.

A lawyer and company director, Catherine is also the Chairperson of Financial Adviser Standards & Ethics Authority, a member of the Reserve Bank of Australia’s Payments System Board, a Director of Australian Foundation Investment Company and Trustee of the Helen Macpherson Smith Trust.

She is a former Chair of Federation Square Pty Ltd and the Australian Synchrotron Company Ltd, Deputy Chair of Victorian Funds Management Corporation and a Director of ASX, National Australia Bank Ltd, Orica Ltd and the Melbourne Business School.

Professor Shelley Dolan joined the RMH in August 2023 as Chief Executive. She is a familiar face in the Parkville Precinct, previously serving as the Chief Executive of the Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre.

Professor Dolan is a highly respected clinical and research leader with an impressive track record in health care, having successfully led major organisational and cultural change in Victoria and the United Kingdom (UK).

Key capabilities include executive and non-executive leadership across national and international bodies, strategy development, delivering excellence in quality and performance, overseeing large capital schemes and innovative research projects that require engagement with a broad range of stakeholders.

Dr Peter Steer commenced his role as CEO at The Royal Children's Hospital in March 2025.

A paediatrician with a strong focus on research, Dr Steer brings extensive Australian and international experience to his role at the RCH. Previously Dr Steer served as CEO of Great Ormond Street Hospital in London, President of McMaster Children’s Hospital in Canada, and as CEO of Children’s Health Queensland.

Most recently, Dr Steer has been the Group Chief Executive of Mater Misericordiae Ltd in Brisbane. Dr Steer has led Mater’s services across Queensland, a not-for-profit ministry of Mercy Partners which brings together a range of critical services across health, education and research.

Mike McGuckin is the Associate Dean Research in the Faculty of Medicine, Dentistry and Health Sciences at the University of Melbourne. In this role he has strategic oversight of a broad spectrum of health research across this prestigious Faculty which is ranked =#11 internationally by the Times Higher Education Rankings.

He is a former NHMRC Principal Research Fellow and before taking up his current role was the Deputy Director (Research) of the Mater Research Institute – The University of Queensland within the Translational Research Institute in Brisbane, where he also led an Inflammatory Disease Biology and Therapeutics Research Group.

Alistair Brown is the Chief Financial Officer at WEHI.

He leads the finance, procurement and logistics teams, who partner closely with scientists, professional services colleagues and the leadership team, providing excellent analysis and advice to ensure the ongoing sustainability and growth of both individual labs and the overall organisation.

Alistair has significant experience across both the commercial and non-for-profit sector, including roles as Regional CFO Asia for AXA, and as CFO for Save the Children Australia.

Professor Kathryn North AC is Director of the Murdoch Children's Research Institute and the David Danks Professor of Child Health Research at The University of Melbourne.

Professor North is trained as a physician, neurologist and clinical geneticist and, in 1994, was awarded a doctorate for research in neurogenetics. She completed a postdoctoral fellowship in the Harvard Genetics Program.

Professor North is a national and international leader in Genomic medicine. In 2014, Professor North was appointed as Co-Chair of the Global Alliance for Genomics and Health - a collaborative network of over 500 organisations across over 100 countries funded by the NIH and the Wellcome Trust (genomicsandhealth.org). Commencing in 2016, she leads an NHMRC-funded national network of over 80 institutions - the Australian Genomics Health Alliance (AGHA). 

Professor Brett Sutton is the Director of CSIRO's Health and Biosecurity business unit. A qualified public health physician, he has extensive experience and clinical expertise in public health and communicable diseases, gained through experience in Government, emergency medicine and field-based international work.

Most recently, Prof Sutton has held the role of Victoria’s Chief Health Officer together with the role of Victoria’s Chief Human Biosecurity Officer. Prior to his appointment as Chief Health Officer, Professor Sutton held several senior positions within the Victorian Department of Health, including as Deputy Chief Health Officer (Communicable Disease) and within their Health Protection Branch.

Professor Sutton also has specialist knowledge in tropical medicine and infectious disease, including in lower-middle income countries and complex humanitarian environments, and has worked in various specialised health roles in Afghanistan, Ethiopia, Kenya, Timor-Leste, and Fiji.

Professor Sutton is a Fellow of the Royal Society for Public Health, a Fellow of the Australasian College of Tropical Medicine, and a Fellow of the Australasian Faculty of Public Health Medicine (AFPHM). He is also a member of the Faculty of Travel Medicine.

Joe Baini was appointed Chief Executive Officer of the Australian Genome Research Facility in 2021. 

Mr Baini has more than three decades of experience holding senior management positions in large-scale biotechnology and pharmaceutical companies. With skills in strategic and market development, he has achieved success as the CEO of multinational, ASX-listed organisations since 2011.

Previously Mr Baini led the establishment of Gilead Sciences across Asia Pacific and built the fledgling organisation into a significant player in the pharmaceutical sphere. Prior to joining AGRF as Interim CEO earlier this year, Mr Baini worked as CEO of Immuron and PresSura Neuro and has been Principal of Exec Factor since 2008.

Professor Jason Payne is Chief Executive of Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre and a health professional with more than 28 years of clinical, management and leadership experience. Jason has been a champion for staff wellbeing throughout his career, with a strong belief that people perform at their best when they feel supported at work.

Jason has a wealth of operational experience and has overseen the expansion of multiple health services. He began his career as a nurse in 1994 at Austin Health where he worked for over a decade. In 2010, Jason became the Divisional Director, Cancer and Neurosciences at the Olivia Newton-John Cancer, Wellness & Research Centre. He has since then served in a series of executive roles including Chief Operating Officer and then Chief Executive of Mercy Health Services.

Jodie Geissler was appointed CEO of Austin Health in March 2025.

Jodie has over two decades’ experience in strategic and operational roles in Victoria’s health system and is known for her focus on positive patient outcomes, systemic improvements, and her strong commitment to cultural safety and collaborative partnerships.

Before joining Austin Health, Jodie was the Deputy Secretary, Hospitals and Health Services Division at the Department of Health Victoria. Jodie was responsible for the operational performance of all Victorian hospitals and health services, ambulance services and aged care. 

Previously, Jodie has held a range of senior roles in the public health system, including as the Chief Executive Officer for the Royal Commission into Victoria’s Mental Health System.

Professor Eugine Yafele commenced as CEO of Monash Health in March 2024.

Relocating from the United Kingdom to Australia to take up this position, Prof Yafele was recognised as the top National Health Service (NHS) CEO in 2022 by the Health Service Journal.

Professor Yafele was previously Chief Executive Officer at University Hospitals Bristol and Weston NHS Foundation Trust.

Professor Yafele brings a deep and broad experience across senior clinical, operational and leadership roles to Monash Health and a particular interest in value-based healthcare and reducing health inequities.

Cate is a technical advisor to Melbourne Genomics Health Alliance. She is an experienced healthcare executive and has worked in leadership roles in multiple academic, tertiary health services including The Royal Melbourne Hospital, The Alfred Hospital and Monash Health. Through these roles, Cate has deep experience in delivering high quality health care, achieving major improvements in health care and strengthening hospitals clinical leadership, clinical governance and research governance.

Alongside her work with Melbourne Genomics, Cate is currently working with the Fiji Ministry of Health and Medical Services to achieve improvements in clinical governance and clinical leadership at both a national and hospital level, as well as with the World Health Organisation to develop a program to train hospital leaders in clinical governance, antimicrobial stewardship and clinical leadership. She is also a non-executive director on the Board of Yooralla, a large disability services provider and is chair of the Service Development and quality committee.

Dr Kortnye Smith is a Medical Oncologist based at the Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre. She began her medical studies in Adelaide, before moving to Melbourne to pursue further training in medical oncology.

Kortnye has published and presented in the areas of genomic medicine, melanoma, and supportive care in cancer patients. She is committed to providing the best individualized and evidence-based care to her patients.

Norelle is an Infectious Diseases Physician & Clinical Microbiologist, co-appointed at Austin Health and The Peter Doherty Institute Microbiological Diagnostic Unit Public Health Laboratory.

She studied medicine at Monash University, completed physician training at the Alfred Hospital, and went on to specialise in infectious diseases and clinical microbiology before moving into research as a PhD student at University of Melbourne. Her time is now split between research - including the Controlling Superbugs project - and clinical work in infectious diseases at Austin Health. Norelle's research interests include antimicrobial (antibiotic) resistance and translating genomics into clinical and public health practice.

Dr Kushani Jayasinghe is a consultant nephrologist based at Monash Health whilst also undertaking dual training in clinical genetics at Royal Melbourne Hospital. Dr Jayasinghe studied Medicine at Monash University and undertook her physician training in Melbourne. She has a special interest in genetic kidney disease and is the clinical lead for genetic kidney disease at Monash Health. She completed her PhD research at Monash University on the clinical utility and feasibility of genomic sequencing in kidney disease. Her current research continues to focus on the clinical application of genomics in nephrology and improving the diagnostic yield of genomic sequencing in kidney disease through the application of the latest sequencing technologies in undiagnosed patients. Dr Jayasinghe is passionate about improving implementation of genomic medicine in routine nephrology care, which is a focus of her postdoctoral research at Monash University.

Dr Aamira Huq is a consultant clinical geneticist at The Royal Melbourne Hospital. She consults in neurogenetics, general genetics as well as familial cancer clinics. Aamira completed her PhD in 2019 through the University of Melbourne, supported by the Yulgilbar Alzheimer Research program and the Commonwealth Research Training Program Scholarships. Through her PhD, she explored various genomic aspects of dementia, including clinically oriented whole genome sequencing in dementia, as well as the utility of polygenic risk scores.

Prof Paul James is a Clinical Geneticist from Melbourne. He is the Director of the Parkville Familial Cancer Centre at the Royal Melbourne Hospital and Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre, and Head of Clinical Genetics in the Department of Genomic Medicine (RMH). He is the group leader of Familial Cancer Research at Peter MacCallum and leads a program of research involving familial disorders with a focus on translational studies that examine integration of genomic findings into clinical practice.

Emma Weisz is a paediatrician, researcher and medical educator. 

Emma works clinically in both general paediatrics and clinical genetics, with special interests in First Nations Health and diversity affirming care. Her past research has focussed on school-based education/screening programs and minimising low value healthcare. She holds honorary appointments in the Departments of Paediatrics at both The University of Melbourne and Monash University.  

Emma is working with the paediatrics state-wide project to develop, implement and evaluate ways to support paediatricians to use genomic tests.