Our Team

John is a highly credentialed and respected leader in the community services and not-for-profit sector with over 26 years’ experience. John is currently the Acting CEO of MS Research Australia and the CEO of Multiple Sclerosis Limited (MSL).

John spent eight years as CEO of VincentCare Victoria, where he was responsible for strategic direction and operational delivery, with oversight of more than 400 FTE staff. Under John’s leadership VincentCare transitioned to the consumer directed environment including the delivery of Commonwealth Home Care Packages and a NDIS funded Disability Employment Program.

“The NDIS and My Aged Care are significant social reforms which present wonderful opportunities for those in our community living with a disability. While offering consumers a greater say in terms of choice and self- direction, navigating these new systems present significant challenges,” said John.

“I enjoy working with the MS team to ensure all those living with multiple sclerosis have access to the best advice and support appropriate to their needs and achieving their goals.”

John also led VincentCare Community Housing, an organisation which offers a range of accommodation options for people at risk of Primary Homelessness, managing housing properties, independent living units across regional Victoria; and rooming house properties. In 2016, John undertook a secondment as CEO of St Vincent de Paul Society in Victoria.

Before this John operated at Anglicare Victoria for eleven years, commencing as Executive Manager Corporate Services with accountability for operational leadership of key functional areas, and later moving into the role of Deputy Chief Executive Officer/Chief Operating Officer, managing the Agency’s corporate and community services. Earlier in his career John held the position of Director Community Relations & Development.

Dr Julia Morahan oversees the research funding and coordinating activities of MS Research Australia. This includes the MS Research Australia competitive grant program, national MS research collaborations and commissioned research projects. She also oversees the communication of the latest MS research activities to MS Research Australia stakeholders, donors and the broader MS community.

Julia has a Bachelor of Medical Science from the University of Sydney and a PhD in Neurology and Genetics undertaken at the Royal Prince Alfred Hospital in Sydney. Following her PhD, which investigated the neurodegenerative condition Motor Neuron Disease (MND), Julia was funded by MND Australia to undertake a postdoctoral fellowship to look at genetic and environmental factors in the development of the disease.

In 2009, Julia switched her focus to MS and became the first recipient of a joint MS Research Australia – MS UK Fellowship, to work at the University of Oxford which was supported by the Macquarie Group Foundation. Upon Julia’s return to Sydney in 2012, Julia joined MS Research Australia as the Research Development Coordinator, followed by her role as the Deputy Head of Research.

Petricia Augustus manages the various communications, marketing and media programs including public relations, website, social media, brochures and newsletters. Petricia also oversees the operational including IT systems, telephony, event logistics and office management.

Petricia has a Bachelor of Arts from Flinders University, with a double major in Psychology and History. Prior to joining MS Research Australia, Petricia worked in a variety of industries, including health care, complementary medicine, IT, fleet management and local government. Within these positions her responsibilities have included marketing, communications, market research, customer service and education.

Susan’s role as Head of Relationships, Fundraising and Development is to advance MS Research Australia’s philanthropic, financial and reputational capital both nationally and internationally. Working closely with the Chief Executive Officer, Board, Leadership Council, allied MS organisations and staff, she is responsible for developing strategies to build relationships that foster philanthropic giving in support of the organisation’s MS research goals and projects. With support from her team, Susan manages philanthropic relationships across our individual, corporate and foundation donor base. Engaging our partnerships amongst government, business, pharmaceutical and community groups is also an important part of her role.

Susan holds a Bachelor of Agricultural Science and Masters of Public Health. Prior to joining MS Research Australia, Susan held fundraising leadership roles at the National Heart Foundation and a suite of sales and marketing positions within the corporate sector. In 2017 she was awarded Runner Up Campaign Manager of the Year as part of the Third Sector Awards and in 2018 she was recognised by F&P Magazine as an industry Mover ‘n’ Shaker.

Patrick Foong consults to MS Research Australia as the Head of Finance and is responsible for all financial aspects of the organisation as well as the parent company Multiple Sclerosis Australia. He was appointed as the Company Secretary to MS Research Australia in August 2016.

Patrick graduated from the Queensland University of Technology with a Bachelor of Business, majoring in accounting and is a qualified CPA. Patrick brings over 20 years of working experience in both charitable and corporate organisations.

Dr Hamish Campbell is responsible for the communication of research information to the MS Research Australia community. Hamish also oversees the NSW MS Research network and the MS Clinical Trials Network.

Hamish holds a BSc(Hons) in Genetics and a PhD in Molecular Cell Biology from the University of Otago (New Zealand). Following the completion of his PhD, Hamish was recruited by the Children’s Medical Research Institute (Sydney), where his primary research focused on the immune system, autoimmune disease and cancer.

Previously, Hamish has co-authored a number of scientific articles and has been an invited speaker at international conferences. Hamish also has extensive experience in the governance of science with previous positions on ethics, biosafety and scientific grant advisory committees.

Dr Tennille Luker is responsible for the communication of research information to the MS Research Australia community. She also oversees the NSW MS Research Network, MS Clinical Trials Network and the Australian New Zealand MS Genetics Consortium (ANZgene).

Tennille has a BSc (Adv) Hons in Biochemistry from the University of Sydney and a PhD in Molecular Biology from the Australian National University. Upon completion of her PhD, Tennille worked at the Children’s Medical Research Institute where she focused on the genetics of head development.

Tennille has experience in editing and has been a member of several conference organising committees. She has also presented lectures to high school and university students.

Arjanna’s role focuses on moving forward translational aspects of social and applied MS research. This includes building the necessary infrastructure within MS Research Australia to facilitate knowledge and research translation to and amongst stakeholders. She also supports the research team to deliver their other priorities.

Arjanna holds a BSc (Hons, class I) in Medical Science from UNSW. Following the completion of her Honours year, she worked as a Research Assistant at the Children’s Cancer Institute Australia. She contributed towards multiple scientific publications, and was part of the working group that launched the “Zero Childhood Cancer” Personalised Medicine clinical trial.

Her professional experience also includes time as Project Officer to the Deputy-Vice Chancellor (Research) at Macquarie University and diverse roles in the not-for-profit and social impact sectors. She has an interest in continuing to develop her career in the medical research/not-for-profit sectors.

Gabrielle coordinates MS Research Australia’s grants program, from enquiries, applications and  peer reviews through to the Research Management Council.

Gabrielle completed a Bachelor of Communications majoring in Political and Social Science at University of Technology Sydney and jumped straight into the grants world.

As well as working and volunteering for several not-for-profits, Gabrielle has assisted in developing her family’s growing childcare business over the last 12 years.

Tim manages MS Research Australia’s partnerships with the corporate sector, and is responsible for coordinating all aspects of these relationships, including sponsorships, donations, staff participation programs and corporate social responsibility strategy implementation.

Tim graduated from the University of Warwick in the UK with a Bachelor of Arts (Honours) in English. Prior to joining MS Research Australia, Tim worked for twenty years in the arts sector. He has a background in fundraising, leadership, strategic planning, program management and creative thinking.

Julia’s role is to establish and manage philanthropic relationships with Trusts and Foundations both nationally and globally. This involves project development in addition to researching, developing, writing, submitting and acquitting grant proposals. She also aims to increase awareness and the understanding of the significant role that MS Research Australia plays in the advancement to better treat, prevent, stop and reverse multiple sclerosis, and to highlight the potential of this to happen within the next 10 years, in order to secure and grow philanthropic income.

Julia holds a Bachelor of Economics from The University of Sydney and is a qualified Chartered Accountant. After a career in Stockbroking as an Equities Analyst covering the Media Sector, Investment Banking as a Corporate Advisor in the Media and Telecommunications Sector and experience in Business Development, she moved into the Philanthropic Sector to help support the needs of the community.

With previous similar Trusts and Foundations experience with local charities, Julia is based in Melbourne and is MS Research Australia’s representative in Victoria.

Tanja Voss manages and coordinates all aspects of MS Research Australia’s Kiss Goodbye to MS campaign, including communications and marketing, fundraiser liaison, events and campaign operations.

Tanja graduated from Hochschule Fresenius in Hamburg, Germany with a Bachelor of Media and Communication Management, majoring in online and media management. Tanja initially volunteered for Kiss Goodbye to MS followed by a contract with the Kiss Goodbye to MS campaign in 2016. Tanja then gained further fundraising experience at a different organisation in the not-for-profit sector before she joined the team at MS Research Australia again.

Nicki’s role is to deliver MS Research’s Australia’s Gift in Wills program. She is responsible for leading the growth of Gift in Will income stream by developing strategies to build relationships that foster increased philanthropic support of the organisation’s MS research goals and projects.

Nicki graduated from University of Technology Sydney with a Bachelor of Business and holds qualifications in fundraising and event management. She has almost 10 years’ experience in community and event fundraising, having worked across a number of high profile fundraising campaigns at Cancer Council NSW and the National Heart Foundation.

Neil Robertson currently manages the Relationship and Planned Giving programs of MS Research Australia.

Prior to joining MS Research Australia in 2005, Neil worked in the pre-press printing industry. Neil is a member of the Fundraising Institute Australia (FIA) and in 2010 was awarded the Rotary International Pride of Workmanship Award.

Shannen graduated from the University of Notre Dame Australia with a Bachelor in Media and Communications, with a Major in Film and Screen Production. After taking part and fundraising herself for several charity runs and events, Shannen realised her passion lied with the Philanthropic sector. Following her previous roles at ChildFund Australia and FIA, she found herself falling in love with community fundraising.

Lizzy works in the Marketing and Communications team primarily looking after social media and digital marketing projects for MS Research Australia.

Lizzy graduated from the University of Reading in the United Kingdom with a BA (Hons) in Business Management and Administration. Lizzy has worked in marketing and advertising for 7 years with experience in the financial and fashion industries in London, prior to moving to Sydney.

Sophie is part of the Marketing and Communications team, looking after everything digital marketing related. Sophie graduated from University of New South Wales with a Bachelor of Media (Communications and Journalism) and a Bachelor of International Business.

Sophie has previously worked in numerous small businesses in digital marketing and has a passion for design and content.

Anita’s role as the Office Administrator and Executive Assistant is to provide high level support to the Chief Executive Officer and to the teams across the organisation.

Prior to joining MS Research Australia, Anita worked primarily in the public service for the Northern Territory Government and the Victorian Public Sector in a variety of corporate support positions.

She is currently studying a Bachelor of Communications at Deakin University.

Jason’s role as Database Manager is to lead the strategic development of MS Research Australia’s CRM in order to support the Fundraising, Marketing, Research and Finance teams deliver their objectives. He manages the collection, maintenance and analysis of data in order to support the promotion of MS Research Australia’s achievements, raise its profile and increase its fundraising and marketing capabilities.

Jason has worked with a vast selection of organisations in the Not-for-Profit sector for nearly a decade. He has a background in Solution Design, Implementation, Training, Analysis and Data Management, across all streams of fundraising.

Cassandra works alongside the Database Manager to support MS Research Australia with data services to support their work across organisation. She is responsible for the day to day management, donation processing and use of the donor management database.

Cassandra has been in the Non-for-Profit sector for over 7 years specializing in customer service, finance and data administration.